Oceans need our help now more than ever! Declining fisheries, increasing quantities of marine debris, and oil and toxins polluting near shore waters are just a few of the threats facing our oceans today.  Save Our Shores is holding an Ocean Leadership Conference on March 12-22 for Coastside communities in the Half Moon Bay area!  Participants will learn about current marine conservation issues such as Marine Protected Areas, marine debris, and local coastal watersheds.  Presentations will be given by Bob Breen, Brenda Donald, Dan Temko and other members of the Coastside communities.

The conference will also provide hands-on tools for empowering participants to become advocates for healthy oceans.  After the conference, participants will work with Save Our Shores staff to assess the needs of Coastside communities and then design and implement activities to engage their community in ocean conservation.

The conference will be held at the Harbor House Conference Center in the Pillar Point Harbor, beginning March 12th.   It is free and open to anyone ready to learn about marine conservation issues, and enthusiastic about becoming an ocean conservation leader in Coastside communities.  Anyone interested in participating in the conference should contact Emily Glanville, Programs Coordinator by calling the Save Our Shores office at
(831) 462-5660 extension 6#.

Conference Schedule:

Wed 3/12/08

6:00 PM Introductions

History of Save Our Shores

What we hope to gain from conference

Introduction to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and its resources

 

Sat 3/15/08

Pillarcitos Creek

10:00 AM Aleah Lawrence-Pine – Marine Debris and plastics in the ocean

11:00 Keith Mangold – History of Pilarcitos Creek, current issues

12:00 Lunch

1:00 Brenda Donald – Physical watershed of the Coastside communities in relation to common pollutants and their potential sources

2:00 Aleah Lawrence-Pine - How to organize a cleanup – Where to get donations, dumpsters, safety gear, permits, funding, permits, etc.

3:00 Planning: Cultural sensitivity/effective messaging - How to address the neighboring community, & organizing tasks for creek cleanup

 

Wed 3/19/08

6:00-6:30 pm- Community mixer!  Come on down and get acquainted with Save Our Shores staff members and eachother!

6:30-7:30pm- Community dialogue about issues and areas for concern. This is a great chance to come share your opinions and express your concerns in order to help Save Our Shores better assess how we can be an effective tool for you.

 

Sat 3/22/08

10:00-11am Dan Temko – History of Pillar Point harbor, current issues, clean marina, Maverick's surf competition 

11am-12:00- Organization of workgroups for future projects; discuss timeline for Pillarcitos Creek Cleanup event and monthly community meetings hosted by Save Our Shores.

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:00-2:00 pm Bob Breen – MPA’s, and science behind them

2:00 Thank You on behalf of Save Our Shores

 

WHERE:
Harbor House Conference Center in the Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay

WHEN:
March 12-22, 2008: Wednesdays from 6-9 pm and Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm

COST:
FREE,  food and beverages will be provided.

INFO:
For application, questions or more info contact Emily Glanville at:
(831) 462-5660 ext 6