Dr. Matthew Costa’s path to conservation and coastal science began as a curious kid drawn to explore coastal ecosystems in his hometown. That early fascination deepened in college, where hands-on fieldwork showed him the power of asking — and answering — meaningful questions about the natural world.
Since then, Matt’s research has focused on blue carbon — how coastal ecosystems like mangroves and salt marshes can capture and store carbon — and a commitment to helping people understand the value of these ecosystems. Recently, he spoke with us about why making science accessible matters, how he’s worked to connect with everyone from community members to congressional staff, and how communication training has helped shape his approach.
Grounded in Place
During the pandemic, Matt’s research pivoted from the pristine mangroves of Panama and the Galápagos to the heavily impacted wetlands of urban San Diego. The change was partly driven by travel restrictions, but it also reflected something deeper: a growing appreciation for the ecosystems in his own backyard. The experience underscored a key insight — science is most powerful when it’s grounded in place and connected to the people who live there.
“Carbon sequestration is a global benefit,” Matt explains, “but many of these ecosystems’ services are deeply local. The birds someone watches every morning, the memories of fishing there as a kid, the revival of Indigenous relationships with the land — those matter. And they’re powerful motivators for conservation. Working in ecosystems close to home gave me the chance to connect more directly with the people and communities who depend on them every day.”
From the Field to Federal Policy
Matt’s first direct experience engaging at the federal policy level came through a Blue Carbon Roundtable hosted by COMPASS and Restore America’s Estuaries that brought together scientists and policymakers. The experience was eye-opening.
“I had done some local government engagement before, but this was my first time talking to congressional staffers,” he recalls. “There’s so much I didn’t know about how science gets used in policy. What really surprised me was how narrow the funnel is — how little science actually makes it into the process, just because of how fast things move and how much information is out there. It really highlighted how easy it is for science to get left out.”
That realization was both sobering and motivating. It reinforced the idea that publishing a paper isn’t the end of the road. If researchers want their work to make an impact, they need to build relationships, and make their research findable, relevant, and accessible.
“You can’t stop at publishing. You have to show up and talk to people — even if it’s just letting the staff at your local congressional office know you’re a subject matter expert and available to help interpret materials.”
Listening and Pivoting When It Counts
Most recently, Matt had another opportunity to put these lessons into practice — this time through a science policy engagement program at an annual conference hosted by AGU, held last year in Washington, D.C.. Scientists attending were encouraged to reach out to their representatives on Capitol Hill. With a bit of help from the program and some experience under his belt, he set up a meeting with the science staffer for his district.
What surprised him most? “It was easy,” he says. “They responded to my email, and we set it up. It made me realize how it’s actually not that hard to start a conversation. That was empowering — to realize how accessible these people sometimes are, and how willing they are to listen when you have something relevant to share.”
He prepared by revisiting tools from the COMPASS science communication training — particularly a tool called the Message Box, which helps distill complex ideas into clear, compelling messages.
“It reminded me what to emphasize: why this matters, and how to pair a problem with a solution.”
But the most valuable lesson came during the conversation itself.
“I went in ready to talk about wetlands and coastal blue carbon policy more broadly. But when I mentioned that the wetland site where I work is part of the NSF Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program — arguably the most successful ecological research program in the U.S.A. —I realized something important. I had assumed that the immense significance of the LTER program to ecological research went without saying, especially since one of the nation’s just 27 LTER sites is located right here in our district. But in this case that assumption was wrong, as assumptions like that often are! It reminded me not to take for granted what people already know or value. So I shifted the conversation. That became the most important thing I could talk about.”
That moment highlighted a core lesson: science communication isn’t about sticking to a script. It’s about listening and meeting your audience where they are.
“It can be intimidating at first, especially if you’re nervous. You might have this drive to stick to the script. But it’s important to adapt to what the other person needs — and that only happens if you recognize communication is not a one-way street.”
Advice for Scientists Looking to Engage
Matt acknowledges that engaging beyond research can be time-consuming — especially for early-career scientists juggling multiple priorities. But he believes it’s worth it, even if it starts with small steps.
“I’ve spent the last couple of years deep in one big project, but I hope to engage more regularly with stakeholders and policymakers — especially if I end up in a faculty role. For now, I’m connecting in the ways I can and trying to pass what I’ve learned on to students and colleagues.”
His advice?
“Don’t wait until you feel like you’ve figured everything out. You already have deep knowledge in your area — speak from that place of expertise. You don’t have to have all the answers — just be ready to listen carefully, to follow up with more information if necessary, and to keep practicing.”
Intentional engagement is what turns knowledge into impact. Science often struggles to find its audience — not because people aren’t interested, but because it’s easy for it to get lost in the noise. Matt’s story shows that while it takes effort to engage, it is both possible and powerful.
