 We would like to take a moment to honor Betty Lopez-Richardson, a long-time SDOF volunteer, for her invaluable support of our oceans. Betty is a San Diego native who is committed to bettering our oceans in any way possible! Dedicating her precious time to raise and release white seabass, complete underwater surveys to increase our understanding of marine species, help educate local youth about our waters, monitor our urban canyons for sewage spills and increase awareness about our connections to the sea through storm drain stenciling and other outreach activities, Betty has certainly gone above and beyond the average duties of a volunteer.
“I have had a passion for the ocean ever since I was a child. Whether swimming, snorkeling, fishing, surfing, diving or boogie boarding, I was always surrounded by it. My first experience volunteering to help protect it was with SDOF, at the white sea bass pens in Mission Bay. It was a gorgeous day in the harbor and the fish were just about ready to be released. I can’t even begin to describe how excited I was to help set them free! As summer came around, I decided to help out with the ‘Ocean in Motion’ snorkeling program (which, by the way, is the best experience you could possibly have). Watching the kids’ faces light up when they see marine life for the first time is just amazing! When I started participating in marine science education, it made me see that I needed to learn more about the species common to San Diego’s coasts…so I enrolled SDOF’s free identification classes. Doing so encouraged me to become a certified SCUBA diver (which soon helped me in completing underwater surveys with the Reef Monitoring Project). It’s so neat to be able to dive down and identify almost every species you come across! Once I realized that I had volunteered for three of the five major programs at SDOF, I decided to go ahead and contribute through the last two. I live near San Clemente Canyon and enjoy going on nature walks with my family, so why not check a few manholes or stencil a couple of storm drains in the process?
Throughout the past couple years, I’ve also helped out at several outreach events like Balboa’s ‘Earth Fair’ and the ‘Underwater Parks Festival’. I enjoy promoting the San Diego Ocean Foundation and talking to people in the community about all of the wonderful things they can do to help. I appreciate SDOF’s mission, have definitely learned more about marine life through them and am very thankful for all of the programs that they have offer. I just can’t volunteer enough!”
As a token of our appreciation for all of her hard work and dedication, SDOF would like to present Betty Lopez-Richardson with two tickets to SeaWorld San Diego, where she can continue to appreciate that all our oceans have to offer!
23rd Annual Whale of a Sea-Labration
 Whale Watch Weekend and Intertidal Life Festival
Cabrillo National Monument
Saturday, February 6th
10AM – 5PM
Every year, in celebration of the return of the Pacific gray whales to Point Loma (as part of their annual, roundtrip migration), Cabrillo National Monument holds an exciting festival. This family-orientated event, which started in 1988 as ‘Whale Watch Weekend’, incorporates awareness, exploration and education about the intertidal life found in their protected tidepools. Docents will be available to provide information about a variety of marine life.
In an effort to help provide fun, exciting, and dynamic educational experiences for our community, the San Diego Oceans Foundation will be in attendance. We will be showcasing some of our Ocean In Motion: Marine Science Education specimens and other information about what you can do to help.
We’d love to see you there, share a wonderful experience with intertidal life and celebrate the world’s most amazing migration together! For more information, please contact cheryl@sdoceans.org.
 AquaTalk - Sustainability and San Diego
The Abbey (2825 Fifth Ave. San Diego, CA 92103)
Wednesday, February 24th
6:30PM – 8PM
Hornblower’s daily Harbor & Ocean cruise operations embrace the Port of San Diego’s “above and beyond” compliance with regards to environmental stewardship. Jim Unger, Vice President of Hornblower San Diego, will discuss the company’s dedication to maintaining healthy oceans (e.g. an early conversion to clean Tier 2 engines, cold ironing shore power for docked vessels and the use of shore side electric service vehicles). Hornblower is promoting sustainability by playing a leadership role in the conversion to non-copper bottom paints as well as in cutting edge development, like that of hybrid-powered boat technology. Hornblower has also formed partnerships with other stewards of the environment, such as The San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego Oceans Foundation, and Cabrillo National Monument Foundation and works diligently, every day, to improve its performance in favor of our marine environment and our community.
RSVP to cheryl@sdoceans.org to learn how successful business practices and environmental consciousness can co-exist!
The Ocean In Motion: Marine Science Education Program
Would you like your child(ren) to learn about all of the amazing things our waters have to offer? SDOF’s mobile marine science program brings interactive lectures, hands-on activities and live animal labs to San Diego County schools and afterschool programs all year long! If you know of a classroom (or group of students) who would benefit from a little marine science and conservation, let us know! We’ve got three topics to choose from, serve all grade levels (K-12), and would love to have our experienced educators come in and help inspire your students!
For more information or to book one of our educational programs, contact cheryl@sdoceans.org. The calendar is filling as we speak!
White Seabass Restoration Project Update
We do not have fish at this time, as we released our last batch in November (and do not keep white seabass through the winter). We do, however, expect to welcome another batch into our San Diego Bay facility in April and will resume conducting volunteer orientations at that time. Our Mission Bay facility will continue to be held open for potential broodstock fish that are caught and will be sent to Hubbs-SeaWorld’s hatchery in Carlsbad.
If you’d like to get involved before April, please check out our website at www.sdoceans.org for information about our other volunteering opportunities.
Volunteer
Opportunities
For more information about the programs below,
check out our Online Calendar.
To RSVP for any of these awesome activities, email us at volunteer@sdoceans.org.
 Reef Monitoring Project
Join us for a FREE identification class and check out the marine diversity that tourists travel from miles around to see! Our knowledgeable instructor will cover the most commonly seen creatures on our coast and share with you some of his experiences while diving around these intriguing animals.
Once you’ve completed this course, you’ll be ready to get out, complete underwater surveys and provide valuable information to be used by fisheries management agencies, non-profit groups and the public in general. Just imagine…by becoming a volunteer with the Reef Monitoring Project, you could even be helping with the management of MPA’s!
Invertebrate/Algal Identification Course
Thursday, February 11th
6PM – 9PM
To RSVP and learn how to identify most everything in San Diego’s waters, email us at volunteer@sdoceans.org! All classes held at Ocean Enterprises (7710 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92121).
 Canyon Watch
Want to volunteer for the Canyon Watch Program, but don't know where to start? SDOF hosts monthly Canyon Watch hikes to introduce new volunteers to the program and build a camaraderie among current volunteers!
Juniper Canyon
Sunday, February 21st
8:30AM – 10AM
Note: This event is currently at capacity and we are no longer accepting RSVP’s. If you’d still like to volunteer, please check out our online ‘Calendar of Events’ for future group hikes, or simply review the information on our website and go out on your own. Doing so, will help protect fragile ecosystems and prevent the spread of pollution into our local waterways...and eventually the ocean!
 Storm Drain Stenciling
Raising awareness about our connection to the ocean is never easier than when it’s with a group! Join us as we get together to stencil an entire area with our pollution prevention message - reminding people that motor oil, detergents, fertilizers, food wrappers and cigarette butts belong in trash cans and recycling centers…and not our streets! Urban runoff has proven to be the largest contributor to marine pollution worldwide…but together, we have the power to change that! Participate in SDOF’s Storm Drain Stenciling program and become part of the solution.
Normal Heights (email for details)
Sunday, February 21st
11AM – 1PM
Note: This event is currently at capacity and we are no longer taking RSVP’s. If you’d still like to volunteer, please check out our online ‘Calendar of Events’ for future stenciling days, or simply contact volunteer@sdoceans.org, to set up an appointment to check out a kit and go out on your own!
Simple Ways To Support SDOF
Become an SDOF Member
SDOF relies on the generosity of the community to help support our programs. Become an SDOF member and help promote ocean stewardship!
Check with your Employer for a Matching Contributions Program
When you donate to SDOF, let your company know! They may have an Employee Matching program that could double your donation and maximize your impact.
 Adopt a White Seasbass
SDOF recently launched our 'Adopt a White Seabass' program! One of the most popular volunteer opportunities with SDOF is our White Seabass Restoration Project. Annually, volunteers help raise and release thousands of fish that live in our pens. Now is your chance to adopt one of these special little critters.
For only $5, you can adopt a white seabass, name it, and help ensure it succeed in the wild! Now you can adopt fish and give them to your friends and family - and help raise awareness about our program.
Click here to visit our ONLINE ADOPTION CENTER
Specimens for our Ocean In Motion Marine Science Education Program
As we kick off our school program again this year, we’ll be looking for even more ways to get local students excited about marine science! If you happen to have any sort of specimens (e.g. shark skin & egg casings, crustacean molts, preserved fish/invertebrates, baleen, bones), we’d love to incorporate them into our program.
Shop at Ralph's Grocery Store with your Ralph's Rewards Club Card for SDOF
 Earn money for SDOF when you use your Ralphs Rewards Card. It's simple to setup and each swipe helps to support our programs!
Click here to setup your Ralph's Rewards Club Card to benefit SDOF
Search the Internet Using GoodSearch.Com
 If you set your default search browser to GoodSearch.com and select the San Diego Oceans Foundation as your charity of choice, we will receive a penny for every click! Some nonprofits make over $5,000 a year. It is simple to use and helps support our programs.
Click here to start using GoodSearch.Com!
Looking to Sell Something on eBay?
 You can sell anything you would like on eBay and a portion of your choice will be donated to support the San Diego Oceans Foundation!
Click here to find out more information!
Donations
Office Supplies
Desktop Printer
Organizing Supplies (tubs, bins, drawers)
Software & Hardware
Miscellaneous
Dock Cart(s)
Misc. SCUBA gear
Red Rash Guards
Submersible, temporary holding unit for marine life
Portable PA System
Docu-Cam
Projection Screen
Tool Kit
Music Stand
Digital Photo Frames
Any donated goods that can be auctioned off at an SDOF fundraiser
Services
Maintenance/Construction Expert/Professional
Attorney, Nonprofit focus
Professional Organizer
Flash/Web Designer
Printing Services
Party Rental Services
Any donated service that can be auctioned off at an SDOF fundraiser
Contact us at sdoceans@sdoceans.org if you are able to help with any of these items! All donations will be put to good use and are tax deductible.
Career Opportunities
Office Manager
Internships Available
To apply, please send a completed Internship Application and resume to volunteer@sdoceans.org.
|
