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CRISPIER

Community Research Implementation & Stewardship Plan (CRISP)

A CRISP is a living document inclusive of all aspects of Backyard Buoys for a community-led ocean data program, from planning to deployment to long-term stewardship. Backyard Buoys partners have co-designed a flexible process that adjusts to varied geographical needs and goals to support the development of implementation and stewardship plans for communities aiming to deploy ocean instruments in their coastal areas.

Get to Know Backyard Buoys

  1. Listen to the audio introductions to the CRISP.
  2. Review the CRISP Primer [flyer to be created].
  3. Review the Educational Resources and Support Materials and start to gather information needed for the CRISP.
  4. Reach out to your IOOS Regional Association with your interest in joining Backyard Buoys and any questions you have compiled. Regions
Talking circle at the Indigenous Knowledge Workshop in Utqiagvik, AK 2022
Talking circle at the Indigenous Knowledge Workshop in Utqiagvik, AK 2022

Credit: Alice Bailey, AOOS.

Community Engagement & CRISP Document Drafting

  1. Start entering information for your CRISP. Get Started
  2. Community review, continue dialogue with your Regional Association.
  3. Fine tune CRISP document.
A Quinault Indian Nation fishing vessel.
A Quinault Indian Nation fishing vessel.

Credit: Dennis Wise, UW.

Approval & Deployment

  1. Final, community-approved CRISP document generated.
  2. Implement your CRISP.
  3. Real-time wave data to your community!
Joe Schumacker (QIN) and Liesl Danyluk (UW) prepare to launch a Spotter buoy off the Washington coast.
Joe Schumacker (QIN) and Liesl Danyluk (UW) prepare to launch a Spotter buoy off the Washington coast.

Credit: Dennis Wise, UW.

The process will be available to anyone interested in sustaining ocean-observing assets in their coastal waters. The web-based questionnaire can be completed directly by community members or community coordinators/partners.

Each community will tailor CRISPs to meet their specific needs, but common elements include:

  • Goals and metrics for success
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Equipment and supplies
  • Training needs and opportunities
  • Permits
  • Region-specific concerns
  • Data access priorities
  • Plans to sustain the program

  • It is adaptable to any community or group interested in developing their own community ocean observing plan.
  • The community defines local project success (vision, goals, metrics).
  • Although the Backyard Buoys team is showcasing the CRISP with the Sofar Smart Mooring and Spotter wave buoy technologies, the process can be modified for other observing assets (e.g., weather sensors, current meters, water quality sensors).
  • The process bridges Indigenous knowledge and Western engineering solutions to accelerate the application of sophisticated yet easy-to-use technologies to enable autonomy in ocean observing.
  • Using a CRISP makes it easy to identify training needs and additional ocean parameters of interest that would enhance the utility of existing technologies.