Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area Research Coordination Network Annual Meeting
ATTENDANCE AND REGISTRATION
Virtual & in person attendance is possible
Please register HERE by 19 February 2026
LOCATION AND DATES
Estes, Park, Colorado, USA
27-30 April 2026
(0900-1700 local time; 1500-2300 UTC daily)
Please see our Travel Logistics Page for more information (for in person attendees)
PROJECT GOALS
Our ultimate goal, using the Ross Sea region MPA (RSrMPA) as a model system, is to create an international coordinated network to support research and monitoring aligned with science-policy integration. Towards this goal, we are bringing the international community together to engage and integrate efforts on science, policy, and community partnerships in support of RSrMPA research and monitoring. Although our current funding structure does not provide financial support for actual research and monitoring, the network itself will provide better coordination, better leveraging, and new opportunities to expand on such efforts. (For additional Project Information explore tabs on our website and see our NSF award info.)
MEETING GOALS
The overarching goal for the 2026 meeting will be to advance priority activities in support of the 2027 review of the Ross Sea region MPA and to continue to build the RCN to this end. Specific meeting goals thus include the following:
A meeting schedule will be available shortly.
TRAVEL FELLOWSHIPS
A limited number of travel fellowships are available both for early career researchers and mid to late career researchers. Please apply HERE by 19 February 2026.
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or any trouble registering,
ATTENDANCE AND REGISTRATION
Virtual & in person attendance is possible
Please register HERE by 19 February 2026
LOCATION AND DATES
Estes, Park, Colorado, USA
27-30 April 2026
(0900-1700 local time; 1500-2300 UTC daily)
Please see our Travel Logistics Page for more information (for in person attendees)
PROJECT GOALS
Our ultimate goal, using the Ross Sea region MPA (RSrMPA) as a model system, is to create an international coordinated network to support research and monitoring aligned with science-policy integration. Towards this goal, we are bringing the international community together to engage and integrate efforts on science, policy, and community partnerships in support of RSrMPA research and monitoring. Although our current funding structure does not provide financial support for actual research and monitoring, the network itself will provide better coordination, better leveraging, and new opportunities to expand on such efforts. (For additional Project Information explore tabs on our website and see our NSF award info.)
MEETING GOALS
The overarching goal for the 2026 meeting will be to advance priority activities in support of the 2027 review of the Ross Sea region MPA and to continue to build the RCN to this end. Specific meeting goals thus include the following:
- Continue to strengthen relationships in and across the RCN community
- Set priorities for all Working Groups’ activities for 2026-27 with foci based on the objective-based reporting framework agreed upon by CCAMLR’s Scientific Committee for the 10-year review
- Advance priorities for each Working Group during the meeting
- Develop plan and timeline for completing Working Group activities in support of the 2027 Ross Sea MPA review
- Draft a summary report of meeting outcomes for broad distribution that summarizes priorities and activities of the RCN.
A meeting schedule will be available shortly.
TRAVEL FELLOWSHIPS
A limited number of travel fellowships are available both for early career researchers and mid to late career researchers. Please apply HERE by 19 February 2026.
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or any trouble registering,
Previous Meetings
The Ross Sea Region Marine Protected Area Research Coordination Network Inaugural Meeting commenced in June 2025
Location and dates: Boulder, Colorado, June 3-6, 2025 (1500-2300 UTC daily)
Attendance and Registration: virtual & in person; please register HERE by 18 April 2025 - CLOSED
Project Goals: Our ultimate goal, using the Ross Sea region MPA (RSrMPA) as a model system, is to create an international coordinated network to support research and monitoring aligned with science-policy integration. Towards this goal, we are bringing the international community together to engage and integrate efforts on science, policy, and community partnerships in support of RSrMPA research and monitoring. Although our current funding structure does not provide financial support for actual research and monitoring, the network itself will provide better coordination, better leveraging, and new opportunities to expand on such efforts. (For additional Project Information explore tabs on our website and see our NSF award info.)
Meeting Goals:
Early Career* Researchers: A limited number of travel fellowships are available. Please apply here by 11 April 2025. (*Early Career includes any PhD students or those within 5 years of finishing their PhD).
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions
Location and dates: Boulder, Colorado, June 3-6, 2025 (1500-2300 UTC daily)
Attendance and Registration: virtual & in person; please register HERE by 18 April 2025 - CLOSED
Project Goals: Our ultimate goal, using the Ross Sea region MPA (RSrMPA) as a model system, is to create an international coordinated network to support research and monitoring aligned with science-policy integration. Towards this goal, we are bringing the international community together to engage and integrate efforts on science, policy, and community partnerships in support of RSrMPA research and monitoring. Although our current funding structure does not provide financial support for actual research and monitoring, the network itself will provide better coordination, better leveraging, and new opportunities to expand on such efforts. (For additional Project Information explore tabs on our website and see our NSF award info.)
Meeting Goals:
- Establish shared community norms to guide network coordination.
- Identify priorities for all network components (policy engagement, community engagement, integrated science) and distinguish which of those priorities can be achieved to support the 10-year review in 2027.
- Develop working groups to carry out these priorities. Working Groups will identify a lead facilitator and its membership; each working group will develop a ‘work plan’, including resources needed, funding avenues, outputs and timeline.
- Draft a summary report of meeting outcomes for broad distribution that summarizes strategies, priorities, and initiated activities of the newly formed RSRMPA network to both solicit and update ongoing involvement.
Early Career* Researchers: A limited number of travel fellowships are available. Please apply here by 11 April 2025. (*Early Career includes any PhD students or those within 5 years of finishing their PhD).
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions
Orcas in the Ross Sea. Photo by John B Weller.