URI Coastal Institute

The Coastal Institute will increase our understanding of the relationships between human activity and the condition of the coastal environment and its resources. Working in partnership with local, state, federal, and international agencies, the Coastal Institute will use this understanding to contribute to the solution of the complex problems of human use and development in coastal environments. Working across and beyond traditional structures to encourage new approaches to problem solving. The Coastal Institute is a neutral setting where knowledge is advanced, issues discussed, information synthesized, and solutions developed for the sustainable use and management of coastal ecosystems. The activities of the Coastal Institute are guided by the following fundamental principles: - Coastal environments must be managed in a responsible manner for the benefit of current and future generations. - Environmental problems and societal concerns in coastal ecosystems are inextricably linked. Both must be addressed when developing policies affecting human use of coastal ecosystems. - Dialogue among all stakeholders is a key element in managing coastal ecosystems. Vigorous discussion and debate provide a diversity of potential solutions to complex environmental issues in coastal ecosystems. - Policies guiding human use of coastal ecosystems must be based on the best available scientific information. Policies must be reevaluated as the scientific knowledge is advanced. Scientific research should, in part, be guided by the gaps in our knowledge of coastal environments. - Activities that advance new approaches to problem solving include the provision of knowledge, scientific information, and a neutral venue for discussion, planning, and policy development. - New knowledge that is developed and existing knowledge that is required to solve the problems presented to the Institute will be disseminated for the public good.