Thematic Areas

Ecosystem-based Ocean Management

The Ocean River Institute works with all levels of government from individuals and community groups to state and federal agencies, as well as with educational associations, to engage, educate, and broaden communication about the need for better management of ocean resources. Ecosystem-based management is a holistic, integrated approach that ORI and many other groups are working to put into practice. ORI assists by managing communication networks, hosting educational forums, advancing scientific research, and promoting the work of people closest to the ocean resource. For example, ORI in 2007 began building a constituency and organizational network supportive of the Massachusetts Ocean Bill, which was signed into law on May 28, 2008.

River Science

The Ocean River Institute networks and advances the work of scientists who study rivers. ORI enhances communication about river science and fosters greater personal involvement of people who live near rivers. We help people learn about and develop relationships with rivers through collaborations with place-based citizen monitoring groups; river science efforts such as the Rushing River Institute; the River Management Society; and other government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Environmental Justice

The Ocean River Institute assists with efforts to meet the needs and goals of the people who are most directly connected to natural resources. We follow the principles of environmental subsidiarity, including respect for people closest to the resource, assistance only where necessary, and recognition that management efforts will only succeed when supported by local groups. ORI operates with the philosophy that local people should garner primary credit for environmental successes, while the responsibility to facilitate success is held by all. In 2007, for example, ORI helped youth organizers from Alternatives for Community and Environment (ACE) in Boston to implement a Diesel DeTox campaign for cleaner air in their neighborhoods.

Alaska

The Ocean River Institute builds on a legacy of supportive relationships between citizens of Massachusetts and Alaska. ORI helps people outside Alaska to learn about environmental and climatic disruption in the state, and we provide them opportunities to help. Through environmental subsidiarity, ORI advances the work of educators, citizen scientists, researchers, managers and watershed groups in Alaska, such as by supporting the annual Alaska Oceans Festival in Anchorage. Through ORI, Alaskan individuals and groups are assisting groups and projects elsewhere, such as speaking out in support of efforts to protect ocean habitats in the British Virgin Islands.