Heal the Ocean focuses on wastewater infrastructure – sewers and septic systems – as well as ocean dumping practices that have contributed to ocean pollution. We are focused on Santa Barbara County, but our methods are now serving as a model for other coastal communities across the country.
Our mission maintains five definite goals:
- ZERO PATHOGENS IN SEWAGE. Wastewater plants discharging into the Santa Barbara Channel must upgrade treatment of sewage effluent to avoid the addition of pathogens and bacteria to seawater.
- SEPTIC SYSTEMS. Septic systems operate on the principle of leaching, and must be removed from inappropriate beach and creek areas. “Cluster overuse” must be dealt with by sewer hookup, which we facilitate by working with homeowner associations.
- NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION. Heal the Ocean plays an active role in the development of storm water permits, and has initiated a study of groundwater ocean interaction; we lobby for increased street sweeping and enforcement to prevent illegal dumping into creeks and storm drains.
- OCEAN DUMPING. Dredge and fill operations in the name of “restoring beaches” will not be performed unless materials are suitable and clean for beaches, and do not cause smothering of near-shore sea life.
- LANDFILLS. We take an active role in the prevention of toxic pollutants leaching into the sea from landfills.
We employ engineers, researchers and scientists, lawyers, GIS mappers, and other experts to locate sources of pollution, assess their significance and find solutions. We perform cost feasibility studies for upgraded wastewater management methods. We have conducted DNA tests in watersheds as well as virus tests in the ocean. To meet our objectives, we work with city, county and state agencies to initiate new programs and comply with those that already exist.
Hillary has been a writer/journalist/news reporter since 1968, with published books about the sea and underwater exploration, and magazine articles including National Geographic, Geo, Islands, The Surfer’s Journal, Reader’s Digest and the Los Angeles Times. From 1969 through 1977 she was West Coast stringer for Ocean Science News, Washington D.C., and from 1981-1986 was ocean/marine reporter for the Santa Barbara News-Press. She also was the former music critic for the Santa Barbara News-Press and is a long-time classical pianist.
Maria Gordon has taken on the management of our Wastewater Discharge Report (WDR), which includes coordinating with the UCSB Marine Science Institute for internet mapping and analysis of our data on California’s wastewater discharges into the Pacific Ocean. For the past six years, Maria has been a program manager at UCSB’s Bren School where she also works as an editor/editorial consultant for academic and professional research papers.
Katherine Engel is working with Maria on our WDR report, gathering NPDES permits from all of California’s wastewater plants and researching the exceedances and/or violations from each facility. She graduated in environmental studies and biology from UCSB. She is gearing up on the project to bring recycled water to Santa Barbara.
Marco is a cofounder and partner of Coast Law Group LLP in Encinitas, California, where his practice area focus includes environmental law, land use, water quality and natural resource advocacy and litigation. Prior to founding Coast Law Group, Mr. Gonzalez was the Senior Attorney with San Diego BayKeeper, and Chairman/Legal Counsel for the Surfrider Foundation, San Diego. He is a frequent lecturer on environmental issues, land use and planning regulation, desalination, Mexico-U.S. border water quality issues, and the role of non-governmental organizations in environmental enforcement.
Christi Davis is Heal the Ocean’s new Office Administrator, and she is getting us organized! Christi grew up in a small town in Northern Nevada. She came to Santa Barbara to attend Westmont College, instantly fell in love with the beauty of the city and decided to stay after graduating from Westmont in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.
Lindsay McTavish Hernandez has joined the Heal the Ocean staff as Office/Events Director, and in this capacity is guiding all facets of HTO’s upcoming Fifth Annual Benefit Concert on September 26, 2009! Lindsay grew up in Mission Canyon, splitting her time between riding horses and enjoying the beach. After living in Park City for six years she has returned to Santa Barbara with her three children to be closer to her family, friends and the ocean. Her days start at the crack of dawn walking her big dogs at Hendry's Beach and collecting sea glass to add to her already-impressive collection. Lindsay's background is in business management and she is excited to have the opportunity to use her organizational talent to further HTO’s cause!
Charles is a renewable energy consultant focusing on business development and government relations in the wave and ocean current technology sector. He also provides management and strategic planning consultation to non-profit organizations. For many years he served as Vice President of the Cousteau Society and Ocean Futures Society.
Francoise is an artist and author of cookbooks and children's books who worked many years in real estate in Santa Barbara and Malibu. She is devoted to community service in Santa Barbara -- in addition to serving on the Heal the Ocean board, she serves on the board of Girls, Inc. and Direct Relief International.
Graham was part of the founding team of 
Hillary has been a writer/journalist/news reporter since 1968, with published books about the sea and underwater exploration, and magazine articles including National Geographic, Geo, Islands, The Surfer’s Journal, Reader’s Digest and the Los Angeles Times. From 1969 through 1977 she was West Coast stringer for Ocean Science News, Washington D.C., and from 1981-1986 was ocean/marine reporter for the Santa Barbara News-Press. She also was the former music critic for the Santa Barbara News-Press and is a long-time classical pianist.
Jean-Michel has spent his life with his family exploring the world's oceans aboard the research vessels Calypso and Alcyone, communicating to people of all nations and generations his love and concern for our water planet. The eldest son of the late ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, Jean-Michel is President of Ocean Futures Society, where he continues his life's work of educating, especially the young people of the world, to foster a conservation ethic for our water planet.
Jonathan Wygant is president and founder of BigSpeak! Speakers Bureau and Leadership Excellence University. Before creating BigSpeak! and LEU, Jonathan was the CEO and co-founder of Iris Arc Crystal, an Inc 500 international giftware manufacturing company.
Kelly Smith is Heal the Ocean’s treasurer, and as Managing Principal of Certis Capital Management in Santa Barbara, he has great experience with managing budgets. Kelly is an ocean-lover and avid surfer (you should see him surf Rincon with his Aussie-dog Rabbit on the nose of his longboard on small-wave days!).
Dick was the co-founder of Windsurfing Hawaii, The Balance Bar Company and The FRS Company, and is currently on the Board of Directors of Quercegen Pharma, a drug and consumer products company based in Boston.
Stan was a founder of Adesso, Inc., a computer- hardware manufacturing company, and was also one of the founders of Players International, Inc. At Lakeside Industries, Stan was responsible for the original television syndication of the Gumby cartoons, and brought the animated classic to market as a toy. He served for many years as a Director of the American Toy Manufacturers' Association.
Steve is a retired research scientist and manager at Hughes Aircraft Company. He has a PhD in engineering and also serves on the Boards of the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, Music Academy of the West, and Rincon Point Property Owners Association. Steve is a 50 year resident of Rincon Point with a love of the ocean and dislike of septic systems along the ocean!
Thomas Dabney is a native Santa Barbarian and lobster fisherman with deep appreciation for the ocean and all it affords, and comes to Heal the Ocean with valuable directorial experience as a long time board member of his family foundations.
