Main Content
Education
Building environmental awareness and stewardship, changing attitudes and influencing the decisions of tomorrow by educating policy makers, students and the wider community about the biggest threats to the Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds and solutions to address those threats.
Field Work
Patrolling the Santa Barbara Channel and its tributaries to identify and deter pollution and respond to citizen reports of pollution. We conduct scientific research to investigate critical threats facing our waters, and collect and disseminate scientifically sound water quality data.
Advocacy
Representing our community’s interest in clean water by providing expert, science-based stakeholder advocacy and testifying before government officials to influence policies to better protect our waters and habitats.
Enforcement
Ensuring that entities, both public and private, comply with environmental laws, and that government agencies enforce those laws. Channelkeeper occasionally uses citizen lawsuits to protect the public interest in clean water and healthy aquatic habitats.
5.9k
VOLUNTEERS ENGAGED
41k
KIDS EDUCATED
37k
LBS OF TRASH CLEARED
Our Blog
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January 9, 2026California’s New Bag Ban Takes Effect
What It Means for Our Coast and Communities January 1, 2026, marks a major milestone in California’s ongoing effort to reduce plastic pollution. A strengthened statewide bag ban has officially gone into effect, closing a loophole in current law that will eliminate most plastic bags at most grocery stores, retail stores with a pharmacy, and liquor stores statewide. Although California first restricted single-use plastic bags in […]
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January 8, 2026Celebrating 25 Years!
Santa Barbara Channelkeeper’s Legacy of Environmental Protection, Advocacy, and Hope This year marks a remarkable milestone for Santa Barbara Channelkeeper—25 years of protecting and restoring the Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds. Since 2001, when the organization received its official nonprofit status, Channelkeeper has emerged as a driving force for clean water, healthy habitats, and a resilient coast. Throughout 2026, we are thrilled to celebrate the organization’s achievements and highlight the community support that has made our successes possible. A Quarter […]
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August 7, 2025Clean Water Starts with Community
Water is essential for life. It sustains the cells in our bodies and every organism and ecosystem on the planet. Today, our water resources are increasingly threatened by pollution. From polluted stormwater to plastic debris, water pollution poses serious risks to both the environment and human health. The good news? Each of us has the […]
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Watershed Brigade
The Watershed Brigade is a community of volunteers dedicated to keeping our local watersheds and beaches clean. Brigade members remove trash from trails, creeks, rivers, urban areas, and beaches, act as environmental stewards, and collect trash data used to help reduce pollution at its source. And it’s fun! Volunteers earn points that make them eligible for perks and prizes.
Corporate Challenge
The Watershed Brigade’s Corporate Challenge is a fun and effective way for your company to make a difference in our community and earn points to compete against other local businesses. Gain community-wide visibility while your company takes positive steps for the environment.
