Community Engagement to Support 10-year Management Review

CLIENT NEED

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), in partnership with the Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and Fish and Game Commission, is conducting the first 10-year review of California’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) network.

STRATEGY

Strategic Earth is supporting the state to design and implement an outreach strategy to communicate and connect with California’s ocean community about the MPA Decadal Management Review (Review). Working with OPC and CDFW, together with a network of Key Communicators, our team is building a two-way engagement strategy to help raise awareness and manage expectations ahead of the review. Additionally, we are working with California Native Nations to help inform the development of the Decadal Management Review report.

Strategic Earth will support the state’s engagement with Native Nations and the ocean community by identifying communication channels, distilling information about the Decadal Management Review, and planning and facilitating virtual events. The Steering Committees will provide feedback at key stages, to result in an outreach strategy that can adapt in real-time to community needs and perspectives.

KEY RESULTS & OUTCOMES

Improved public understanding and awareness of California’s first Decadal Management Review of the MPA network, including understanding of the agencies’ roles in MPA policy, management and regulation. Tried and tested outreach methods and relationships that will support the agencies’ engagement around MPAs that extends beyond 2022.