The sea is rising - and so are we!
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As I sit in my office listening to the rain, I’m both grateful to hear it falling after such a record-breaking hot summer and mindful about what it might mean for the winter season. The past two days have brought our first big storm and a reminder that we need to prepare for El Niño conditions. With ocean temperatures already much warmer than normal, we’re watching closely as the weather, the ocean, and our coastline respond. Warmer waters can disrupt the natural upwelling that sustains marine life, affecting everything from tiny plankton to fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. As powerful waves arrive with storms, our beaches face increasing risks from erosion.
So, what can we do to prepare? While emergency measures may offer temporary protection, we also need to think about long-term solutions that work with nature. Healthy dunes can help reduce wave energy and support the natural movement of sand, helping our beaches recover after storms. Some vulnerable structures may need to be redesigned or moved to make our coast more resilient. Heal the Ocean's work is helping prepare for the storms - clearing trash from our beaches and watersheds, improving coastal resilience, advising on policy, reducing pollution, and preparing for potential boat wrecks.
Together, let’s rise to the challenge and keep our coast thriving!
Karina Johnston, Executive Director
In this issue:
HTO Calls for Action on Abandoned Boats
Boat washed ashore on East Beach and toxic liquids removed (credit: Harry Rabin)
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously, 4-0, to direct County staff to explore solutions for preventing and addressing abandoned, derelict, and wrecked boats along County beaches.
Since 2021, Heal the Ocean has helped facilitate the removal of more than 30 boats throughout the County, often covering removal costs of $5,000 to $15,000+ per vessel. Most recently, and thanks to a quick note from an HTO donor yesterday (October 22nd), we were able to notify Captain Carson of TowBoatUS to help recover a crashed sailboat off of Campus Point. These boats can contain fuel, oil, sewage, and other hazardous materials that threaten coastal ecosystems and public safety when they break apart.
HTO Executive Director Karina Johnston and Field & Research Advisor Harry Rabin presented to the County Board of Supervisors on October 6th, emphasizing the need for a coordinated, proactive approach that goes beyond responding after boats crash ashore. The Board directed staff to work with HTO and identify solutions for prevention, enforcement, cleanup, and cost recovery.
We thank Supervisor Roy Lee, Wade Cowper, and County staff for helping move this issue forward. We look forward to continuing to work with local partners toward long-term solutions.
Read more: Beached and Abandoned: Santa Barbara County Confronts ‘Toxic’ Boat Wrecks
New Mishopshno State Marine Conservation Area Approved!
Kelp forest ecosystem (credit: Erick Morales Oyola)
In a major win for ocean conservation, the California Fish and Game Commission recently approved two new State Marine Conservation Areas (SMCA) in Santa Barbara County: Mishopshno off Carpinteria and Point Sal near Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Both SMCAs will be important for improved marine habitat connectivity. Mishopshno SMCA will help protect 9 square miles of important marine habitats, including rocky reefs, kelp forests, and waters near Carpinteria Salt Marsh, while honoring Chumash heritage through tribal co-leadership with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
When Heal the Ocean advocated for the Mishopshno petition, led by Chumash representatives, Environmental Defense Center, and Natural Resources Defense Council, we highlighted our history with the site. Harry Rabin, HTO Field Advisor, first initiated a petition for a Marine Protected Area near Carpinteria more than five years ago, and we are so happy to see it all come together successfully this month. These approvals mark an important step toward protecting our region’s marine ecosystems for future generations.
Read More: State Approves New Marine Protected Areas on the Central Coast
HTO research vessel tagging great white juvenile sharks as part of MPA research
(credit: Harry Rabin)
Styrofoam Recycling Partnership in Isla Vista
As residents are moving in or returning to Isla Vista this fall and unpacking TVs, furniture, and other new household packages wrapped in Styrofoam and other plastic waste, Heal the Ocean is partnering with the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) to keep foam waste from filling up landfills and polluting the ocean. Over the past month, HTO set up a neighborhood collection site three different times at the IV Community Center where students could drop off Styrofoam waste to be recycled. In addition, IVCSD has included Styrofoam waste as part of their Donation Pick-Up Service - fill out this form to have the foam picked up at your door! Or, take your foam waste to the MarBorg Industries drop-off locations at 20 David Love Place in Goleta or 132 Nopalitos Way in Santa Barbara.
City of Goleta Welcomes Biodiversity
On October 6th, Goleta City Council adopted a new resolution entitled "Supporting Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Resilience on California's South Central Coast.” HTO, along with multiple other organizations in the Biodiversity Working Group, advocated in support of this resolution. The Biodiversity Working Group is actively championing biodiversity resolutions across the County. These resolutions are crucial initial steps to encourage future actions by municipalities to integrate biodiversity considerations into planning, zoning, and development decisions.
HTO is also partnering on several projects to directly advance this work, including the Western Goleta Slough Restoration Project led by UCSB and the Goleta Slough Coastal Resilience Project. More to come soon on those important ongoing projects!
Heal the Ocean in the News
HTO Executive Director, Karina Johnston, was featured on NBC4 - Today in LA
Heal the Ocean's dedicated staff, Board of Directors, partners, and volunteers have been busy at work! Here are just a few of our recent successes featured in the media:
HTO Executive Director, Karina Johnston, was featured on NBC4 - Today in LA to discuss what an expected El Niño season could mean for Southern California and ways communities can prepare for potential storm conditions. Watch Youtube Replay.
Jack Johnson Takes Hometown Stage at Santa Barbara Bowl and Supports Local Non-Profits
Heal the Ocean Study Finds New Clues to Summerland’s Lingering Oil Pollution
Abandoned Sailboat Cleared from the Montecito Coast Before Dawn Before it Breaks Up
County to Address Increasing Numbers of Abandoned, Wrecked Boats
Recent events: Connecting with Our Community
Heal the Ocean team tabling at the Jack Johnson Concert
From Left to right: Jack Johnson, Amber McEldowney, Karina Johnston, Kim Johnson
It’s been a blast getting out into the community this fall! From the Jack Johnson concert at the Santa Barbara Bowl and Goleta Lemon Festival to the Santa Barbara Harbor & Seafood Festival and our collaboration with Acting Out at Opal Restaurant, we’ve loved connecting with so many community members, sharing Heal the Ocean’s work, and spreading the word about protecting our coast and ocean.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, said hello, and showed their support. We’re grateful to be part of such an engaged and ocean-loving community! We also want to thank Heather Hudson, our amazing Board Member and Events Manager who leads these events!
Upcoming Events - Come Say Hi!
The Acting Out Theatre Group presents an interactive dinner show at Opal Restaurant and Bar with a portion of the proceeds from the event supporting Heal the Ocean.
"Out of Plain Sight" Screening
Marjorie Luke Theatre | October 25th, 3 pm
Join HTO and local environmental organizations for a community tabling event, a screening of "Out of Plain Sight", and a post-film Q&A with marine environmental experts. Ticket information here.
Acting Out Theater Group
Opal Restaurant | October 28th and November 4th, 5:30 - 8 pm
Enjoy an interactive dinner theatre experience with Acting Out at Opal Restaurant, with a portion of ticket sales benefiting Heal the Ocean.
Toes in the Cove Kickoff Party
Surf N Wear's Beach House | October 29th, 6 - 8 pm
Join HTO to celebrate the kickoff of the "Toes in the Cove" surf competition with a party at the Surf N Wear's Beach House in the Funk Zone.
Patagonia’s 30th Annual Salmon Run
259 W. Santa Clara St, Ventura | November 15th, 8 am - 12 pm
Stop by this popular community running event to connect with HTO and other local environmental organizations, enjoy the festivities, and support environmental causes.
Celebrating Our Incredible Volunteers!
Heal the Ocean volunteers Nancy Spivak and Jim Winter at Harbor Festival
For longtime surfers Nancy Spivak and Jim Winter, protecting the ocean is personal. Both became involved with Heal the Ocean after witnessing firsthand what was happening to water quality at Rincon, where the effort to connect homes to the sewer system became a long-term commitment to protecting our coastline.
Nancy first connected with HTO at a Carpinteria Sanitary District meeting in support of bringing sewer connections to Rincon homes. For the past five years, she has been assisting HTO at events. Jim has been a supporter for over two decades and has volunteered at events for the past four years.
For Nancy, giving back to the ocean is something that comes naturally. As she states, “I get so much from the ocean that it is an honor to protect and give back. Heal the Ocean is the perfect channel to let me do that!”
For Jim, volunteering is an easy way to support HTO's dedication and perseverance: “I’ve been very impressed with HTO since the beginning of the Rincon Project. They dealt with the logistics for 16 years until completion!”
We’re deeply grateful to Nancy and Jim for their many years of support, their hands-on help at HTO events, and their shared commitment to protecting the ocean we all love.
Interested in volunteering with HTO? Email: info@healtheocean.org.