More than 185 community members gathered recently for Santa Barbara Channelkeeper’s Blue Water Ball, a fundraiser and celebration of the organization’s 25 years of protecting and restoring the Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds.
The Blue Water Ball raised more than $190,000 to support Channelkeeper’s current and future priorities, including monitoring creeks and coastal waters; organizing volunteers for community cleanups; providing educational experiences for local students about water quality and habitats; and advocating for strong policies to protect the Channel and its watersheds, organizers said.
The event opened with a welcome song from Chumash leader Mia Lopez. Assemblymember Gregg Hart later discussed the importance of ocean leadership at the state level and the value of gathering researchers, organizations, and government agencies to strengthen impact and catalyze ocean-protective policies.
At a pre-dinner reception, attendees viewed water-inspired artwork donated for an online auction by 14 local artists, including Benjamin Andersen, Sarita Reynolds, Morgan Maassen, Michael Irwin, and Kara Crisp.
Also on offer at the auction were local dining experiences and sustainable seafood subscriptions; VIP passes to the Wild & Free Film Festival; ocean-adventures from local operators including Island Packers and Stardust Sporfishing; and nature-based travel opportunities to explore the Pacific Northwest and Galapagos; as well as a surfboard from Fletcher Chouinard Designs.
A live auction featured experiences to visit the Channel Islands; a private tour of Sedgwick Reserve; and Platinum passes to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Emcee Geoff Green guided the evening with storytelling and inspired attendees to bid on the selection of auction items.
Solera & Co. served an elegant multi-course meal, and attendees enjoyed wines provided by Clementine Carter Wines, Dierberg Star Lane Vineyard, and Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, beer from 805 Beer and Rincon Brewery, while listening to music by Tony Ybarra.
In addition to remarks from Hart, Channelkeeper’s executive director Ted Morton, addressed Channelkeeper’s legacy and its efforts to connect people with nature, science with action, and ideas with policies — all for a better future.
“For 25 years, Channelkeeper has been deeply committed to science-based advocacy, empowering our community to safeguard its beloved coast,” said Morton.
“We are grateful for moments like this one in which we can gather together in support of our vision for clean water, healthy habitats, abundant wildlife, and thriving communities,” he said.
Throughout the evening, impact stories and archival photos celebrating the organization’s environmental achievements helped mark a quarter century of science-based environmental advocacy, education, fieldwork, community engagement, and enforcement to protect the Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds.
“This includes working closely with other groups to challenge a growing wave of plans to open the central California coast to new offshore oil drilling and voicing opposition to the Trump administration’s recent decision to force the restart of oil production along the Gaviota Coast,” Channelkeeper said.
The organization thanks community supporters and event sponsors the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation, Montecito Bank & Trust, Open Water, Santa Barbara Adventure Co., Wild & Free Film Festival, and the many individual sponsors, underwriters, and honorary committee members, artists, auction donors, and guests.
“This year’s Blue Water Ball was a wonderful celebration,” said Morton. “We are grateful for the community of supporters who believe in Channelkeeper and make it possible for our work to have such a positive impact in our communities.”