San Francisco Green Festival 2007

About San Diego Coastkeeper



Organization Profile


Dedicated to the belief that protecting our natural resources is the responsibility of each of us, San Diego Coastkeeper is working to preserve San Diego`s bays, coastal waters and watersheds. Coastkeeper draws upon a network of legal, technical and scientific expertise to address violations of environmental law and implement clean water outreach and education campaigns. The hallmark of all our programs is the high level of hands-on community participation. From our innovative education, monitoring and restoration programs to our groundbreaking Environmental Law & Policy Clinic, San Diego Baykeeper directly involves concerned individuals, families and students in protecting the natural resources in our communities.



Mission Statement

San Diego Coastkeeper protects the region’s bays, beaches, watersheds and ocean for the people and wildlife that depend on them. We balance community outreach, education, and advocacy to promote stewardship of clean water and a healthy coastal ecosystem.

Coastkeeper is a locally-based 501 c3 non-profit organization and is San Diego’s official agency of the international Waterkeeper Alliance, which works to protect the world’s waterways.

San Diego Coastkeeper Programs


Coastkeeper is dedicated to the principle that protecting California`s precious coastal waters is the job of every citizen. Many different tools are needed to accomplish this job, so Coastkeeper employs a variety of programs designed to achieve our ultimate goal of clean water and a healthy environment. No matter your skills or interests, Coastkeeper`s programs allow everyone to play an important part in taking control of the stewardship of our local waters.

 

 

History

San Diego Coastkeeper was launched in 1995 as San Diego Baykeeper in order to combat chronic pollution of San Diego Bay that transformed a once-thriving ecosystem into a highly toxic waterbody. A local, community-based advocacy group, Baykeeper became the 15th approved Waterkeeper program in the country.

Through our community outreach, education and advocacy efforts, thousands of San Diegans are now empowered to be stewards of clean water and a healthy coastal ecosystem. As a result of our efforts:

• Sewage spills have decreased by 70 percent and beach closures by almost 60 percent in the City of San Diego.
• San Diego’s regulations for stormwater and industrial discharge standards are now considered best practices for California and the nation.
• Nearly 20,000 San Diegans have removed over 140,000 pounds of debris from beaches as part of our monthly cleanups and Coastal Cleanup Day.
• More than 3,000 volunteers have helped gather critical data on the health of local waters and kelp beds.
• Annually, more the 10,000 local school children receive water quality and pollution prevention lessons through the Project SWELL, our hands-on education program.

After 10 years of successfully fighting pollution of San Diego’s waterways, San Diego Baykeeper became San Diego Coastkeeper in 2005 - a new name for a growing organization whose mission now encompasses protecting all of San Diego County’s bays, beaches, watersheds and ocean.