Who We Are

Our mission

CEMAR is committed to the use of scientific information for the sustainable management of ecosystems for future generations. The term ecosystem management does not mean we can understand, measure, and control all factors that influence ecosystems. Instead, ecosystem management means that we must develop and implement policies and actions that recognize the interconnectedness of the natural world where our society's political and management boundaries are irrelevant.

We pursue this mission at the scale of local and regional watersheds; the area that is drained by a stream or stream system. Working at this scale requires organizations to work together across jurisdictional boundaries with an interdisciplinary approach, which is essential for fostering the institutional evolution that must accompany the restoration and sustainable management of ecosystems. However, this scale is not so large that a small organization with a limited budget cannot have an impact. CEMAR's focus is California's coastal watersheds, which in many instances have received little attention from government planners because of the importance of the Sacramento-San Joaquin river systems and delta.

Our approach

Traditionally, environmental groups have challenged entrenched bureaucracies and commercial interests using a combination of scientific and legal arguments. While this method is valuable when battle lines are drawn, and has produced landmark benefits, it is not sufficient to bring about the change we need. It is essential to find ways for diverse interests to work together over the longer term to reach a more sustainable future.

CEMAR does this by applying science in a collaborative and inclusive approach. In essence, we are leading communities through their own process of scientific discovery by assisting with the identification and testing of critical questions. While such efforts take time, they produce products that are both scientifically credible and politically legitimate, an essential combination for producing meaningful change.

Our programs

To promote ecosystem management and restoration CEMAR is working in four program areas. These are the restoration of steelhead trout, conservation hydrology, ecological indicators, and climate science education. Our programs have produced highly regarded publications that are being used by government agencies, private companies, and restoration advocates.

CEMAR was founded in 2000, and has operated since that time out of offices in Oakland, CA, with a small staff under the guidance of an experienced Board of Directors and a diverse array of supporters. CEMAR is a not-for-profit California corporation and donations to support our programs are fully tax-deductible.