Equity & Environmental Justice
The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is mandated to protect California’s coast and ocean for current and future generations. To be successful, our work must be inclusive and reflect the diversity of perspectives and needs of California’s communities. This requires intentional and sustained action to ensure our efforts are equitable and provide benefits to all Californians. Through the implementation of OPC’s Strategic Plan, specifically Goal 2: “Advance Equity Across Ocean and Coastal Policies and Actions,” we have embarked on numerous equity initiatives that involve collaborative partnerships with various partners, including but not limited to, environmental justice communities, government agencies, universities, research entities, non-profits, and California Native American tribes.
Equity Plan
OPC adopted its first-ever Equity Plan at the October 2022 Council meeting. The Equity Plan represents OPC’s commitment to advancing equity across ocean and coastal policies and actions in California, as well as strengthening internal efforts to create a more inclusive workplace at OPC. Specifically, the Plan outlines priorities, milestones, and outcomes to increase communication and outreach; provide targeted funding and technical assistance; improve staff training and capacity; strengthen environmental justice policies, and further integrate community science and tribal expertise into decision-making. The Equity Plan was collaboratively developed with OPC staff and leadership, funding grantee, Better World Group (BWG), and members of OPC’s Equity Plan Environmental Justice (EJ) Advisory Group.
Bilingual Services
OPC intends on releasing a final version of the Equity Plan in Spanish. If there are any language considerations or requests before then, please contact: Maria Rodriguez at maria.rodriguez@resources.ca.gov.
Servicios Bilingües
OPC tiene la intención de publicar una versión final del Plan de Equidad en español. Si hay alguna consideración o solicitud de idioma antes de esa fecha, comuníquese con: María Rodríguez en maria.rodriguez@resources.ca.gov.
Environmental Justice Advisory Board for California
In May 2024, OPC and partners at Better World Group announced the inaugural Environmental Justice Advisory Board for California’s Coast and Ocean (EJ Advisory Board), comprised of community leaders and advocates who represent California’s diverse regions and communities. The primary purpose of the EJ Advisory Board is to provide advice and share perspectives to advance equity across OPC and state programs that impact the coast and ocean.
Learn more about the EJ Advisory Board.
Project Highlights
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
In partnership with Justice Outside, OPC launched a $1 million Environmental Justice Small Grants Program to fund small, short-term projects that benefit California’s coastal environmental justice communities, directly advancing a strategic priority within the OPC Equity Plan. In 2024, the inaugural program awarded 24 grantees to support local initiatives across the state, such as ocean conservation through art, environmental education, and expanding access and aquatic recreation.
Learn more about the grantees funded through the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, as part of Justice Outside’s Liberated Paths Grantmaking Program.
Ocean Corps Pilot Program
In December 2023, OPC invested in the launch of a pilot Ocean Corps Program with the California Conservation Corps (CCC) and local partners to create an Ocean Corps Pilot Program to strengthen coastal climate resilience and expand career pathways in ocean and coastal conservation. The pilot program is implemented within three corps programs operating in coastal regions—CCC Fortuna District, Conservation Corps Long Beach, and Urban Corps of San Diego—leveraging CCC’s expertise in habitat restoration, coastal protection, and youth development. By engaging corps members in hands-on ocean and coastal resilience projects while providing mentorship, internships, and support, the program will create access to opportunities for young adults, particularly those from underserved communities, in directly facilitating their placements into environmental stewardship roles and jobs.
Related Program Updates
OPC Tribal Engagement Strategy
OPC’s Tribal Engagement Strategy is a complementary document to OPC’s Equity Plan. While the Equity Plan includes and addresses recommendations to support tribal governments and communities outside of the government-to-government engagement context, the Tribal Engagement Strategy is specifically focused on government-to-government relationships with California Native American tribes.
View the Tribal Engagement webpage for more information.
Staff Contact
Maria Rodriguez
Climate and Environmental Justice
Program Manager
Maria.Rodriguez@resources.ca.gov