Santa Cruz Hidden Wonders by the Sea (2024)

An interdisciplinary research and public engagement project developed by Jennifer Parker for the Seymour Marine Discovery Center with Environmental Art and Social Practice MFA graduate students Raty Skya and Kate Jaffe.

The project combines environmental science, design, and participatory art to translate coastal research into accessible experiences for broad audiences. Methodologically, the guide functions as both a field-based teaching tool and a model for place-based outreach. Activities such as field journaling, shoreline cleanup, ecological art-making, and coastal birding encourage participants to engage in scientific observation, environmental stewardship, and creative interpretation.

As a living laboratory, the project demonstrates how academic research can be integrated with community education, advancing both coastal science literacy and public awareness of ecosystem resilience.