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Media Inquiries and requests to connect with our local Waterkeepers can be forwarded to Sara Aminzadeh at 415-794-8422 or sara@cacoastkeeper.org.
Announcements
California Coastkeeper Alliance Announces New Executive Director
The Board of Directors of California Coastkeeper Alliance is proud to announce that on January 23, 2012, Michael Murphy will take the lead as CCKA’s new executive director. Michael takes the reins during a critical time in California’s environmental history. As the state endeavors to implement key resource protection initiatives such as the State Water Board’s policy on coastal power plants, a statewide trash policy, and a network of underwater parks, California is simultaneously struggling to deal with its precarious financial situation. With CCKA’s expertise in law and policy for clean water and healthy coastal ecosystems, CCKA and California’s 12 local Waterkeeper organizations are poised to protect and strengthen environmental laws at this critical juncture.
Michael has 17 years of experience in protected area advocacy, environmental policy and strategic communications. As a native Californian who grew up on the beach in Southern California, he has a strong commitment to protecting coastal and inland waterways. Michael Murphy’s career has focused on communicating science to policy makers and the public, and empowering affected stakeholder groups to be involved in the management process. Before joining the Alliance, Michael was the communications and outreach director at Stanford University’s Woods Institute for the Environment. His work at the Institute focused on infusing Stanford science into environmental policy making. Prior to joining Stanford in 2008, Michael worked for 14 years for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Washington D.C.
From King Tides to Sea Level Rise
King Tides are back! A “king tide” is an extreme high tide event that occurs when the sun and moon’s gravitational forces reinforce one another. King tides tend to be more dramatic in the winter when storms cause increased wind and wave activity along the coast. These high water events allow us to visualize now how flooding from rising sea levels will impact our beaches, coastal areas and shoreline communities in the future. The King Tides Initiative aims to help communities identify areas vulnerable to flooding and inundation from sea level rise, and inspire communities to take action to protect homes, harbors, as well as beaches, wetlands, and public access to the coast. Watch a Thank You Ocean podcast on CCKA’s work with Initiative partners California Coastal Commission and NOAA Coastal Services here.
CCKA is calling on citizens to submit photos taken in areas already known to flood, and areas where high water levels can be gauged against sea walls, bridge supports or dikes. Join local Waterkeepers and other groups documenting these high tide events on January 20th-22nd; and February 6th-8th. Get information about where to view king tides, planning your shoot, and local partners at www.californiakingtides.org. Participants can submit photos, and view photos from the 2010-2011 King Tides at www.flickr.com/groups/cakingtides. And, follow the Initiative on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date!
Spotlight On
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San Francisco Baykeeper is Sick of Sewage
Thanks to San Francisco Baykeeper, the Bay Area is pursuing a dramatic reduction in sewage spills, minimizing health risks and pollution in the Bay. Baykeeper has forced 20 cities in the region to invest millions of dollars to replace miles of old pipes, which have spilled a staggering 17.5 million gallons of raw sewage. -
San Luis Obispo Passes Bag Ordinance
Due to San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper's dedication to reducing plastic pollution, the SLO Single-Use Bag Ordinance was approved. Of all plastic pollution in the ocean, 12.5 million tons come from disposable packaging such as plastic bags. Thanks to the Coastkeeper’s efforts, the bag ordinance will cover every city in SLO County beginning October 1st, 2012.
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Orange County Coastkeeper's Abalone Project
California’s abalone species are in trouble. In 2011, federal officials designated 140 square miles of critical habitat for the endangered black abalone along the California coast. Thankfully, Orange County Coastkeeper is actively working towards restoring abalone by monitoring existing abalone populations and collecting tissue samples for genetic testing. Continue to monitor Orange County Coastkeeper’s progress here.
