The Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions is a nonpartisan institute based at Duke University designed to speed the transition from environmental research to environmental policy.  Founded in 2005, we work with decision makers in government, the private sector, and the nonprofit community to develop innovative proposals that address critical environmental challenges.  We provide high-quality and timely data and analysis relevant to pressing environmental problems and act as an “honest broker” in policy debates by fostering open, ongoing dialog between stakeholders on all sides of the issues. 

Our office in Washington, DC launched in 2006 and our core staff at Duke University in Durham, NC is made up of economists, lawyers and scientists representing diverse disciplines with Hill experience.  Core areas of focus include 1) Oceans and Coasts, 2) Climate Change, 3) Energy, 4) Water, and 5) Environmental Literacy.  The resources and expertise at Duke - including our marine lab in Beaufort, NC - allow us to concurrently be at the cutting edge of environmental research as well as remain in sync with the political climate both on and off of Capitol Hill.

In the ocean and coastal realm, the Nicholas Institute is working to improve pathways toward Ecosystem Based Management (EBM).   Our newly developed web-based clearinghouse for policy-relevant analysis of EBM will be an easily accessible research resource for policy makers, scientists and stakeholders. Our science communication initiative seeks to identify strategies and messages that best express the urgency of ocean environmental challenges to a broad public audience.  We continually work across sectors to find novel solutions to longstanding and emerging challenges in the marine realm and to aid the transition toward more holistic and comprehensive ocean management.

http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/institute/

Recent Projects on EBM:

Pathway to Ocean Ecosystem-Based Management: Design Principles for Regional Ocean Governance in the United States
http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/institute/oceanesm.pdf

Ocean governance in the U.S. today is fragmented and, in many cases, ineffective.  This 18-page report reviews design principles for switching to regional ecosystem-based management of the ocean that would reduce duplication of effort, maximize limited resources, and facilitate assessment and management of cumulative impacts.

Ocean Ecosystem Management:  Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Ocean Governance

http://www.law.duke.edu/journals/journaltoc?journal=delpf&toc=delpftoc16n2.htm

Duke Environmental Law and Policy Forum’s Special Issue on Ecosystem Based Management released in Spring 2006.  This journal is based on proceedings from the 2005 Forum symposium which brought together leading experts in ocean law and policy to discuss challenges and opportunities for development of a regional ocean governance system in the United States.

Rafe Sagarin
Associate Director for
Ocean and Coastal Policy             
rafe.sagarin@duke.edu                 
919.613.8738    

Eric Roston

eric.roston@duke.edu
202.797.6500