Save Our Shores

Save Our Shores We foster thriving & sustainable ecosystems through equitable environmental action Our story began 43+years ago.

We’d love to share it with you…

Save Our Shores is a marine conservation 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Santa Cruz, California. We advocate for Clean Shores, Healthy Habitats and Living Waters in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Save Our Shores (SOS) was founded by a grassroots movement in 1978 to stop the threat of offshore oil drilling along the Central Coast of California. After succe

eding, we set out to secure permanent protection of the Central Coast by building coalitions to drive the creation of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) in 1992. Since then, SOS has removed a diverse set of threats to our marine environment. Advocacy efforts ranged from preventing cruise ship pollution discharge, dissolving wildlife disturbing acoustics, reducing plastic pollution with policy regulations, improving coastal waste management practices through community involvement and most recently, ending illegal sand mining and mass man-made erosion along the MBNMS. Today we are focused on building policies and programs to ensure Clean Shores, Healthy Habitats and Living Waters. We invite you to learn more about our marine conservation efforts at saveourshores.org

04/27/2026
The California Coastal Act turns 50 this year—and our coast wouldn’t be what it is today without it 🌊From protecting pub...
04/13/2026

The California Coastal Act turns 50 this year—and our coast wouldn’t be what it is today without it 🌊

From protecting public access to preserving wildlife and coastal ecosystems, this landmark law has shaped the places we know and love. Now we want to hear from you: Why does the coast matter to you?

Take our quick survey and share your voice 💙: https://forms.gle/eZkZZ5d3Ajn3ibgY9

Deep beneath the ocean’s surface are ecosystems we are only beginning to understand, yet they may soon face irreversible...
04/13/2026

Deep beneath the ocean’s surface are ecosystems we are only beginning to understand, yet they may soon face irreversible harm from deep sea mining.

A new article highlights how scientists and local leaders are raising concerns, and how Save Our Shores is working with cities and counties to put protections in place before this industry reaches our coast.

Santa Cruz has a chance to lead once again, just as it has in the past, by taking proactive steps to protect our ocean.

Read more and learn how we are working locally to make a global impact. https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2026/04/04/santa-cruz-ocean-advocates-battle-deep-sea-mining/

Join us in celebrating Earth Month by entering this year's raffle! Each ticket helps fight offshore drilling along the C...
04/06/2026

Join us in celebrating Earth Month by entering this year's raffle! Each ticket helps fight offshore drilling along the California Coast!!

🌊 1 ticket for $5, 5 tickets for $20 🌊

Don't forget to scan the QR code or click the link: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/subscribetoemaillist/event/earthmonthraffle26/ to get your tickets now! You may just the lucky winner of this unique surfboard 👀 🏄‍♂️

A huge thanks to SWELLCYCLE for this amazing raffle prize 😆

New federal action is raising major concerns for coastal communities ⚠️A recent executive order expands use of the Defen...
03/30/2026

New federal action is raising major concerns for coastal communities ⚠️

A recent executive order expands use of the Defense Production Act to fast-track energy projects in the name of national security—potentially bypassing state laws, safety protections, and environmental review. It’s already being used to restart offshore drilling off California, including a pipeline system tied to the 2015 Refugio oil spill near Santa Barbara.

That pipeline ruptured due to corrosion, releasing over 100,000 gallons of crude oil that flowed through a culvert under Highway 101 and into the ocean, contaminating miles of coastline and harming wildlife and fisheries.

Now, that same pipeline system is being pushed back online.

This move could set a dangerous nationwide precedent—allowing projects to move forward without proper oversight, community input, or environmental safeguards.

Our coasts, communities, and protections are on the line.

📞 Call Congress: (202) 224-3121
Tell them to oppose the abuse of the Defense Production Act.
If this stands, it won’t stop here.

"The proliferation of plastic into all aspects of American life is due to many factors, but chief among them, the low co...
03/23/2026

"The proliferation of plastic into all aspects of American life is due to many factors, but chief among them, the low cost: plastic is extremely cheap to produce and very versatile, so perfect for a variety of uses. But like many costs in our consumer-driven society, the low sticker price at the store doesn’t reflect the true cost of the damage that plastic does to society."

OPINION - CalRecycle is anticipated to finalize regulations any day aimed at implementing Senate Bill 54—the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act. But disappointingly, economic benefits owed to Californians through implementation of the state’s landmark plastic ...

San Lorenzo River CleanupMarch 29, 2026 | 10 - 12 PMMeet us at Felton Covered Bridge Park.Bring yourself, closed-toed sh...
03/16/2026

San Lorenzo River Cleanup
March 29, 2026 | 10 - 12 PM
Meet us at Felton Covered Bridge Park.
Bring yourself, closed-toed shoes and a reusable water bottle, we’ve got the rest!

San Lorenzo Limpieza del Río
Marzo 29, 2026 | 10 - 12 PM
Reúnete con nosotros en Felton Covered Bridge Park.
Solo trae tu mismo, zapatos cerrados y una botella de agua reutilizable. ¡Nosotros nos encargamos del resto!

Join us for an event that sounds swell to you and your friends 🌊🪣Visit our events calendar link in bio or through our we...
03/11/2026

Join us for an event that sounds swell to you and your friends 🌊🪣

Visit our events calendar link in bio or through our website: saveourshores.org/events

Hey All! Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Jonathan Hicken, launched a weekly video podcast cal...
03/05/2026

Hey All! Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Jonathan Hicken, launched a weekly video podcast called "Science, Solutions, Santa Cruz."

The trailer and the first two episodes are available now, including the debut episode with our Executive Director Katie Thompson!

This podcast showcases how science is leading to tangible, local environmental solutions. In each episode, a variety of experts are interviewed, including: scientists from UC Santa Cruz and other research institutions, local leaders and policymakers, and environmental experts across different sectors as well.

Stream on Youtube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to tune in! Don't forget to the link and start exploring the podcast on Youtube 😆

Hosted by Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, this podcast spotlights groundbreaking research in Santa Cruz, Californ...

🤝 We’re still in this, and we need you all in it with us!⁉️ You’re not alone if you’re feeling lost in the process. Here...
02/24/2026

🤝 We’re still in this, and we need you all in it with us!

⁉️ You’re not alone if you’re feeling lost in the process. Here’s where we’re at: We’re in our second opportunity to submit comments.

In this phase, we strongly encourage any business or organization that would be impacted by offshore oil drilling to submit a comment/letter saying, “My business/organization strongly opposes opening ANY lease sites in the proposed areas of the current offshore oil drilling plan.” and name specific potential impacts - talking points and examples on the Save Our Shores webpage and sample letter through Surfrider Foundation Santa Cruz.

⚡️ Why keep commenting in opposition if it feels like we’re not being heard? We need the number of opposing comments to remain high throughout the process. In the case that overwhelming opposing comments aren’t taken into consideration in the proceeding phases of development, we have proof of opposition to tally up. This ultimately builds a case for legal intervention.

Come one, come all! 😄Shop our merch online and get groovy with our RETRO or NEW looks!! Mix and match what you love beca...
02/23/2026

Come one, come all! 😄

Shop our merch online and get groovy with our RETRO or NEW looks!! Mix and match what you love because there's various things to choose from to rep Save Our Shores 🌊

DON'T MISS OUT!!!

Scan the QR code or visit shop.saveourshores.org to see what's in store 🕺

Address

345 Lake Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA
95062

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18314625660

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