About the Coastal Resources Center
For more than three decades, CRC has worked with local, state and federal government to create
and refine the process by which decisions affecting Rhode Island, U.S. and other nations' coastal ecosystems are made.
It has been a process marked by sustained public debate and controversy, and many hard lessons in how to balance lofty
ideals with what can be practically carried out in a site's unique legal and societal context. Yet, these efforts have
resulted in many tangible successes, and the plans
formulated by CRC continue to enjoy broad-based public support.
Timeline
2005 -
As a result of the December 2004 Tsunami, CRC leads USAID funded Thailand Post-Tsunami Sustainable Coastal Livelihoods Program and is key player in US government's Indian Ocean Tsunami Early Warning System Program.
2004 -
CRC receives five-year, $3.75m Leader with Associate Award from USAID for coastal initiatives in Latin America and East Africa focusing on livelihoods development, sustainable fisheries and mariculture, and capacity building through an inovative program of Certification.
2003 -
CRC publishes the book "Sharing the Experience: Coastal Governance in a Rapidly Changing World " summarizing experience and lessons learned from 18 years of partnership with USAID on coastal management initiatives worldwide.
1999 -
CRC publishes "A Manual for Assessing Progress in Coastal Management," the first self-assessment tool of its kind, and a first step in developing a common
methodology for learning.
1996/97 -
CRC launches a second generation of coastal management projects in Indonesia (Proyek Pesisir);
Mexico (Quintana Roo and the Gulf of California); Tanzania (Tanzania Coastal Management Partnership); and Kenya (North
Coast).
1996 -
CRC's U.S. program and Rhode Island Sea Grant create the Aquidneck Island Partnership, a public/private collaboration to promote ecosystem management on the largest island in the state's Narragansett Bay. A similar effort
is later launched in Rhode Island's nine-community Washington County.
1991 -
CRC offers the first Summer Institute
in Coastal Management, an intensive, month-long training
course for professional coastal practitioners from around
the world. The Summer Institute is offered bi-annually,
and complemented by regional capacity-building programs
at a variety of sites.
1990 -
The international coastal management
newsletter, InterCoast Network, begins publication by
CRC. It has become a valuable resource for the global
exchange of news and information for thousands of practitioners,
academics, government officials and those interested in
coastal issues worldwide.
1989/90 -
CRC's work results in two major milestones. Ecuador's Coastal Resources Management Program is formally created by presidential decree. In
Sri Lanka, the country's Cabinet adopts a national coastal zone management plan.
1986 -
CRC is named official marine advisory
board for Rhode Island Sea Grant's coastal management programs.
1985 -
CRC begins its ongoing partnership
with the U.S. Agency for International Development as
its flagship for advancing coastal management worldwide.
Pilot projects are begun in Ecuador, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
1971 -
Created at the request of the governor and charged with "managing coastal resources for the benefit
of this and succeeding generations," CRC helps develop Rhode Island's coastal management program, one of the
first in the United States.
About the Coastal Resources Center
The CRC Approach
The Nature of the Challenge
CRC History
CRC Staff
CRC Values