In Our Communities
Sea Grant Extension is the outreach arm of the National Sea Grant College Program, a federal-university partnership administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It functions similarly to the agricultural extension services, but with a focus on oceans, coasts, and the Great Lakes. The key to understanding Extension is that there is a two-way transfer of knowledge between researchers and community stakeholders.
Extension and Outreach
Local Presence, Statewide Impact
With boots on the ground in communities across the Texas coast, our extension agents, educators, and researchers serve as trusted local resources. We live and work in the same communities we serve, creating long-lasting relationships and delivering science-based solutions where they’re needed most.
Whether we’re helping shrimpers navigate changing regulations, supporting homeowners with hurricane preparedness, or connecting students to coastal career pathways, our team is committed to real-world impact.
What is Extension?
Extension can be defined as sustained interaction with specific audiences using education, outreach, and engagement techniques to transfer science-based knowledge that informs decision making or changes behavior.
The key to understanding Extension is that there is a two-way transfer of knowledge between researchers and community stakeholders. The Texas Sea Grant extension program aims to transform knowledge into action to facilitate the most informed decision-making along the coast. This is implemented by placing a team of extension agents and specialists in Texas coastal communities. Extension agents and specialists act as a bridge between communities and researchers, communicating the needs of communities to the researchers and translating the science back to the communities.
How Extension Works
On-the-ground presence
Sea Grant Extension employs a network of extension agents and specialists who live and work in coastal communities and Great Lakes regions. They are based at universities within the 34 Sea Grant programs across the United States, including Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.
Connecting science to communities
Extension professionals act as a bridge between university-based research and the needs of coastal stakeholders. They take the latest scientific findings and translate them into practical, understandable information for various audiences.
Addressing local needs
Extension agents work directly with fishing communities, aquaculture farmers, seafood industries, coastal businesses, local governments, environmental organizations, educators, restoration and conservation practitioners, emergency responders, public health entities, natural resource managers, and many more groups to address their specific challenges and opportunities related to coastal and marine resources.
Providing education and training
Extension professionals organize and conduct workshops, seminars, conferences, training programs, and field trips on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to sustainable fishing practices, seafood safety, aquaculture techniques, coastal hazards preparedness, environmental conservation and restoration, workforce and economic development, environmental literacy, and science communication.
Facilitating problem-solving
Extension staff help communities identify and address critical issues by providing access to expertise, facilitating discussions, and connecting stakeholders with relevant resources and partners.
Gathering community input
Sea Grant plays a vital role in communicating the needs and priorities of coastal communities back to university researchers and decision makers, helping to shape future research agendas, and inform local and regional decisions.
Why Sea Grant Extension is Important
Sea Grant Extension is crucial for several key reasons:
Promoting sustainable use of coastal resources
By providing science-based information and best practices, extension helps ensure the long-term health and productivity of our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes for both economic and environmental benefits.
Strengthening coastal economies
Extension programs support industries by providing training, technical assistance, and guidance on sustainable business practices.
Enhancing environmental stewardship
Sea Grant educates the public and stakeholders about coastal ecosystems, conservation strategies, and the impacts of human activities, fostering a greater sense of responsibility for these valuable resources.
Building resilient communities
Sea Grant Extension plays a vital role in helping coastal communities prepare for and adapt to coastal hazards such as storms, flooding, and sea-level rise through education and outreach on mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Improving public understanding of science
By translating complex scientific information into accessible formats, Sea Grant Extension helps the public make informed decisions about coastal issues.
Facilitating communication and collaboration
Extension agents serve as neutral conveners – honest brokers of science-based information – bringing together diverse groups of stakeholders to discuss challenges, share knowledge, and work towards common solutions.
Addressing emerging issues
Sea Grant Extension is flexible and responsive to new challenges facing coastal communities, such as climate change impacts, marine debris, and invasive species.
Upcoming Events and Workshops
Partner with us
Organizations can partner with us in a variety of ways. Have a research problem to solve or event you’d like us to support? Reach out to the Extension agent in your area.
News
Contact
For more information specific to the Extension team
Christine (Chris) Hale
Extension Director Corpus Christi, Texas- chris.hale@tamu.edu
- 361-825-6215