Leading marine conservation across the Pacific – UC Santa Cruz – News

Report on the Career of Dr. Stacy Jupiter and Contributions to Sustainable Development

Introduction

This report details the career of Dr. Stacy Jupiter, a marine biologist and UC Santa Cruz alumna, whose work significantly aligns with and advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Her professional trajectory, from early community-based projects to executive leadership in marine conservation, demonstrates a consistent commitment to integrated environmental management and sustainable livelihoods, with a primary focus on SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Educational Background and Foundational Work

Academic and Research Foundation

Dr. Jupiter’s academic path provided the technical skills necessary for her impactful career in conservation. Her educational milestones include:

• Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Harvard University (1997)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UC Santa Cruz (2006)
• Fulbright Scholarship at the University of Queensland (2003)
• NASA Graduate Student Research Fellowship for research in Australia

Early Contributions to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security

Following her undergraduate studies, Dr. Jupiter served in the Peace Corps in Gabon. This experience was formative, directly contributing to key development goals:

1. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): She worked with rural farmers to construct fish ponds, enhancing local food sources and promoting food security.
2. SDG 1 (No Poverty): The integration of aquaculture with sustainable agriculture provided local communities with resilient and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Professional Career in Marine Conservation

Leadership at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Dr. Jupiter’s career with the WCS began in 2008, marked by a series of progressively senior roles that expanded her influence on marine conservation strategies in the Pacific.

• 2008: Scientist, WCS Fiji Program
• 2009-2014: Director, WCS Fiji Program
• 2014-2024: Director, WCS Melanesia Program
• 2024-Present: Executive Director of Marine Conservation

Major Initiatives and Alignment with Global Goals

Dr. Jupiter has led projects that exemplify an integrated approach to conservation, linking terrestrial and marine ecosystems and fostering community engagement.

Integrated Watershed Management

A long-term project focused on watershed management highlights a multi-faceted approach to sustainability, addressing several interconnected SDGs:

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The project aims to improve water quality by managing land-based activities, directly impacting the health of coastal water systems.
• SDG 14 (Life Below Water): By reducing coastal pollution from watersheds, the initiative protects nearshore marine ecosystems, including vital coral reefs.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): The work inherently addresses the management of terrestrial ecosystems to prevent degradation and negative downstream impacts.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): This effort has been sustained through crucial partnerships with entities such as the Australian Government and the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative.

Community-Based Resource Management

In the Solomon Islands, Dr. Jupiter’s team partnered with local communities to protect marine biodiversity, demonstrating a commitment to inclusive and effective conservation.

1. Local Knowledge Integration: The project elevated local ecological knowledge by collaborating with fishers to identify and protect critical fish spawning grounds. This directly supports SDG 14 by conserving marine resources.
2. Sustainable Livelihoods: By establishing community-led rules for fishing seasons and species protection, the initiative ensures the long-term viability of fish stocks, contributing to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) for coastal communities.

Capacity Building and Education

A significant aspect of Dr. Jupiter’s work involves mentorship and professional development for Pacific Islanders. This commitment directly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by creating pathways for local scientists and conservationists to pursue advanced degrees and leadership roles, thereby building regional capacity for environmental stewardship.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights the work of Stacy Jupiter, a marine biologist whose career focuses on community-based conservation, marine ecosystem health, and sustainable resource management. Based on the activities and projects described, the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are addressed:

• SDG 14: Life Below Water: This is the most prominent SDG, as Jupiter’s entire career is dedicated to marine biology, studying coral reef ecosystems, and protecting coastal and nearshore marine environments in places like Fiji and the Solomon Islands.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The article explicitly mentions Jupiter’s work on “watershed management” and studying the “links between changes in land activities within watersheds and impacts to coastal and nearshore marine ecosystems.” This directly connects terrestrial ecosystem health to marine conservation.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: Early in her career with the Peace Corps, Jupiter “worked with rural farmers to build fish ponds and integrate them with sustainable agriculture,” which relates to sustainable food production and supporting small-scale food producers.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article highlights Jupiter’s commitment to mentorship, noting that she “dedicating significant time to mentorship and support” and that “several Pacific Islanders have gone on to earn Ph.D.s and work for regional organizations” through her guidance.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: Jupiter’s work involves extensive collaboration. The article mentions partnerships with “local fishers,” securing “lasting government commitment and investment,” and receiving funding from entities like the “Australian Government and the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative,” all under the umbrella of her work with an NGO, the Wildlife Conservation Society.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Several specific SDG targets can be identified by analyzing the actions and projects described in the article:

1. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
   • Explanation: Jupiter’s career is centered on “learning about coral reef ecosystems” and her post-doctoral work involved studying “impacts to coastal and nearshore marine ecosystems.” Her work in Fiji and the Solomon Islands with the Wildlife Conservation Society is a direct effort to manage and protect these environments.
2. Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing… and implement science-based management plans.
   • Explanation: The article details a project where Jupiter and her team “partnered with local fishers… to protect key areas and create community rules that set fishing seasons and banned the sale of certain species.” This is a clear example of regulating harvesting to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks.
3. Target 14.5: By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific and traditional knowledge.
   • Explanation: The collaboration with “local fishers who knew the spawning grounds best” to “protect key areas” directly reflects the use of traditional knowledge to conserve vital marine areas.
4. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular… wetlands.
   • Explanation: Jupiter’s ongoing project to “improve watershed management” and her research on the “links between changes in land activities within watersheds and impacts to coastal… ecosystems” directly address the management of inland water systems to protect both terrestrial and marine environments.
5. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
   • Explanation: Her work in the Peace Corps to help rural farmers “build fish ponds and integrate them with sustainable agriculture” is a direct application of creating sustainable food production systems at the local level.
6. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
   • Explanation: By mentoring and supporting Pacific Islanders to the point where “several… have gone on to earn Ph.D.s and work for regional organizations,” Jupiter is directly helping individuals gain high-level technical skills for professional employment in the conservation sector.
7. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
   • Explanation: The article describes Jupiter’s work as a series of partnerships: collaborating with an NGO (Wildlife Conservation Society), local communities (“local fishers”), governments (“lasting government commitment”), and international funders (“Australian Government,” “Bloomberg Ocean Initiative”).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several measurable outcomes that could serve as informal indicators of progress:

• Indicator for Targets 14.4 and 14.5: The number of key spawning grounds protected through community collaboration. The article states they worked with fishers “to protect key areas,” which is a quantifiable outcome. Another indicator is the number of communities that have “create[d] community rules that set fishing seasons and banned the sale of certain species.”
• Indicator for Target 15.1: The level of government investment in watershed management. The article mentions the goal is to ensure “lasting government commitment and investment in watershed management,” which can be measured in monetary terms or by the number of government-backed programs.
• Indicator for Target 4.4: The number of mentored Pacific Islanders who earn Ph.D.s or secure professional roles in regional organizations. The article explicitly states that “several Pacific Islanders have gone on to earn Ph.D.s” as a result of her guidance.
• Indicator for Target 2.4: The number of integrated fish ponds built. In her early work, Jupiter helped “build fish ponds,” a tangible and countable output of her efforts to promote sustainable agriculture.
• Indicator for Target 17.17: The amount of funding secured from diverse partners. The article mentions receiving funding from the “Australian Government and the Bloomberg Ocean Initiative,” which can be quantified to measure the success of these partnerships.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.ucsc.edu