Tim Aldinger joins California Ocean Science Trust board

California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot appointed workforce and climate innovation leader Tim Aldinger to the California Ocean Science Trust Board of Trustees. The move is meant to strengthen the state’s pipeline from marine STEM education to ocean science and resource-management jobs as coastal climate risks intensify.

Why it matters: - California is linking ocean science strategy with workforce development as sea level rise, ocean acidification and marine heatwaves intensify along the coast. - The appointment is intended to help build more equitable coastal resilience by expanding career pathways that connect research, education and public-sector resource management. - The board seat is for a public representative under the California Ocean Resources Stewardship Act.

What happened: - California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot appointed Tim Aldinger to the California Ocean Science Trust Board of Trustees. - Aldinger will serve as a public representative on the board under CORSA. - The announcement was made in Sacramento on November 12, 2026.

The details: - Aldinger is vice president of workforce and climate innovation at the Foundation for California Community Colleges. - FoundationCCC is the official nonprofit auxiliary supporting the California Community Colleges, the nation’s largest higher education system. - Aldinger brings more than 20 years of experience in workforce development policy, public-private partnerships and climate programming. - His work at FoundationCCC expanded the organization’s workforce portfolio and connected thousands of learners to career-relevant experiences across California each year. - Before joining FoundationCCC in 2013, Aldinger managed training and special projects at the National Association of Workforce Boards. - He also led youth programming at the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board. - Aldinger helped develop the California Resilient Careers in Forestry initiative under the Good Jobs Challenge. - He completed fellowships through the REAL Corps and Coro. - Dr. Alexis Jackson, chair of the California Ocean Science Trust Board of Trustees, said the trust wants to expand graduate education, training and workforce opportunities that connect academic research to state needs. - Dr. Liz Whiteman, executive director of California Ocean Science Trust, said workforce development and education are foundational pillars of the West Coast Ocean Science Action Agenda.

Between the lines: - The appointment reflects a broader push to treat talent pipelines as part of climate and ocean policy, not just a separate education issue. - Aldinger’s background suggests the trust wants board-level experience in building partnerships, training systems and career pathways, not only scientific expertise. - The focus on early-career scientists points to an effort to strengthen the science-policy pipeline that informs state ocean management decisions.

What's next: - Aldinger will join the board as California Ocean Science Trust continues to align ocean science investments with long-term workforce and community needs. - The trust is expected to keep emphasizing marine STEM talent, accessible career pathways and leadership development for climate-ready ocean science work. - Ocean Science Trust will continue its role of connecting science, innovation and policymakers to support a healthy and resilient coast and ocean.