 We would like to take a moment to pay tribute to Kristin Kuhn, a former SDOF Intern, for her incredible and continuous support! Kristin started volunteering with SDOF a few summers ago, played an instrumental role in organizing our 2008 underwater cleanup as part of California Coastal Cleanup Day, used her artistic talents to improve our Ocean In Motion: Marine Science Education Program and was our first official ‘Pollution Prevention’ intern, helping to drastically enhance both our Canyon Watch and Storm Drain Stenciling programs. Her outstanding commitment and exceptional contributions have raised the bar set for all interns here at SDOF. Thank you Kristin, for all that you’ve done!
“A year and a half ago, I was a college student at UCSD, sitting in front of my computer looking for local volunteer work to fill the gaps in my schedule. As a devoted student of political science, I cannot tell you why a position for a “White Seabass Caretaker” caught my eye. I had never heard of the San Diego Oceans Foundation before, another mystery, considering its rich history in my city. After a short orientation, which involved flinging smelly bits of specially-formulated fish food at thousands of waiting juvenile Atractoscion nobilis, I was informed of an opening for a full-fledged internship and readily decided to apply. My short year with SDOF was as varied as it was enriching. I found myself doing everything from tugging wetsuits onto youngsters ready for a snorkeling adventure to helping SDOF volunteers pull hundreds of pounds of trash out of our bay. One day I would be cleaning nets, the next taking GPS coordinates in an urban canyon, and the later looking over logos at the office. My internship was an eye-opening and even chaotic experience at times, but one thing remained constant. Throughout my time at SDOF, I remained humbled by and in awe of the dedication this organization has to protecting and improving the natural resources that belong to all of us. Next August, I am due to leave for the Philippines for a position in coastal resources management through the Peace Corps. It was my experience with SDOF that help me clinch the nomination, and for that, I owe them much more than I can say.” - Kristin Kuhn
As a token of our appreciation for all of her hard work and dedication, SDOF would like to present Kristin with two tickets to the Mingei International Museum, where she can enjoy a day filled with art and culture before her next big journey!
 Walk the Watershed - Community and Conservation!
Swan Canyon
Saturday, March 20th
10 AM - 2 PM
Starting Location:
Monroe Clark Middle School
4388 Thorn Street
San Diego, CA 92105
‘Walk the Watershed’ is a fun, interactive, community event that takes you through Swan Canyon. The walk begins at Monroe Clark Middle School and ends with a celebration (with food and music) at Hamilton Elementary. Don’t forget your camera for the photo scavenger hunt. SDOF staff be there with our outreach booth, marine science specimens and exciting ways for community members just like you to get continue your involvement!
For more information, contact cheryl@sdoceans.org. We'd love to see you there!
AquaTalk - White Seabass Hatchery Tour
Ever wonder what happens before our white seabass call San Diego Bay home? Well, this is your perfect chance!
 Leon Raymond Hubbard, J. Marine Fish Hatchery, Carlsbad
Wednesday, March 31st
6:30 PM – 8 PM
Join us as we take a tour of the highly regarded Leon Raymond Hubbard, Jr. Marine Fish Hatchery. This facility, capable of producing over 350,000 juvenile white seabass annually, is the source of SDOF’s White Seabass Restoration Program. During our tour, a representative of Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute will show us just how this species of fish is cared for - from the collection of tiny eggs to the feeding of their 4-ft parents. This hatchery is a part of the Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program (OREHP), which attempts to restore local populations through innovative aquaculture and scientific research.
Space is limited, so RSVP today to cheryl@sdoceans.org!
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. We’ve only got a few months left before summer!
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.
If you’d like to get involved with us before April, please check out our online ‘Calendar of Events’ to see what we’ve got going on this month.
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 future MPA’s!
Fish Identification Course
Thursday, March 11th
6 PM - 8:30 PM (Level 2 - Beginner)
8:35 PM - 10 PM (Level 3 - 15 surveys required)
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 Group/Orientation Hikes to introduce new volunteers to the program and build camaraderie among current volunteers!
Shepherd Canyon
Saturday, March 13th
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, let us know if you have any questions about volunteer responsibilities 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.
Kearny Mesa (email for details)
Saturday, March 13th
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 stencil YOUR neighborhood!
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 $25 (includes a Seahare membership), 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 GoodShop
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 GoodShop.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)
SCUBA gear
Red Rash Guards
Submersible, temporary holding unit for marine life
Portable PA System
Docu-Cam
Vacuum
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
Facebook Application Developer
Graphic Designer
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
Internships Available
To apply, please send a completed Internship Application and resume to volunteer@sdoceans.org.
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Aloha San Diego!
