California Marine Sanctuary Foundation

Spotting giants in the Santa Barbara Channel! ?? Our 2024 aerial surveys documented 108 whales. These data help us understand important regional population dynamics and inform targeted conservation strategies. Check out the amazing work we do with the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the Volgenau Foundation in our latest blog. californiamsf.org/blog Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program #ProtectWhatYouLove #aerialsurvey

UC Santa Cruz Coastal Science & Policy Program's Professional Development Course in Coastal Climate Resilience starts March 20th! Registration is still open! Gain expertise from top sustainability and resilience professionals in an 8-week virtual course, plus a 2.5 day in-person workshop. The multi-sector network of instructors shares a dedication to implementing practical solutions to coastal resilience projects. This course is tailored for those actively working across the United States at the interface of climate and coastal adaptation and designed for practitioners to make tangible progress in their work on coastal climate resilience. Course Topics include: Principles of Coastal Resilience & Climate Change Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation:Case Studies, Tools, and Policies Equitable Engagement of Interested Parties Sources & Steps to Financing Coastal Resilience at National & State Levels Insurance and Innovative Financing for Resilient Communities Data Sources, Tools and Models for Resilient Coastal Adaptation

The first step to improve protections for coastal and marine ecosystems and species is to better understand the threats they face. Last month, members of the CMSF Marine Resource Protection team joined forces with California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers in the Monterey region to fine-tune data collection tools that the CMSF team has built and managed for state and federal marine enforcement patrol teams in California. CMSF is proud to work with its agency partners to build and scale tools and technologies that help inform management. #MarineResourceProtection #ProtectWhatYouLove Photo credit: Jess Morten

CMSF stands in solidarity with our NOAA colleagues who have recently been laid off. These talented professionals have been instrumental in advancing our collective understanding and stewardship of California’s ocean resources. For 30 years, CMSF has worked tirelessly to promote robust, science-based conservation and stewardship, and much of the work we do would not be possible without our longstanding partnership with NOAA employees. They are some of the most dedicated and passionate people working on ocean issues, including endangered species, fisheries, climate, pollution, economics, and more. Their leadership in research and conservation has contributed greatly to the scientific foundation needed to safeguard our coastal and marine environments for future generations. We remain committed to upholding the principles of scientifically sound conservation and will continue to rally for the resources and support necessary to sustain this critical work. Our thoughts are with our NOAA colleagues during this challenging time, and we extend our deepest gratitude for their contributions to protecting our ocean.

A whopping 108 whales were sighted by CMSF staff and partners across 8 aerial surveys of the Santa Barbara Channel shipping lanes in 2024! That's a lot of blubber. Beyond helping our team (and NOAA) better understand endangered whale presence in the region (and the timing of their arrivals to and departures from these rich feeding grounds), this data also underscores the importance of ongoing efforts like Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program to reduce the threat of collisions between whales and ships in areas like these where they overlap. #ProtectWhaleYouLove

CMSF will be hosting a 2-year NOAA Communications and Outreach fellow in our Santa Cruz office. The fellow will support the Monterey Bay Climate Adaptation Action Network (MBCAAN) Coordinator and assist with MBCAAN-partner communications and the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge grant communications and outreach. To learn more and apply, check out the link below! Applications are due February 28th, 5:00pm PST. https://lnkd.in/gJyPgnSx

A decade of impact! The Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program has grown from a small initiative to a major force for change. 743 ships are now participating, across 49 shipping lines protecting whales and improving air quality. Read about our 2024 successes here: https://lnkd.in/g7f-NDBk #ProtectWhatYouLove

*Date changed* Join Environment California the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Marine Conservation Institute, and the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF) for a webinar to dive deeper into Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Our panelists will present the latest research findings and data demonstrating the benefits of MPAs and the current levels of conservation. We will then identify opportunities for utilizing MPAs as a tool to safeguard California’s marine ecosystems, build biological resiliency, and achieve the state’s 30×30 conservation targets. To attend a webinar, follow the links below. The Science of MPAs Webinar for Advocates – https://lnkd.in/gwFFCr_x The Science of MPAs Webinar for Media & CA Leaders – https://lnkd.in/g7xWXZb3

The?Central Coast Wetlands Group (CCWG)?at Moss Landing Marine Labs is partnering with CMSF's Monterey Bay Climate Adaptation Action Network (MBCAAN) to host a two-year fellow. The fellow will participate in coastal and riparian wetland and living shoreline project monitoring, planning, and implementation. For more information, check out the link below. Applications due February 28th, 5:00 p.m. PST https://lnkd.in/gJyPgnSx

When is the best time to terminate a cover crop? Timing is key to maximizing the benefits of cover crops while minimizing potential drawbacks. Here are the factors to consider: ?? Maximize Biomass: Strong shoot and root growth contribute to healthier, more productive soil. ?? Post-Flowering, Pre-Seeding: Prevent viable seeds and reduce the risk of nitrogen loss. ??? Mind the Seasons: Cooler weather slows down cover crop growth and seed viability. Stay tuned for more updates and practical tips from our Cover Crop Field Day series. Explore additional resources on cover crops here: https://brnw.ch/21wQjrY California Marine Sanctuary Foundation #SustainableFarming #SoilHealth #CoverCrops #WesternGrowers