Announcement
The Marine Studies Initiative has transitioned to Marine and Coastal Opportunities. This website is no longer being maintained. Please view our new website for the most up-to-date information.
The MSI was a strategic, catalyst initiative at Oregon State University. This initiative resulted in new programs at the university such as Marine and Coastal Opportunities.
Our Mission
Create a healthy future for our ocean and the planet through transdisciplinary research and teaching that emphasizes collaboration, experiential learning, engagement with society and problem solving.
Advancing Excellence in Marine-Related Education, Research, and Outreach and Engagement.
The world's ocean belongs to everyone and its health is critical to our future. The world is increasingly looking toward the ocean to provide food, renewable energy, climate impact mitigation, safe shipping and commerce, as well as for recreation and spiritual renewal. However, marine habitats are facing new and daunting pressures that threaten their sustainability — from climate change to pollution to dwindling fish stocks.
Building on a deep history of nationally ranked programs, world-leading research, and premier facilities, the Marine Studies Initiative pioneered new research and teaching models to help sustain healthy ocean and coasts to ensure wellness, environmental health, and economic prosperity for future generations. The Marine Studies Initiative was a university-wide commitment that had local to global impacts on the economy and environment.
New Study from Port Orford Field Station: Sea urchins driving gray whales from Oregon
Gray whales are some of the most popular and well-studied animals on the rugged Oregon Coast. A recent study done by OSU's Marine Mammal Institute at Port Orford Field Station is opening our eyes to the unique ecosystem interactions between these gentle giants and bottom-dwelling sea urchins. As a prime example of a trophic cascade, the work being done by Lisa Hildebrand and her team at the Station is allowing us to better understand Oregon's flourishing marine environments.
Read the full article.
Photo Credit to Venti Views from Unsplash
The 10-year initiative built on Oregon State's leadership and nationally ranked programs.
Harnessing the collective expertise of faculty and staff from across campus, we have advanced practices and innovations promoting positive change for the university and the community it serves. Because of the initiative, we are weaving together the natural and social sciences with arts and humanities in an exceptional education, research, and outreach programs to explore all facets of the marine environment and its dynamic connections to terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere, while positively impacting economic and social progress. Learn more from our Strategic Plan.
OSU at the Oregon coast
Oregon offers an unparalleled living-learning laboratory with diverse ecosystems, including a 300-mile coastline. Our centers of research on the Oregon Coast include:
We have expanded and enhanced facilities to provide environments that encourage creative collaborations, leverage the university's strengths, and have meaningful impacts. This includes the new Gladys Valley Marine Studies Building at the Hatfield Marine Science Center.
Vision
Through its Marine Studies Initiative, Oregon State will be recognized as a global leader in 21st-century transdisciplinary education and research and lead the development of inclusive strategies for successful stewardship of our ocean and planet for today and tomorrow.