May 2024 E-Letter

Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Commends Heal the Ocean's Founding Director
Hillary Hauser Named the 2024 Environmental Hero by the Environmental Defense Center (EDC)
Heal the Ocean as the Main Non-profit Sponsor for 2024 Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival – June 7 & 8
Earth Day Extends Beyond April
Don’t Miss Our Upcoming Events

A Tribute to 26 Years of
Environmental Leadership

**From left to right: Heather Hudson, Charles Vinick, Supervisor Laura Capps, Hillary Hauser, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Jonathan Wygant, Carol Behar. Back row: Thomas Dabney. (Photo by Gale Osherenko)**

Hillary Hauser, Executive Director of Heal the Ocean, received a laudatory Resolution from the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday morning, May 7, amid enthusiastic applause from the Board and the audience, honoring her 26 years of work as the founder of Heal the Ocean. The Resolution was prompted by the news of Hillary’s retirement, and some of the language in the Resolution was drawn from her book "Dancing on Waves," which highlights her enduring love for the sea. The inclusion of this language was inspired by Supervisor Laura Capps, who initiated the County's recognition of Heal the Ocean for its work, with additional spoken acknowledgments from Das Williams, First District Supervisor, and Bob Nelson, Fourth District Supervisor. Hillary reminisced that when HTO began, she had "no idea what a 501c3 was, or what it was for," but HTO has since raised millions for the upgrade of wastewater treatment plants, collaborated with the Carpinteria Sanitary District on the 15-year Rincon septic-to-sewer project, and undertaken many other infrastructure projects and important research for the city, county, and state.

Accompanying Hillary in the Board of Supervisors presentation were HTO Directors Jean-Michel Cousteau and Charles Vinick, who, as managers of both the Cousteau Society and the Ocean Futures Society, established the 501c3 status for Heal the Ocean to initiate the organization in August 1988. Also present in the hearing room were HTO Board members Heather Hudson, Thomas Dabney, Jonathan Wygant, as well as HTO staff members Jasmin Tupy and Noah Boland.

Hillary states that she is remaining with Heal the Ocean "as an oarsman," providing mentoring, writing, and liaison with HTO's large, active donor base. "The work is never over," Hillary remarks, "and my job now is to provide a strong oar and ensure that the HTO ship remains big, strong, and mighty as it sails forward."

To watch a complete recap video of the event, click here.

Hillary Hauser named the 2024 Environmental Hero by the Environmental Defense Center (EDC)

Environmental Defense Center has named Hillary Hauser the 2024 Environmental Hero, a prestigious recognition that will be celebrated at EDC’s ever-popular Green & Blue Celebration on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at La Patera Stow House. Learn more here.

Heal the Ocean Is Main Non-profit Sponsor for 2024 Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival

**For tickets, showtimes, and more information** **CLICK HERE**!

As the lead non-profit sponsor of the Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival, June 7-8, 2024, Heal the Ocean invites you to the historic Lobero Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara, CA. Don't miss out on the fantastic films and the outdoor Block Party!

Join Heal the Ocean for the Environmental Program & Panel on Saturday June 8 from 12pm-1pm. We will showcase a short film about the history of Heal the Ocean, and Executive Director Hillary Hauser will participate in a Q&A panel alongside other local non-profits such as Surfrider Santa Barbara Chapter, the Nature Conservancy, and Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI).

Additionally, the festival is seeking volunteers to assist during the event. Volunteers will receive a complimentary pass to access the films and Block Party. Learn more here.

Earth Month Extends Beyond April!

**EF International School Beach Cleanup Event. (Photo by Jasmin Tupy)**

In honor of Earth Month, HTO collaborated with EF International School, a renowned school where students from around the world come to learn the English language and culture. First, HTO gave an education presentation on campus about the dangers of ocean pollution and outlined prevention strategies. During the following week, over 130 studentsparticipated in a beach cleanup near Stearns Wharf, resulting in the removal of a total of 270 pounds and 600 pieces of trash.

Adding to this trash removal program, HTO put Andrew Velikanje to work too. Andrew, the founder of Earthcomb, has been diligently working to maintain the cleanliness all over Santa Barbara county. In April alone, he removed 1,815 pounds of trash from environmentally sensitive areas. To name a few: Goleta Beach, 275 lbs; Hendry’s Beach, 35 lbs; Cabrillo Parking Lots, 295 lbs; Isla Vista, 615 lbs; Deckers Wetland, 220 lbs; 7129 Hollister Open Space (Wetland) Camp Removal, 375 lbs.

Join Us for Our Upcoming Events!

Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming summer events:

Beach Cleanup & Mingle Event

June 12, Wednesday | 9am-11am
Start your day off right with a beach cleanup! Sharkeez, a popular State Street restaurant, will provide platters of great food, and Heal the Ocean will supply all cleanup materials. Location: West Beach. Call office for details.

HTO x Baja Sharkeez Fundraiser: “Summer Kickoff for the Ocean”

June 21, Friday | 6-9pm | Location: Sharkeez 525 State St
Join HTO for a fundraiser party at Baja Sharkeez on State Street! Sharkeez will donate $3 per person who attends for HTO. Each attendee will receive a buy one, get one for 25 cents drink deal. There will be food platters, great DJing by Jack Roy, and a raffle where all proceeds will benefit HTO’s Programs.

From all of us at HTO to all of you, thank you. Please stay safe.