Onshore outreach can be effective in connecting coastal and even in-land communities with scientific ocean drilling expeditions. Pre-expedition networking and reconnoitering can enable ocean-bound outreach officers to learn from members of the local and regional populace and deepen their understanding of the culture. Through formal meetings and casual exchanges, the outreach officer can share details about the expedition's objectives and local relevance. These in-person connections may promote further engagement during the expedition, in the form of virtual tours of the drilling vessel, updates on social media and blog posts.

International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 400 was a two-month ocean drilling expedition aboard the JOIDES Resolution. It took place off the coast of Northwest Greenland in the late summer to early fall of 2023. The primary focus of the investigation was the Greenland Ice Sheet and its past and future impact on and relationship to climate change. Six weeks prior to Expedition 400, the two education outreach officers traveled to Denmark and Greenland to meet with community leaders, while exploring the land, learning about the culture and participating in an annual road race event. Relationships with individuals and agencies were developed and postcards with ship-to-shore broadcast details in both Greenlandic and English were created and shared with contacts in Denmark and Greenland.

While connections with Greenland communities was an ongoing effort throughout the expedition, 15% of ship-to-shore tours were with Copenhagen schools, scientists from the Greenland Summit Station attended the virtual open house, and the officers' firsthand observations of Greenland's glacial activity enhanced science communication. In this talk, outreach strategies, practices and outcomes are presented and the lessons learned and tangible benefits are detailed and assessed.