Florida Sea Grant operates through a university-based research, education and extension partnership with state and federal agencies, businesses and citizens. This partnership involving university faculty and the public was established nationally in 1966 with the passage of federal legislation that created the National Sea Grant College Program. The US Secretary of Commerce designated the State University System of Florida as a Sea Grant College in 1976 and the program is hosted by the University of Florida (UF). The management team and support staff is housed at UF and the coordination of activities among the 16 universities and laboratories participating in Florida Sea Grant is conducted by means of Campus Coordinators, who are appointed by the presidents of their respective institutions. Extension and communication programs are conducted in cooperation with the UF/IFAS and the Florida Cooperative Extension Service.
The University of Florida is the state’s largest and most comprehensive university. It is a major research institution, a member of the American Association of Universities and one of the two federally designated Land Grant universities in Florida. The University of Florida builds on its Land Grant traditions and embraces and embodies the Sea Grant concept and program. The University of Florida is statewide and reaches into all 67 counties of Florida with extension offices, and with additional UF/IFAS Research and Education Centers in many counties. Florida Sea Grant builds on this network in the 35 coastal counties and expands it beyond the state’s borders and even into international arenas.
This setting gives Florida Sea Grant strong state and local foundations and ensures its ability to seek additional resources at the national, state and university levels. The use of existing management infrastructure enhances the program’s cost effectiveness.
Today 32 Sea Grant Programs, based within the academic structures of their states, together form the national program. The Florida Sea Grant College Program focuses on marine and coastal issues with research, education and extension activities. Research is funded on a state-wide competitive basis and is conducted by faculty at Florida’s academic institutions. Education programs focus on supporting graduate students using both public and private funds. An organized extension program, with on-campus specialists and off-campus marine extension faculty around the coast of Florida, provide research results in a format that citizens and private businesses can use. The extensive network of local extension faculty also identifies new research, education and outreach needs from stakeholders. No other academic program or university has this breadth and depth of focus on state-wide marine and coastal issues.
Using research, education and extension to address complex coastal and marine issues and societal needs requires a strategic approach and tailored tools and techniques designed to solve specific problems. One problem may require a substantial research effort while another may need the transfer of existing information through education and outreach. The solution to other problems may require networking with agencies, industries or communities to bring people together in a common activity. Florida Sea Grant has a demonstrated track record of success in designing the best possible approach to resolving the issues that arise when a growing human population interacts with the state’s coastal environment. This plan builds on that track record and with the input of program partners and stakeholders provides strategic approaches for targeting the scope of services that Florida Sea Grant can bring to bear on critical issues.
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