Jacques Cousteau Reserve, New Jersey

Coastal Training Program

Through the Coastal Training Program, the Jacques Cousteau Reserve offers a number of training and support programs and materials for New Jersey Coastal Decision-Makers (CDM). CDM include elected officials, members of local land use boards, and municipal or county government representatives who make frequent decisions about how coastal lands are used.

Coastal Decision-Makers face a number of challenges including complex environmental and economic issues, a large number of legal mandates, and difficulties in tracking the effects of their decisions on the environment. However, technology is rapidly increasing the amount of information that can be made readily accessible.

The goal of CDM training is to enhance informed decision-making on coastal issues by transferring technical information to audiences that have the ability to influence the management of coastal resources.

The workshops, websites and outreach programs for CDMs are structured to provide: (1) The most accurate and current scientific information on water quality, watersheds, land use, biodiversity, and non-point source pollution and (2) examples of effective and affordable environmental management solutions.

These goals are met by inviting scientific and management experts to share their knowledge with participants, fostering ideas and forging partnerships towards improved coastal resource management.

The Coastal Resource Repository (CRR) located within the Tuckerton Education Center, provides CDM with a range of resources, including scientific and technical reports and books, model management plans, static maps and dynamic maps using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology.

CDM are able to use these materials not only to develop the skills to arrive at more informed decisions, but also to physically plan their management strategies and assess the potential effects of their decisions immediately and in the future. Soon the CRR will be expanded to include a website with a land use planning tutorial and a searchable resource database.