Permits, Access, Drones

Beyond our 43 acre coastal campus, the CRC primarily provides access to the coast. Most research sites are managed as conservation or public (government owned) lands. Visiting researchers are required to secure access permissions from the relevant land managers before beginning research.

When conducting work on the barrier islands, be aware that each island is subject to different use policies and permitting structures. Below is an overview of the nuanced requirements. Additional details are available at https://exploreourseaside.org/visit/. Note that many islands have seasonally restricted access due to nesting birds.

Work with fauna requires DWR (terrestrial) or VMRC (marine) permits. All permits should be in place before you begin fieldwork. Copies of approved permits should be carried into the field.

To conduct drone-based research from the Coastal Research Center property or one of our vessels, the following documents (linked below) must be completed and on file at our station before your research begins. Contact staff, especially Tom Burkett, for additional guidance.

Drone Pilot Compliance Checklist

Drone Compliance Acknowledgement