What We Do

Educators share landscape drawings during an OASLC Floating Teacher Workshop.

NPS Photo

The Ocean Alaska Science and Learning Center (OASLC) supports coastal and marine stewardship in Alaska's eleven coastal national parks through science and education.

We support research via funding, logistical support, and access to data and park resources, to help to better manage Alaska's coastal national parks. By offering a variety of educational programs and media, we engage the widest audience possible with the process of science, scientific findings, and the people behind the science. And by offering internship opportunities within the Alaskan coastal parks, we support the future generation of scientists and stewards.

We partner extensively with various parks and organizations to accomplish our goals, and we're one of 17 Research Learning Centers nationwide.

Sunset off the coast of Katmai National Park & Preserve.

NPS Photo/Jim Pfeiffenberger

OASLC Strategic Plan

The Strategic Plan is developed by the OASLC Board in consultation with the OASLC Technical Advisory Committee, parks, Inventory & Monitoring networks, regional office and external partners, and in consideration of the NPS Arctic-Pacific Ocean Stewardship Strategy and other relevant guidance.

View our 2024-2030 Strategic Plan which specifies our goals, objectives, and five-year targets for achieving our mission.

Annual Reports

Read more about our projects, accomplishments, and the parks we've served in our Annual Reports:

• 2024 OASLC Annual Report
• 2023 OASLC Annual Report
• 2021 OASLC Annual Report
• 2018-2020 OASLC Annual Report
• 2016-2017 OASLC Annual Report
• 2014-2015 OASLC Annual Report

We've been providing direct support to coastal and marine research projects throughout Alaska parks since 2004.

Research Learning Centers

The OASLC is one of 17 Research Learning Centers (RLCs) established by the National Park Service across the nation. RLCs have been designed as public-private partnerships between parks, researchers, universities, educators, and community groups. RLCs facilitate research in national parks and integrate that research into the visitor experience, park resource management, and educational outreach programs.