Conservation > Kindred Spirits
"A personal thanks for all you do. You go the extra mile (and expense often) with the goal of making the planet a better place. There needs to be more like you." Dawn Hayes/Education and Outreach Coordinator
NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Friends of Sanctuary Cruises are indeed friends of the ocean, the sanctuary and sea life. They are also friends of animals that add so much to our lives, such as dogs and cats. They work to protect this fragile world and can use your help. Check out these links for more information:
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary: The Sanctuary plays a major role in our lives on these waters and now we can play a major role in its life as the Management Plan Review gets underway. Take some time cruising the web site and let us know how you think the sanctuary can best be protected while also allowing careful use of its many wonderful assets.
Save Our Shores: This great group of concerned, involved people works on multiple levels to improve water quality, defend the Bay from bad practices and foster stewardship. They have managed to install oily waste water pumpout stations in Monterey and Moss Landing harbors and are still working on one for Santa Cruz. Ever since we started Sanctuary Cruises, we have offered free trips for Save Our Shores employees and volunteers plus fund-raising cruises for them. These folks walk the docks, educating boaters about water quality. Some of them spread the word by kayak, so if you're a paddler, you might consider joining them!
Monterey Bay Aquarium: We get a lot of emails and phone calls asking, "Is it really worth it to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, or should we do something else?" We tell them there are two things they have to do while on the central coast. Go whale watching with us and go to the Aquarium. This is a perfect combination. You get to see what's out on the Monterey Bay with us and experience it in a thrilling, larger than life manner. Then you go to the Aquarium and learn how all of the intricate pieces that comprise this fantastic body of water fit together.
Bay Net: When you walk along the waterfront of Monterey, Pacific Grove and Santa Cruz, you'll often see Bay Net volunteers in blue jackets. They have spotting scopes and are there to interpret the many things you'll see. This is another group we sponsor with fundraising cruises. New graduates of the training session are treated to a free cruise, because we think people who help make the world a little better deserve to go out and see the creatures that benefit from their hard work.
Save the Whales: Founded in 1977 when Maris Sidenstecker was 14 years old, Save the Whales focuses on educating the public, especially children, about marine mammals and the fragile ocean environment. Save the Whales believes children, the future of the planet, need to be empowered and know that their actions can promote change. Education is the key to saving whales, oceans and ourselves.
Not in our part of the world? Check out Whale Watching in Ireland if you're in that neck of the woods.
Animal Friends Rescue Project: These folks in nearby Pacific Grove rescue animals, neuter them if they haven't already been neutered, nurse them back to health if needed and find them loving homes. They have saved animals most would have put down, especially those that have been abused. They seem incapable of taking "No" for an answer. They can use financial support as well as help placing pets. Look at their list of animals available for adoption and see if you don't find a fit.
