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Often referred to as the Academy Awards for the Ocean, the annual Peter Benchley Ocean Awards represent the foremost global honors in ocean conservation. These awards celebrate outstanding achievements that help protect our oceans, coasts, and the communities that depend on them.

Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS) is seeking applicants for its first advisory council. The council provides NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries with advice and recommendations on the management of the sanctuary.

For the last episode of 2024, we at Ocean Science Radio wanted to end things on a high note, something that could act as an inspiration

Pismo Beach/Pismú, CA — La normativa de la Administración Biden-Harris que designa el Santuario Marino Nacional del Patrimonio Chumash (CHNMS, por sus siglas en inglés) entró en vigor el sábado 30 de noviembre

Pismo Beach/Pismú, CA — The Biden-Harris Administration rule designating the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS) became effective on Saturday, November 30, the final day of Native American Heritage Month, nearly ten years since the sanctuary was first proposed at the federal level.

Biden-Harris Administration rule designating the Central Coast marine sanctuary became effective on Saturday, November 30, the final day of Native American Heritage Month, nearly 10 years since sanctuary was first proposed at the federal level

Through collective coalition action, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council showed how tribally-led organizing can lead to historic conservation and protect a culturally and ecologically treasured area

For more than 10,000 years, Native Americans have been living along California’s central coast, an area of breathtaking beauty with stunning turquoise waters rich in biodiversity. Now, in the first partnership of its kind, the area will soon be

More than 4,500 square miles of ocean will soon be protected by the federal government off the Central California coast. The Biden administration is creating a new national marine sanctuary, which will be the third largest in the U.S.

WASHINGTON – El 11 de octubre, la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) designó el Santuario Marino Nacional del Patrimonio Chumash

On October 11th, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is designating the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS).

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that NOAA is designating 4,543 square miles of coastal and offshore waters along 116 miles of California’s central coast as America’s 17th national marine sanctuary.

Today, Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) celebrated the final federal step in creating the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary taken today by the Biden-Harris Administration.

Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) delivered a keynote address at the California Natural Resources Agency’s (CNRA) 30×30 Partnership 2024 Summit. The summit brought together conservation leaders, policymakers, and advocates at CNRA’s Sacramento headquarters to highlight

See what the Northern Chumash Tribal Council was up to in the month of September!

Eyes in the Sky Look Down on Soon-to-Be Sanctuary from Santa Barbara to Cambria

The proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, along California’s Central Coast, would be the first of its kind in the U.S. to be nominated by Native peoples.

See San Luis Obispo County from the air: Ernest Houston cultural resource monitor for the Northern Chumash Tribal Council narrates as EcoFlight takes a tour 3,000 feet above lands bordering the Chumash Marine Sanctuary

Members of Congress express gratitude and appreciation for the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary in a netter to NOAA.

OCEANO, Calif. - Local Chumash tribal leaders are celebrating the long-proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary is now within just a few weeks from officially being created.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration unveiled its official plan for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary on Friday, September 6.

September 6, 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS) designation. We're in the final steps to make this vision a reality!

Biden-Harris Administration Advances Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, Reinforces Ocean Conservation Legacy

La Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA) publicó su Declaración de Impacto Ambiental Final (EIS) de la Designación del Santuario Marino Nacional de la Herencia Chumash (CHNMS).

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) releases its final Environmental Impact Statement for the Chumash Sanctuary designation.

On Thursday morning, amid discussions of various reports and rocket launches, the California Coastal Commission had reason to celebrate. The hearing marked a huge milestone in the designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, spanning thousands of miles off the coast of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

The CA Coastal Commission approved all of the potential maps for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary at its Thursday meeting.

See what's new with NCTC and the Chumash Sanctuary campaign!

On behalf of the 52 undersigned groups with ocean conservation, environmental justice, and clean energy interests, we endorse the joint position in support of a phased approach for the proposed designation

Re: Group Support for Joint Position of Northern Chumash Tribal Council and Morro Bay Offshore Wind Leaseholders on Proposed Designation of Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary

Updates from the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary campaign. NCTC's joint decision with Morro Bay Offshore Wind Leaseholders and exciting community outreach.

The Northern Chumash Tribal Council (NCTC) and Morro Bay Leaseholders announce a joint position in support of a phased approach to the designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS) by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Here's what we've been up to in the last month! Chair Walker and Chief Fred Collins are getting the Sanctuary Wavemaker award! We've been doing a ton of outreach. And even traveling across the state and country. Read more to find out

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation bestows Sanctuary Wavemaker Award to Chair Violet Sage Walker, with special recognition for her father, the late Chief Fred Collins.

The proposed sanctuary is now recognized as a renowned Mission Blue Hope Spot. Highlighting the importance of designating the sanctuary this year.

Final comment period had over 99% support form the 100,000 people who commented.

PRESS RELEASE UPDATED Statistics - January 2024 San Luis Obispo, California – Over 100,000 comments were submitted in support of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (Chumash Sanctuary), according to an independent analysis of the publicly available comments submitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The 60-day comment period, which was the […]

NOAA seeks public comment on Chumash Heritage sanctuary draft proposal, which if designated would be nation's 16th national marine sanctuary

San Luis Obispo, CA – El viernes pasado, 25 de agosto, comenzó la última oportunidad para que el público opine sobre la propuesta de Santuario Marino Nacional del Patrimonio Chumash de la costa central de California. Durante los próximos 60 días, la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA )aceptará comentarios públicos sobre el borrador del plan de gestión del santuario propuesto y Declaración de Impacto Ambiental, la cual determinará los límites finales, actividades permitidas y reglamentos generales del santuario marino.

San Luis Obispo, CA – Tomorrow begins the final opportunity for the public to weigh in on the California Central Coast’s proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. For the next 60 days, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will accept public comments on the proposed sanctuary's draft management plan and Environmental Impact Statement, which […]

A dramatic new mural depicting Chumash tribal history and the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary is brightening up a corner of San Luis Obispo County.

The vivid artwork by Chumash artist John Khus covers a large outdoor wall on the U.S. Postal Service building at 4100 Bridge St., in Cambria, near Center Street.

Travelers flock to California’s Central Coast to kayak, camp, surf, fish, walk on the beach and otherwise take advantage of the area’s rugged natural beauty. But, since time immemorial, the Chumash people have called this region home. The Central Coast encompasses numerous sacred sites, where the Chumash still go to hold ceremonies and pray.

For more than decade, members of the Chumash tribe have led a campaign to create a new marine sanctuary on the central California coast. It could include waters off Point Conception, a sacred site for the Chumash people.

Violet Sage Walker, Chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council and nominator of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, was one of only 18 members appointed to the federal Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP).

Stay tuned: We anticipate the final and defining public comment period for the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary will be coming very soon.

The date is to be determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

PRESS RELEASE AVILA BEACH/TPAXTU, Calif. — When Violet Sage Walker stares out at the calm waters butting against the shoreline of her hometown, she sees what was once the largest northern village of the Chumash people, who fished from traditional canoes in the open water, viewed sea creatures as their ancestors and believed in a […]

John Dankosky talks with Stephen Palumbi, professor of marine sciences at Stanford University and Violet Sage Walker, chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, about the importance of this region and their collaborative research project.

Off San Luis Obispo County’s coast lies an underwater ecosystem that scientists are trying to understand — by listening.

Northern Chumash Tribal Council applauds California Democrats Carbajal, Feinstein, Padilla and others as they urge the U.S. Department of Commerce to prioritize completing the designation process for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

PRESS RELEASE San Luis Obispo, CA – On the anniversary of the late Chief Fred Collins’ birthday, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council announced their inaugural distribution of the Fred Collins Environmental Warrior Student Scholarship. In honor of Chief Collins’ legacy, this scholarship will be awarded annually to a student pursuing a career in environmental and […]

Northern Chumash Tribal Council Chairwoman and Sanctuary Nominator Violet Sage Walker has the honor of presenting at the international Our Ocean 2022 conference in Palau. Her remarks will be streamed LIVE Wednesday April 13 between 6:10 pm and 7:25 pm PDT (9:10 pm - 10:25 pm EDT) on the conference website. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the specific time […]

PRESS RELEASE Los Osos, California – More than 30,000 people expressed their support for the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, according to analysis of comments submitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and posted on regulations.gov. The 83-day public comment period, part of NOAA’s scoping process for the Chumash Heritage NMS off […]

PRESS RELEASE Santa Barbara, California – Yesterday, Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to send a resolution of support for the designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS). Santa Barbara County Supervisors Das Williams; Gregg Hart and Steve Lavagnino joined Chair Bob Nelson and Vice Chair Joan Hartmann to express their […]

PRESS RELEASE Washington, DC – Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published a Notice of Intent advancing the public process to designate the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS). Violet Sage Walker, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council Chairwoman hails this announcement as a crucial first step towards President Biden’s initiative to conserve and […]

BY LEON E. PANETTA OCT. 22, 2021  Although I spent most of my career in Washington, D.C., my home and heart have always been along California’s beautiful Central Coast. Growing up along the shores of Monterey Bay inspired my lifelong commitment to promoting responsible stewardship of our oceans. California’s ocean has been integral to its culture […]

Sierra Club has reprinted the recent Real Clear Policy op-ed by Violet Sage Walker, traditional vice-chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribe, in their latest newsletter and it would be great if folks could lift it up!  In the op-ed Violet describes the opportunity for the Biden Administration to designate the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary […]

When and where we dive with Nautilus has been a moving target this past week with equipment failures and bad weather conditions (wind and swell). We’ve be hiding in the lee of Channel Islands and just completed two dives over the past two days. A week sooner than anticipated – we all rallied and Lizzie […]

Carbajal, Feinstein Applaud NOAA Decision to Keep Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary on Nomination List Washington, D.C. – Congressman Salud Carbajal and Senator Feinstein applauded National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on their recent decision to keep the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary on the nomination list for designation as a marine sanctuary. “Marine sanctuaries play an essential […]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has completed our five-year review of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary nomination and determined that this nomination continues to meet the 11 sanctuary nomination process criteria. The nomination will remain on the inventory of areas NOAA may consider in the future for national […]

Last Chance: Public Comments Closing June 15th!  The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is requesting written comments to facilitate ONMS review of the nomination for Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS). NOAA will also assess the level of community-based support for the nomination from a broad range of […]

Dear Mr. Douros, During these unprecedented times, the California Natural Resources Agency remains committed to protecting the state’s ocean and marine environment, economy, and historical and cultural artifacts. With this letter, I submit for the record my enthusiastic support to renew the nomination for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary(CHNMS). With changing ocean conditions associated […]

It’s time to speak out for the ocean – you can make a difference Being near the ocean is unlike other places—it has a magical quality that allows people and families the opportunity to create unforgettable memories. We celebrate our spiritual blessing ceremonies, community gatherings, holidays, weddings, births and memorials to life here. We want […]

Indigenous Peoples have a unique perspective. When incorporated with science, our perspectives highlight Grandmother Ocean’s life and connectivity in a living matrix of thrivability. The connectivity of life in Grandmother Ocean needs our assistance in understanding ways to support the life force of our Grandmother Ocean, in these times. This is an opportunity, for all […]

On May 4, 2020, NOAA published a Federal Register notice to solicit public comments on Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary nomination and its consideration to remain on the inventory of successful nominations for an additional 5 years. NOAA will assess whether conditions that warranted its inclusion in the inventory of nominated sites still apply, including the […]

The Northern Chumash Tribal Council (NCTC) and the Indigenous Communities around the world are working to provide solutions to assist Grandmother Oceans in the ever expanding troubling challenges that we face today. NCTC would like to thank you (Mr. Douros) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for giving us the indigenous community the […]

Washington — Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today called on Commerce Secretary Ross to accelerate the designation of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary in an effort to combat rising carbon levels in the oceans. “California’s waters are rising in acidity at twice the global average, threatening marine life and contributing to a growing number […]