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Community Engagement Core

CEC Communication Interactions

CEC Communication Interactions

The Community Engagement Core has the following Specific Aims:

Activities will include the establishment of networks and infrastructure to facilitate information exchange and resource sharing among stakeholders concerned with the safety of marine resources affected by HABs.

The CEC will develop classroom activities and exhibits on based on HABs and WHCOHH research, including a web-based game enabling classroom and public interaction with real-time data produced by Center research.

This aim focuses on increasing awareness of HAB-related health threats, and includes strengthening communication with public health professionals and organizations involved in risk analysis and communication.

Learn about new HABhub features and capabilities!

Visit the HABhub blog to learn about latest updates to the WHOI HABhub, and how these tools and features promote data access and analysis.

WHCOHH CEC grantee highlight

CEC lead Mindy Richlen was featured by the NIEHS in in a 2021 Grantee Highlight in the March 2021 Partnerships for Environmental Public Health (PEPH) newsletter. Read more HERE.

Strategic Framework for Community Engagement in Oceans and Human Health

CEC project lead Richlen collaborated with CEC personnel from the other Centers to develop and publish a strategic framework to support OHH researchers in coordinating partners, purpose, activities, and approaches intentionally in their work with communities. Read more HERE.

Northeast HAB Website

The management of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in New England has grown more challenging due to the emergence of New HAB species that can cause seafood poisoning and disrupt ecosystems. The Northeast HAB website was created as a regional resource that provides background information as well as access to bloom monitoring data and commentary, forecasting model products, and data collected by HAB sensors deployed throughout the region.

2024 Gulf of Maine HAB Science Symposium

The next Gulf of Maine HAB Science Symposium will be held in Portsmouth, NH from March 12-13, 2024. This meeting brings together researchers, managers, and stakeholders to share research findings, information and data, and monitoring plans about HABs in New England waters. The preliminary agenda is available HERE.

WHOI HABhub data portal is live!

The prototype WHOI HABhub is now live!  This open source data portal assimilates HAB surveillance data at a regional scale to provide best possible situational awareness regarding the status of HABs and HAB toxins in New England.  The WHOI HABhub can be accessed HERE, and more information about its development can be found HERE.

Products & Resources:

Saving our Ponds

The beautiful ponds and waterways of Cape Cod and the Islands are beloved by residents and visitors alike, offering serene natural beauty and recreational opportunities, while providing ecologically important habitats that support diverse wildlife and plant communities. However, these the water bodies are increasingly under threat from toxic algae blooms, posing significant risks to the environment, wildlife, and human health. The Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Circuit Films, in collaboration with many community partners, created an outreach film series entitled “Saving Our Ponds”.  The six-video series explores the recent increase and impacts of these blooms, discusses how individuals can protect themselves and their pets, and highlights the importance of preserving and restoring water quality. In addition to discussing the challenges posted by these blooms, the films highlight community-driven initiatives and emerging technologies and approaches for addressing wastewater management challenges.   The film series also seeks to inspire and motivate viewers to actively engage in local conservation efforts and provide information about ways they can get involved, and help foster a sense of responsibility and ownership for these ecosystems.

The “Saving Our Ponds” film series is available for viewing on WHOI’s YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1CGd4Scv4GJ3k-s7UPgk-3mKIaAIEeNX

 

CyanoHAB

Toxic cyanobacteria blooms, also known as CyanoHABs, pose significant threats to water quality, public health, and aquatic ecosystems. These blooms can produce dangerous toxins that impact drinking water, recreational activities, and the health of wildlife and pets.

 

 Northeast HAB Webpage

The Northeast HAB website was created as a regional resource that provides background information as well as access to bloom monitoring data and commentary, forecasting model products, and data collected by HAB sensors deployed throughout the region.

 

WHOI HABhub

The WHOI HABhub is an open source data data portal for region-scale integration and real time sharing of multiple types of HAB surveillance data.

 

 

The Harmful Algae Webpage

A comprehensive resource for information about harmful algal blooms, maintained by the U.S. National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms at WHOI.

 

 

Communicating HAB Science

This 2019 workshop was open to HAB researchers at all levels who were interested in learning more about communicating their research to non-scientific audiences, and featured a panel discussion by HAB scientists actively engaged in science communication. Topics included translating scientific findings for non-technical audiences, leveraging social media, and communicating with policy makers and reporters.

 

Harmful Algal Blooms: Understanding the Threat and the Actions Being Taken to Address it

A 2022 Special Report from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.