Hayley Carter

Senior Science Officer

she/her/hers

“I am constantly challenged and excited by the diversity of projects we take on. At Ocean Science Trust, I get to wear many hats - from project manager, science integration expert, facilitator, and science communication specialist. Every day is a new opportunity to have a positive impact.”

Hayley Carter is a science-policy professional with 9 years of experience developing science-based actions to address complex environmental challenges. She is especially interested in advancing progress towards state, national, and international climate goals. At OST, she enjoys being able to wear many hats – from program manager, thought leader, facilitator, process expert, policy strategist, mentor, fundraiser, and science communication professional. She has the pleasure of overseeing the work of the – a 25-member interdisciplinary advisory group helping to ensure state policy and funding decisions are informed by the best available science. She is particularly proud of her role in advancing state action on (OA). Leveraging her graduate research and expertise in mobilizing science-policy partnerships, she was able to effect policy change on a complex issue with rapidly evolving science. Her efforts contributed to the passing of two bills in the California legislature, spurred the International OA Alliance, and informed a series of multi-million-dollar investments in OA research and monitoring. More recently, she is supporting state agencies as they evaluate nature-based climate solutions – including synthesizing the latest science on , and exploring opportunities to advance equity in the implementation of projects in California.

She began her tenure at OST in 2013 as a California Sea Grant Fellow. Prior to joining the OST team, Hayley received her M.S. in Marine Biology from San Francisco State University Estuary and Ocean Science Center, and a B.S. from University of California Davis.

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