Carolyn Skinder

Experience

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  Catalina Island Marine Institute

  Jan 1988 - May 1995

  Director and Instructor

  Program Director (1994 –1995)Established a new educational marine lab facility, programmed, budgeted, hired and trained 15 staff as part of 3 island sites of an overnight and residential program that served over 15,000 students and teachers annually. Designed integrated lab and field experiences in marine biology and island ecology with island partners and Catalina Island Conservancy.Assistant Program Director (1990-1994)Trained, evaluated and scheduled 30 instructors. Designed and implemented educational programs.Summer Sea Camp Science Director (1990-1992)Developed hands-on curriculum for marine biology summer classes and led a team of 5 instructors with the most popular class compared to SCUBA at Sea Camp. Instructor (1988-1990) Taught topics in marine science, hiked to explore island ecology, snorkeled and kayaked in clear waters off Catalina. Show less

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  College of the Atlantic

  Jun 1997 - Jun 2001

  Assistant Program Director and Instructor

  Taught developed and coordinated Family Summer Field Studies and Life Long Learning programs within Acadia National Park for College of the Atlantic summer studies program.

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  Lincoln Academy

  Sept 2003 - Jun 2005

  Biology and Psychology Teacher

  Teacher of Marine Science, Physical Science, College Prep Biology, and AP Psychology to grades 9-12.

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  Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

  Jun 2006 - Mar 2009

  •Produced document for CA State Water Resource Control Board on protocols for 200 Citizen Science Water Quality groups in CA and recommendations on how to use volunteer data to inform policy. •Conducted statewide site visits and surveys of 30 volunteer water quality monitoring groups to assess protocol and quality of data testing for point source and non-point source water pollution. •Collaborated with CA State Waterboard’s Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program, CSWRCB, MBNMS technical team and 200 citizen science groups to utilize standardized citizen science data. Show less •Worked with MBNMS in partnership with CA State Parks to create a new interpretive center and oversee volunteer and educational programs to foster stewardship of the natural and cultural resources of CSP and MBNMS.•Trained 30 docents to interpret exhibit themes of healthy watersheds, marine birds and mammals, the historical culture of indigenous people, maritime history and resource protection in the central coast.•Enhanced annual visitorship from 5,000 to 15,000 and annual student participation from 500 to 1,500. •Engaged 20 partners in resource protection to participate in an annual Ocean Fair to foster stewardship. Show less

  • Water Quality Specialist

    Mar 2007 - Mar 2009

  • Program Development Specialist

    Jun 2006 - Nov 2007
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  NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

  Oct 2009 - Dec 2019

  Southern Region Program Coordinator and Director of Coastal Discovery Center

  Southern Region Program Coordinator & Director of Coastal Discovery Center•Managed an interpretive center and educational programs in collaboration with CA State Parks, including operation plan implementation and progress tracking.•Partnered with federal and state agencies, academic institutions and NGOs to protect natural resources, such as the largest mainland elephant seal rookery and the establishment of marine protected areas.•Led citizen science programs to monitor water quality, harmful algal blooms, rocky intertidal ecology and stranded marine birds and mammals.•Planned and oversaw the production of interpretive exhibits and signage. •Liaison and representative for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary at the southern boundary of the Sanctuary. Show less

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  Conservation Law Foundation

  Aug 2022 - Aug 2023

  Project Manager

  Coordinated an innovative initiative to improve the health of the Great Bay Estuary watershed. Responsibilities included coordinating with 5 workgroups and a 7-member steering committee to advance projects that meet the goals of the Initiative, helping to establish decision-making processes, grant-making guidelines, information-sharing systems, and workgroup operations in the first year of a 5-year initiative. Served on the workgroups of several projects related to water quality protection and education as a content expert. Show less

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  Save the Whales

  Aug 2023 - now

  Independent Contractor