Needs Assessment of New Jersey Business Owners

New Jersey Sea Grant

As part of the National Sea Grant Coastal Communities Climate Adaptation Initiative (CCCAI), NJSGC is developing and implementing an education and outreach campaign designed to promote long term planning that will educate waterfront property owners and associated businesses about the need to gain an understanding of climate change and consider the potential impacts associated with it when planning for the future. This will be accomplished by providing basic information on the topic, and presenting potential negative and positive impacts to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of advance preparation. In an effort to develop an education and outreach campaign that will be both effective and well received, NJSGC surveyed marina owners and operators in early fall 2013 to gain an understanding of the knowledge this community of practice has on the subject of climate change and how they prefer to receive information. The information collected from this survey was used to compile this report and continue the development of the education and outreach products related to potential impacts of climate change.