Santa Barbara Channelkeeper Celebrates Clean Water Work With Sunset Cruise ’22

By the Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

Channelkeeper supporters took to the sea aboard the Condor Express on Sunday, October 2nd, for the Channelkeeper Sunset Cruise ’22, a festive mini-fundraiser.

This fun, on-the-water event served as a welcome opportunity for executive director Ted Morton, who took the helm mid-pandemic, to meet a cross-section of supporters, celebrate the organization’s accomplishments, and touch on present and future directions.

Joining Morton onboard, Penny Owens, education and outreach director, spoke with constituents about Channelkeeper’s education programs, single-use plastic reduction initiatives, and MPA Watch program. Also on hand was Ben Pitterle, science and policy director, who fielded burgeoning interest in Channelkeeper’s cruise ship monitoring program.

The event was organized by Channelkeeper board members Mimi deGruy, Sarah Preston, and Kathy Rogers. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres from Via Maestra, libations provided by Rivahil Winery and Firestone Walker Brewing Company, and a lively raffle with prizes from Channelkeeper and longtime supporter Patagonia.

Watershed Brigade intern and UCSB student Katie Huston and her mom, Jolie, a volunteer, served as raffle ticket sellers. Gina Giannetto was the lucky winner of a Watershed Brigade Beach Cleanup Kit; Bethany Harkrider won a Patagonia wheeled duffel bag; and David Telleen-Lawton won an opportunity to participate in an MPA Watch, an excursion for two aboard the RV Channelkeeper to help staff observe and collect data on ocean users and their activities in Marine Protected Areas.

The cruise was a prelude to the Blue Water Ball, Channelkeeper’s traditional fundraising bash, which, after going virtual last year, will take place at Cabrillo Pavilion in March.

For more information, visit www.sbck.org