SIMA Environmental Fund 2017 Year End Reports

SIMA Environmental Fund 27831 La Paz Road Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 Phone: 949.366.1164 Fax: 949.454.1406 www.sima.com

2017 YEAR END REPORTS

5 Gyres Institute

Assateague Coastal Trust

Clean Ocean Action

Environmental Defense Center

Heal the Bay

North Shore Community Land Trust

Ocean Institute

Orange County Coastkeeper

Paso Pacifico

Reef Check Foundation

San Diego Coast Keeper

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

Save the Waves Coalition

Seymour Marine Discovery Center

Surfers Against Sewage

Surfing Education Association

Surfrider Foundation

Wildcoast

Wishtoyo Foundation

2017 YEAR END REPORT

The 5 Gyres Institute

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: The 5 Gyres Institute

Contact Person: Haley Haggerstone

Title: Development & Partnerships Director

Purpose of Grant: Goal was to support the expansion of the program and transition from AmbassadorShip to the Ambassador Program.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. Specifically, funds were requested to expand the program into more communities, create more resources in different languages, and provide additional training in order to increase the impact of our Ambassadors on reducing plastic pollution globally.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? In 2017 the Ambassador program expanded into more communities and doubled in amount of Ambassadors globally. We also developed more resources, one that drastically facilitated a better connection between Ambassadors was the Ambassador Google map. Here, Ambassadors could get other Ambassador profile handles, helping locate and network with other people who may be close by

We did not produce materials in other languages as we had hope, however in 2019 this will change. In 2018 we hired an Education & Outreach Manager of Hispanic background. She is very excited to manage, develop and translate our existing materials for Ambassadors (and on our website as well) into Spanish.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? We serve a global population. In 2017, we grew from 160 Ambassadors to 444 Ambassadors in 37 US states and 53 countries. We tracked this based on the number of sign-ups and by maintaining relationships with them through our Ambassador newsletter and private Facebook group.

More locally in 2017, our organization launched the #FoamFree campaign in California which stemmed off the success of the #BeadFree microbead campaign from 2013 to 2016. Here, we concentrated our efforts on promoting the ban of polystyrene in Los Angeles and California.

Our Ambassadors were engaged and were encouraged to promote the hashtag #Foamfree.

In April 2017, with support from a coalition that included 5 Gyres, Culver City became the 100th municipality in California to ban polystyrene. We also supported SB 705, the Ocean Pollution Reduction Act of 2017, which would have banned polystyrene products statewide. Unfortunately, SB 705 did not pass this but our efforts on this continued on into 2018 and in January we held an activist training where 100 people attended - majority of them being local Ambassadors.

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) This year’s grant contributed to costs of program materials (the Ambassador Google map and online resource page) as well as covered shipping costs for our Education Toolkits sent out to early Ambassador signups.

We also set up a resource page for Ambassadors to access: https://www.5gyres.org/ambassador-resources/

We measured the use and growth of the hashtag #5GyresAmbassador, which had an average a reach of 100,000/month.

Now ending 2018, we have begun a webinar series for our Ambassador training/networking and will continue to roll these out along with Spanish materials in the new year. We hosted our first in-person Ambassador training this summer in Los Angeles.

In 2019, we are also developing an Influencer Program specifically to engage our Ambassadors with 1,000-10,000 following. We have some local projects lined up for 2019 in Los Angeles and plan to have more in-person activities for our Ambassadors.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Assateague Coastal Trust

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Assateague Coastal Trust

Contact Person: Kathy Phillips

Title: Executive Director/Assateague COASTKEEPER

Purpose of Grant: SIMA grant funds were used to support the general operations of the Assateague Coastkeeper and Coast Kids programs.

Coastkeeper activities included watershed patrolling, water quality monitoring, beach cleanups and advocacy on priority water quality protection issues with particular attention to the campaign to oppose the proposed federal government plan to open the mid- and south Atlantic to offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling.

Coast Kids activities featured monthly educational excursions, school/community group programs and summer camp, including support for scholarships to engage low- income and minority youth in the program.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. Coastkeeper

Purpose: To support the general operations of the Coastkeeper program Coastkeeper

Goals:

1. To generate opposition to the proposed federal plan to open the Atlantic to leasing for offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling

Under the new administration, our previous years’ victory in removing the Atlantic from the threat of oil and gas exploration and development was overturned and once again we were faced with the need to continue opposition on a local, state and federal level to oil and gas leases in the Atlantic coastal waters off Delmarva. As part of our campaign, we organized the 2018 Float for The Coast kayaktivist event in the bay waters behind the Ocean City Convention Center during the summer conference of the Maryland Association of Counties where all Maryland county, state and federal elected leaders were in attendance. With nearly 200 activists on kayaks, canoes and SUP boards we gave speeches on a bull horn and encouraged our elected leaders to stay strong in their opposition to offshore drilling and seismic air gun surveys, while we also promoted the need for more clean and sustainable energy development through solar and offshore wind farms. Here is a video clip of ABC Channel 47 news coverage. https://www.wmdt.com/2018/08/kayaktivists-make-a-big- splash-during-float-for-the-coast/ In December of 2018 the Trump Administration and NOAA Fisheries approved Incidental Harassment Authorizations for seismic air gun surveys to begin off our coast. ACT joined with partners Oceana and elected leaders in Maryland and Delaware to block the IHA permits and stop the seismic blasting. You can learn more by visiting our website here: http://www.actforbays.org/protectatlantic.html We will continue our campaign to vigorously oppose these activities.

2. To continue regular on the water, on the ground and in the air patrolling of coastal bays watershed to identify pollution sources and educate public about water quality challenges and threats

Coastkeeper and our legal partner Environmental Action Center had a significant victory in a Maryland court during 2018 that overturned a Clean Water Permit the MD Department of Environment had approved for a 360,000 bird Confined Animal Feeding Operation near the Pocomoke River. The Judge agreed with us the permit, as approved, was not protective of nearby waterways and was not consistent with the intent of the law under the Clean Water Act. You can read more about this precedent setting case here: http://www.actforbays.org/industrial-agriculture.html

Coastkeeper has maintained the regular level of patrolling on the water and on the ground. There have been three aerial patrols during the grant period, one of which was to document illegal destruction of critical shoreline buffers in a housing development along Herring Creek and hold Worcester County and the State accountable for enforcing mitigation of the violation. Overall, Coastkeeper has kept vigilant watch over the watershed, including discovery of a number of areas for concern such as construction site debris pollution, all of which have been reported to appropriate authorities.

3. To continue water quality monitoring program and report on possible health hazards for recreational users

Coastkeeper has conducted weekly sampling and analysis of water quality conditions during the summer in 10 heavily recreated sites, reporting conditions to the public via the Swim Guide App and Coastkeeper websites. These website reports were viewed 13,000 times during the 2018 swim season, a 50% increase over the summer of 2017, indicating there are significant numbers of people with an interest in local water quality conditions in heavily recreated areas. Aside from expected bacterial spikes following rain events this past season, only one site experiencing repeated incidence of elevated bacteria levels on Turville Creek and with the help of an anonymous donor who lives along the creek we shipped water samples to a DNA source tracking lab in Florida to confirm the bacteria was human. This information has been shared with state and county officials in an effort to speed of the state funding that will be used to either upgrade septic systems along the creek or hook homes up to a nearby wastewater treatment facility.

4. To lead and coordinate beach cleanup activities associated with International Coastal Cleanup

We directly managed the International Coastal Cleanup Day at Assateague Island National Seashore, which involved over 200 volunteers collecting more than 1.5 tons of debris from the beaches. We also coordinated 10 other cleanup sites around the region and on Assateague Island. You can read more about this effort here: http://www.actforbays.org/trash-free-assateague.html

The 2017 SIMA Grant funds were used to maintain the Coastkeeper boat so regular water patrols could continue. water samples could be collected, and volunteers could be transported to Assateague Island for special Trash Free Assateague beach clean ups.

Coast Kids

Purpose: To support the general operations of the Coast Kids program

Goals:

1. To provide monthly events for member families to learn about ocean/coastal environmental and conservation issues

Coast Kids has held 12 monthly events involving more than 180 families over the course of the grant period. Activities have included protecting migratory bird nesting sites, beach cleanups and ocean/bay paddling.

2. To provide environmental educational programs to youth in school and community- based settings

Coast Kids has once again hosted more than 30 classes at five school or community center sites reaching a diverse audience of young students. Class topics included water pollution and testing, habitat, earth science, aquatic biology and chemistry, and green energy

3. To provide two weeks of summer camp to area youth, including children from underserved low-income and minority communities

The Summer Camp was a great success, engaging 30 children in a broad range of fun, inspiring and educational activities around the region. The SIMA grant helped us to acquire needed supplies and offer a paid internship position for the camp sessions.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? Our goals and objectives were met for the year.

The 2017 SIMA Grant funds were used to maintain the Coastkeeper boat so regular water patrols could continue. water samples could be collected, and volunteers could be transported to Assateague Island for special Trash Free Assateague beach clean ups.

The SIMA grant helped us to acquire needed supplies and offer a paid internship position for the camp sessions.

All of these goals and objectives are ongoing and will again be part of our 2019 work plan.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? Successful grass roots campaign to keep citizens and town officials engaged in opposition to offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling, with local media coverage, and the addition of the Town of Fenwick, DE and a recreational fishing community group to our network of partners.

Continued vigilant patrolling of watershed which led to the first court ordered reversal of a CAFO permit in the state of Maryland.

Continued water quality monitoring of most heavily recreated sites in watershed reaching thousands of people with public health information concerning when and where it is safe to go in the water during the summer months.

Leading Coastal Cleanup effort involving over 200 volunteers in collecting more than 1.5 tons of beach debris.

Providing Coast Kids environmental education events and activities for more than 180 families through monthly events and school/community-based programs.

Providing a Salisbury University student a paid internship to assist with the Coast Kids summer camp.

Reaching a more diverse audience through Coast Kids, including providing summer camp scholarships for 8 underserved low-income and minority youth.

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) The grant funding was divided between our Coastkeeper and Coast Kids program in 2018. $1,850 helped to cover expenses related to our Coastkeeper program. It is critically important to keep the Coastkeeper boat in good running order and on the local waterways where residents and visitors can see it, even interact with the Coastkeeper on the water. Water patrols are important to identifying any pollution concerns or clean water regulation violations.

The remaining funding was used to provide a local university student with a paid internship for two weeks that allowed her to gain important experience and knowledge about working with kids in the outdoor environment, and funds were also used to purchase needed supplies for the two week Summer Camp so that the children were provided with learning materials relevant to each days activities.

Reaching a more diverse audience through Coast Kids, including providing summer camp scholarships for 8 underserved low-income and minority youth.

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) The $3,700 in SIMA grant funding was divided between our Coastkeeper and Coast Kids program in 2018. $1,850 helped to cover expenses related to our Coastkeeper program. It is critically important to keep the Coastkeeper boat in good running order and on the local waterways where residents and visitors can see it, even interact with the Coastkeeper on the water. Water patrols are important to identifying any pollution concerns or clean water regulation violations.

The remaining $1,850 was used to provide a local university student with a paid internship for two weeks that allowed her to gain important experience and knowledge about working with kids in the outdoor environment, and funds were also used to purchase needed supplies for the two week Summer Camp so that the children were provided with learning materials relevant to each days activities.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Clean Ocean Action

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Clean Ocean Action

Contact Person: Cindy Zipf

Title: Executive Director

Purpose of Grant: The purpose of the grant was to rally ocean advocates and hold elected officials accountable for the protection of the ocean by implementing the following three programs and actions. 1. Global March for the Ocean: The Ocean Is Rising and So Are We 2. Unite the Vote for the Ocean: Hold Members of Congress Accountable 3. The Sea in Me! Uniting Groms and Menehunes to Defend the Ocean

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. COA’s goals were threefold: • Generate a national awakening and commitment to protect the ocean and create a new wave of supporters to help stop pollution, burning of fossil fuels, expansion of oil drilling, prevention of seismic testing, and other harmful ocean industrialization. • Unite the Coastal Delegation of NY and NJ to stand-up for ocean protection principles and sign a pledge. This will help set a standard for other coastal states and/or contribute to the defeat of harmful actions from Congress to undermine the ocean’s health. • Involve groms and menehunes to stand up and get involved to defend the ocean. Kids of all ages will attend rallies, participate in actions, write letters and testify at public hearings. These powerful voices will have a meaningful impact on protecting the ocean.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? COA exceeded goals to help play a pivotal role in generating a national awakening and holding elected officials accountable to act in response to the perilous condition of the ocean due to fossil fuels, plastics, and pathogen and chemical pollution. The March for the Ocean (M4O) was a national and international success with over 100 marches and events taking place in 26 countries around the globe. In the US, over events occurred across the country and over 3,000 citizens marched in Washington, D.C. COA served on the national steering committee for the M4O and serves on the Board of Directors of the Blue Frontier which called for, led and organized the event.

COA also drafted and ushered the strongest state law in the country to block offshore oil and gas drilling with broad bi-partisan support and approval of all but one member of the legislature. Governor Murphy signed the bill into law on the 5th anniversary of the BP Oil Disaster. The “STOP (Shore Tourism and Ocean Protection) from Offshore Oil and Gas” law prohibits drilling and any development of infrastructure that supports drilling in state waters or on land. COA is now urging other states to pass similar legislation. To date four coastal states (New Jersey, Delaware, California and Florida) have passed the bill and it is pending in one state (South Carolina). If all coastal states pass similar legislation, it will make it nearly impossible to develop offshore oil drilling activities.

In addition, COA led a bi-state coalition to respond to the Trump Administration’s proposed new drilling plan which placed 90% of US waters in harm’s way, and reintroduced permits denied under the Obama Administration to conduct ocean blasting/seismic testing. COA organized several press conferences and rallies, including one held simultaneously with the federal “meeting” of the Bureau of Energy Management about the plan. Over 200 citizens attended along with 10 state officials, and virtually attended by Governor and Mrs. Murphy, both NJ US Senators Menendez and Booker, and republican and democratic members of Congress. In all, 100% of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation opposed offshore drilling. Most of NY’s coastal congressional delegation opposed drilling. Election results include more anti-offshore drilling representatives who will be heading to Washington in 2019. More work is needed in New York to achieve 100% opposition.

On Saturday, May 19th NY and NJ citizens united on land and sea as a part of the international Hands Across the Sand movement, which is a grassroots initiative that brings citizens of the world together to show unified opposition of fossil fuels and support for clean energy solutions. COA worked with Surfrider Foundation chapters, Sierra Club NJ, Patagonia Bowery (NY) and many other local businesses and organizations to coordinate actions at three locations on the beaches in Rockaway, NY, Bradley Beach, NJ, and Atlantic City, NJ. In NY, dozens of people gathered on the beach to unite hands while a few brave souls paddled out in stormy seas to hoist a banner that read “NO MORE FOSSIL FUELS”.

In addition, COA educated over 2,500 youngsters about the impact of oil and gas drilling, as well as plastics on the ocean, and motivated them to take action. Some testified at hearings against drilling and many more pledged to reduce or eliminate their use of plastic straws and bags. They are also motivating their families and friends.

Moreover, on October 7, 2018, surfers of from ages 4 to 74 united for COA’s Open Surf festival in Long Branch, NJ. Great surf conditions, offshore wind, gorgeous warm weather, sold-out event, and hundreds of fans combined to create an epic day to demonstrate the spirit of the surf community and the need to protect the ocean for the next generation to enjoy. Some of the best professional surfers in NJ participated. An incredible, inspiring start to the day was observing a steady migration of many pods of dolphins heading south for the winter. The event included a Beach Sweep, surfing, and an after party.

Brooklyn-based professional surf photographer Ryan Struck volunteered his time to capture the event from land, sea and air. Staff from Patagonia Bowery traveled from New York City to support Clean Ocean Action.

One surfer commented, “Surfers are an odd bunch, we vary in age, size, gender and background but the one thing that unites us is our endless love for the ocean…Surfers’ proximity to the ocean, and its endless energy, afford a unique perspective that generates strong ties. We appreciate the ocean immensely and understand that we must protect it, not only so we can continue to surf but so we can survive as a species. Clean Ocean Action brought together some of the most outstanding surfers and environmentalists in NJ, people who truly care…and that passion was evident all day long.”

Another surfer commented, “It is important to support Clean Ocean Action which fights to keep our waterways clean so that we as surfers and beachgoers can continue to enjoy what we love to do. It was a beautiful October day and the surf community came together to rally support for the ocean. She responded with great waves, dolphins and whales for all to enjoy. Hopefully, this will be the foundation for an ongoing commitment to caring for the ocean.”

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? As stated above, partially due to COA’s involvement in creating it, NJ now has an iron- clad law to block the fossil fuel industry off the Jersey Shore and established the model for others to follow. Progress is being made. The impact has united and inspired those who care for the ocean to see that they can make a difference. SIMA-related businesses, water men and women are most active in defending the ocean. This instills ownership and pride in the successes achieved to protect their most precious natural asset, the ocean.

COA has also ensured that the ocean is held in the highest esteem and anyone seeking elected office must oppose offshore oil and gas development, as well as seismic testing. What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) The donation from SIMA helps sustain and enhance COA’s mission. Importantly, it serves as a vote confidence in our work from the industry most dependent on a clean ocean. This enhances and increases COA’s position to engage more water men and women, as well as industry participation.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Environmental Defense Center

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Environmental Defense Center

Contact Person: Owen Bailey

Title: Executive Director

Purpose of Grant: The purpose of this project is to protect ocean water quality and public health from the toxic pollution caused by fracking and acidizing from offshore oil platforms. These two dangerous oil production processes pose significant risks to water and air quality, and the many endangered species within the Santa Barbara Channel, including blue, fin, and humpback whales, and the southern sea otter. The Santa Barbara Channel is home to the Channel Islands National Park and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, as well as a network of Marine Protected Areas. Often referred to as “North America’s Galapagos,” the Channel serves as a biologically diverse hotspot as well as a huge attraction and recreation area for residents and visitors.

Fracking (otherwise referred to as hydraulic fracturing) involves pumping water, proppant (generally sand), and a mixture of largely unidentified toxic chemicals down an oil and gas well at extremely high pressures to break apart a hydrocarbon-bearing geologic formation and increase rates of oil or gas production. Acidizing similarly pumps water and chemicals down a well, but in this case the chemicals are known to be some of the most toxic industrial acids – typically hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acids – with the goal of dissolving the rock to release oil and gas. Hydrofluoric acid is one of the most dangerous chemicals utilized in any industrial process. It can damage lungs, cause severe burns, and can form a poisonous vapor cloud when heated above 67 degrees.

A huge concern is the impact on water quality from oil production which comes from oil wastewater byproducts, including “produced water” and “frac flowback”. Approximately half the offshore platforms in the Santa Barbara Channel discharge all or a portion of their wastewater directly to the ocean, while the other half inject the pollution underground. Since 1984, discharges from the Santa Barbara Channel offshore platforms have been regulated under a “general” Natural Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit which limits the volume of various discharges, including drilling fluids, drill cuttings, and produced water. “Produced water” is the most common waste byproduct in aging southern California oil fields that typically yield far more of it, often called “brine,” than oil.The permit also places limits on the concentration of various pollutants that may be present in said discharges, and establishes monitoring and reporting requirements.

In Spring 2013, the EPA issued its more recent update of the permit. The revised permit, however, failed to address fracking fluids and the host of chemicals found within, reflecting the fact that officials at the Department of Interior and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were largely unaware that offshore fracking was being conducted. Although rules requiring chemical disclosure from outer continental shelf (OCS) wells have not been promulgated, one recent report identified 2,500 “hydraulic fracturing products” in frac fluids, 650 of which contained chemicals that are known human carcinogens, hazardous air pollutants, or identified as risks to human health.

By challenging these threats, our project was designed to protect water quality and those who utilize the ocean for recreation, sport, and their livelihoods.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. EDC’s specific purpose was to pursue litigation to stop the practice of offshore fracking and acidizing and continue our public outreach and education efforts on this issue. EDC had filed our second lawsuit against the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in 2016, alleging claims under both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), pointing out that the agencies still failed to consider all of the potential impacts of offshore fracking and acidizing, as well as the Endangered Species Act (ESA), given the fact that the government’s own assessment identified 25 threatened and endangered species that are present around the platforms.

Our goal was to force the federal government to go back to the drawing board on its environmental analysis and prepare a meaningful assessment of the impacts of offshore fracking and acidizing. With full disclosure, we would then be prepared to urge decision-makers not to approve activities that threaten the marine environment. In addition, the federal government would have to consult with expert wildlife agencies to study the impacts of these practices on threatened and endangered species before they can continue.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? EDC’s main strategy of litigation was successful. Most importantly we were able to secure the injunction and therefore no permits for fracking or acidizing will be allowed for the foreseeable future. During this hiatus, BOEM will be required to consult with federal resource agencies and the state of California, through the California Coastal Commission, which will for the first time ever be able to participate and hold hearings before permits can again be considered.

We did not win on the NEPA claim, pointing out that the agencies still failed to consider all of the potential impacts of offshore fracking and acidizing, and the court did not direct the federal government to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. We may file an appeal on this issue, or we may focus our attentions on the ESA consultation and Coastal Commission processes. Through the Coastal Commission process we will have the opportunity to submit additional information regarding the potential threats and risks caused by offshore fracking and acidizing.

We have not had to shift direction and this project has proceeded according to our original timeline. However, as mentioned above, we did not win on one of our claims and therefore will possibly file an appeal in the future.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? EDC’s legal victory provides a significant benefit to our tri county service area. Since 2013 when EDC uncovered that fracking and acidizing have been taking place in the Santa Barbara Channel without adequate environmental scrutiny, we have discovered more than 50 approved permits for these risky practices in the Sant Barbara Channel region. With our successful litigation, there can be no new approved permits for an extended period of time. Additionally, our success means that the California Coastal Commission will be required to weigh in on these practices before they can resume. This will require public hearings and a transparent process which will allow EDC to present evidence and the people of California to participate and learn what has been taking place off our coast.

This victory, and the pause in approvals it provides, not only offers an opportunity to protect seabirds and marine mammals, but will also benefit all who recreate or make their livelihoods from fishing in Channel.

This is not the end of this work for EDC and our client, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, as regardless of whether appeals are filed we will be required to lead the effort before the Coastal Commission in 2019; but regardless, this is a significant victory on an important issue.

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) The support from Surf Industry Manufacturers Association has made a real difference in keeping EDC engaged in this critical process which has required significant organization resources. This is a case for which EDC does not have a paying client, so we are required to raise all the funding needed to support the work of two attorneys, our marine analyst, and communications staff. Without SIMA’s support, we would have had a more difficult time identifying the resources to accomplish our goals and objectives thus far.

Raising funds for projects like this, especially at a time when there are so many other environmental challenges we are facing regionally and nationally, is often challenging. SIMA’s support has helped EDC to keep more of our focus on the environmental challenges and less on identification of financial support.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Heal the Bay

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Heal the Bay

Contact Person: Sheila McSherry

Title: Associate Director, Foundation Relations

Purpose of Grant: SIMA grant funds supported Heal the Bay's Clean Water Initiatives over the last 12 months, including the organization’s high-impact Beach Report Card® program.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. Funds enabled Heal the Bay to address critical water pollution and conservation issues impacting the Southern California coastline, local waterways and the Greater Los Angeles region through a combination of education, outreach, and advocacy.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? Heal the Bay staff presented comment letters to the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, the State Water Resources Control Board, the LA Department of Public Works, The LA County Board of Supervisors, The California Senate Environmental Quality Committee, and The US Army Corps of Engineers regarding critical water quality and coastal resources protection regulations and policies. Staff also testified numerous times before the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and multiple City Council and community meetings. More specifically, Heal the Bay evaluated proposed amendments to the State Recycled Water Policy and testified before the State Water Resources Control Board regarding amendments to the Bacteria Provisions and a Water Quality Standards Variance Policy.

Heal the Bay collected data to help develop policy recommendations for L.A. County coastal and inland waters, such as the Los Angeles River and Ballona Wetlands.

Heal the Bay collaborated with stakeholders, policymakers, partner NGOs, and regulators, to develop and implement protective water quality and coastal resources protection policies, including staff from both the State Water Resources Control Board and the LA Regional Water Quality Control Board; regional and local water management groups; and numerous partners including the California CoastKeeper Alliance, Los Angeles Waterkeeper, the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Staff also served on the Santa Monica Mountains Watershed Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), the Santa Monica Water Advisory Committee, and the Inner Cabrillo Beach Qualitative Microbial Risk Assessment TAC.

Heal the Bay analyzed water quality data collected at over 600 locations along the western U.S. coastline (California, Oregon, and Washington-Puget Sound), to assess bacteria levels and the potential for exposed beachgoers to become sick. Heal the Bay translates this data into a simple A-F grading format so that it is meaningful for users, regardless of education level.

Grant funds also supported the development of Heal the Bay’s 2017-2018 Annual Beach Report Card - an analysis of the water quality data collected over a one-year period. This report is made available to the media, partner organizations, municipalities, policymakers and the general public following an annual press conference.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? Heal the Bay believes the public deserves to know the state of the water quality at their favorite beaches before exposing themselves and their families to potentially harmful pathogens that can cause severe illness including: fever, flu-like symptoms, ear infections, respiratory illness, and gastroenteritis. Funds made it possible for Heal the Bay to advocate for and communicate with the public more effectively when conditions were questionable and in turn protected the health of millions of beachgoers, surfer and swimmers.

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) SIMA grant funds leveraged Heal the Bay’s capacity to conduct research and serve as both as an ocean and public health advocate through its work

2017 YEAR END REPORT

North Shore Community Land Trust

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: North Shore Community Land Trust

Contact Person: Tim Tybuszewski

Title: Director of Conservation

Purpose of Grant: In addition to its beautiful beaches and world-class waves, the North Shore of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi hosts tens of thousands of acres of prime agricultural lands, culturally significant sites, and upland ecosystems. However, because of this natural beauty and abundance loved by residents and visitors alike, this region is increasingly threatened by urban development pressure. The mission of North Shore Community Land Trust (NSCLT) is to protect, steward, and enhance the natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and rural character of the North Shore. NSCLT requested and received funding through the 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant to support several our environmental initiatives. These wide-ranging projects involve upland restoration (Pupukea-Paumalu Stewardship Fund); coastal restoration (Kahuku Point Restoration Project and Sunset Beach Dune Restoration Project), and public recreational infrastructure (North Shore Trails Project).

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. NSCLT requested and received funding through the 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant to support four of of our environmental initiatives: the Kahuku Point Restoration Project, Sunset Beach Dune Restoration Project, North Shore Trails Project, and Pupukea-Paumalu Stewardship Fund. We outline each of these projects and their objectives supported by SIMA Environmental Funding in the following sections.

In October 2015, NSCLT and its partners completed a conservation agreement that permanently protects 630 acres of land along five miles of coastline from Kawela Bay to Kahuku Point. Since this agreement, NSCLT has been working to restore the coastal dune surrounding Kahuku Point, one of the most ecologically-intact portions along this coastline and in all of Oahu. Kahuku point includes critical habitat for endangered Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles, Laysan Albatross and other migratory seabirds, and a variety of plant species. It also presents excellent recreational value for hiking, fishing, and surfing. Management at Kahuku Point aims to maximize native plant cover, maximize populations of Laysan albatross and other native animals, and minimize impact to cultural resources, all while maintaining recreational access, including for surfers.

In light of increasingly common and severe erosion events across the North Shore, NSCLT formed a coalition with government agencies, community members, businesses, university partners, and other non-profit organizations to plan and implement the Paumalū Sand Dune Restoration project in 2018. The primary objectives of this project are to minimize sand erosion at Sunset Beach Park (Paumalū) and maximize public awareness of the issue of coastal erosion on the North Shore.

The Paumalū Sand Dune Restoration project specifically addressed the erosion events that damaged the bike path running along crest of the Sunset Beach sand dune. As such, this work also relates to the North Shore Trails Partnership, which convenes a diverse array of landowners, community members, and other stakeholders to enhance existing and plan new multi-use trails across the North Shore. means of transportation, this ongoing partnership process aims to fulfill the objectives of minimizing vehicular traffic on the North Shore and maximizing the availability of safe routes for alternative transportation between unique cultural, recreational, and historic sites on the North Shore.

In 2007, NSCLT and its partners successfully protected the 1,129 acre Pupukea Paumalu coastal bluff that overlooks the North Shore’s most famous surfing breaks and beaches. Since its protection and designation as a Hawaiʻi state park reserve, Pupukea Paumalu has become a popular hiking and mountain biking area. NSCLT’s Pupukea Paumalu Stewardship Fund supports maintenance and restoration of this park reserve so that residents, visitors and surfers from around the world can safely enjoy the property in perpetuity. The current primary objective of this maintenance is to maximize user safety on the property.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? At Kahuku Point, NSCLT made substantial progress toward each of our objectives through monthly community work days, additional corporate and community volunteer groups, staff time, and contract labor. One of the major highlights from last year was hiring Ben Wilkinson, a Patagonia surf ambassador, arborist, and woodworker, to clear a 20,000 square foot area dominated by ironwood trees. Since then, NSCLT has begun to replace this invasive landscape with native species. Combined with the intrinsic benefits of native vegetation restoration in this area, this investment in labor and funding has yielded several additional returns. We hired Ben to mill the logs he felled into slabs that we subsequently used to build a 400-foot pedestrian boardwalk. This boardwalk encourages hikers to go around, instead of cut through, an erosion-prone cultural site. Additionally, in late November, Laysan Albatross arrived back to Hawaiʻi to nest and a total of seven are nesting in the Kahuku area. One these birds chose the recently-cleared area as its nest site, demonstrating the effect that habitat restoration can have on albatross. Lastly, we are actively protecting these birds and their eggs by trapping invasive predators including mongoose and rats and installing symbolic fencing and educational signage around each nest.

Similar to the Kahuku Point Restoration, NSCLT is very pleased with our efforts surrounding the Paumalū Dune Restoration in 2018, especially as a first-year project. We were able to engage a variety of government, academic, corporate, and community-based partners through a thoughtful planning process and ultimately execute time-sensitive action in a matter of weeks. Over the course of three work days over 300 volunteers helped us to install symbolic fencing along inland edge of the beach, limiting access to designated paths and thus reducing erosion caused by foot traffic. We revegetated the portions of the dune between these designated paths with a 4,000 native coastal plants. After four months, this system is thus far proving to be effective in reducing erosion.

Because of its connection to the portion of the Ke Ala Pūpūkea bike path fronting Sunset Beach, the Paumalū Dune Restoration also meets the objective of the North Shore Trails Partnership to maintain existing multi-use trails. Similarly, NSCLT’s construction of the prototype boardwalk at Kahuku Point is a step toward future trail improvement there and across the North Shore. Because of our focus on these specific projects, master planning of new trails was less in 2018 than in prior years. Re- convening landowners, government officials, community members, and other stakeholders to have these discussions is a goal for 2019.

Lastly, we requested funds from the 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant to maintain the increasingly popular trail leading up the reserve’s steep coastal bluff and the jeep road necessary for emergency vehicle access. Both actions support the safety of all park users. With the help of volunteers, we installed dozens of new steps along this trail and repaired many older ones. We also installed and maintained a native demonstration garden at the trailhead with the help of Sunset Beach Elementary School sixth graders. Though our progress at Pūpūkea-Paumalū in 2018 was satisfactory, we could have accomplished more if not for several days of inclimate weather that prevented work along the steep bluff trail. Additionally, we devoted more time to the Kahuku Point and Sunset Beach Restoration projects this year, which limited time spent on Pūpūkea-Paumalū. We plan to improve efforts at Pūpūkea- Paumalū in 2019 by increasing volunteer participation, especially among regular trail users.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? The greatest measurable impacts of the SIMA grant on the North Shore population have been through the Paumalū Dune Restoration Project and the Pūpūkea-Paumalū Stewardship Fund. Sunset Beach is one of most famous surf breaks and visited beaches on Oʻahu, receiving hundreds of people per day. This heavy use causes a significant amount of erosion via foot traffic. We established designated access paths in early September 2018, and four months later, this is proving to have a positive impact on sand retention without limiting beach access. Similarly, our efforts to install steps along the steep trail leading into the Pūpūkea-Paumalū State Park Reserve enhance the safety and accessibility of the trail and reserve to dozens, if not hundreds, of daily users. In addition to benefiting human populations, our work has also positively impacted the Laysan albatross population at Kahuku Point. Last year, there were five nests; this year there are a total of seven. Since albatross nest in the same place for life, we expect this number only to grow in the future.

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) 2018 was a year of capacity building for NSCLT. We were able to hire our first AmeriCorps intern as a full-time staff member, fund a second AmeriCorps intern, and hire a part-time Assistant Executive Director while he prepares to assume the role of Executive Director starting in 2019. This brings our staff to a total of two full-time employees, two part-time employees, and one full-time intern. This increased capacity has allowed us to enhance operations at Kahuku Point and take on new projects such as the Paumalū Dune Restoration Project.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Ocean Institute

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Ocean Institute

Contact Person: Jane Birmingham

Title: Grants Manager

Purpose of Grant: The overall goal was to use the SIMA Environmental Fund grant to connect kids to the ocean. Your grant made that connection and it was the first experience with the ocean for most of the students. Fifth graders from primarily underserved schools and low- income families participated in the marine science-based Watershed Program for no fee. This grant-funded program introduces ten-year-old students to the ocean environment and instills in them how important their role is in protecting and preserving the ocean.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. The goals with the grant were to: Educate fifth graders about real-world issues and concerns with the ocean Use science-based curriculum to teach about the ocean, neighborhood watersheds, and how they are interconnected Use hands-on education to inspire students to use newly-informed behavior and to influence their friends and families to join them in preserving the ocean for future generations

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? The objectives of the program were achieved during 59 programs in the 2017 - 2018 school year. Quantitatively, 2,152 students came from 25 schools. They took part in the field experience at the Ocean Institute in labs and on the ocean, researched an ocean issue, and made presentations of their findings during Kids’ Conference.

One class of students at Kids’ Conference described how their project was to investigate water quality and to determine what polluted water does to living things. The students’ experiment was to grow plants in water from San Juan Creek and compare that to plants they were growing in fresh tap water. The San Juan Creek- watered plants started to grow normally but by five weeks into their project those plants were dead or yellow-colored and dying. The tap water plants thrived in identical conditions – except for the water source. Students saw first-hand the destructive nature of polluted water, strengthening their interest in protecting the ocean.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? We measured the impact using evaluation surveys and found:

70% of the students ranked the ocean exploration cruises on the Sea Explorer and spotting marine life as their favorite activities, with dissection coming in at 30%.

Before the program, 30% thought that visiting the ocean was important to be able to care about it and help protect it; at the end of the program, nearly 80% were convinced that visiting the ocean inspired much deeper passion for ocean health.

100% committed at the end of the program to help keep the ocean healthy by picking up trash and not using harmful or toxic products; a smaller number said they would always try to recycle going forward.

The percentage of students aware that their daily behavior impacts the ocean doubled by the end of the program – from 45% before to 91% after.

Student interest in jobs related to the ocean jumped from the majority being not at all interested to being very interested by program’s end. Most of the students became aware of potential ocean-based careers over the course of the program.

Before the program, 40% of the students felt knowledgeable about the ocean. After the program, 90% reported that they were much smarter about the ocean.

A high percentage - 83% - of the students enjoyed their time at the Ocean Institute. And, as the best overall measure of success, 100% of the students want to come back.

Student quotes also show the impact:

I thought at first that I would not care about the ocean because I knew a lot of stuff about it. But now I know so much more and want to tell people so we all can stop making it dirty.

We can put more trash cans around and have clean-up days in my neighborhood so that garbage and plastic do not get in the ocean.

I want to get a job that will help the ocean.

Overall impressions of what was achieved for students include: New passion for the ocean and interest in protecting its water quality Motivated to increase their own impact by informing their circle of friends and family New stewards, ripple effect on families and friends Help protect local beaches and ocean First time visits to the ocean New awareness of neighborhood watersheds and how they connect to the ocean New interest in and knowledge of marine science

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) We are very grateful for your grant that sustains the Ocean Institute’s work to create new ocean stewards. Teachers have grown to rely on Watershed as a high-quality educational resource. Successful programs such as this build awareness of how the Ocean Institute can help teachers excel in the classroom so they bring out the fullest potential in their students in science subjects. This grant permits the Ocean Institute to remain focused on its mission of using the ocean to inspire learning. SIMA Environmental Fund’s generosity helps keep this program available for no fee, so students from low-income families can have these ocean-based experiences, many for the first time.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Orange County Coastkeeper

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Orange County Coastkeeper

Contact Person: Garry Brown

Title: Founder & President

Purpose of Grant: Orange County has one of the largest watershed areas in Southern California. Urban runoff and storm flow from over 3,200 square miles of the developed urban area containing nearly 5 million people drain through and from Orange County. This runoff discharges into our waterways, harbors and to our coastal waters. It dramatically impairs water quality for recreational use, including surfing. This toxic water contains viruses and pathogens that can cause illness to those who ingest it.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. The Orange County Coastkeeper requested funding to continue its Coastal Water Quality Improvement Program. This program has been the cornerstone of Coastkeeper’s body of work. It continues to produce, in measurable results, improved water quality of our coastal water, and an enhanced beach environment along our 42- mile coastline. The Program comprises four initiatives: strong advocacy, generating good science with water monitoring, aggressive enforcement using litigation, and education to both students and adults. The Goal is to keep improving water quality for ocean waters along our 42-mile coastline.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not met, what factors affected the success of the project? What plans do you have for meeting an/or revisiting these objectives? * Coastkeeper’s mission is to 1) reduce the flows from sources, 2) promote regulations, programs, and projects that improve water quality, and 3) minimize the impact of pollution on our coastal waters. The result is an improvement of our surfing environment along the Orange County coastline. Documented records indicate we have succeeded with each. We continue to experience a decline in “beach mile days” contamination postings and closures over the past decade. As positive as this is, we can not afford to diminish our efforts or programs; it only shows our programs are working. Each year we continue to experience discharges of polluted runoff, sewage spills, and storm flows that deposit tons of trash and debris on our beaches. The good news is that the frequency and quantities are substantially less. All of Orange County’s surfing beaches are now receiving an ‘A’ Grade for water quality, except for a storm event. We cannot afford to back off as there is significant push-back from discharges to regulations we have worked hard to get into place.

A major component of the program is Coastkeeper’s on-going exclusive campaign focused on cities and sanitation districts to expedite inspections, repairs, and retrofitting of aging sewage collection systems. The goal is to eliminate sewage spills reducing postings and closings of Orange County beaches. Through litigation, collaboration, and data monitoring Coastkeeper applies constant pressure on cities and special districts to invest more capital in retrofitting collection systems. The Result: The number of sewage spills continues to decrease. Today, the number of sewage spills annually is only a small fraction of what they were a decade ago.

Coastkeeper successfully persuaded OCTA’s agreement to create a 2% of gross revenue fund for Water Quality Clean-Up program to the Measure M extension approved by the voters. Since 2011, the Environmental Clean-up Allocation Committee actively funds O.C. cities and the County of Orange to install “Best Management Technologies” (BMPs) that will treat urban runoff and remove trash and debris from ocean discharges. This program requires Coastkeeper’s involvement in establishing the distribution process of these funds. The Result: Coastkeeper Chairs the Environmental Clean-up Allocation Committee of OCTA, which ensures that funding goes to projects that improve coastal water quality. From 2011 to the present, $59 million has been granted to O.C. cities and the County to improve the water quality of our waterways, harbors, and coastal waters. Every city in the County_has been funded to install devices that remove thrash and other pollutants from waters that discharge to the ocean. Continual collaboration with regulatory agencies, such as the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the County Watersheds Department, water and sanitation districts, and the Coastal Commission has generated higher water quality standards and requirements of which dischargers must comply. The dischargers defined as cities, the County, industrial facilities, and special districts. Coastkeeper is the only environmental organization that has participated for the last fifteen years as a major stakeholder in developing these water quality standards for the region's waterways that drain to the ocean. Through Coastkeeper’s continual collaboration with the development industry, new development projects, both inland and coastal, are ensured to have state-of-the- art water quality management plans, which include total capture or treatment of urban runoff. The Result: Due to Coastkeeper’s efforts, all new development is now engineered with Low Impact Development Standards. This result guarantees less volume of water being discharged to the ocean. Enforcement & Litigation: Coastkeeper has substantially increased its enforcement presence throughout the watershed. With less enforcement from the agencies charged with enforcing water quality laws, Coastkeeper has compensated by increasing our volume of enforcement cases. Today, Coastkeeper has brought over one hundred Federal Clean Water Act enforcement cases to largely industrial polluters and several local government agencies—all with a 100% success record. Industries such as the scrap metal, truck dismantlers, mining, food processing, trash haulers, machine fabrication, ready-mix plants, and metal foundries have been forced to cleanup their facilities and ensure no discharge of pollution into our waterways, which ultimately discharge to the ocean. The Result: Through our clean water enforcement litigation we are cleaning up our watershed industry by industry. Special Note: In April of 2016, Coastkeeper filed a federal enforcement action against the City of San Juan Capistrano for multiple violations of the Federal Clean Water Act and other Federal and State regulations. This case pertains to the City’s operation of a horse riding facility adjacent to San Juan Creek. Also, Coastkeeper filed a complaint against the operator contracted by the City. Throughout the year, thousands of horses participate in riding events and are boarded in temporary stables without “best management practices” to appropriate and legally handle the waste. The banks of the Creek have been illegally filled-in, and seven horse washing racks that drain to the creek have been installed on the infill. The sporadic pollution generated from this facility is causing and contributing to the pollution in San Juan Creek and the discharge point, Baby Beach, in Doheny Beach. Maybe it is not the birds! This source of major sporadic pollution might be the real cause of Doheny Beach pollutions issues at Baby Beach---and not the birds. In 2018, the City of Capistrano, while admitting no liability, agreed to 100% of our demands to improve the facility to legally accommodate the current level of horsed boarded there or to curtail the number of horses board at the site. Also, the City agreed to our demands to repair and improve the San Juan Creek at the riding park. This very successful case is paving the way for a statewide permit for non-dairy Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). A statewide permit would make a very significant contribution in cleaning up our waterways that discharge to the ocean. In the settlement, one million dollars will go to the State Parks Foundation for beach improvements from Doheny Beach to San Clemente Beach.

Education: In 2018, Coastkeeper’s multi-level education programs received some funding from this year's SIMA grant. The funds supported our “Kid’s Ocean Day” program, which focuses on elementary age students where we go to the schools and conduct assemblies talking about the ocean and the pollutions that comes from the land and our streets and highways. Then in June, 1,500 elementary kids come to the beach at Huntington Beach. First, they pick up trash, then pose for ariel photography that sends a Message for the Ocean. This is a great program fostering the concept of coastal stewardship to our young children. (Photo Attached)

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? The area we serve is over 3,000 square miles of dense urban development with approximately 5 million residents. Coastkeeper contends that the entire area and population is both served and enhanced by our Coastal Water Quality Improvement Program. Reducing pollution and toxic runoff that flows through our watershed in creeks, streams, and channels and into our harbors to our coastal waters serves the entire population. By enhancing the quality of the water that flows through our communities and to our coast, we are improving the integrity of our communities. Surfing is the most direct beneficiary of our work, but it is the entire watershed that benefits as well.

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) The Impact of Coastkeeper’s Coastal Water Quality Improvement Program has had a very significant impact on the organization’s visible standing throughout the watershed (Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties). Our successes in advocacy, our collaborative nature, and commitment to work with others (even those that do not share our passion for the environment), and our enforcement of clean water laws, have given Coastkeeper a high level of credibility throughout the region. Our successes have brought greater credibility, and the credibility has allowed for more successes. Thank you, SIMA!

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Paso Pacifico

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Paso Pacifico

Contact Person: Sarah Otterstrom

Title: Executive Director

Purpose of Grant: The puprose of this grant was to advance ocean conservation efforts along the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. SIMA Funds were applied to four specific objectives in 2018: 1. Ocean conservation outreach - Lead beach clean ups and sea turtle protection efforts with local businesses and the surfing community at key surfing beaches 2. International Coastal Clean-up - Coordinate the International Coastal Clean-up for the country of Nicaragua 3. Surfer education - Support outreach and education during regional surf competitions and events held in Nicaragua 4. Youth ocean conservationists - Share ocean conservation education with junior rangers (100 students/year) and involve these youths in beach clean-ups and ocean stewardship

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. Objective 1 – Ocean conservation outreach with surf tourism partners As a follow-up to a program we began in 2017, Paso Pacifico continued to coordinate ocean conservation efforts with hotels in the Rivas Department including at beaches frequented by surf tourism. These were: Playa Hermosa (Hotel Playa Hermosa), Playa Ocotol (Hotel Morgans Rock), and Playa Escondida (Rancho Santana). This coordination involved meetings and phone coordination with hotel staff to follow up on leatherback sea turtle protection efforts and to coordinate beach clean ups. In person meetings were delayed for several months due to the political unrest.

Objecitve 2 – International Coastal Cleanup Paso Pacifico worked with partners to plan for and implement Nicaragua’s 11th international coastal clean-up. Although participation was greatly reduced this year, a total of twenty beaches and approximately 250 volunteers participated in the clean-up resulting in the removal of over 2700 pounds of trash from the beaches. The clean-up was an uplifting event that helped to reenergize coastal communities and hotels in favor of ocean conservation.

Objective 3 - Surfer Education We were unable to meet this objective due to the political situation which created a severe drop in tourism, cancelation of surfing events, and which limited the ability of our staff to travel between beaches and along major roadways.

Objective 4 – Youth ocean conservationists We are pleased to report that this objective is an area where Paso Pacifico was able to meet its objectives this year. We graduated 105 children from our Junior Ranger program in March 2018 and then we started an additional 70 children on the program in July and these children continue to work with us every other week. The junior rangers participated in beach clean-ups and sea turtle releases and also attended classes and field exercises focuses on ocean conservation. They learned about the coral and rocky reefs off their coasts, learned about the global challenges with plastic pollution, toured mangroves, helped release sea turtle from a nursery, and participated in many community and beach clean-ups throughout the year.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? During April of 2018, political protests were met with violence and repression by the Nicaraguan government. For a period of several months it was dangerous to travel within the country, even for Paso Pacifico staff. Now, the violence has lessened but the situation continues to be tense and uncertain.

As a result of these developments, tourism has decreased drastically and hotel and tourism business have been closing. Yet the need for ocean conservation has not diminished. Paso Pacifico went to great lengths to sustain its programs throughout the difficult year including in the areas of ocean education, partnerships with hotels, and coastal clean-ups.

Paso Pacifico plans to continue its work in Nicaragua and hopes for a positive resolution to the political crisis soon. Paso Pacifico has also just launched programs in El Salvador and we look forward to sharing with the SIMA Environmental Fund as the programs there become established.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? • Celebration of the 11th annual international coastal clean-up • 20 beaches participation and 250 volunteers participating • Removal of 2700 pounds of trash and debris from beaches and coastal waterways • Coordination and technical assistance for four surf hotels protecting sea turtle nesting beaches • Ten solitary nesting leatherback sea turtles protected by surf hotel partners • 175 children from coastal communities participate in ocean conservation education curriculum, participating in coastal trips and beach clean-ups

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) The SIMA Environmental Fund support was crucial this past year because it enabled us to sustain our ocean conservation program at a time of political unrest for Nicaragua. As international investment leaves the coastal areas, Nicaragua’s oceans will need our support more than ever. We are grateful to the SIMA Environmental fund for its support through the difficult year.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Reef Check Foundation

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Reef Check Foundation

Contact Person: Jan Freiwald

Title: Executive Director

Purpose of Grant: Thanks to the wonderful support of the SIMA Environmental Fund in 2017, the Reef Check Foundation’s California Program (RCCA) has now completed thirteen years of monitoring California’s reefs and kelp forests. We have made great progress in improving marine management in California through education, training and community engagement. The 2018, SIMA Environmental Fund grant allowed Reef Check to grow in efficacy and impact as California’s only statewide reef monitoring network. RCCA’s goal is to use citizen science, community-based monitoring and data collection, to enable science-based conservation and management of our ocean resources and to educate the public about the marine environment along our coast. RCCA’s training and monitoring program effectively empowers thousands of California’s ocean lovers to take direct action in the stewardship and conservation of California’s reefs. Our volunteers, who range in experience from surfers to commercial fishermen to recreational ocean users and university students, come to RCCA because they are concerned about the changes they see in California’s marine environment. They want to “make a difference” and “dive with a purpose”. RCCA gives these concerned citizens an avenue to make a tangible difference in the management of their marine resources by engaging them in the research and conservation processes. The SIMA grant in 2017 supported this mission and our goals in 2018.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. The Reef Check Foundation was awarded, in 2017, a one-year SIMA grant for its Reef Check California Program (RCCA) for the stated goal of continuing to improve marine management and conservation in California. RCCA provides critical ecological data on California’s nearshore rocky reef ecosystems through its work with volunteer scuba divers as citizen scientists; and by educating the public it creates an informed constituency supportive of science-based management and conservation. RCCA’s four objectives are to: 1) Facilitate citizen science monitoring by increasing the number, and retention of certified RCCA divers; 2) Directly contribute to marine decision-making and management by expanding and strengthening RCCA’s monitoring network; 3) Work with decision-makers, resource professionals, and stakeholders to bring RCCA’s monitoring data to bare on resource management and policy decisions by analyzing and sharing data; 4) Broaden RCCA's public education and outreach to surfers, recreational divers, ocean users, community members, commercial and recreational fishermen, scientists, academia, state agencies, and business groups, all of whom work together to monitor and conserve the rocky reef ecosystems. In 2018, RCCA was involved in marine protected area (MPA) monitoring throughout the state and monitored reefs at over 100 sites inside and outside of California’s MPAs. We also expanded our new climate change monitoring program and collected the first year of data on ocean acidification, temperature and hypoxia along the entire coast. There is no greater threat to the ocean than global climate change and linking climate change monitoring directly with ecosystem monitoring will allow us to better understand the impact climate change will have on our coastal resources.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? We are excited to report that in 2018 - once again - the Reef Check California program met or exceeded all of its annual objectives as outlined in the SIMA proposal:

Objective 1) In 2018 we have maintained a body of active volunteers of about 300 participants and have maintained a high level of volunteer retention.

Objective 2) In 2018 we conducted 116 surveys statewide more than in any previous year. This includes new sites and for a second year in a row surveys along the backside of Santa Catalina Island an area which has not been surveyed in years prior to our first expedition there in 2017.

Objective 3) We have shared the results of our monitoring work widely in 2018. Our work has been featured thirteen times in the news throughout the year and we have presented at 26 events and meetings at all levels from local dive club meetings to national scientific conferences and co-authored several scientific publications in 2018.

Objective 4) We have successfully broadened our outreach through several avenues and continued to give presentations on marine conservations, MPAs and the importance of citizen science monitoring of the marine environment. We have worked closely with the MPA collaboratives statewide to create outreach and education materials. We to have successfully grown our school children education program – Reef Check’s EMBARC program. This provided 500 children form underserved populations in Los Angeles the opportunity to be a ‘marine biologist’ for a day.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? We now have a time-series dataset of the ecological communities on California’s rocky reefs spanning more thirteen years. To this long-term data we just added the first year of ocean acidification and temperature data. No other organization has such an expansive dataset on the rocky reef and kelp forest communities along our coast. This information will be useful for current and future management and conservation of our marine resources and for understanding the effects of Californian’s MPAs. Going forward we will continuously monitor for changes in temperature, acidity and oxygen (OAH) statewide. This will help to better inform adaptive management of California’s marine resources in light of a changing climate. We continue to see massive declines in the kelp forest along the north coast and are still focused on building capacity to collect data on red abalone. We are actively working with stakeholders to engage in the development of a new fisheries management plan should the recreational abalone fishery be reopened when the recently extended fisheries closure will be reconsidered in two years from now.

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) Thanks to SIMA’s generous and ongoing support, RCCA continued in 2018 to give California’s concerned citizens an avenue for engagement in the conservation processes of California’s marine resources. SIMA funds helped to pay for the salaries of our tireless and dedicated staff, many of whom work every weekend during the entire dive season, from April to November, to empower our incredible volunteers to survey California’s reefs and make a difference. Your support enables us to continue our core mission of monitoring California’s reefs. Thank you again for your generous support of the Reef Check California program.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

San Diego Coastkeeper

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: San Diego Coastkeeper

Contact Person: Stephanie Ritter

Title: Development Manager

Purpose of Grant: San Diego Coastkeeper’s Protecting San Diego County’s Coastal and Beach Environment from Pollution Program protects and restores inland and coastal waters in San Diego County for the residents and visitors who work, live, and play here. Generous funding from SIMA Environmental Fund helped San Diego Coastkeeper protect local water quality and enhance the beach environment along San Diego County’s 70-mile stretch of coastline through our education, community outreach, science, and advocacy programs.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. The specific purpose and goals for San Diego Coastkeeper’s Protecting San Diego County’s Coastal and Beach Environment from Pollution Program included engaging and training 100 community volunteers to collect water samples from inland waterways and analyze them in our in-house laboratory as well as publishing monthly reports to highlight the health of our waterways, initiating at least two stormwater enforcement cases to stop stormwater polluters and ensure protection of our waters and beaches, updating the beach status page on our website and promoting the Swim Guide app to ensure safety to surfers, swimmers, and beachgoers, engaging at least 3,000 volunteers to remove at least 5,000 pounds of trash and educating them about the harmful impacts of marine debris, and training at least 100 San Diego-area teachers and educating at least 2,000 K-12 grade students about pollution prevention and environmental stewardship through our water science curriculum.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? 2017 was one of the strongest, most advocacy-driven, successful years for San Diego Coastkeeper in its 22-year history thanks to the dedicated six staff members, numerous collaborative partnerships, and generous supporters like SIMA Environmental Fund. The year started in a climate of uncertainty with a significant shift in national environmental priorities and with the new administration undercutting hard- won environmental protections. San Diego Coastkeeper knew it was time to double down and fight harder than ever to protect our waters by ramping up our local advocacy and community outreach efforts to make sure San Diego’s waters were protected from degradation, overuse, and destruction. We were instrumental in improving the outlook for clean water and smart water supply decisions in our region. We built new relationships, strengthened partnerships, and collaborated with businesses, communities, individuals, and other nonprofits organizations to move the needle on clean water issues. Throughout the year we worked to implement new strategies and efficiencies that have strengthened our operational and financial situation. We attribute our successes to our partners, including SIMA Environmental Fund, who support our education, community outreach, science, and advocacy programs.

We sent teams of trained volunteers out to our rivers and streams on a monthly basis to collect and analyze water samples from sites across San Diego County. We obtained independent water quality data and published monthly water quality reports, which helped increase the amount of available water quality data, track changes over time, influence effective decision-making, and educate the public about the health of our waters.

As part of our efforts to identify, reduce, and stop stormwater pollution, we initiated new stormwater enforcement cases as well as settled previous year’s enforcement cases, resulting in significant reductions of harmful polluted discharges and improvements to our local water quality. We also worked with numerous stormwater permit violators to educate them about stormwater policies and why it is important to protect our waterways and to encourage them to comply with the law.

We continued to regularly update our beach status page on our website and promote the Swim Guide app to highlight the health of our beaches and coastal waters to ensure safety to surfers, swimmers, and beachgoers. We engaged thousands of volunteers - residents and visitors alike - who removed thousands of pounds of harmful and unsightly trash from along our coastline and educated them about what marine debris is, how individuals can take action and reduce their single-use plastic consumption, and how to enhance the beach and ocean environments. Additionally, we educated thousands of students, teachers, and community members about our local marine and aquatic habitats and ecosystems, pollution issues and prevention strategies, environmental stewardship, and ocean conservation through our hands-on, standards-aligned water science curriculum.

We are very grateful for the generous support from SIMA Environmental Fund which helped us accomplish so much for the protection of local water quality and the enhancement of the local beach environment. Our successes would not have been possible without the support from SIMA Environmental Fund.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? In 2017, our Water Quality Monitoring Program trained 65 new community members as new water quality monitors and engaged 167 monitors who collectively volunteered 2,015.54 hours of their time collecting water samples from local rivers, streams, and lagoons and analyzing them back in our in-house laboratory. Each month we analyzed the data and assigned water quality scores to each of our 35 sites in an interactive map found on our website to give the public - the community and decision-makers alike - a better understanding of the water quality issues affecting their local waterways.

We initiated 8 stormwater enforcement cases and settled 5 enforcement cases. These agreements will result in significant reductions of harmful polluted discharges entering our waterways and benefits thousands of acres across San Diego County, protecting clean water that surfers, swimmers, and wildlife depend on. One example of an enforcement case we successfully reached an agreement with was the 22nd District Agricultural Association - the operator of the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds - to address water quality impacts and compliance with clean water regulations. The Del Mar Racetracks and Fairgrounds discharges harmful pollutants during rain events, impacting popular surfing and recreational areas as well as the San Dieguito River and the hard-fought marine protected area, the San Dieguito Lagoon State Marine Conservation Area. As a result of our agreement, the District will invest over $12 million in on-site stormwater improvements and contribute $51,570 towards restoration projects in the watershed, ultimately protecting swimmers, surfers, and marine and aquatic wildlife that depend on clean water.

Each day, we updated the beach status page on our website from data we received from the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health. Our interactive map displays the beach status information as an easily understandable green, yellow, and red color-coded format. Additionally, we promoted the Swim Guide app helping beachgoers, swimmers, surfers, and boaters find healthy stretches of sand and coastal waters along San Diego County’s coastline.

Through our Beach Cleanup Program, we along with our community partners engaged 8,190 volunteers - local residents and visitors alike - who removed 118,018 items of trash, weighing 9,352 pounds total, from along our coastline. At each beach cleanup event, we educated volunteers about marine debris and plastic pollution in San Diego County, individual steps to reduce single-use plastic consumption, and the importance of debris removal in maintaining the beauty, health, and economic and tourism value of our beaches, coastline, and ocean. Participants were engaged with our outreach materials, group conversations, and hands-on participation in trash removal, which has empowered them to become community environmental stewards.

Furthermore, through our Environmental Education program, we educated more than 4,500 students, teachers, and community members about local water issues, pollution prevention, marine and coastal conservation, and environmental stewardship through our hands-on, inquiry-based, standards-aligned water science curriculum. We provided lesson plans and materials, scheduled classroom presentations, and hosted professional development workshops at no cost to educators throughout San Diego County.

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) In 2017, generous support from SIMA Environmental Fund helped us hire and train five new stormwater monitors to be part of our Stormwater Monitoring Team. These monitors are on-call for responsive water quality testing during winter rain storms. Polluted urban runoff is San Diego's biggest water quality threat, and by doing targeted, site-specific monitoring of early runoff during storms, we are working to pinpoint the sources and impacts of the pollutants entering our waterways.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

Contact Person: Kira Redmond

Title: Executive Director

Purpose of Grant: The purpose of this grant was to support Santa Barbara Channelkeeper’s Clean Water Advocacy and Enforcement Program in 2018. The purpose of the Program is to protect and enhance water quality and aquatic habitats in the Santa Barbara Channel and its beaches, creeks, and ocean waters, and to defend our community’s interest in and right to clean water. Our aim is to compel government agencies and polluters to clean up major sources of water pollution and to enact and enforce stronger environmental protections for the Santa Barbara Channel and its beaches and tributaries in the interest of better protecting public health, wildlife, the environment, and our tourism and recreation-driven economy.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. The purpose and goals of Santa Barbara Channelkeeper's 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant were to: • Convince local municipalities to adopt Styrofoam ban ordinances and mobilize citizens and businesses to reduce the use of plastic straws; • Compel the Water Board to revise the Central Coast Agricultural Order to protect public health and the environment from agricultural pollution in accordance with state law; • Ensure that Ventura’s Groundwater Sustainability Agency develops an effective groundwater management plan that complies with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and protects the Ventura River from over-pumping; • Ensure that the Santa Barbara Channel is adequately protected from oil spills, fracking, and expanded oil and gas leasing and development; and • Fend off attempts by the Trump administration to weaken federal environmental laws and regulations that we rely on to protect our waterways and communities from pollution.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? Santa Barbara Channelkeeper (SBCK) made excellent progress toward our goals and achieved significant gains for clean water through our advocacy and enforcement efforts in 2018, thanks in no small part to support from the SIMA Environmental Fund.

First, in a monumental decision that will have far-reaching implications for waterways across California, a California Court of Appeals ruled in our favor in September 2018 that the State Water Board has failed in its duty to protect public health and the environment from agricultural pollution on the Central Coast. SBCK has been working tirelessly for the past 15 years to convince the State and Regional Water Boards to adopt regulations that effectively address the widespread and well-documented contamination of California's groundwater and surface waters by agriculture. We succeeded in securing a strong "Ag Order" for the Ventura/LA region in 2016, but the Water Board has consistently adopted weak and ineffectual rules that have utterly failed to address the problem on the Central Coast. SBCK and a coalition of conservation, environmental justice and fishing groups filed a lawsuit challenging the Central Coast Ag Order in 2013, and the State Superior Court ruled in our favor in 2015. The Water Board and ag industry groups appealed that ruling, but again this past September the court sided with us, affirming that the Order is illegal and directing the Water Board to go back to the drawing board and develop a new Order that complies with the law. Meanwhile the Central Coast Water Board has begun the process to develop its new, updated Ag Order, and SBCK will be heavily involved in that policy making process in 2019 to ensure that it complies with the Court order and with existing law.

SBCK also scored big with our advocacy to reduce the use of single-use plastics in our region over the past year. After months of our lobbying City staff and Councilmembers, in July 2018 the Santa Barbara City Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting the distribution and retail sale of expanded polystyrene (EPS) food and beverage containers, which entered into effect on January 1, 2019. In a related effort, SBCK also developed and distributed education and outreach materials to reduce the use of plastic straws. We teamed up with a group of local elementary school kids who helped us reach out to local restaurants to urge them to consider more environmentally friendly options like paper or compostable straws or offer straws only upon request, and made inroads with several local businesses on this front. Then in October 2018, the Santa Barbara City Council adopted another ordinance, again due to our lobbying, which prohibits the distribution and sale of plastic straws and stirrers and requiring that plastic cutlery only be provided upon request. This ordinance will enter into effect on July 1, 2019. We have also made good headway with our advocacy to encourage the City of Goleta and Santa Barbara County to adopt similar ordinances over the past few months, and will continue to lobby these municipalities to do so in 2019.

SBCK has continued to serve as the key environmental stakeholder in multiple processes underway to ensure that there are adequate stream flows in the Ventura River. We are tracking the State Water Board’s effort to develop in-stream flow objectives for the Ventura River, and we traveled to Sacramento to meet with Water Board staff from its In-stream Flows and Water Rights Departments to highlight concerns we have with implementation of the state’s flow objective which is currently under development. We are also serving as the key environmental stakeholder in the local process underway to implement California’s recently enacted Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in the Ventura River watershed. Under SGMA, agencies managing priority basins must develop robust Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) to protect groundwater supplies and interconnected rivers. The Ventura River is identified by the State Water Board as one of the top five priority waterways in the entire state threatened by over-pumping of groundwater, but some water agencies in that watershed are fighting to preserve the status quo and avoid changes in water management that could result in any curtailment of groundwater pumping. Throughout 2018 we tracked and regularly participated in SGMA proceedings as local agencies worked to develop their GSPs, including reviewing work plans and providing input during public meetings. We also coordinated and individually met with managers and directors of each water agency in the watershed to share our knowledge and concerns regarding strategies currently being developed to restore flows to the river, and will continue this work in 2019.

In addition, SBCK won a huge victory in our effort to stop the federal government from allowing fracking and other “well stimulation techniques” (WSTs) at offshore oil platforms in southern California. With the Environmental Defense Center, SBCK filed a lawsuit in 2016 challenging the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) for approving permits for WSTs at offshore platforms without first preparing a full Environmental Impact Report and consulting with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) regarding potential impacts to threatened and endangered species. In November 2018, the court issued an injunction prohibiting the approval of any new permits for WSTs until FWS completes its review of potential impacts to threatened and endangered species. This may result in FWS’ preparation of a Biological Opinion, and if FWS finds WSTs may jeopardize listed species, they will identify alternatives to avoid harm or prohibit WSTs. The court also ruled that WSTs cannot occur offshore California until the Coastal Commission can review potential harms to the coastal zone. SBCK will track and weigh in on the FWS consultation and Coastal Commission review as these processes unfold in 2019.

Finally, SBCK succeeded with our advocacy in support of two state bills to protect the California coast from the Trump Administration’s plan to expand oil development off our coast. We submitted several letters of support to various legislative committees as the bills made their way through the Legislature and ultimately to the Governor, and sent numerous action alerts to our constituents over the past several months, garnering hundreds of additional support letters from California residents and business owners and submitting them to legislators and the Governor. In August 2018, the California Legislature voted to enact Senate Bill 834 and Assembly Bill 1775, and Governor Brown signed the bills into law on September 8, 2018. The bills prohibit the State Lands Commission from permitting any new leases or infrastructure that would support new or expanded oil development in Federal waters (greater than three miles from shore).

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? As a result of SBCK’s clean water advocacy and enforcement efforts over the past year, the beaches, rivers and coastal waters along the Santa Barbara Channel will be cleaner, healthier and safer, and fewer people will become ill from recreating in polluted water.

The Appellate Court ruling in SBCK’s favor on the Central Coast Ag Order is a massive victory for waterways, coastlines and communities that are negatively impacted by chronic and severe agricultural pollution on California’s Central Coast, and will set a precedent for how agriculture is regulated across the entire state. The Central Coast and State Water Boards are already working on a revised Ag Order that complies with the recent ruling. SBCK’s success in advocating the Santa Barbara City Council to adopt Styrofoam and plastic straw bans will have a huge impact in reducing the amount of foam and straws that are both used in Santa Barbara and that end up as litter in Santa Barbara’s creeks, beaches and coastal waters. The enactment of the two state bills prohibiting new oil infrastructure in California waters/lands will make it extremely difficult for any new oil and gas leases to be effectively established in federal waters off the California coast, even if the Trump Administration prevails in re-opening federal waters in the Pacific Ocean to new leasing.

Finally, the forward progress on our fracking lawsuit puts us a crucial step closer to compelling the federal government to fully analyze and mitigate the impacts that fracking and acidizing may have on the environment and wildlife before issuing any more permits to approve these risky practices.

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) Thanks in large part to the generous support from the SIMA Environmental Fund, SBCK has been able to strengthen our capacity to provide credible, informed and effective advocacy to protect the beaches, rivers and coastal waters of the Santa Barbara Channel from the many pollution threats they face. Our success in influencing policies to better protect our water resources has not only resulted in better protections for the environment but also for the health of surfers and other ocean enthusiasts who recreate in our waters as well as the wildlife that inhabit them.

Barbara Channel from the many pollution threats they face. Our success in influencing policies to better protect our water resources has not only resulted in better protections for the environment but also for the health of surfers and other ocean enthusiasts who recreate in our waters as well as the wildlife that inhabit them.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Save The Waves Coalition

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Save The Waves Coalition

Contact Person: Nik Strong Cvetich

Title: Executive Director

Purpose of Grant: Ever since Save The Waves Coalition launched our initial campaign in urgent response to an ill-conceived coastal development in Madeira, we have seen waves continually threatened by coastal development, water pollution, coastal armoring, and beach closure. Many coastal communities also face trade-offs between costly infrastructure or development projects and longer-term tourism income. Without adequate economic information, robust coastal conservation plans, or mobilized stakeholders, communities are likely to discount the resources they already have, such as surfing spots, and instead promote unsustainable coastal development.

Save The Waves seeks to preserve and protect the most iconic coastlines and surf breaks through a unique combination of protected areas, economics and direct action campaigns.

Funds from this grant were used to directly address threats by creating a network of protected areas (World Surfing Reserves), using economics to educate policy-makers on the value of protecting coastlines (Surfonomics), and taking direct action to address acute coastal threats around the world (Endangered Waves).

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. The goal of the 2017 SIMA grant was to support our environmental programs aimed at protecting and preserving our coastal resources with a focus on the surf zone. Specifically, this grant aimed to support the effective delivery of the World Surfing Reserve program and Endangered Waves program while increasing our organizational capacity to respond to more demands around the world.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? With the support of the 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund, Save The Waves has met and exceeded the goals and objectives we laid out in our grant proposal.

The only modification to the goals and objectives that we outlined in the grant proposal was focusing our resources on World Surfing Reserves program. This was done because the grant award amount was lower than the proposal amount and we needed to focus our effort on that primary program area and find additional resources for the other objectives outlined in the original grant proposal.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? The goals achieved in 2017 with the 2015 SIMA Environmental Fund grant had the following impacts on the communities Save The Waves serves:

World Surfing Reserves: - In October 2018, Punta Borinquen, Puerto Rico was selected as the 11th World Surfing Reserve. Save The Waves has already begun initial conservation planning efforts alongside their Local Stewardship Council to identify and mitigate their most pressing coastal issues. Punta Borinquen is a world class stretch of Caribbean coastline that boasts a number of iconic waves including Crashboats, Wilderness, and Gas Chambers. Punta Borinquen is the first World Surfing Reserve in the Caribbean. - We have completed the final draft of the Guarda do Embau, Brazil World Surfing Reserve's Stewardship Plan. This plan is the result of extensive community consultation and input, and represents the interests of the surfing, fishing, commercial, conservation, and governmental sectors in that region. The Guarda do Embau Stewardship Plan identifies the Rio do Madre River as the core focus of the WSR and is geared to improving the water quality of the river. Because the Rio do Madre rivermouth empties in the Guarda do Embau lineup, this focus will have a direct impact on the water quality concerns that the community has voiced. Currently, the Guarda do Embau Local Stewardship Council is implementing the strategies and activities outlined in the Stewardship Plan and are seeking to introduce new sanitation systems for the Guarda community, which will achieve significant water quality improvements. - We successfully hosted the 5th Global Waves Conference in Santa Cruz, CA in March 2018. The GWC convened over 300 coastal advocates, surf luminaries, and researchers for a 3 day event to tackle the worlds most pressing coastal issues. The attendees came from 11 countries and focused on the plastic crisis, protected areas, and technology + conservation.

• Completed the 8th WSR Dedication Ceremony at the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve • Completion of Gold Coast Local Stewardship Plan and adoption of Surf Management Plan by Gold Coast City Council. • Legally incorporated ‘Fundacion Punta de Lobos’ to manage legal protection of 6 acres of coastline through acquisition and conservation easements. • Achieved a 50% reduction in high bacteria postings at Cowell’s Beach, compared to 2015. • Approved Guarda do Embaú, Brazil as the 9th World Surfing Reserve • Held four Global Wave Conference (GWC) planning meetings to prepare for the October 2017 GWC held in Santa Cruz

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) The support from the SIMA Environmental Fund has allowed Save The Waves to enhance its operational infrastructure, including technology and processes; increase our capacity to deliver and improve our programs; improve our board policies and organization governance; and attract, recruit, and retain talented employees and fellows.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Seymour Marine Discovery Center

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Seymour Marine Discovery Center

Contact Person: Julie Barrett Heffington

Title: Director

Purpose of Grant: Engaging the Public with Ocean Science and Conservation Exhibits

The prime responsibility of the Seymour Center is to educate the public about ocean science, its role in providing practical solutions to environmental problems, and to instill in the public the importance of taking part in ocean conservation activities, both as individuals and as members of our society. Utilizing our exhibit hall as a teaching backdrop, we address threats to our coast and ocean that cross many different disciplines. This teaching backdrop (the exhibits) needs to be both engaging and high quality to intrigue people to spend time, ask questions, and make connections that will have a lasting impact.

Given our relatively remote location, small size, and the competition for free time from Santa Cruz’s many entertainment and commercial attractions, our visitorship is excellent (approximately 70,000/annually). However, options abound for enjoying free time in a fast-paced, entertainment-focused society. Locals may have the perception that things are static at our institution and therefore unexciting (been there, done that). And while this is less of an issue with one-time visitors from out of the area, both technology and culture have changed rapidly since many exhibits were built. To compete in an entertainment- and technology-based marketplace, even the most compelling topics in ocean conservation require an appropriate, adequate presentation.

Ultimately, we strive to empower our visitors to take action that helps protect our coast and ocean. We recognize that authentic experiences can change how people relate to their environment (i.e. touching a docile shark, watching a crab molt, visualizing how immense earth forces once shaped our coastline, and how global warming is changing it now). This grant from the SIMA Environmental Fund helped us provide our visitors with up-to-date information in an engaging, interactive format.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. Funding was used to enhance the learning experience of nearly 70,000 visitors through our ocean science and conservation exhibit program during the last year. Specifically we applied for funds to do the following:

Design, develop, and install new exhibits around these topics: A. sharks B. elephant seals C. beluga whales

Provide better maintenance of our current well-used and well-loved exhibits

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? 1A) SHARKS: Our shark touching pool is one of the Seymour Center’s premier exhibits. A beautiful new interpretive panel now illustrates swell shark anatomy, emphasizing what makes shark unique among fishes. New concise safety panels and a new flexible logistics panel have been created and installed. These important improvements were completed just prior to Shark Science Week activities. Additionally, older interpretive panels that describe ecological niche, population decline, research, and conservation have been updated, redesigned, and installed in a way that improves traffic flow during our busiest periods. Our volunteer educators utilize these tools every day to help visitors of all ages understand more about sharks and shark conservation.

One objective described in our proposal not fully met was the development of a graphic panel that depicts a shark egg case hatching (a series). While we have developed the artwork with a talented illustrator, due to funding, we have not yet produced the panel.

About the shark touching pool/ why it’s important: The pool is inhabited by swell sharks, Cephaloscyllium ventriosum. Experiencing an intimate interaction with these docile creatures can help the public understand that sharks aren’t necessarily scary. Through this unique experience we can engage in conversation about the ecological niche and conservation of sharks. At the top of the food chain and as effective hunters, large and small sharks eat a variety of prey. Because of this, they influence the diversity and abundance of other animals in the sea––without them, the ocean falls out of balance. When sharks are overfished, their former prey can increase in numbers, sending ripples through the food web. Sharks influence the ocean ecosystem in unforeseen ways, affecting everything from the harvest of shellfish to the health of coral reefs.

1B) ELEPHANT SEALS: Our elephant seal exhibit is the first thing people see upon arrival at our front doors. Preliminary work toward providing the more complete and engaging experience described in our proposal is underway. We proposed to install a tripod scale nearby (typical of those used by researchers to record pup weights) and add a sound box with narrative and recordings of seal vocalizations, as well as associated interpretive panel(s). To date we have procured the scale, and installed conduit underground for an electrical feed. Due to funding and our single curators work load, we have not completed this project fully.

About the elephant seal exhibit / why it’s important: The three resin models of an adult male, female, and pup Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) outdoors near our public entrance are iconic as they welcome visitors. They have been well loved by all ages over the past decade. Likewise elephant seals have fascinated scientists since they made a successful comeback from the brink of extinction. We now know a great deal about their reproductive behavior, parenting methods, and diving and feeding habits. Scientists study these fascinating animals at Año Nuevo Natural Preserve just north of Santa Cruz, site of one of the largest elephant seal rookeries in the world, as well as in the unique facilities here in our associated marine laboratory. This exhibit helps tell the story of how scientific inquiry has led to conservation success.

1C) BELUGA WHALES: The final new project described in our proposal is an exhibit regarding the challenges beluga whales face in the Arctic. This project is under design, with preliminary work accomplished. It will showcase the challenges these mammals face with images, models, and an engaging, interactive diving “game” that will help people understand real consequences of a warming climate. The final design is near completion, although due to our curators work load fabrication has not yet occured.

About the beluga whale exhibit / why it’s important: Arctic animals are particularly vulnerable in today’s environment with a changing climate, changing salinity, and less ice cover. Learning where these whales forage, how far they travel, and how deep they dive has ramifications for their abilities to seek out prey and rear young. If prey fish move lower in the water column to a colder depth due to warming water, belugas may have challenges reaching them due to their breath-hold capacity––especially younger, smaller whales. Young animals likely cannot dive as deep––their breath-hold capacity is unknown and currently being studied.

2) EXHIBIT HALL: Our well-used and well-loved exhibits are now both more functional and aesthetic. As noted above, the shark pool panels were updated and reprinted to provide new and changing information. Other improvements include new monitors that replace outdated projectors, replaced graphics and interactive in our salmon and rockfish exhibit, and a repositioned, more user-friendly suspension of the 1,000-pound gray whale mother and calf sculpture.

About the exhibit hall / why it’s important: Our exhibit hall serves as the backbone of our education programs. The public can choose to come and learn about the ocean during free time––or spend that time in other ways. It's imperative to have an excellent facility that our educators can utilize to communicate ocean science and conservation.

With assistance from the SIMA Environmental Fund, during the grant period we made significant gains on the tasks described in our proposal. While not all of the final products were fabricated and installed, all three (sharks, elephant seals, and belugas) are well underway. We look forward to completing all the projects that were described in the proposal during the next 18 months. While some funding is still needed, we are confident in our abilities to complete these projects.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? During the grant period, we provided a portal into ocean science and conservation for nearly 68,500 visitors––more than five percent higher than the previous year. We delighted guests from across the globe, created impact and change in our own community, and provided daily marine science experiences for students of all ages.

While we do not capture geographic data from our walk-in visitors, we know many details about our visiting school groups. In all, 8,510 TK-14 students, parents, and teachers directly benefited from our science programs. Half of all school groups were from our own coastal county, another 30 percent are from neighboring inland counties, with the balance traveled more distant inland areas such as Redlands, Fresno, Sonora, and Truckee.

Of the 290 classes that engaged in Seymour Center field trips over the past school year, 39 percent came from Title 1 schools serving large numbers of students from low-income families. For many of these children, a field trip to the Seymour Center was their first time seeing the ocean in person–a life-changing experience clearly visible on these young faces.

All of these visitors engaged directly with our exhibits. Your support directly impacted our ability to provide exciting, aesthetic, and educational exhibits that are used to empower the public to learn about, protect, and conserve the ocean.

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) The Seymour Center is a community-supported marine science education center of the University of California, Santa Cruz––meaning that all funds to operate the Center, including salaries and benefits, are raised by the Center itself. Each year we fundraise half of the operating budget ($680,000), with the other half coming from the earned income (gift shop sales, facility rentals, plus modest admission and program fees). Grants, such as this one from the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association Environmental Fund, could not be more important.

Your support of our exhibit programs has many effects. For our board, seeing the Seymour Center thrive with new, lively exhibits means exciting news to share with their networks and new reasons to “show off” their wonderful center to new potential donors. For our volunteers, improvements in our exhibit hall means increased personal engagement through new learning, plus the tools to share new concepts with thousands of visitors. For our visitors themselves, learning about the remote polar seas, or why sharks are an important part of the ecosystem, or simply seeing that the Seymour Center is a fascinating and vibrant place that would be fun to return to again and again---all of this helps to build a stronger institution and ultimately helps us to meet our mission.

The SIMA Environmental Fund has shown leadership to our many other funders and has helped provide stability. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity and confidence in our work over the many years.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Surfers Against Sewage

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Surfers Against Sewage

Contact Person: Peter Lewis

Title: Director of Fundraising & Operations

Purpose of Grant: The grand awarded in 2017 was to develop our Plastic Free Coastline (PFC) initiative. We launched our PFC initiative in July 2017, with the aim of inspiring and empowering communities across the UK (and further afield!) with the know-how to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics (SUPs).

Plastic Free Coastlines aims to tackle the root cause of plastic pollution, getting individuals, businesses and the wider community to think about a new paradigm where we do not use Single Use Plastic.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. The specific purpose of our 2017 grant was to continue developing our Plastic Free Coastlines project to achieve the below and to reduce the flow of single use plastic pollution destroying our beaches.

• 38,500 new supporters to be signed up to ‘Join The Resistance’ and commit to reducing their personal use of Single Use Plastic • 59 more communities to sign up to work towards PFC • 650 printed Lead The Resistance packs to be distributed • Relationships with Community Leader’s to be maintained and the enthusiasm for the project to be continued • Generate at least 10 press articles around Plastic Free Coastlines

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? 2017 saw us launch the pilot Plastic Free Communities Campaign. We wanted to work with communities to not only remove plastic pollution through beach cleans but to stop single use plastic pollution at source. The pilot was a huge success and saw over 409 communities getting involved with a combined population of over 25 million people.

The project won the prestigious Charity Awards – Environment & Conservation category.

Michael Gove MP Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the United Kingdom highlighted this campaign as a great initiative to tackle the plastic issue.

Highlights include:

• 40,352 individuals committed to reducing their single use plastic consumption • 409 Communities working towards Plastic Free status • 39 Communities certified as “Plastic Free Communities” • 852 Plastic Free Business champions

• Thanks to support from SIMA Environmental Fund and the success of the initial campaign we have secured a grant to further develop the project until 2021. We are aiming to have 600 communities working towards Plastic Free status by 2021.

• We also plan to develop the project in the following areas: • Providing online (e-learning) resources to distribute knowledge and approaches across the network from especially effective community teams. This portal may also contain resources on monitoring and evaluation for communities. SAS will be responsible for maintaining the platform and any e-learning resources. • Giving distance support to community leaders who seem to need, or request support by e-mail and/or skype/telephone, this might include invitations to participate in webinars and online discussion groups. • Establishing an advisory group of community leads to offer guidance, ideas and a framework for community leader mentoring in the UK. • Developing new resources for communities to improve delivery of project outcomes. This includes a Business Toolkit and a monitoring and evaluation pack for community teams. • Recommend uptake of the SAS Plastic Free Schools programme and resources to the network. • Encourage participation in SAS Spring and Autumn Beach Cleans/Community clean-ups twice annually. • Focus our efforts on audiences where single-use plastics are not necessarily on the radar, particularly in disadvantaged or hard-to-reach areas that may be disconnected from nature, for example in urban areas, to drive engagement on this key environmental issue.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? We are working with Exeter University to calculate the amount of single use plastic that has not been used as a result of this project. We will get the results from this in 2019.

The outputs from the project are as follows:

• 40,352 individuals committed to reducing their single use plastic consumption • 409 Communities working towards Plastic Free status • 39 Communities certified as “Plastic Free Communities” • 852 Plastic Free Business champions

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) The grant has had a huge impact on our organisation. It gave us the capacity to invest in the project and the huge success of it has enabled us to secure further funding which in turn has created 2 new roles at Surfers Against Sewage. This will enable us to further invest in the project and develop its sophistication to offer more support to communities working towards Plastic Free status.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Surfing Education Association

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Surfing Education Association

Contact Person: Keone Downing

Title: VP

Purpose of Grant: All funds granted by SIMA are directed towards SEA’s mission to preserve our ocean, coral reefs, waves, beaches, water quality and shoreline accessibility.

SIMA’s Fund Grant also enables SEA to educate the public regarding these ocean issues as well as encouraging leadership and the importance of people power.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. Waikiki Beach Master Plan Project-Part of working group to develop master plan for Waikiki. Working with stakeholders and government to make sure the next round of sand replenishment has better guidelines in size of sand brought to beach and what areas sand will be added.

T-Head groins- Able to get State to send out for second opinion on groin in Waikiki, which would directly affect our surf sites.

Sandbag groin- In the planning stages of deciding what type of temporary groin will go in to a place that state took out existing groin causing sand erosion.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? Waikiki Beach Master Plan Project- Ongoing dialog into what will be best for Waikiki especially with climate change and sea level rise. Also, where to take sand to replenish beach without ruining surf sites.

T-Head groins- Through second analysts have shortened the length of groin and changed shape. Now working through what type of materials should be used.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? SIMA’s Fund Grant enables us to help keep Waikiki safe for all visitors and locals. Surfing Education Association has sent a strong message that change will be tolerated only for the right reasons and must be done in the right way. Hawaii must preserve our ocean, coral reefs, waves, beaches, water quality and shoreline accessibility.

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) SIMA’s Fund Grant also enables SEA to educate the public regarding these ocean issues as well as encouraging leadership and the importance of people power.

The efforts of Surfing Education Association (SEA) are ongoing. We have made inroads in dialog with all stakeholders. As far as sand replenishment- our ideas are now listened to in the early stages of drafting.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Surfrider Foundation

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Surfrider Foundation

Contact Person: Lori Booth

Title: Grants Manager

Purpose of Grant: The purpose of this grant was to support the Surfrider Foundation's efforts to in turn support our dedicated volunteers as they implement initiatives that address clean water, healthy beaches, surf enhancement, ocean conservation education, surf break protection and other coastal issues, while building public support around long-term marine protections and monitoring proponents of destructive policies and projects that could threaten coastal health.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. Funds from the SIMA Environmental Fund were allocated to Surfrider Foundation’s core operations, campaigns and programs that enable our grassroots chapters’ activities to enhance ocean and beach environments through clean water initiatives, surf preservation and access and ocean conservation outreach. The Surfrider Foundation's long-term goal continues to be to protect 100% of the coast. To accomplish this, we work with citizens and decision-makers in communities nationwide to increase awareness of the need for coastal protection and educate and involve the public in efforts to preserve coastal environments.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? On August 22, 2018, as we celebrated Surfrider's 34th birthday, we also announced a historic milestone achievement of 500 coastal victories for the protection of the ocean and coasts. Since Surfrider's first iconic win in 1984 to defend Malibu's famed surfing break, the Surfrider Foundation has worked to preserve the ocean, waves and beaches through a nationwide volunteer-led network.

Every single day, government bodies make decisions that impact the coastal resources we use and cherish. Surfrider's vision is to influence these decisions through our powerful activist network to achieve 100% protection of the coasts.

Since Surfrider was founded on August 22, 1984, we have been known for our special breed of grassroots activism. Our chapters and members work tirelessly to defend our coasts from looming threats like seawalls, oil drilling, and loss of public access. We also flex our muscles in the policy arena to pass laws that will protect coastal and ocean resources into the future.

With every government decision made in our favor, Surfrider moves closer to achieving our mission of protecting the ocean, waves and beaches for all people. Whether passing laws to curb plastic pollution, strengthening water quality standards, or establishing marine protected areas, our impact extends to virtually every mile of U.S. coastline, and often far beyond.

Moreover, a review of our victory list reveals the breadth and diversity of our advocacy efforts. From local wins secured by our chapter network against daunting odds, to state and national victories that showcase Surfrider's increasing influence in ocean policy, our efforts are driven by the most serious threats facing our coastlines.

Grassroots campaigns represent the very essence of Surfrider Foundation. And when we win, it's more than just a victory for our coastlines - it's a validation that our theory of change works. It is clear that a dedicated community of coastal advocates can triumph in the face of all manner of threats.

As we celebrate 34 years of transforming passion into protection and our 500th victory, we extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported our work over the past decades. These victories belong to all of us - chapter leaders, grassroots activists, coalition partners and staff. And, of course, our generous members and donors whose financial support makes it all possible. Here's to the next 500 victories!

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? During 2018, the Surfrider Foundation achieved 82 coastal victories, including 58 policy advancements and 14 surf protection-related victories. (A coastal victory is a decision made in favor of the coastal and ocean environment that results in a positive conservation outcome, improves coastal access, or both. Policy advancement establishes a policy that will support future protection of our ocean, waves and beaches.) The lion’s share of these victories – 51 to be exact – dealt with plastic pollution; ten with clean water; nine with coastal preservation; seven with beach access; and five with ocean protection. Most of the victories (64) were local in scope, with fifteen coming in at the state level and three national victories. Each victory we achieve means cleaner water, better access to waves, and/or less pollution on the beach and in the lineup.

In addition to victories, we achieved the following impacts:

* All 35 U.S. states & territories have water quality data to protect beachgoers * 400+ million gallons of wastewater discharge prevented * 20+ million gallons of polluted runoff prevented via Ocean Friendly Gardens * Saved NOAA/ Ocean Management funding for 2018 * Protected 325 miles of Washington Coast through adoption of marine spatial plan * Banned Offshore Drilling in California * Florida Coral Reef Protected Area created by passing state law * Attained monumental victory at the U.S. Supreme Court in our Martins Beach campaign; protecting enforcement of the California Coastal Act. * Protected recreational beach use in Michigan (via amicus support to the Michigan Supreme Court re Recreational Use Act interpretation)

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) As in the past, The Surfrider Foundation continuously monitors the progress of our efforts and, as necessary, revises our activities based on shifting requirements and contexts to assure we meet our goals. Victories is one indicator of our progress; others include process indicators such as water quality tests conducted and beach cleanups held, and outcomes such as the number of beach access points retained or acres of coast preserved. Moving forward, our goal remains to protect 100% of the coast, and we are working hard to increase our capacity to achieve that goal.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

WILDCOAST

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: WILDCOAST

Contact Person: Zachary Plopper

Title: Conservation Director

Purpose of Grant: In 2018, WILDCOAST received a grant from the SIMA Environmental Fund to support our work to conserve coastal and marine ecosystems and wildlife in California and on Mexico’s Pacific coastline

This includes the following programs:

Ongoing conservation of 50,000 acres and 35 miles of coastal ecosystems in WILDCOAST’s Valle de los Cirios Pacific Coast private reserve in Baja California; The restoration of 18,000 acres of coastal ecosystems in the San Diego - Tijuana border region; and The conservation of 17,779 acres of marine protected areas (MPAs) in San Diego County through monitoring, improving compliance, outreach and stewardship.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. The purpose of WILDCOAST’s 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant was to support WILDCOAST’s efforts to conserve 85,779 acres of coastal and marine areas in California and on Mexico’s Pacific coastline. The goals of WILDCOAST’s project included the protection and management of: 1) 50,000 acres and 35 miles of undeveloped desert coastline in the Valle de los Cirios Pacific Coast in Baja California; 2) 18,000 acres of wetlands and coastal open space in the San Diego - Tijuana border region; and 3) 17,779 acres of MPAs in San Diego County.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? During the grant period, WILDCOAST exceeded the goals and objectives of the project. WILDCOAST expanded its protected area on the Valle de los Cirios Pacific Coast and advanced management of protected properties. In the San Diego -Tijuana border region, WILDCOAST engaged volunteers and local students in ongoing restoration and outreach projects. Throughout San Diego County, WILDCOAST advanced the conservation of local MPAs in partnership with tribes, students from park-poor communities, local and state agencies, researchers, and resource managers.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? WILDCOAST’s conservation impact, made possible by the 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant, was significant. On the Valle de los Cirios Pacific Coast, WILDCOAST added 600 acres and one mile of coastline to its protected area. To date, WILDCOAST has protected a total of 51,490.8 acres and 36.7 miles of coastline in the region, creating one of the largest private protectorates of coastal land in North America.

During the grant period, WILDCOAST also strengthened management and stewardship on protected properties. This work included the installation and maintenance of 15 interpretive bilingual signs that identify protected properties and visitation best- practices guidelines. Four camera traps were installed and retrieved to monitor wildlife and build a database.

WILDCOAST also worked closely with a local fishermen to survey protected properties and implement human use surveys. The information gathered from wildlife and human use monitoring will be used to help guide future conservation management on the Valle de los Cirios Pacific Coast..

In the San Diego-Tijuana border region, WILDCOAST continued the restoration and management of 18,000 acres of coastal ecosystems. WILDCOAST worked with 1,026 volunteers to carry out cleanups, restoration projects, and education activities in the Tijuana River estuary and surrounding communities. Through Tijuana River Action Month, WILDCOAST’s 15th Annual Dempsey Holder Ocean Festival, and other projects, WILDCOAST, volunteers , and partners improved two miles of trails, 8.5 acres of habitat, removed 64,000 pounds of trash and 29 waste tires, and installed 320 native plants. This work directly benefited wetland and riparian ecosystems in the estuary to help improve water quality and ecosystems in the adjacent offshore 1,862 Tijuana Rivermouth State Marine Conservation Area, one of San Diego County’s 11 MPAs.

During the grant period, WILDCOAST not only advanced the conservation of San Diego County MPAs but California’s entire MPA network, representing 545,280 acres of coastal and marine ecosystems across the state. To help build the new generation of coastal stewards in Southern California that will be tasked with defending this network in the future, WILDCOAST engaged more than 5,000 students in MPA stewardship and education projects.

Through WILDCOAST’s award-winning Explore My MPA program, 947 students from local tribes and park poor communities engaged in coastal and marine research projects, experiential learning activities, and ocean-based recreation. The data collected by participating students was contributed to California Department of Public Health, the statewide MPA Watch Program, and water quality monitoring programs.

Additionally, WILDCOAST installed and maintained 87 interpretive panels and regulatory signs at MPA access points across San Diego County, reaching hundreds of thousands of MPA users and visitors annually. Lastly, based on successful outreach materials WILDCOAST developed in Cabo Pulmo National Park and Huatulco National Park in Mexico, WILDCOAST created a wildlife and recreation guide for San Diego County MPAs. The guide contains detailed illustrations of local wildlife, a map identifying recreation opportunities, including surfing and fishing, possible in each MPA, best-practices for tidepooling, and other information.

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) The 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant helped WILDCOAST enhance its operations and increase organizational capacity. The support allowed WILDCOAST to hire part time a local fisherman to monitor protected properties and survey visitors to the region. This information is helping WILDCOAST implement conservation management activities.

The support of SIMA also helped WILDCOAST strengthen partnerships with local tribes, schools, and student groups to carry out Explore My MPA Program activities with greater conservation impact. With this support, participating students could utilize new tools such as underwater remotely operated vehicles to document wildlife in San Diego County MPAs. Additionally, support provided through the 2017 SIMA Enhancement Fund allowed WILDCOAST to reach and engage a great number of volunteers to help carry out restoration, cleanups, stewardship projects, and other activities.

2017 YEAR END REPORT

Wishtoyo Foundation

2017 SIMA ENVIRONMENTAL FUND YEAR END REPORT

Organization: Wishtoyo Foundation

Contact Person: Alicia Cordero

Title: First Nations Program Officer

Purpose of Grant: Wishtoyo Foundation’s 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant funds were used to support its Ventura Coastkeeper (VCK) program, the 54th member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance. Wishtoyo Foundation and its VCK program aim to protect the ecological integrity and health of the ocean, coasts, and inland waterways in and around Ventura County through legal actions, coastal restoration and access projects, water quality monitoring, Marine Protected Area education programs, advocacy efforts, and beach cleanups.

Briefly describe the specific purpose and goal for your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant. Wishtoyo Foundation and its Ventura Coastkeeper program requested support from the 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund in order to augment our existing water protection efforts and to expand our legal actions and programs. The exploitation of Ventura County’s inland and coastal waters in the preceding decades has inflicted ecological, social, and economic harms and threats to residents, visitors, and species – from stormwater runoff and toxic discharge to new developments and public access restrictions. Wishtoyo and VCK work to address these impacts and threats through a community-based and multifaceted approach: 1) Legal actions; 2) Coastal restoration and access projects; 3) Water monitoring efforts; 4) Marine Protected Areas advocacy and education; and 5) Community beach cleanups. Grant support from SIMA directly facilitates our ability to sustain, improve, and grow these initiatives.

To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? Wishtoyo Foundation and its Ventura Coastkeeper program requested support from the 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund in order to augment our existing water protection efforts and to expand our legal actions and programs. The exploitation of Ventura County’s inland and coastal waters in the preceding decades has inflicted ecological, social, and economic harms and threats to residents, visitors, and species – from stormwater runoff and toxic discharge to new developments and public access restrictions. Wishtoyo and VCK work to address these impacts and threats through a community-based and multifaceted approach: 1) Legal actions; 2) Coastal restoration and access projects; 3) Water monitoring efforts; 4) Marine Protected Areas advocacy and education; and 5) Community beach cleanups. Grant support from SIMA directly facilitates our ability to sustain, improve, and grow these initiatives. To what degree were these goals and objectives achieved? If not fully met, what factors affected the success of the project? What plans do you have for meeting an/or revisiting these objectives in the future?*

1) Legal Action Ventura Coastkeeper Clean Water Act Campaign To date, Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program have brought 16 Clean Water Act (CWA) cases against corporations operating on over 350 total acres of scrap metal yards, waste transfer stations, electric generating facilities, automobile dismantling yards, and amusement park facilities. We have also brought CWA cases against cities to stop spills of raw sewage into our waters from leaky sewage pipes and to prevent discharges of inadequately treated sewage into inland and coastal waters, and in doing so, have secured a commitment from the City of Ventura to reclaim 50-100 % of the 12 million gallons per day of wastewater it generates.

In February 2018, we prevailed against Arcturus Manufacturing, an aerospace and oil and gas industry manufacturing facility that was discharging toxic metals and other pollutants into the Ormond Beach Wetlands, Mugu Lagoon, and Pacific Ocean. Our victory halted the company’s polluted stormwater discharges. It also resulted in the cleanup of toxic waste and a closure plan for the site overseen by the Regional Water Quality Control Board requiring close to 100 soil testing samples to determine the extent of further clean up needed. As a result of our efforts, a plethora of native and endangered species, the natural cultural resources in the ocean and wetlands the Chumash Peoples use to sustain their cultural lifeways, and the nearby Chumash villages of Wenemu, Kanaputeqnon, and Kasunalmu will all be protected and enhanced.

Wishtoyo and its VCK program continue to ensure protections for Ventura’s Coast through compliance monitoring and enforcement of consent decrees, which involve site investigations, sampling, dispute resolution, expert retention, and sometimes action in federal court.

Victory for Steelhead Along the Santa Clara River In October 2018, after years of hard work, Wishtoyo is pleased to announce our biggest legal victory to date: Wishtoyo and co-plaintiffs, Center for Biological Diversity, prevailed in our Steelhead Endangered Species Act case against United Water Conservation District. The victory is critical for the survival and recovery the Southern California Steelhead, Chumash lifeways and cultural practices, the health of Utom's (Santa Clara River) communities, and all species in the Santa Clara River watershed. As to United’s liability, the court found in a 152-page decision that United violated the federal Endangered Species Act by clearly causing past, ongoing, and future harm to steelhead as a result of the dam’s barrier to fish movement and diversion of water. The decision brings an end to over 20 years of inaction by United to implement steelhead passage and flow-release solutions at the Vern Freeman Dam that are needed for steelhead survival and recovery. In addition, the decision continues to allow for the diversion of sufficient water for the maintenance of sustainable agriculture and municipal use in the Santa Clara River watershed and Oxnard Plain.

It was a grueling case that included an 11-day bench trial in January 2018, and an amazing performance by Wishtoyo and our wonderful team of attorneys (Chris Sproul with Environmental Advocates, Jason Weiner and Geneva Thompson of Wishtoyo, Heather Kryczka, John Buse of Center for Biological Diversity, and Fred Evenson). By eliminating physical barriers to Isha’kowoch (glistening salmon) passage, also known as the Southern California steelhead, we are not only protecting an endangered species, but we are overcoming barriers that have interrupted the continuity of Chumash traditions and culture. Restoring instream flows to the Santa Clara River allows steelhead access to their spawning sites, and thereby allowing restoration of our ancestral connection celebrating the seasonal return of steelhead through our shared waters.

Protecting the Endangered Humpback Whale In August 2018, Wishtoyo, along with its partner, the Center for Biological Diversity providing lead counsel, secured a settlement in its Endangered Species Act case against the Trump administration to achieve designation of critical habitat for the Central America, Mexico, and Western North Pacific populations of Humpback Whales in the Pacific Ocean. The victory could not have come at a better time, as the population of endangered humpback whales that feed off California’s coast are only around 400 individuals, meaning any death or injury from entanglement in fishing gear, oil spill, and ship strikes could hurt the entire population’s recovery. At least 54 humpback whales were found tangled up in fishing gear off the West Coast in 2016. Thanks to the settlement, imminent designation of critical habitat for the three species of humpback whales has been secured, which should ensure that harmful federally permitted activities will not continue to drive humpbacks to the brink of extinction by destroying and harming important areas for migrating and feeding. This victory is also especially critical for the Chumash Peoples, who, since time immemorial, have shared their Santa Barbara Channel home waters with the species. Humpback whales have a deeply respected role in Chumash culture and protect Chumash People as they navigate through their traditional waters.

Fighting Fracking in the Santa Barbara Channel In November 2018, Wishtoyo, with the Center for Biological Diversity and the Enviromental Defense Center, won an important victory in a lawsuit against the federal government’s reckless approval of fracking in federal waters off of California. One of the areas that would have been potentially impacted by this careless, detrimental approval were the waters of the Santa Barbara Channel, which are home to a plethora of natural resources, submerged village and burial sites, and cultural resources. The court held that federal officials violated the Endangered Species Act by failing to complete its consultation with expert wildlife agencies on the impacts of offshore fracking on endangered species. The court also said the Trump administration violated the Coastal Zone Management Act when it failed to let the California Coastal Commission determine whether offshore fracking is consistent with California’s coastal management program. Through our combined efforts we have been able to halt fracking in California’s ocean, and the threats it would pose to the marine environment, public health, imperiled wildlife, and Chumash Native American cultural resources and sacred places.

2) Coastal Restoration & Access In 2019, Wishtoyo and its VCK Program plan to implement Phase II of the Santa Clara River Estuary Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, and McGrath State Beach Campground Relocation, Feasibility and Design Study project in partnership with State Parks, which will include finalizing the new campground, coastal access plans, and restoration design; assisting with applications for local, state, and federal permits; and helping facilitate the environmental review process. This has not happened yet, but with our January 2019 hire of a staff watershed scientist, Tevan Schmidt, it is forecast to being this year.

3) Water Monitoring VCK monitors Ventura County’s waterbodies for pollution, and uses the results of its monitoring efforts to protect the water quality and ecological integrity of coastal and inland waterbodies. VCK’s Staff and Stream Team monitor in accordance with VCK’s Volunteer Water Monitoring Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), which is certified and approved by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. Additionally, VCK reviews Clean Water Act municipal and industrial discharge monitoring reports submitted to the State and inspects waterways and watersheds to determine the suitability of waters for human and species uses, and to pinpoint and help abate sources of pollution. In 2018, Wishtoyo and VCK were unable to conduct regular Stream Team water quality monitoring excursions due to staff and equipment limitations. Moving forward in 2019, we have hired a new full-time staff scientist, Tevan Schmidt, who will be able to assist with re-launching the Stream Team program as we have in previous years.

Wishtoyo remains active in scientific and community science monitoring efforts, particularly in our efforts to outreach to and engage First Nations community members and other underrepresented populations in our area. Our education programs participate and train in protocols for projects including LiMPETS (sandy beach sand crab monitoring), Urban Tides (beach erosion and storm events), Ocean Conservancy trash clean-ups, #BreakFreeFromPlastic brand audits, and iNaturalist.

One ongoing monitoring project that volunteers participate in is Snapshot Cal Coast, a community science effort held across the state during extreme low tides events to document coastal biodiversity and track changes temporally and geographically. In June 2018, Wishtoyo hosted four separate Snapshot Cal Coast events at Refugio State Beach, Nicholas Canyon County Beach, Stearn’s Wharf, and Surfer’s Knoll / Santa Clara River Estuary. 37 participants helped gather 590 observations, identifying over 117 different species. Additionally, in September 2018, Wishtoyo hosted California Coastal Cleanup Day at Mugu Rock Beach with 90 volunteers, and a plastic “brand audit” at Nicholas Canyon County Beach. These efforts not only prevent waste from entering the ocean, but are also vital to the collection of research-grade data that can inform scientific analysis, policy, and decision-making about our coasts, and contribute to our efforts to connect communities to the health of the ocean.

In 2018, we also began working with the Māori of Aoteoroa (New Zealand) and 5-Gyres Institute to develop culturally-based, zero-waste, no-plastics community strategies and ways we can work together to strengthen our ocean relationships through traditional navigation, empowering the youth, and building community programs. We are currently working to create a plastic-pollution monitoring program which will include utilizing traditional vessels and conventional microplastic trawling protocols. We will continue to develop and expand this program throughout 2019.

Collection of this survey information and consistent participation in these programs allow participants to see how their service directly contributes to a better understanding of local coastal ecosystems. In the long term, this program will promote consistent monitoring and reporting of waterway and ocean health by the public at large.

4) Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s): Wishtoyo and its VCK program play a vital role in ensuring that MPAs protect marine wildlife and the integrity of ocean water quality throughout Southern California, especially in the Santa Barbara Channel which is the traditional territory of the Chumash people and a hotspot of biodiversity and endemic species. In 2018, Wishtoyo offered Chumash Tribal Marine Protected Areas programs to approximately 4,300 K-12 students at Wishtoyo Chumash Village in Malibu, of which ~75% are from Title I or underserved schools that receive transportation scholarships. These outdoor educational programs are an integral part of our efforts educating the public and young future stewards about the importance of MPAs, ocean conservation, and pollution prevention, and are needed to ensure the current and future success of ocean conservation efforts.

In February 2018, Wishtoyo’s First Nations Program Officer, Alicia Cordero, participated in the Sea Grant Traditional and Local Ecological Knowledge visioning workshop in Juneau, Alaska, along with representatives from indigenous groups and Sea Grant staff from California, Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, the Great Lakes, Louisiana, and Guam. The collaboration resulted in the August 2018 publication Traditional and Local Knowledge: a vision for the Sea Grant Network. This vision statement and plan is intended to inform the Sea Grant Network, NOAA, and our partners, providing background on traditional and local ecological knowledge and their use in research, outreach, and education, including best practices and selected references and resources. This vision complements other priority visions guiding the Sea Grant Network, includ¬ing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Environmental Literacy.

In October 2018, as part of the Los Angeles County Marine Protected Area (MPA) Collaborative, Wishtoyo helped host the 2nd Honor the Ocean celebration at Zuma Beach in Malibu. This free community event honors ocean stewardship, education, and science efforts to preserve and protect the ocean. The event included a traditional welcome from Chumash Ceremonial Elder and Wishtoyo Executive Director, Mati Waiya; storytelling by Chumash Elders, Johnny and Mena Moreno; and sharing about Chumash maritime culture and the traditional tomol, Xax A’lulk’oy, a redwood sewn- plank canoe.

5) Community Beach Cleanups In 2018, Wishtoyo and its VCK program hosted several beach cleanups including California Coastal Cleanup Day where volunteers came out to Mugu Rock Beach and collectively picked up nearly 222 pounds of trash and recycling that would have made its way into the ocean, threatening wildlife, human safety, and clean waters. We also hosted a Fall Equinox beach cleanup and brand audit at Nicholas Canyon Beach. Additionally, multiple student groups participated in beach cleanups throughout the year as part of their educational field trip program to Wishtoyo Chumash Village in Malibu, CA. Students submit their results to the Ocean Conservancy database or Clean Swell app to contribute data on trash pollution.

What has been the measurable impact of your 2017 SIMA Environmental Fund grant on the population or area you serve? In Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties, Wishtoyo Foundation and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program are fighting to protect the recreational uses, cultural uses, and ecological uses of the inland and coastal waters of the Santa Clara River watershed, Ormond Beach watershed, Mugu Lagoon/Calleguas Creek watershed, and Ventura County’s other coastal watersheds. These waters are critical areas for native and endangered species; Chumash and Tataviam Native American burial grounds, sacred sites, villages, and cultural landscapes; surfers and beachgoers; kayakers and swimmers; and for the communities of Ventura, Oxnard, El Rio, Saticoy, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru, Valencia, and Santa Clarita, many of whom are underserved and underrepresented.

We deem the economically and politically marginalized Ventura County neighborhoods along the Santa Clara River, consisting primarily of Latino residents and some Chumash Native Americans, as some of the communities that benefit most from our work that provides residents with enhanced wellbeing resulting from the protection of and access to Ventura’s natural amenities. Many of our programs directly outreach to and prioritize involvement of these communities, including our goal of 75% of Chumash Tribal Marine Protected Area Education programs reserved for Title I or underserved K-12 schools.

The measurable impacts to all of Ventura County’s communities are cleaner and safer waters more suitable for wildlife use, observation, and study; surfing; beach going; swimming; kayaking; and Chumash Native American cultural and spiritual uses. The outcomes of our successful legal actions directly affect the quality and ecological integrity of inland and coastal water bodies. Wishtoyo and VCK reach over 7,000 people – including 4,000 K-12 students – in-person annually through our programs and events and continually engage new constituents in education and environmental protection.

What have been the measurable results to date of this grant on the functioning or effectiveness of your organization? (i.e. enhanced operations, increased capacity, etc.) Grant support from SIMA directly impacts our organization’s ability to support these programs by contributing to our staff and equipment costs; all of the above described programs are carried out by our small team of 10 full-time staff members. Specifically, grant support has allowed us to increase our capacity to monitor and protect the health and ecological integrity of Ventura County inland and coastal waters, and expand into new legal actions, community mobilization initiatives, advocacy work, and education programs.