Vision

Our organizational theory of change is premised on the belief that science is a powerful tool in uncovering, building, and aligning policy pathways towards solutions for California’s coast and ocean. We are a trusted knowledge-broker that legislators, state agencies, and government officials rely upon for actionable science that supports the state’s goals. We mobilize resources and capacity to accelerate scientific research on state ocean priorities.

Goals

1. 1.Stewarding Investments in Ocean Science: In the coming five years, we will bring our dual experience in responsible stewardship of public and private funds and igniting interdisciplinary research collaborations to address state science priorities, as we chart a course to becoming the financial trust originally envisioned in our founding legislation.
2. 2.Supporting Student Research: In a rapidly changing climate future, California’s ability to steward its ocean resources will depend on scientists who can anticipate emerging challenges and align their research with the state’s critical needs. OST will provide direct support to students and promote mentorship and training that leads to research directly informing state resource management decisions.
3. 3.Bringing Science to Lawmaking: California Legislative staff call on OST to provide administrative testimony, expert briefings, and scientific analyses. We hold fluency in the cadence of state lawmaking and budget processes, and nimbly respond to requests for science advice, while proactively elevating salient ocean science topics.