This Month’s Stories:
Toast the Coast Fundraiser
Free Field Trips for 3rd-5th Graders
Oysterpalooza Draws a Sell-Out Crowd
Join Coastal Cleanup Day on September 19
Call to Join Coastkeeper’s Board of Directors
Statewide Effort to Stop Stormwater Pollution
Celebrating Access at Waves of Ability
Toast the Coast is 3 Weeks Away!
The cost of just about everything is going up, and everyone, including nonprofits like Orange County Coastkeeper, is feeling it. At the same time, grantmakers and foundations are offering fewer opportunities or shifting their priorities in new directions. To top it off, we’ve seen more large attacks on coastal protections than in our 27 years of operation.
We don’t share this to sound the alarm; we’re sharing it because we want you to know what’s happening behind the scenes.
Despite these challenges, Coastkeeper remains one of the strongest voices for clean water in California, and we’re growing every day. We’re adapting, finding new ways to fund our work, and staying focused on the issues that matter most.
We know these are challenging times. But if you’re in a position to support Coastkeeper through our Toast the Coast fundraiser, either by donating, purchasing a ticket, or sponsoring a table, we’d be incredibly grateful. Your support helps make this work possible.
Join us on September 24 for a beautiful evening at Newport’s Balboa Pavilion, featuring a chance to engage with our staff, an inspiring presentation from environmental educator Jason Wise, and a silent auction!
Free Field Trips for 3rd-5th Graders
It’s back-to-school season! And that means Coastkeeper’s education team is getting ready to welcome a new group of young environmental stewards.
Our Kids Care program, designed for students in grades 3-5, focuses on one of the biggest threats facing our coastal habitats: marine debris.
Students learn where trash comes from, how it reaches our waterways, and, most importantly, what they can do in their own daily lives to help solve the problem. The program combines an interactive classroom assembly with coastal habitat exploration and a hands-on cleanup.
This year, we’re working to bring Kids Care to more than 500 students at Title I schools across Orange County, and we’d love your help spreading the word.
Do you know a parent, teacher, or student who might be interested in this free program? Contact our education coordinator, Taylor, at tearle@coastkeeper.org to learn more.
Oysterpalooza Draws a Sell-Out Crowd
What do you get when you bring together fresh oysters, marine science, live music, local organizations, and a beach cleanup? Oysterpalooza!
Last Saturday, hundreds of ocean advocates, seafood lovers, and curious community members joined us at Sunset Beach for Coastkeeper’s first-ever oyster festival. From raw oyster bars and science talks to kids’ activities, sustainable vendors, and a whole lot of fun, there was something for everyone. Our seafood and shaved ice vendors even sold out of their supply!
Thank you to everyone who came out and helped make Orange County’s first Oysterpalooza one to remember!
Join Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 19
September is here, which means Coastal Cleanup Day is right around the corner!
Every year, thousands of Californians come together to remove trash from our beaches and waterways. On Saturday, September 19, Coastkeeper is proud to help organize more than 35 cleanups across Orange County.
We’ll also be hosting our biggest cleanup of the year at Huntington State Beach, where more than 400 participants will come together to clean the beach, connect with local nonprofits, shop sustainable vendors, and win prizes.
Ready to get your hands dirty?
And a big thank you to Abstrax Tech, Beazer Homes, and U.S. Bank, who joined us for private cleanups in August. Together, more than 80 people removed over 160 pounds of trash from our local environment!
We love helping teams get outside, make an impact, and learn more about the coastal issues affecting our community. Interested in bringing your team out for a cleanup? Click here to learn more.
Help Shape Coastkeeper’s Future
Coastkeeper is growing, and we’re looking for two new members to join our Board of Directors!
Our Board plays an important role in guiding the organization, setting strategic goals, supporting fundraising efforts, and connecting Coastkeeper with the broader community. Board members meet nine times a year and are expected to contribute annual dues.
It’s also a chance to help shape the future of an organization that has spent 27 years protecting and promoting swimmable, drinkable, and fishable water throughout Orange County.
If you’re passionate about clean water, have a strong network in our community, and want to help guide Coastkeeper into its next chapter, we’d love to hear from you.
Interested, or know someone who might be a good fit? Please contact Coastkeeper’s Founder and President, Garry Brown, at garry@coastkeeper.org.
Statewide Effort to Stop Stormwater Pollution
In June, Coastkeeper filed a petition with the Santa Ana Regional Water Board demanding accountability for stormwater pollution caused by commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities throughout our watershed.
Big-box stores and massive warehouses cover our communities with impervious asphalt, generating toxic copper and zinc runoff that flows directly into local waterways. For decades, many of these facilities have operated without meaningful oversight.
We’ve teamed up with Waterkeeper organizations across California to call for stronger protections through a statewide CII (Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional) permit. Last week, the State Water Board announced its agreement with us and has begun developing a new permit for all of California.
It’s an important step, and we’ll keep pushing to make sure stronger protections become a reality.
Celebrate Accessibility on Sept. 26
Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy and connect with our waterways. That’s why we’re excited to be part of Waves of Ability, an inclusive community celebration focused on accessibility, wellness, and connection. The event will take place on Saturday, September 26 at the Long Beach Marine Stadium.
The free event will feature adaptive yoga, breathwork, a sound bath, wellness activities, interactive outreach booths, live music, and entertainment centering disabled individuals.
Coastkeeper will be there to demo our adaptive beach wheelchair and lead a fun, hands-on scallop shell painting activity. The event is open to everyone, and we encourage the entire community to come learn, connect, and celebrate accessibility together.
