OCRM Alumni Reunion 2023
The Center for the Blue Economy is honored to have hosted the First Annual OCRM Alumni Reunion.
When the Center for the Blue Economy launched 11 years ago, CBE Director Jason Scorse designed and introduced a new academic specialization within the International Environmental Policy program: Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM). This October was the first annual gathering of that stellar “ocean crew.”
It was a great opportunity for connections, and inspiring to see how alumni are affecting the climate change profession and environmental space. Photos and agenda from the gathering are below. We hope to do it again next year!
Do you have photos to share from the weekend? Did not get the notice about the event? Please contact Rachel Christopherson at rchristo@middlebury.edu.
Below is the schedule for the weekend, with all the details for the attendees (ignore those bits now).
FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 20, 2023
MIIS My Green Thumb Garden, 424 Van Buren Street
Happy Hour
Welcome by CBE Director, meet current IEP (now called EPM-Environmental Policy & Management) students, and share career information. We will serve beer, wine, sparkling water and hot tea along with vegan pizza—come hungry!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2023
Del Monte Beach near Windows on the Bay
Beach Walk
Get your feet in the sand and take a walk to start the day! We will meet at Windows on the Bay, at the top of the Monterey Bay Park Lot, which is the small city parking lot off of Del Monte Avenue.
The address is: 703 Del Monte Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940.
Hostess: Rachel C., we will wait about 10 minutes to gather, then walk at 8:10!
BYO coffee/tea/water and of course wear layers!
Bathrooms: available at the McDonalds across the street, or City bathrooms towards the Wharf.
Parking: free, no time limit parking on Del Monte Avenue, or pay parking in the city lot, and time-limit parking across the street around the lake and in the neighborhoods, and a ton of new pay lot parking at the wharf.
Beach Walk Location Map /media/25527
Breakfast Bistro of Your Choice
Breakfast/Free time
Leaves from tourist wharf
Sailing on Monterey Bay aka Whale Watching
A private charter just for our group on a 20-person catamaran with Sail Monterey. $50.00 per person. Registration is now closed, and we have filled every seat!
PLEASE ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 10:15AM (Rachel will be there at 10:00am to check people in) WE SET SAIL PROMPTLY AT 10:30AM
Where to go: Sail Monterey is on the “tourist wharf” aka Old Fishermans Wharf—specific directions here: /media/25533
Where to park: Free parking in any MIIS lot, no parking pass needed, but if that is too far of a walk, the closest pay parking is the City lot on 101 Washington Street (cross street Pacific)—just up the hill from the wharf.
Payment options: you can give Rachel a check, cash, or use a credit card to make a donation to CBE.
What to wear/bring:
Wear flat, non marking shoes, you are welcome to sail barefoot and this is recommended.
Cash Gratuity - bring some extra cash if you’d like to give your Captain/Crew a tip. This is not required, but dearly appreciated.
Bring your photo ID. We serve alcohol on our sailing cruises and we may need to check your ID.
Wear layers and don’t forget binoculars!
For seasick prone folk, take a dose of your favorite anti-nausea the night before, and the morning of the event (Rachel’s recommendation)
They will serve snacks, water, beer/wine and there is a head (bathroom) on the vessel.
See you there!
Del Monte Beach
Bonus* Beach Clean Up and Volleyball
The Blue Club at MIIS is hosting a beach cleanup and volleyball game on Saturday from 10-12pm. It’s not officially part of our Alumni Reunion, but what a happy coincidence! Please feel free to join current MIIS students from all programs who are concerned about the ocean and our blue planet. Registration & More Info here!
Lunch-Free time
MIIS My Green Thumb Garden, 424 Van Buren Street
The Blue Economy in 2030: A Panel Discussion
The Blue Economy in 2030: Vision for the Future
We will meet in the garden to hear from three speakers on three topics:
Food: Michelle Huang, WildType
Coastal Restoration: Charles Lester, UC Santa Barbara
Offshore Wind: Aspen Ellis, UC Santa Cruz
See more about the speakers on our webpage linked above. Beer/wine/sparkling water and light snacks will be served.
Holland Center, 442 1/2 Van Buren Street
Drinks and Dinner
We will serve a hearty dinner along with beer/wine/sparkling water, etc. Come hungry! We will have tables inside the Holland Center and there are plenty of outside tables on the patio as well.
Del Monte Beach near the Condos
Beach Bonfire
Walk from campus to Del Monte Beach where we will gather round the campfire, enjoy adult and kid-friendly beverages and sweet snacks.
Where: For driving directions, use 1101 Del Monte Avenue, nearest cross street is Park Avenue. Here is a rough location map,/media/25539, and the rough coordinates are 36.600806, -121.882883—its’ about a 20-minute walk from campus—walk along the “Recreation Trail” and head toward Park Avenue/the Condos on the beach—there is a little path to the beach just before the condominium complex at Park Street.
Parking: There is no time-limit parking on Del Monte Ave, paid parking in the lot at the corner of Del Monte and El Estero, or 2-hour parking on Park Street
Bathrooms: There are no bathrooms super close by, but across Del Monte Avenue at Park Street is a Chevron gas station, there is a McDonalds about a 8-10 minute walk away on Del Monte/Camino El Estero, and public restrooms are available at the other end of Del Monte Beach, near cross street Figueroa/Municipal Wharf. Go before you get there!
What to wear: sturdy shoes, warm socks, and warm layers—be prepared for a light, chill wind.
We will have some chairs and pieces of cardboard to sit on, but feel free to bring beach blankets or chairs that you like as well.
SUNDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 23, 2023
Lover's Point on Lawn Area
Coffee and pastries at the Beach
We will meet you there with a pop up cafe, morning treats on us
Lovers Point
Choose Your Own Adventure
Snorkeling/Kayaking/Surrey—Your Choice via Pacific Grove Adventures
Pacific Grove Adventures is located at Lover’s Point and offers snorkel gear, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, bikes and surreys—we can choose our own adventure!
Beach Walk Location
We will meet at Windows on the Bay, at the top of the Monterey Bay Park Lot, which is the small city parking lot off of Del Monte Avenue. (more details in the event listing above)
Sailing Location
Please meet by 10:15am for 10:30am sail! (only for those who registered)
Sail Monterey is on the “tourist wharf” aka Old Fishermans Wharf—specific directions:
- Walk down the wharf until you reach the Crab House (with the big clock), then make a right onto the side pier.
- Walk towards the end until you see the fisherman statue and turn left.
- Our building is small and blue with a “SAIL MONTEREY” sign on top of it. You will see a sailboat docked next to it or behind it.
(more details in the event listing above)
Beach Bonfire Location
For driving directions, use 1101 Del Monte Avenue, nearest cross street is Park Avenue and the rough coordinates are 36.600806, -121.882883—its’ about a 20-minute walk from campus—walk along the “Recreation Trail” and head toward Park Avenue/the Condos on the beach—there is a little path to the beach just before the condominium complex at Park Street.(more details in the event listing above)
Campus Map
Just in case you forgot where to find us! Ha! Link to the larger MIIS Campus Map here.
Attendee List
Here is a link to the OCRM Alumni Reunion Attendees who signed up. Thanks to all who showed up! Let’s do it again next year!