Participatory processes are essential to successful coastal stewardship. However,
do we always know what difference they make? How should we, and how can we,
measure their impact? This workshop will explore the idea and use of social indicators and will learn about social science tools for systematically identifying,
assessing and integrating the qualitative social and cultural aspects of coastal management. Participants should be prepared to work on specific human dimension questions or dynamics on which they or other workshop participants are working. Using the workshop tools, they will identify social indicators that can
be used to measure change in that particular dynamic. Participants will then use the workshop tools to design an approach for identifying baseline information on the issue, construct a plan for action(s) to be taken to impact the issue, and develop a plan for measuring the impact of the action(s) on the issue. Tools will include social mapping, interviews, focus groups, and surveys.

The goals of this workshop are to: 1) Offer state-level MMA managers and other conservation practitioners a process and set of methods to evaluate the effectiveness of MMAs for the purposes of adaptive management and improved MMA
performance; 2) evaluate the needs of those managers in developing and implementing such a process. While the planning, design and implementation of MMAs has been the focus of much attention and discussion over the past two decades, there has been comparatively little emphasis placed on monitoring and evaluation for adaptive management purposes. The workshop will present topics to enhance management effectiveness including how to define effectiveness, the cost and benefits in undertaking the evaluation process and selecting indicators (biophysical, socioeconomic, governance). During the afternoon session, staff from the National MPA Training and Technical Assistance Institute will facilitate in focus group format a discussion of ways in which training could improve the understanding, development and use of performance measures and outcome indicators by MMA managers. The information gathered will be summarized and shared with participants, and will provide valuable input to develop training and technical assistance on MMA effectiveness.

In order to more efficiently allocate limited resources, federal, state, and local
government agencies are requiring coastal management professionals to evaluate
the impacts of their programs, products, and projects. Education, extension, and
outreach programs, in particular, frequently rely on anecdotal evidence to support their effectiveness. Efforts to more accurately and meaningfully measure project impacts on target audiences, and ultimately on marine resources, are increasing. This ½ day workshop will introduce coastal and marine professionals to the key elements of instructional design theory that will allow them to design targeted projects, and measure their impacts and outcomes. Participants will gain the following: describe the context of project design and evaluation within the scope of agency and organization missions, strategic plans, and established program niches; explain how to apply instructional design theory and practices to project development; explain the role of logic models in project design and evaluation and create logic models for their projects; identify project performance measurements from their logic model; and describe three types and four levels of evaluation that can be applied to their projects.

Students and young professionals will gather to discuss the transition from graduate study to full time employment and how to steer a successful career path in
coastal management. This workshop will be valuable to students currently involved in TCS student chapters and those that wish to form new student cha-ters.

Spend an afternoon immersing yourself (literally!) in one of the coast's most widely recognized sports. Learn basic surfing skills and etiquette in the forgiving waves of Newport's First Beach. Learn first hand why surfers are concerned about coastal zone management and consider themselves an "indicator species".

$20 per person. Limited to 50 participants. Bring a bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, warm clothes, water bottle, and your sense of adventure. The RI Chapter of Surfrider Foundation will provide wetsuits, surfboards, safety and surfing instruction.

Come with us on Save The Bay's M/V Alletta Morris as we explore Narragansett Bay the way it was intended to be viewed from the water. We'll see active and inactive lighthouses from waterfront and land at Rose Island where we will take a tour of the active lighthouse there. Join The Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation as we walk the shore, investigate the island's history and visit the lighthouse. You will learn about the fascinating marine animals and birds that inhabit Narragansett Bay and surround Rose Island. You and your family can examine some marine life up close and have an opportunity to do some beach
combing. You can expect to get your feet wet, if you wish.

The Coastal Society, in partnership with the Environmental Leadership Program, is offering the first Institute for Future Coastal Leaders. This day-long Institute will present recent graduates and current graduate students engaged in the study of marine sciences, law or policy the opportunity to receive training in leadership skills. These skills, focusing on communication between and facilitation of constituent groups, can be used to develop comprehensive, long-term and proactive approaches to marine policy and the management of ocean and coastal resources.

Participants will be introduced to communication and facilitation techniques and given a chance to put them in practice using a real-life case study, leaving with a clear understanding of not only the value of facilitation in addressing policy issues, but also the training to use that in their regions. This Institute will also provide students an opportunity to expand their professional network with other students and professionals. A virtual follow-up program will be offered in 2005 to assess the value of the Institute to future coastal leaders and to establish a network of young coastal leaders nationwide.