Summer 2024 Chumash Sanctuary Campaign Update

You might be wondering: What stage is the Chumash Sanctuary at?

Good news! The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has prepared the final Chumash Sanctuary documents. The documents are now moving through the final stages, including inter-agency review, congressional review, and a review by the Governor of California.

We received an exciting announcement last week! The California Coastal Commission (CCC) is reviewing NOAA’s Consistency Determination for the Chumash Sanctuary designation. This is a pivotal time for the CCC to determine if the Chumash Sanctuary designation aligns with the California Coastal Management Program. We are excited to support the staff report and are asking the CCC to adopt the staff recommendation. This is an important milestone in the progress of the CHNMS campaign. We are continuously advocating for an early fall 2024 designation and are glad to see the process is underway! Learn more about NOAA’s designation process here.

Designation is urgent. NOAA’s target: release the final designation decision by early fall 2024. This is an ambitious deadline that we MUST hold the Biden-Harris Administration accountable to.

How can you help?

Your voice still matters! Here’s how you can make it count:

1. Spread the Word: Invite your friends to sign up for our email list
2. Stay Tuned: Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok
3. Amplify: re-post us on social media or forward our emails
4. Join In: Sign up to volunteer at weekly farmers market outreach
5. Help Out: Donate to make our work possible

What have we been up to? Check it out...
Capitol Hill Ocean Week

The first week of June, Chairwoman Violet Sage Walker traveled to Washington, DC for Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW) to be recognized as the 2024 Sanctuary Wavemaker Award recipient by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (NMSF). This honor was presented to Chairwoman Walker by Congressman Salud Carbajal, NMSF President and CEO Joel Johnson, and Environmental Biologist & TV Host Jeff Corwin. The award presentation was made with special recognition for the late Chief Fred Collins, original nominator of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

Left to Right: Jeff Corwin, Congressman Salud Carbajal, Chairwoman Violet Sage Walker, & Joel Johnson. Photo by Shmulik Almany (NMSF)

Chairwoman Walker was also honored to be part of a CHOW plenary session titled “The Path Forward for Responsible Offshore Energy”. Panel members discussed the responsible development of new renewable energy infrastructure to ensure a thriving future for all!

Left to right: D. Noelani Kalipi, moderator; Liz Klein, BOEM; Jennifer Flood, Ocean Winds North America; Chairwoman Violet Sage Walker; Joris Veldhoven, Atlantic Shores; Dr. Letise LaFeir, Ph.D., New England Aquarium; Joel Johnson, NMSF

Summer Solstice Celebration

The Northern Chumash Tribal Council (NCTC) hosted a Summer Solstice Celebration mid June to recognize one of the most significant season markers of the year. Chairwoman Violet Sage Walker received two awards during the event for her advocacy of the CHNMS campaign: A certificate of congressional recognition from Congressman Salud Carbajal as a 2024 Women of the Year recipient and a Certificate of Recognition from the Office of Assemblymember Gregg Hart.

Left to Right: Chairwoman Violet Sage Walker, Congressman Salud Carbajal, & Coastal Bearer Aleqwel Mendoza. Photo by Toni Haigh

Out in the Community:

Chumash Heritage and Marine Science Summer Camp! July 29th - August 2nd

NCTC partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of South SLO County for its 2nd annual week-long summer camp. Aimed at igniting a passion for Indigenous culture and marine science among local youth, the camp offered fun, safe, and engaging activities centered around the rich heritage of the Chumash people. Led by Chumash Elder and CHNMS Advisor Michael Khus-zarate, campers took part in field trips to Avila Beach and the Coastal Discovery Center at San Simeon Bay.

Chumash guest speaker Mia Lopez demonstrates traditional cordage weaving and abalone necklace making to campers.

Chumash Sanctuary Outreach

Our Chumash Sanctuary public outreach team is at Avila Beach farmers markets weekly, engaging with the community about the proposed CHNMS. Thank you to the volunteers and staff who continue to make this possible. Come chat with us from 4-8!

Chumash Sanctuary booth at Avila farmers market!

Thank you for supporting the protection of Grandmother Ocean and our marine ecosystems on the Central Coast!

Aho,

Chumash Heritage Sanctuary advocacy team
https://www.chumashheritagesanctuary.org/