REMINDER (September 22, HST): NOAA Virtual Seminar 2 - Tools for Marine Conservation, Coastal Resilience and National Security in the Indo-Pacific Region

[Danielle Becker - NOAA Affiliate]

Dear Colleagues,

You are invited to the second of two Virtual Seminars exploring the intersections between marine resource management and regional security.

NOAA Virtual Seminar 2 - Tools for Marine Conservation, Coastal Resilience and National Security in the Indo-Pacific Region

• Date and Time: September 22, 2026 14:00 - 16:00 Hawaii Standard Time (HST); 20:00 - 22:00 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

• Find your time zone at this link

• Indo-Pacific time zones: 

  • Jakarta 07:00-09:00, Wednesday, September 23

  • Manila 08:00-10:00, Sep 23

  • Canberra 10:00-12:00, Sep 23

  • Suva 12:00-14:00, Sep 23

• Location: Virtual (Registration link is here)

About the Seminar: This seminar aims to foster a regional community of practice among Pacific MPA and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECM) managers. It discusses existing tools and technologies for integrating national security priorities with coastal resilience planning. This virtual seminar will feature a series of presentations, with breakout sessions/Q&A, on proven approaches to integrating coastal resilience in marine conservation decision-making and implementation. Tools, technologies, and case studies will be selected based on regional needs identified by prior regional convenings as well as from the first virtual seminar.

Agenda Overview (120 Minutes):

• Panel 1: Mapping, Monitoring, and Decision Support 

  • Explore how monitoring, data collection, and evaluation support management decisions in MPAs that strengthen ecosystem resilience, protect coastal communities, and improve preparedness for environmental-related risks.

• Featured Speakers: 

  • Purwanto Purwanto, Coral Triangle Center Maluku Portfolio Manager

  • Dr. Rusty Brainard, Chief Scientist and Chair of the Science Advisory Board at @Orchard LLC, Founder of R Ocean LLC, and Advisory Board Member at the International Sustainable Resilience Center

  • Dr. Emily Darling, Coral Reef Scientist, Director of Coral Reef Conservation at Wildlife Conservation Society, Co-Founder of MERMAID, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto

• Tools Spotlight

  • Tool 1: Allen Coral Atlas

  • Tool 2: MPA Guide

  • Tool 3: Reef Resilience Network  

  • Tool 4: Designing Effective Locally Managed Areas in Tropical Marine Environments 

• Panel 2: Adaptation and Community Resilience

  • Explore practical approaches for adaptation planning to changing environmental conditions, community-based resilience, and marine management that strengthen coastal communities while supporting food security and long-term coastal resilience in Indo-Pacific MPAs.

• Breakout Discussions

Please see the full Seminar agenda here

Who Should Attend?

This invitation is extended to professionals across the marine protected area community, marine resource managers, security and law enforcement personnel, and regional policy experts focused on the Indo-Pacific.

RSVP:

Please click the Zoom link below to register for the Seminar and receive the calendar invite with access details.

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_BYnPIY1ThOVoUzoAhbkvg 

Additional project information:

Tellus Civic Science, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Protected Area (MPA) Center are undertaking a joint effort to support knowledge exchange and regional collaboration in the Indo-Pacific on advancing marine conservation for coastal resilience and national security.

This project on Marine Conservation for Coastal Resilience (MCCR) seeks to foster discussion on the role of national security considerations in multiple-use conservation planning and within a resource-constrained environment. Specifically, the project convened a virtual discussion on the connection between resilience, marine conservation, and national security in August, and this showcase of tools and technologies in this space on September 22nd US/23rd Pacific.

We look forward to your participation and to building a robust community of practice around these issues.