Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

Why Educating Young People About Water Quality and the Environment Is Crucial for a Bright Future

August 28, 2024 by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

In an era marked by rapid environmental changes and growing concerns about sustainability, it is increasingly clear that educating young people about the importance of clean water, healthy habitats, and the environment is not just beneficial—it’s essential. As we face challenges like climate change, water scarcity, and ecological degradation, equipping the next generation with knowledge and tools to tackle these issues is more crucial than ever.

Channelkeeper believes that investing in environmental education for young people is a vital step towards ensuring a sustainable and thriving future. By fostering an understanding of water quality and environmental systems, we empower the next generation to become responsible stewards, innovative thinkers, and passionate advocates.

On Seafari Cruises, our team hosts students aboard Channelkeeper’s boat to experience an on-the-water adventure. Students collect plankton samples, observe wildlife like dolphins, sea lions, and harbor seals, and learn about marine conservation efforts along our coast. For our Field Studies program in the Ventura River, high school students don waders to take nutrient and bacteria samples and assess water quality. Channelkeeper’s Shore to Sea program combines classroom watershed education with an outdoor experience, such as a kayaking adventure in the Santa Barbara Harbor, that introduces students to the land-sea connection.

Here’s why investing in this education can pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.

1. Understanding the Interconnectedness of Systems

Water quality and environmental health are deeply intertwined with numerous other systems—public health, agriculture, and economic stability, to name a few. Teaching young people about these connections helps them understand how their actions affect the world around them.

Furthermore, time spent on the water connects young people intimately with the natural world. It helps orient them within their watershed and allows them to interact with it. Students can see and touch some of the organisms that rely on clean water and trace the path that water takes through their community to the ocean. This brings awareness to the impacts of their everyday actions on water quality. This holistic understanding fosters a sense of responsibility and empowers young people to make informed decisions that benefit the environment.

2. Fostering a Sense of Responsibility

Educating young people about the environment can encourage a sense of stewardship. Channelkeeper provides meaningful experiences on the water with the understanding that today’s youth are the decision-makers of tomorrow and that their environmental ethics are critical to our planet’s future.

When students learn about the impact of pollution, overuse of resources, and habitat destruction, they’re more likely to feel responsible for their actions and the choices they make. This can translate into more sustainable habits, such as conserving water, recycling, and supporting eco-friendly products. By introducing young people to water science and instilling these values early on, we hope to inspire interest in protecting the environment and nurture a generation that will prioritize the planet’s health.

3. Inspiring Innovation and Solutions

A solid foundation in environmental science and water quality can ignite a passion for problem-solving and innovation. Many of today’s environmental challenges require creative solutions and technological advancements. When young people are exposed to the complexities of these issues, they’re inspired to think critically and develop new approaches. Whether through engineering new water purification technologies or creating sustainable farming practices, early education can spark ideas that lead to groundbreaking solutions.

4. Supporting Health and Well-being

Water quality directly impacts human health. Contaminated water sources can lead to diseases and long-term health issues. By educating young people about the importance of clean water and how to protect it, we’re not only teaching them to safeguard natural resources but also to take care of their own health and that of their communities. Understanding the link between environmental quality and personal well-being can lead to healthier lifestyles and communities.

5. Building Advocacy and Leadership Skills

Education about environmental issues empowers young people to become advocates for change. When students are well-informed about the challenges and potential solutions related to water quality and environmental conservation, they are more likely to engage in activism, policy-making, and community projects. This advocacy is crucial for driving societal changes and influencing policies that protect natural resources and promote sustainability.

6. Promoting a Sustainable Future

The knowledge and skills that students gain today will not only address the environmental challenges of tomorrow but also inspire a collective commitment to protecting our planet for the long haul. Channelkeeper is proud to advance environmental education that builds a brighter, greener future for everyone.

Because the decisions and actions taken by today’s youth will shape the world they inherit, we believe that our environmental education programs are supporting a sustainable future. By providing young people with knowledge about water quality and environmental issues, we are equipping them to make choices that support long-term ecological balance, advance environmental protection, and contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.

Clean Water Starts with Us: How We Can Help Address Water Pollution

August 2, 2024 by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

Water pollution is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, human health, and the planet as a whole. However, the good news is that each of us has the power to make a positive impact with everyday actions we take. Here’s a closer look at water pollution, its effects, and how you can contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment.

Understanding Water Pollution

Water is a universal solvent, able to dissolve more substances than any other liquid on Earth. While this is a positive attribute that allows it to dissolve minerals like sodium chloride for the world’s oceans and to transport nutrients in our blood, it also means that water can easily become polluted when toxins are introduced.

Water pollution occurs when harmful substances contaminate waterways like rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans, making them unsafe for consumption and damaging aquatic life. This pollution can come from various sources:

Industrial Discharges: Factories and industrial plants can release pollutants into rivers and lakes through direct discharge or stormwater systems.

Agricultural Pollution: Pesticides and fertilizers used in farming can wash into waterways, introducing harmful chemicals and excess nutrients.

Sewage and Wastewater: Inadequate treatment of sewage and wastewater can introduce pathogens and pollutants into water systems.

Stormwater Pollution: Chemicals, oil, grease, and nutrients can drain into municipal stormdrains and eventually local waterways

Plastic Pollution: Single-use plastics and other debris can end up in oceans and rivers, causing harm to wildlife and ecosystems.

Oil Spills: Accidental spills from ships and pipelines release harmful chemicals into the water, devastating aquatic environments.

The Impact of Water Pollution

The consequences of water pollution are severe:

Health Risks: Contaminated water can carry diseases and toxins, leading to serious health issues for humans, including gastrointestinal problems, neurological disorders, and even cancer.

Ecosystem Damage: Pollutants can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, harming fish, plants, and other wildlife. This disruption can lead to the collapse of local ecosystems and biodiversity loss.

Economic Costs: Cleanup efforts, healthcare costs, and loss of recreational opportunities due to polluted water can have substantial economic impacts on communities.

Local Efforts to Prevent Water Pollution

Protecting water quality in the Santa Barbara Channel is at the core of Channelkeeper’s work to ensure that our community has access to clean, drinkable, swimmable, fishable water. To that effect, Channelkeeper monitors and advocates to protect water quality in the Santa Barbara Channel and surrounding watersheds.

Our team gathers and shares water quality data to help decision-makers protect and restore local waterways and to foster wider community awareness and involvement in protecting water quality. We collect plankton samples to monitor harmful algal blooms, we respond to community member reports of pollution, and take action to ensure enforcement of fundamental environmental laws. We also mobilize community members to help us protect our waterways by picking up trash, plastic, and marine debris.

How You Can Help: A Community Approach

Reducing and preventing water pollution requires collective effort. Here are a few practical steps you can take to contribute to cleaner water:

Proper Disposal of Chemicals and Waste: Avoid dumping chemicals, oils, pharmaceuticals, and hazardous substances down the drain, and make sure that your car doesn’t leak oil, antifreeze, or coolant. Be mindful of anything that goes into storm drains, since they flow directly into local waterways.

Participate in Local Cleanup Events: Help protect water sources. Volunteer with Channelkeeper’s Watershed Brigade to remove trash from beaches, creeks, rivers, and urban areas. Help keep local waterways and the environment clean!

Reduce Plastic Use: Minimize your use of single-use plastics. Choose reusable bags, bottles, and containers. Properly recycle plastic waste and participate in local cleanup events to remove plastics from natural environments. Support companies that make decisions to use less single-use plastic and advocate for policies that work to address plastic pollution at its source.

Use Eco-Friendly Products: Choose environmentally friendly cleaning products, pesticides, and fertilizers. Many of these products are designed to minimize harm to aquatic ecosystems.

Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about where your water comes from and where it goes after you use it. Does your drinking water come from a well, a river, lake, or reservoir? Is the wastewater from your home treated at a facility or does it collect into a septic system? Where does stormwater flow to? As you learn, you will be able to determine where your actions will have the most impact. Help raise awareness about water pollution within your community. Educate friends, family, and neighbors about the importance of water conservation and pollution prevention.

Reduce Runoff: If you have a garden or lawn, avoid over-fertilizing and use natural methods to control pests. Redirect downspouts to landscape and install rain harvesting tools like barrels and cisterns. Implement rain gardens or permeable pavements to reduce runoff and improve water absorption.

Conserve Water: Conserving water reduces the volume of wastewater that must be treated and decreases the strain on local water resources. Simple actions like fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, and using water-efficient fixtures can make a big difference.

Be an Advocate: Use your voice to stand up for clean water. Speak out in support of the Clean Water Act, which helps hold polluters accountable. Tell your local elected officials that you support water protections and investments in infrastructure.

We are All Part of the Solution to Water Pollution

When it comes to water pollution, every action counts. By making mindful choices and encouraging others to do the same, each of us can significantly reduce our contribution to water pollution and help protect our precious water resources. Together, we can foster healthier ecosystems and communities and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. Clean water is not just a necessity—it’s a right that we can all work to preserve.

Planting the Seeds of Environmental Stewardship Through Art

April 23, 2024 by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

An interview with this year’s Student Art Show Juror, Kelly Clause

Every spring for the past twenty-one years, Channelkeeper’s Student Art Show has celebrated the connection between young people and the ocean. High school students from Carpinteria to Goleta are invited to create their interpretations of what the Santa Barbara Channel means to them. The artwork they produce is expressive, personal, and powerful.

Inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders is one of the show’s fundamental goals. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome artist Kelly Clause, who participated in Channelkeeper’s Student Art Show in 2005, as a high school student, as the show’s juror.

Kelly’s artwork is influenced by the ocean and its inhabitants, as well as the unique beauty of the California coast. She believes that connecting young people to the ocean through experiences like the Student Art Show helps plant the seeds of environmental stewardship—a connection with nature that can be nourished over time and can inspire a life-long sense of environmental responsibility and care.

In the interview that follows, Kelly shares her profound, personal connection to the ocean as well as her experience as a young participant in Channelkeeper’s Student Art Show and the positive impact that it had on her as an artist.

Channelkeeper (SBCK): As an artist, what draws you to paint the ocean and its creatures?

Kelly Clause (KC): The ocean and its creatures are the object of my never-ending curiosity, awe, and respect. The ocean is full of life, full of mystery, and will humble even the most confident of human beings. It feels so natural for me to paint the ocean because I was raised near it, in it, and with this constant hunger to understand it more. I love to surf, dive, paddle, and generally just spend time near the water. I feel really lucky to have been raised here in Santa Barbara and want to do my best to protect the unique beauty of our coast! I believe art has the potential to impact people to pause, appreciate, grow curious, and ultimately become better stewards of our environment.

SBCK: What was your first experience with Channelkeeper’s Student Art Show?

KC: I believe it was my sophomore or junior year of high school at Dos Pueblos High School, and my art teacher asked if she could enter me into a local art show that was all about the ocean. Naturally, I said yes, painted a big wave in acrylic, turned it in, and was completely shocked when they announced I had won an award for it. I really had no idea what Channelkeeper was at the time, but I vividly remember the kindness and enthusiasm in that room.

SBCK: What was the Student Art Show experience like as a student?

KC: It was fun! It was my first ever experience being a part of an art show, and Channelkeeper did such a great job at making us students feel important and honored for showing our work. It was a positive experience for me, and increased my confidence and helped me take chances and enter other art shows down the road.

SBCK: Why do you think it’s important to highlight the artwork of young people?

KC: Young people not only have artistic talent that should be celebrated and seen, but by investing in youth, we are investing in our future community and environment. Art can be a powerful voice to spark curiosity, prompt questions, increase emotional literacy, and promote beautiful causes. Encouraging young people to be vulnerable in expressing themselves through art as a means of communication is a worthy investment

SBCK: As you know, the theme of the show each year is “What the Channel Means to Me.” If you were going to create one piece of art that evoked what the Channel means to you, what would you create?

KC: It’s difficult to sum up what the Channel means to me in one piece of art, but I guess that’s the beauty of art. You don’t have to say it all! At this point in time, I would probably paint Giant kelp, because of its beauty and the unique ecosystem it creates in our Channel.

SBCK: Do you have a favorite ocean creature to represent in your artwork? Why?

KC: Humpbacks! To me, whales are completely majestic creatures. Their size alone is absolutely awe-inspiring and will make you feel humbled in a second if you are fortunate enough to get close to one. Their devotion to escorting their young thousands of miles home to safety, their acrobatic skills and playful nature, their singing, gentle but fierce demeanor…whales are incredible to me. My first watercolor was a whale, and it inspired the entire direction of my artistic journey.

The community is invited to join us in celebrating the artists at a reception on Thursday, May 2^nd from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm that will take place at the Jodi House Gallery at 625 Chapala Street in Santa Barbara.  Click here for more information.

The show is sponsored by Trillium Enterprise, Inc. and the City of Goleta Grant Program. 

Building Meaningful Careers: An Interview with MPA Watch Interns

March 27, 2024 by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

Marine Protected Areas, or MPAs, are underwater sanctuaries that provide safe havens for marine wildlife. Channelkeeper’s MPA Watch program trains and engages community volunteers to observe and record human uses of coastal and marine resources both inside and outside of marine protected areas (MPAs) along the Santa Barbara coast. Using standardized protocols volunteers and program interns collect relevant, scientifically rigorous, and broadly accessible data that are used to help inform MPA management and enforcement. Through Channelkeeper’s shore-based MPA Watch program, we’re able to collect data related to human use activities at the Campus Point, Naples, and Kashtayit MPAs along the Santa Barbara coastline. MPA Watch interns focus their work at these three MPAs along the Santa Barbara coastline.

MPA Watch interns are key to the program’s success. This year, we are fortunate to have three UCSB undergraduate interns supporting this community science program, thanks in part to a grant award from the UCSB Associated Students Coastal Fund. MPA Watch interns conduct weekly surveys to ensure consistent coverage of all the coastal MPAs, perform data entry of volunteer surveys and data quality control checks, assist with volunteer training workshops, and lead volunteer field training sessions.

Channelkeeper recently caught up with our three current MPA Watch Interns, Brynn Campos, Madi Trudeau, and Raven Berse to learn more about their experiences.

Why did you choose to intern with Channelkeeper?

Madi: I chose to intern with Channelkeeper because I wanted to find a way to engage with the local community and learn more about the Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds.

Brynn: I chose to intern with Channelkeeper because I was interested in ecology/marine biology internships with flexible scheduling. Not only did Channelkeeper work fit into my busy schedule, but it gave me the opportunity to spend more days at the beach and build up marketable skills in the field I am passionate about.

Raven: I didn’t have many opportunities to really make a difference at my local community college. As a 3^rd-year transfer to UCSB, I felt like I needed to hit the ground running and find as many opportunities as I could. I called Channelkeeper and went on a few surveys. I was so fascinated and amazed that I was able to participate in the MPAWatch program as an intern. I have worked with Channelkeeper for over a year now, and I love the team and the work that we do to keep our marine protected areas safe.

What skills do you hope to gain from this experience?

Madi: I’m gaining a ton of useful experience in fieldwork, data collection, and data entry. I’m continuing to learn a lot about what it means to collect good data, and how the importance of it can translate into other fields. I’ve found that I really enjoy being out in the field, so I’m glad that I get to continue working on these skills and honing in on potential careers I want to pursue.

Raven: I have gained a lot of knowledge and confidence in survey-taking and data collection. After school, I want to do research work and this was my first hands-on experience.

Brynn: Other than the obvious data collection/data entry experience, I am happy with the soft skills I have gained from this experience and how much I have been able to learn about local ecosystems. I have improved my ability to communicate scientific concepts to the public (especially children!) and gained more experience training others. In addition, taking regular walks along our beaches for the past year has allowed me to see the seasonal patterns of the ocean including the dynamism of the tides and the bluffs, the diversity of beautiful fauna (especially birds!), and more generally the interplay between weather and ocean conditions. It has been an invaluable experience getting to personally witness the dynamics of the ocean for my future in marine biology.

If there were 25 hours in a day, how would you spend the extra hour?

Brynn: If there were 25 hours in a day, I would spend the extra hour taking my cat Bella on a walk in her backpack.

Raven: If there were 25 hours in a day, I would try to spend the extra hour doing art or being outside.

Madi: As a student, it’s really easy to get caught up in work and I find myself spending all day in lecture halls and the library. Having an extra hour would give me the chance to prioritize my passions, like hiking, surfing, and generally just appreciating the outdoors.

What has been the highlight of your intern experience?

Raven: The biggest highlight of my intern experience has just been getting out of the house and seeing the beauty of the world outside. After COVID, I really stopped going outside as often. This opportunity pushes me to be outdoors, and it’s really enjoyable to spend a few hours outside near the beach while knowing you’re making a small difference while you’re there. I’ve had so many wonderful opportunities to see the tidepools, walk through the fields along the coast with the cows and horses, have hawks and butterflies fly right over me, and enjoy the beauty of the ocean. It has been a very wonderful and enjoyable experience.

Brynn: The highlight of my intern experience has been getting to go to our beautiful Channel Islands for a beach cleanup. My trip with Channelkeeper was my first time on the Islands and it was such a beautiful and enriching day. Not only were we able to clean up over 1,000 pounds of trash, but I got to witness the real impact of marine pollution on what should be a pristine natural beauty. Having this experience will drive my future efforts to ensure that we live on a clean, green planet.

Madi: The highlight of this experience was definitely Underwater Parks Day. It was such a fun outreach event that gave me the chance to connect with community members, other volunteers, and interns. I also got to learn a ton of new information about Santa Barbara’s intertidal zones, and it was fascinating to see all of the organisms they had in their care. It helped me to connect with a new community of people who love marine life as much as I do.

Channelkeeper feels grateful beyond words to work with these three extraordinary women who, after graduation, plan to launch careers in areas such as aquatic ecology, ocean research, and marine biology. With great optimism, we look forward to learning about all that they will accomplish.

Channelkeeper Seeks Answers in the Wake of Goleta Slough and Beach Sewage Spill

March 13, 2024 by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

More than 1 million gallons of untreated sewage spilled from a 24-inch forcemain pipe maintained by Goleta West Sanitary District on February 16 and 17, polluting the Goleta Slough and nearby beaches.

This is the largest spill reported in Santa Barbara County in the past decade. In fact, it is more than 100 times greater than the next largest spill on record—two separate 9,000-gallon spills that affected Cieneguitas and Mission Creeks in the winter of 2023.

Santa Barbara County Public Health Officials have advised that the area from 1 mile east to ½-mile west of the Goleta Slough outfall will remain closed until water testing indicates that it is safe for the public. The area has been posted with signs warning the public to avoid contact with the water because sewage-contaminated water increases the risk for certain types of illnesses. Community members can find updated water quality testing data here on the County on Santa Barbara County’s ocean monitoring web page.

Channelkeeper is alarmed by the massive volume of this spill and shares the community’s concern about the public health impacts to beachgoers and the impacts to the fish, wildlife, and habitats of the Goleta Slough and surrounding ocean ecosystem. We are also interested to learn more about what caused the spill, the breakdown in communications related to the spill, and the delayed public notification of the spill and beach closures.

Goleta West Sanitary District (Goleta West) submitted its initial report to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Water Board) on March 1. It will submit a follow-up technical report about the spill and response by April 4.

On March 4, the Regional Water Board issued a Notice of Violation to Goleta West about the alleged violations to clean water regulations stemming from the spill. The Regional Board is investigating the spill and response.

The spill was caused by a small crack in a 24-inch force main pipe operated by Goleta West. It began on the evening of February 16, was discovered at 8:30 am on Saturday, February 17, and stopped shortly thereafter. We have heard reports that the pipe was significantly corroded with thin walls. Channelkeeper is interested to learn more about the condition of the pipes, results of recent pipe inspections, and why a significant reduction in normal sewage flow through the system wasn’t observed sooner.

A breakdown in critical communications took place among state, county, and local agencies. First, it isn’t clear what was officially reported as the initial estimate of the spill – either 1,000 gallons or 30,000 gallons. However, several days later, the spill was estimated to be 500,000 gallons. On the following day, the total increased to 1 million gallons. We are troubled that the early underestimation of the sewage spill delayed the involvement of other agencies responsible for ocean water testing, beach closures, and wildlife surveys.

Second, it took five days from the start of the sewage spill for the public health agency to become aware of it and then an additional day to close local beaches. This breakdown in communications is unacceptable. Channelkeeper is forwarding ideas for providing prompt and accessible public information about sewage spills and beach closures.

Since the spill, Channelkeeper has attended and provided public comments before the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, Goleta West Sanitary District, Goleta Sanitary District, and Goleta City Council. We have also raised our concerns with representatives of the State and Regional Water Quality Control Boards. We will continue to monitor public meetings and the ongoing investigation. We will continue to work collaboratively with community leaders who share our concerns. We have and will be offering recommendations to put in place preventive measures that our community and public agencies can take to better ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again.