Seth Ackerman (USGS Geologist) talking to a visitor at the USGS booth for the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Sara Ernst
I am an Information Specialist at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. My goal is to bridge the communication gap between science and stakeholders – ensuring resource managers, planners, politicians, and the public have the information they need to make informed decisions that enhance the resilience of coastal communities, habitats, and natural resources.
As the Information Specialist for the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, I lead communications and outreach efforts to help increase awareness and use of our coastal and marine research, data, and tools.
"Great science done invisibly cannot have impact." - my motto on the importance of science communication and engaging with stakeholders.
I specialize in simplifying technical information into clear, concise content that is tailored to target audiences and delivered in a variety of visually appealing formats. I develop electronic and physical information products, such as our annual reports and General Information Product, as well as topical videos; write news articles; produce content for and manage our website and social media accounts; provide editorial services to our scientists; and more. I am also a member of the Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program communications team, where we work collaboratively across the program to further promote USGS coastal and marine research.
Additionally, I am one of the leads of the Stakeholder Engagement and Communications project, a cross-center project working to create a communications, stakeholder engagement, and social science infrastructure for the coastal change hazards programmatic focus.
Professional Experience
Information Specialist, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, 2018 - Present.
Science Communications Specialist, Environmental Protection Agency, 2015 - 2018.
Education and Certifications
B.S. Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island, 2013.
Affiliations and Memberships*
Ad-Hoc Member, USGS Environmental Justice Task Force, 2022 - Present
Honors and Awards
2022 Shoemaker Award for Communications Product Excellence, audio/visual category
1st place annual report, National Association of Government Communicators Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards, 2021.
1st place electronic publication, National Association of Government Communicators Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards, 2020.
1st place soft or hard book, National Association of Government Communicators Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards, 2020.
Science and Products
Seth Ackerman (USGS Geologist) talking to a visitor at the USGS booth for the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Visitor during the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll talking to Marie Bartlett (USGS Geologist) about the foraminifera she viewed in the USGS microscope.
Visitor during the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll talking to Marie Bartlett (USGS Geologist) about the foraminifera she viewed in the USGS microscope.
The USGS is assessing the physical condition of coastal wetlands and their response to external forces, using field observations and remote-sensing data. The U.S.
The USGS is assessing the physical condition of coastal wetlands and their response to external forces, using field observations and remote-sensing data. The U.S.
USGS Information Specialist Sara Ernst representing USGS at the 2023 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
USGS Information Specialist Sara Ernst representing USGS at the 2023 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
The 2022 annual report of the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center highlights accomplishments of 2022, includes a list of 2022 publications, and summarizes the work of the center, as well as the work of each of its science groups.
The 2022 annual report of the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center highlights accomplishments of 2022, includes a list of 2022 publications, and summarizes the work of the center, as well as the work of each of its science groups.
USGS Coastal Science
The USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program is the only federal science program focused on the geology and processes of coastal and marine landscapes.
USGS Coastal Science
The USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program is the only federal science program focused on the geology and processes of coastal and marine landscapes.
USGS Ocean Science
The USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program is the only federal science program focused on the geology and processes of coastal and marine landscapes.
USGS Ocean Science
The USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program is the only federal science program focused on the geology and processes of coastal and marine landscapes.
This video provides an overview of the science and products produced by the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, as well as the use and value of the knowledge, data, and tools produced by the Center. It additionally highlights the Center’s location, where we conduct research, and collaborator/stakeholder types.
This video provides an overview of the science and products produced by the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, as well as the use and value of the knowledge, data, and tools produced by the Center. It additionally highlights the Center’s location, where we conduct research, and collaborator/stakeholder types.
This video provides an overview of the science and products produced by the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, as well as the use and value of the knowledge, data, and tools produced by the Center. It additionally highlights the Center’s location, where we conduct research, and collaborator/stakeholder types.
This video provides an overview of the science and products produced by the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, as well as the use and value of the knowledge, data, and tools produced by the Center. It additionally highlights the Center’s location, where we conduct research, and collaborator/stakeholder types.
Table of contents page for the 2021 Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center annual report.
Table of contents page for the 2021 Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center annual report.
The title page of the 2021 Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center annual report.
The title page of the 2021 Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center annual report.
A page of the Coastal and Shelf Geology section of the 2021 WHCMSC Annual Report.
A page of the Coastal and Shelf Geology section of the 2021 WHCMSC Annual Report.
The first page of the Coastal and Shelf Geology section in the FY21 Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center.
The first page of the Coastal and Shelf Geology section in the FY21 Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center.
Cover of the 2021 annual report. https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1495/cir1495.pdf
Coastal wetlands are among the most productive and valuable ecosystems in the world—comparable to even rainforests and coral reefs.
Coastal wetlands are among the most productive and valuable ecosystems in the world—comparable to even rainforests and coral reefs.
Coastal wetlands are among the most productive and valuable ecosystems in the world—comparable to even rainforests and coral reefs.
Coastal wetlands are among the most productive and valuable ecosystems in the world—comparable to even rainforests and coral reefs.
Science and Products
Seth Ackerman (USGS Geologist) talking to a visitor at the USGS booth for the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Seth Ackerman (USGS Geologist) talking to a visitor at the USGS booth for the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
Visitor during the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll talking to Marie Bartlett (USGS Geologist) about the foraminifera she viewed in the USGS microscope.
Visitor during the 2024 Woods Hole Science Stroll talking to Marie Bartlett (USGS Geologist) about the foraminifera she viewed in the USGS microscope.
The USGS is assessing the physical condition of coastal wetlands and their response to external forces, using field observations and remote-sensing data. The U.S.
The USGS is assessing the physical condition of coastal wetlands and their response to external forces, using field observations and remote-sensing data. The U.S.
USGS Information Specialist Sara Ernst representing USGS at the 2023 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
USGS Information Specialist Sara Ernst representing USGS at the 2023 Woods Hole Science Stroll.
The 2022 annual report of the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center highlights accomplishments of 2022, includes a list of 2022 publications, and summarizes the work of the center, as well as the work of each of its science groups.
The 2022 annual report of the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center highlights accomplishments of 2022, includes a list of 2022 publications, and summarizes the work of the center, as well as the work of each of its science groups.
USGS Coastal Science
The USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program is the only federal science program focused on the geology and processes of coastal and marine landscapes.
USGS Coastal Science
The USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program is the only federal science program focused on the geology and processes of coastal and marine landscapes.
USGS Ocean Science
The USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program is the only federal science program focused on the geology and processes of coastal and marine landscapes.
USGS Ocean Science
The USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program is the only federal science program focused on the geology and processes of coastal and marine landscapes.
This video provides an overview of the science and products produced by the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, as well as the use and value of the knowledge, data, and tools produced by the Center. It additionally highlights the Center’s location, where we conduct research, and collaborator/stakeholder types.
This video provides an overview of the science and products produced by the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, as well as the use and value of the knowledge, data, and tools produced by the Center. It additionally highlights the Center’s location, where we conduct research, and collaborator/stakeholder types.
This video provides an overview of the science and products produced by the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, as well as the use and value of the knowledge, data, and tools produced by the Center. It additionally highlights the Center’s location, where we conduct research, and collaborator/stakeholder types.
This video provides an overview of the science and products produced by the U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, as well as the use and value of the knowledge, data, and tools produced by the Center. It additionally highlights the Center’s location, where we conduct research, and collaborator/stakeholder types.
Table of contents page for the 2021 Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center annual report.
Table of contents page for the 2021 Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center annual report.
The title page of the 2021 Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center annual report.
The title page of the 2021 Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center annual report.
A page of the Coastal and Shelf Geology section of the 2021 WHCMSC Annual Report.
A page of the Coastal and Shelf Geology section of the 2021 WHCMSC Annual Report.
The first page of the Coastal and Shelf Geology section in the FY21 Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center.
The first page of the Coastal and Shelf Geology section in the FY21 Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center.
Cover of the 2021 annual report. https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1495/cir1495.pdf
Coastal wetlands are among the most productive and valuable ecosystems in the world—comparable to even rainforests and coral reefs.
Coastal wetlands are among the most productive and valuable ecosystems in the world—comparable to even rainforests and coral reefs.
Coastal wetlands are among the most productive and valuable ecosystems in the world—comparable to even rainforests and coral reefs.
Coastal wetlands are among the most productive and valuable ecosystems in the world—comparable to even rainforests and coral reefs.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government