Channelkeeper is currently serving as the local coordinator for the southern California "Grunion Greeter" program, established by Pepperdine University researchers in 2002.  Channelkeeper has helped to coordinate this local event since 2004. Volunteer "Grunion Greeters" observe small stretches of beach on nights of grunion runs during their peak spawning season from April through early June. Participants this season are documenting grunion activity along three beaches: Stearn's Warf, Leadbetter Beach, and Goleta Beach.

California Grunion (Leuresthes tenuis), small silver fish found only in Southern California and Baja California, come completely out of the water to lay and fertilize their eggs in the sand. If this were not odd enough, grunion runs only occur at night, twice a month, after the highest tides associated with a full or new moon.

Unfortunately, grunion populations are difficult to assess because they are rarely seen swimming in the ocean, and are too small to be caught in trawls. Therefore, the only known way to assess their populations is to observe them during their late-night spawning activity. Until the Grunion Greeter program, there existed very little information about the population and distribution of these fish. Now, every spring, hundreds of volunteers from San Diego to Santa Barbara are collecting this important data.

Locally, over 60 Channelkeeper volunteers and staff members have monitored Arroyo Burro (Hendry's), Leadbetter, Goleta, and Stearn's Wharf beaches for grunion. Most volunteers saw at least a few fish, while some witnessed amazing runs of hundreds of grunion at a time. All results are reported on the Grunion Greeter website or via a phone hotline.

For more information on the Grunion Greeter program, visit the official website.