Meet Avery Calhoun, WCOA Fellow with NOAA’s Offshore Wind Energy Team
by Avery Calhoun
My name is Avery Calhoun, a West Coast Ocean’s Alliance (WCOA) fellow with NOAA’s Offshore Wind Energy Team. I have a background in invertebrate ecology and habitat mapping in a broad range of habitats, from endangered butterflies on mountain peaks to deep-sea snails at the bottom of the ocean. I also have a passion for scientific communication; I volunteered with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, earned certifications in scientific interpretation, and have developed a strong graphic design background. After earning my B.S. from California State University, Monterey Bay, I worked with the San Diego Zoo to map endangered shorebird habitats. From there, I attended the University of Oregon and earned an M.S. in biology. While at UO, I spent a great deal of time at sea, mapping species distribution and seafloor conditions. It was through exposure to both science and at-sea time that I became interested in offshore clean-energy and mining initiatives from a conservation perspective. Through this WCOA fellowship, I’ve found a way to combine my communications and research background.
The first quarter of my fellowship has proven an excellent introduction to the gears and motivations that make the offshore wind initiative tick. I have learned a great deal about the policy-making process, the role that NOAA plays in offshore wind, and how science and communication work in tandem to inform the future of offshore wind. From a technical standpoint, acting as support for the GIS and mapping work has refined my understanding of back-end data management, metadata standardization, and collaboration. It has also pushed me to develop new skills in visualization of data for internal and external communication. Furthermore, attending planning meetings has given me a better perspective of how these maps are used and what content is considered important. I have also really enjoyed attending training on the different policies and duties that NOAA encompasses. As a researcher, I typically only saw the outcome of applications for sampling permits and research activities. Seeing the opposite end- how and why decisions are made- has provided a great perspective.
Currently, I am working on a story map tool to communicate the various surveys conducted by NOAA Fisheries’ teams that overlap with potential areas for offshore wind. I hope to refine this product and create similar informative tools that make important information available in a digestible, straightforward manner. I also want to continue developing my understanding of NOAA’s policies and cooperation with other federal, state, and tribal partners so that I can continue to contribute positively to clean energy and conservation efforts. I’m looking forward to the rest of this fellowship!
