Being part of the World Oceans Day 2023 festival was an absolute honor. The Santa Barbara Natural History Museum’s Sea Center welcomed Channel Islands Restoration and other community partners to make a splash and a successful event. From the moment we set up our booth, there was a sea of smiling faces eager to engage with our activities.

The Channel Islands Restoration booth featured a magnificent species wheel that captivated visitors of all ages. People spun the wheel with anticipation, eager to learn about the remarkable diversity of species found in Santa Barbara. The enthusiasm and curiosity sparked by the displays were truly incredible. Our team also took the opportunity to educate visitors about the importance of the islands and how individuals can contribute to better stewardship of the shared ocean.

The presence of Channel Islands Restoration at the festival left a lasting impact on both the individuals attending and the organizations present. It served as a testament to the unity within Santa Barbara, as diverse groups came together with a shared commitment to caring for and respecting the oceans. The influence they had was immeasurable.

We were joined by several of our other local partners including Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary (Naturalist Corps), Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, UCSB Caselle Lab, Santa Barbara Landing, Chumash Indian Museum, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Lil’ Toot, and Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara.

We were so excited to have this opportunity to demonstrate to our community how effective and fun it can be to unite around the shared goal of good marine stewardship and increased respect for our oceans!

Throughout World Oceans Day, the Channel Islands Restoration team served a total of 1544 guests. The ripples we created, both above and below the water's surface, are undoubtedly far-reaching and will continue to make a difference.

Once again, thank you to the Sea Center for letting us join in this partnership. We are hopeful for future collaborations, as together we strive to protect and preserve the magnificent oceans, islands, and mainland.

A photo of the wheel of species at World Oceans Day. This event was hosted outside the SB Sea Center.