Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training

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Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training
Gulf of Mexico Alliance
National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Training Program
Our Staff

Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training

About the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training is a unique collaboration between the five Gulf Coast National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Training Programs. Through the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas are now working together to address priority issues affecting the entire Gulf of Mexico region. Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training is educating professional audiences and coastal communities across each of the five Gulf States using shared information and technology. From coastal community resilience to habitat conservation, topics covered in Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training workshops address priority issues and promote activities that improve the health of the Gulf of Mexico.

Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training hosts regular workshops that cover one or more Gulf of Mexico Alliance priority issues. You can view and sort through upcoming and past workshops on the Workshops page.

Gulf of Mexico Alliance

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The Gulf of Mexico Alliance was established in 2004 as a partnership between the five Gulf States – Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas – with the goal of significantly increasing the integration of resources, knowledge, and expertise to enhance the ecological and economic health and prosperity of the Gulf of Mexico region. The core of the Action Plan was to use these partnerships to improve the health of coastal ecosystems and economies of the Gulf in ways that one state or entity could not achieve on its own. The Gulf of Mexico Alliance establishes the framework needed to make the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training project possible. By identifying six regionally significant priority issues, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance created an environment for more specialized discussion and more focused response to individual problems. Topics covered in Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training workshops address these priority issues and promote activities that improve the health of the Gulf of Mexico. Collectively, we are not just talking about coastal problems; we are solving them.

National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Training Program

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The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the coastal states establishing a network of protected areas for long-term research, education and stewardship. Nationally, there are 27 reserve offices, with five located around the Gulf of Mexico.

Each of the Gulf Coast National Estuarine Research Reserves houses a Coastal Training Program, which provide coastal decision-makers with up-to-date scientific information and skill-building opportunities to ensure they have the knowledge and tools needed to address critical coastal resource management issues. Through workshops, hands-on skill training, lectures and technology demonstrations, participants benefit from opportunities to share experiences and network in a multidisciplinary setting. The Coastal Training Program acts as a bridge between the science, policy and management communities and encourages collaboration among the many individuals, disciplines and institutions who affect coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Through the framework of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, the five Gulf Coast National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Training Programs are now working together to provide consistent information on a regional scale.

Our Staff

Amy Gohres – Gulf Regional Training Coordinator
Amy is the liaison between all five Gulf Coast National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Training Programs and the Gulf of Mexico Alliance. Since the goal of program outreach efforts is to educate decision-makers on pivotal coastal management issues, Amy works with each reserve to coordinate resources and advertise work sessions on a regional level.

Previously Amy was an Environmental Specialist for The Home Depot Corporate Office, with responsibilities for developing, implementing and managing companywide environmental initiatives. Amy earned a Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering from Louisiana State University and a Master of Science in environmental engineering and science from Clemson University. A native of New Orleans, she currently resides in Daphne, AL with her husband. Contact Amy

Avia Huisman – Grand Bay Coastal Training Program Coordinator
Avia Huisman is the newest of the five GOMA CTP Coordinators, having taken on the position shortly after moving from Southeast Florida to Coastal Mississippi in the spring of 2010. As the Coordinator of the Coastal Training Program at Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Avia organizes workshops and training programs that address the educational needs of decisionmakers, public officials, and natural resource managers in Mississippi's six coastal counties. At the regional level, Avia works as a member of GOMA's Coastal Community Resilience Priority Issue Team.

Avia's interest in nature and wild places was evident even as a small child. Growing up in St. Augustine she could often be found exploring the woods close to her house. Her love of the sea was nurtured by her father who is an avid sailor and enrolled her in sailing lessons when she was twelve. For the next five years weekends and summers were dedicated to teaching sailing lessons, competing in small boat regattas, and observing the many sea creatures who shared the water with her. Upon entering college Avia found herself torn between her desire to study Mother Nature and to study human nature, fortunately Florida Atlantic Universitys (FAU) Psychobiology B.S. degree allowed her to do both. She continued on at FAU as a graduate student in the Psychology departments Visual Perception Lab where she earned her Master of Arts degree. Again hearing the call of the wild, Avia set her academic sights on the environment by enrolling in FAUs Comparative Studies PhD program. There she focused on understanding the relationship between humans and nature from a cross-disciplinary perspective. Along the way she earned a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Studies. Contact Avia

Rosalyn Kilcollins – Apalachicola Coastal Training Program Coordinator
Rosalyn Kilcollins is currently the Coastal Training Program Coordinator at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. The program provides training and technical assistance to decision-makers, including elected and appointed officials, planners, consultants, non-profit organizations and associations, ecotour operators, and others who make decisions that affect coastal resources. Priority topics include growth and land use issues, especially relating to watershed planning and stormwater management, wastewater alternatives, coastal hazards, ecotourism, and sustainable practices. Rosalyn also serves regionally on the Coastal Community Resilience Priority Issue Team with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance.

Rosalyn has prior experience as a planner, educator and environmental specialist in the areas of coastal management; comprehensive planning; coastal, marine and upland ecology; environmental science; and teaching gifted students. Rosalyn earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from FSU in 1979 and a Master of Science degree in Geography from FSU in 1986. She also completed all but a thesis for a Master of Science degree in Secondary Science Education from FAMU/FSU 1986. Contact Rosalyn

Chad Leister – Mission-Aransas Coastal Training Program Coordinator
Chad coordinates the Coastal Training Program for the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve. Since the goal of program outreach efforts is to educate decision-makers on pivotal coastal management issues throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Chad works with the partnership to coordinate activities in Texas and to advertise sessions locally. Chad also serves regionally on the Water Quality Priority Issue Team with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance.

Previously Chad worked with The Wilderness Society evaluating possible designations for the unprotected wilderness areas near Macon, GA in an effort to educate diverse parties. Chad earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University with majors in Economics and Environmental Sciences and Policy; he earned a Master’s of Environmental Management from Duke University with focuses in Economics and Environmental Policy and Coastal Environmental Management. A native of Columbus, Ohio he currently resides in Port Aransas, Texas with his wife. Contact Chad

Michael Shelton – Weeks Bay Coastal Training Program Coordinator
Michael Shelton is the Coastal Training /Watershed Program Coordinator at Weeks Bay NERR, a partnership between the Lands Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Since 2001, Mike has worked with agencies, decision-makers and area residents for protection, restoration and planning for better use of the water resources of the Weeks Bay watershed. Duties include technical and community education, water quality monitoring and research and assisting watershed stakeholders with on-the-ground pollution prevention and restoration projects. Mike earned a masters degree in Biology at Emory University. Prior to Weeks Bay, Mike managed the applications and environmental testing laboratory for an environmental engineering firm in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mike, wife Wendy and sons, James and Charlie live in Fairhope, Alabama. Contact Michael

Tabitha Stadler – Rookery Bay Coastal Training Program Coordinator
Tabitha Stadler is currently the Coastal Training Coordinator at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Naples, Florida. She also serves regionally on the Environmental Education Network Priority Issue Team with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance.

Tabitha's undergraduate degree in Marine Science began at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas where she focused on underwater coral reef research. Needing to transfer after Hurricane Hugo devastated the island, Tabitha graduated from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg in 1993 where she majored in Maritime Studies. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree she worked at several outdoor education programs throughout Florida. In 2001, she pursued her Master's degree in Science Journalism from the University of South Florida where she was awarded a fellowship with the Science Journalism Center. She coordinated the Tampa Bay Manatee Watch program working closely with Tampa BayWatch and the Tampa Bay National Estuary Program. Contact Tabitha

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About Us

Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training

Gulf of Mexico Alliance

National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Training Program

Our Staff