The Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center is one of 17 Research Learning Centers across the country working to increase the effectiveness and communication of research and science results in the national parks through:

• Facilitating the use of parks for scientific inquiry
• Supporting science-informed decision making
• Communicating relevance and providing access to research knowledge
• Promoting resource stewardship through partnerships

Each year, Bay Area National Parks host over 150 research projects, providing invaluable information to the park for science-based management. In 2007 alone, over 20 peer-reviewed publications eminated from research done at Point Reyes. NPS relies on this high-quality research to help ensure that we are taking the best possible care of these public lands.

Apply for an NPS Research and Collecting Permit to perform research at Point Reyes National Seashore. If you are working with plants or animals, you may also require state and/or federal permits. NPS permits generally take 6-8 weeks to process, while state permits may take considerably longer. Please contact Ben Becker if you have questions after looking at the NPS permit website or are interested in utilizing a high school intern to assist with fieldwork

Learning Centers are field stations for many of these collaborative research activities, providing researchers with laboratory, office space, dormitory facilities and access to park research priorities and scientists. Each center's education specialist works with park interpreters and partners to make new information about park resources available to the public and park management. We also provide hands-on learning experiences for people of all ages, connecting the learner and the researcher.

Read our "Research Project Summaries" and "Parks for Science" (formerly "Coastal Science Review") newsletters to find out about some of the research conducted at the Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center.

We also hold regular science lectures (email Ben Becker to be added to the list-serv) and offer other opportunities for scientists to share their work with park staff and the public.

You may also view our PCSLC Five-year report: 2002 – 2007 (403 KB PDF) for an overview of our programs.

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2008 Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center Programs:

2008 High School Internships: Pairs students with researchers to assist in fieldwork and learn scientific concepts and methodology. Application instructions to be announced here soon.

2008 PCSLC Research Fellowships: Up to six ~$2,500 fellowships will be awarded to researchers (generally to graduate students, post-docs, and faculty, but others are encouraged to apply) proposing to work on priority research projects at Bay Area National Parks (Point Reyes NS, Golden Gate NRA, and Pinnacles National Monument). Researchers may also request field assistance from a high-school intern.
The 2008 application deadline was May 5, 2008. Overview and application materials are available for download for those who are interested in applying next year. Check back in Spring 2009 for the 2009 fellowships application.
Program Overview and Instructions (186 KB PDF)
2008 Application (79 KB MS Word Doc)

Science communication internships: Each year we hire 3–4 science communication interns to communicate exciting new park research results to the public via podcasts, research briefs and other media. The 2008 application process has already closed. Check back early in 2009 for the 2009 position announcement. 

Visit the intern blog, "Point Reyes Science" for updates, stories, photos, videos and more from the PCSLC Science Communication Interns this summer!

Some other current PCSLC programs that are underway:

• Tomales Bay Biodiversity Inventory
• Coastal Biophysical Inventory with UC-Santa Cruz
• Seafloor Habitat Mapping for Marine Protected Area Design
• Participant in the California Marine Life Protection Act Process
• Marine Protected Area Monitoring (2009 – 2011) with Cal. Dept. of Fish and Game
• Long-Term Rocky Intertidal Monitoring for oil spill assessment and climate change (with UCSC and MARINe)
• Harbor Seal Population Dynamics at Point Reyes
• Variation in seabird prey in the California current from 1850 – 2006 in relation to fishing pressure, climate change, and natural variability (with UC Berkeley).
• Fungal Biodiversity Inventories are conducted each winter in collaboration with UC Berkeley and the Bay Area Mycological Society.

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For questions regarding the Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center, research and its programs, please contact the director:

Ben Becker, Ph.D.
Director and Marine Ecologist
415-464-5247
e-mail us
CV

Joe Kinyon
GIS and Database Manager
e-mail us

Jessica Luo, M.S.
Ocean Education and Outreach Coordinator
e-mail us

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