From the Forest to the Sea – Public Lands Management and Marine Spatial Planning

"Morgan Gopnik presents an engaging analysis and balanced view of the tensions that challenge the practice of marine spatial planning, while drawing compelling parallels to the resolution of similarly contentious issues in the realm of public lands management. From the Forest to the Sea illustrates the importance of drawing on past lessons to inform a more rational and durable approach to managing our ocean resource for the future. An important and timely work." – Deerin Babb-Brott, Senior Partner, SeaPlan, USA and former Director of the White House National Ocean Council. "Morgan Gopnik brings her unique and diverse perspectives to the slippery issue of ocean ecosystem management. Although marine spatial planning is new, she shows that we can rely on a century’s experience in public lands management to probe the abyss. Gopnik argues that sustainability, for marine ecosystems and the communities that depend upon them, requires broad engagement and dialog rather than pernicious advocacy. Gopnik’s vision suggests a possible win-win for oceans and marine economies that we should all take very seriously – if we truly want a brighter future for the ocean." – Larry Crowder, Science Director, Center for Ocean Solutions, Professor of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station and Senior Fellow, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. "Morgan Gopnik takes her readers on a voyage through the 100-year history of US public lands management, focusing on forest management, pointing out insights and lessons that can be used by a growing community interested in effectively managing the multiple uses of another public resource – the ocean space of nations. A must read for everyone in the international marine planning community." – Charles Ehler, consultant to UNESCO’s Marine Spatial Management Initiative and former senior executive at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "A growing number of states and regions in the United States are utilizing marine spatial planning as a tool to manage their coastal and offshore waters. As decision-makers, businesses, and community stakeholders work together to find holistic solutions for sustainable ocean use and a healthy ecosystem, Morgan Gopnik’s research provides an insightful tour of what has gone before. Ocean planning may be relatively new in the United States, but planning for sustainable use of public resources is not, and the lessons learned in over a century of public land management provide valuable advice for planning in our oceans." – Sandra T. Whitehouse, Senior Policy Advisor to Ocean Conservancy, USA.