June 16, 2022

MPA Monitoring Series: Ask the Researcher, Part 1: Kelp and Rocky Intertidal Ecosystems

OPC’s “Ask the Researcher” MPA monitoring webinar series officially launched in May! This summer series highlights key monitoring results from the marine protected area (MPA) monitoring program, connecting audience members directly to California’s leading MPA scientists who describe their research […]

Categories: Habitats, Kelp, Marine Habitats, Marine Protected Areas, Outreach and Education, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity

May 26, 2022

Ocean Protection Council Meeting — June 14, 2022 — Teleconference and Public Forum

The Ocean Protection Council will hold a hybrid public meeting via teleconference and in a public forum at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14, 2022.  

Categories: Climate Change, Funding Opportunities and Updates, Habitats, Kelp, Marine Habitats, OPC Meetings, Sea-Level Rise, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems

April 14, 2022

California’s efforts to protect and restore kelp featured in new restoration guidebook and global review

A unique kelp restoration pilot project on California’s north coast has been featured in The Nature Conservancy’s new Kelp Restoration Guidebook. This guidebook was authored by an expert panel with support from managers, scientists, and restoration practitioners. It highlights kelp […]

Categories: Habitats, Kelp, Marine Habitats, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems

December 31, 2021

OPC’s Year in Review: Meeting Challenges, Advancing Equity, Protecting Our Ocean

“As we look to 2022, our goal at the agency is to… continue California’s global leadership, combating climate change, transitioning our economy, and protecting our people and nature in the meantime. I believe strongly that people are resilient and that […]

Categories: 30x30, Aquaculture, Climate Change, Coastal Habitats, Equity and Environmental Justice, Grant Projects, Habitats, Marine Habitats, Marine Protected Areas, Plastic Pollution, Sea-Level Rise, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 2: Equity, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Strategic Goal 4: Sustainable Blue Economy, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems, Water Quality

September 7, 2021

California Biodiversity Day 2021 – Get Involved!

As a state, California boasts both the highest number of species total and the highest number of species that occur nowhere else. Our state’s animal and plant life is so varied that we’ve been named as one of 36 Global […]

Categories: 30x30, Climate Change, Coastal Habitats, Funding Opportunities and Updates, Habitats, Kelp, Marine Habitats, Marine Protected Areas, Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia, OPC Meetings, Outreach and Education, Plastic Pollution, Sea-Level Rise, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems, Water Quality

May 12, 2021

Ocean Protection Council Meeting — June 15, 2021 — Teleconference

The Ocean Protection Council will hold a public meeting via teleconference from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. View the webinar

Categories: Funding Opportunities and Updates, Habitats, Kelp, Marine Habitats, Marine Protected Areas, Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia, Offshore Wind, OPC Meetings, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Strategic Goal 4: Sustainable Blue Economy, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems

January 15, 2021

Ocean Protection Council Meeting — February 16, 2021 — Teleconference

The Ocean Protection Council held a public meeting via teleconference from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on February 16, 2021.

Categories: Climate Change, Coastal Habitats, Funding Opportunities and Updates, Habitats, Kelp, Marine Habitats, Marine Protected Areas, OPC Meetings, Plastic Pollution, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems, Water Quality

November 10, 2020

What if we get it right? Reflections on WSN 2020

Michael Esgro, OPC Marine Ecosystems Program Manager & Tribal Liaison This past weekend, nearly 900 marine scientists convened online for the 101st Western Society of Naturalists (WSN) annual meeting. Against the backdrop of the U.S. presidential election, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a growing nationwide movement for racial […]

Categories: Climate Change, Equity and Environmental Justice, Habitats, Kelp, Marine Habitats, Marine Protected Areas, Strategic Goal 1: Climate Change, Strategic Goal 2: Equity, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems

October 7, 2020

Governor Newsom Signs Executive Order to Conserve Biodiversity, Combat Climate Change, and Build Climate Resilience Through Nature-Based Solutions

Today, Governor Newsom signed an Executive Order to combat the biodiversity and climate change crises in California using nature-based solutions. Notably, the Executive Order will establish a state goal to conserve at least 30% of California’s land and coastal waters […]

Categories: 30x30, Coastal Habitats, Habitats, Marine Habitats

September 18, 2020

A Fighting Chance for North Coast Bull Kelp

As a lifelong Monterey diver, I’ve been devastated to watch California’s once-lush kelp forests turn into “urchin barrens” seemingly overnight. I’ve also been deeply moved by conversations with my north coast diver brethren (both at public meetings in Sacramento and over beers in Noyo Harbor) about the devastating consequences that this ecological collapse has had on the economy, culture, and spirit of California’s north coast, where kelp declines have been the most severe.

Categories: Habitats, Kelp, Marine Habitats, Strategic Goal 3: Biodiversity, Sustainable Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems