I am an Information Specialist at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. My goal is to bridge the communication gap between science and stakeholders – ensuring resource managers, planners, politicians, and the public have the information they need to make informed decisions that enhance the resilience of coastal communities, habitats, and natural resources.
As the Information Specialist for the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, I lead communications and outreach efforts to help increase awareness and use of our coastal and marine research, data, and tools.
"Great science done invisibly cannot have impact." - my motto on the importance of science communication and engaging with stakeholders.
I specialize in simplifying technical information into clear, concise content that is tailored to target audiences and delivered in a variety of visually appealing formats. I develop electronic and physical information products, such as our annual reports and General Information Product, as well as topical videos; write news articles; produce content for and manage our website and social media accounts; provide editorial services to our scientists; and more. I am also a member of the Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program communications team, where we work collaboratively across the program to further promote USGS coastal and marine research.
Additionally, I am one of the leads of the Stakeholder Engagement and Communications project, a cross-center project working to create a communications, stakeholder engagement, and social science infrastructure for the coastal change hazards programmatic focus.
Professional Experience
Information Specialist, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, 2018 - Present.
Science Communications Specialist, Environmental Protection Agency, 2015 - 2018.
Education and Certifications
B.S. Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island, 2013.
Affiliations and Memberships*
Ad-Hoc Member, USGS Environmental Justice Task Force, 2022 - Present
Honors and Awards
2022 Shoemaker Award for Communications Product Excellence, audio/visual category
1st place annual report, National Association of Government Communicators Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards, 2021.
1st place electronic publication, National Association of Government Communicators Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards, 2020.
1st place soft or hard book, National Association of Government Communicators Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards, 2020.
Science and Products
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center — 2021 Annual Report
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center—2020 annual report
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center—2019 annual report
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center—2018 annual report
Coastal and marine science of the U.S. Geological Survey in Woods Hole, Massachusetts
State of Our Nation's Coast
Coastal Change Hazards
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center 2020 Annual Report
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, is one of three centers serving the mission of the USGS Coastal/Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP). Since its authorization by Congress in 1962, the CMHRP has served as the primary Federal program for marine geology and physical science research.
Science and Products
- Publications
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center — 2021 Annual Report
The 2021 annual report of the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center highlights accomplishments of 2021, includes a list of 2021 publications, and summarizes the work of the center, as well as the work of each of its science groups. This product allows readers to gain a general understanding of the focus areas of the center’s scientific research and learn more about spAuthorsSara ErnstWoods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center—2020 annual report
The 2020 annual report of the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center highlights accomplishments of 2020, includes a list of 2020 publications, and summarizes the work of the center, as well as the work of each of its science groups. This product allows readers to gain a general understanding of the focus areas of the center’s scientific research and learn more about spAuthorsSara ErnstWoods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center—2019 annual report
The 2019 annual report of the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center highlights accomplishments of 2019, includes a list of 2019 publications, and summarizes the work of the center, as well as the work of each of its science groups. This product allows readers to gain a general understanding of the focus areas of the center’s scientific research and learn more about spAuthorsSara ErnstWoods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center—2018 annual report
The 2018 annual report of the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center summarizes the work of the center, as well as the work of each of its science groups, highlights accomplishments of 2018, and includes a list of publications published in 2018. This product allows readers to gain a general understanding of the focus areas of the center’s scientific research and learnAuthorsSara ErnstCoastal and marine science of the U.S. Geological Survey in Woods Hole, Massachusetts
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, is one of three centers serving the mission of the USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP). Since its authorization by Congress in 1962, the CMHRP has served as the primary Federal program for marine geology and physical science research and is responsible for the NatiAuthorsSara Ernst - Science
State of Our Nation's Coast
Discover USGS products, tools, and data with the Coastal Science Navigator! The Coastal Science Navigator serves as a gateway to USGS Coastal Change Hazards resources and assists users in finding products and tools that will meet their specific needs.Coastal Change Hazards
Natural processes such as waves, tides, and weather, continually change coastal landscapes. The integrity of coastal homes, businesses, and infrastructure can be threatened by hazards associated with event-driven changes, such as extreme storms and their impacts on beach and dune erosion, or longer-term, cumulative changes associated with coastal and marine processes, such as sea-level rise... - Multimedia
- News
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- Web Tools
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center 2020 Annual Report
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, is one of three centers serving the mission of the USGS Coastal/Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP). Since its authorization by Congress in 1962, the CMHRP has served as the primary Federal program for marine geology and physical science research.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government