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Celebrate Underwater Parks Day with a tour of Santa Barbara’s new protected waters!
On January 21st, Santa Barbarans will join ocean lovers across the state to celebrate California’s third annual Underwater Parks Day. Santa Barbara Channelkeeper is organizing a celebratory guided kayak tour led by Santa Barbara Adventure Company of the Campus Point State Marine Conservation Area, one of the newest MPAs protected on January 1st through the Marine Life Protection Act. Participants will enjoy the scenic coastline, kelp forests and protected wildlife before heading back to Goleta Beach for a post paddle party with food and refreshments.
WHO: The paddle tour is organized by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and will be led by Santa Barbara Adventure Company.
WHAT: A guided kayak tour of Santa Barbara’s new ocean protections.
WHERE: Campus Point State Marine Conservation Area. Tour will start and end at the west end of Goleta Beach (click here for map).
WHEN: Saturday, January 21st 10 am – 2 pm. Weather permitting.
WHY: Underwater Parks Day is an opportunity to recognize the special parts of California’s coast and ocean that are safeguarded as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). On January 1st, southern California became home to a network of MPAs extending from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border, connecting with what will be a statewide system once planning is completed for the far north coast next year (click here for a full map of south coast MPAs). These underwater parks, approved by the Fish and Game Commission last December, are designed to improve overall ocean health by protecting the fish nurseries that help to seed adjacent waters.
COST: Channelkeeper and Santa Barbara Adventure Company are subsidizing this event and asking for a $50 per person donation, which includes kayaks, all necessary gear, the tour and the post party. Alternatively, if you have your own gear they are asking for a $25 donation to cover the guide and party. Please RSVP by emailing michael@sbck.org or calling 805.563.3377 ext. 2.
For more information, visit www.sbck.org.
Photo credit: Travis S./Creative Commons