Beyond our expeditions and whale watch cruises, Oceanic Society offers a variety of free events for our community members such as beach cleanups, nature outings, presentations, virtual expeditions, and more. We hope to provide fun and educational opportunities to connect with the ocean and meet with fellow ocean lovers, but we also aim to have a positive impact on our community and, ultimately, on ocean health. Each event is built around a unique, educational ocean or coastal experience and aims to help participants connect with fellow ocean lovers, find ways to take action for ocean health, and stay inspired to live an ocean-friendly lifestyle.
Naturalist Roger Harris speaks with community members at Great Beach, during an Abbotts Lagoon hike at Point Reyes. © Chris Biertuempfel
Why Community Events?
At Oceanic Society, we recognize that all the problems our oceans face share a common cause: human behavior. Our lifestyle choices—from the seafood we eat to the plastic packaging we use and the ways we consume energy—as well as the businesses and politicians we choose to support, impact ocean health.
Research shows that a majority of people care about the health of the oceans and want to live more sustainably. However, there is often a gap between our intentions and what we actually do. Oceanic Society works to bridge that gap by helping people live in ways that contribute to healthier oceans.
Through our groundbreaking work to integrate the science of behavior change into our travel and outreach programs, we have learned about the vital importance of community and social identity in supporting behavior change. People are more likely to participate in ocean-friendly behavior when they feel that they are part of a community that is taking similar action.
“People are more likely to participate in ocean-friendly behavior when they feel that they are part of a community that is taking similar action.”
Our community events aim to help our travelers and online community members to be part of a global movement of people dedicated to ocean health, to nurture their shared love for the ocean, and to learn about ways to support healthier oceans every day.
Check out highlights from some of our most recent events below.
July 2021 Oceanic Society Community Event Highlights
The following free events were hosted by Oceanic Society for our past travelers and online community members in the San Francisco Bay Area in July 2021. In the future, we will be expanding these offerings in the U.S. and internationally. Join our community to be notified about future events and to help us bring them to your area.
Post 4th of July Beach Cleanup At Ocean Beach, San Francisco
On July 6th, a team of seven Oceanic Society community members met at Ocean Beach in San Francisco for a post-Fourth of July beach cleanup. Understanding that holiday weekends often result in significantly more beach pollution, the group sought to get “ahead of the tide” and tackle leftover remains from Fourth of July barbecues, picnics, and festivities. Around 150 lbs of trash were collected, including plenty of fireworks debris and cans and bottles from weekend celebrations. More surprisingly, the haul included a mattress and bedspread as well as an 18”x18” fireworks crate.
In addition to this event, one community member chose to host her own cleanup on the same weekend. Jill McIntire spent over three hours collecting five large bags of trash in Berkeley Hills along Grizzly Peak Blvd.
Participants collected around 150 lbs of trash during a post Fourth of July beach cleanup. © Izzy Szczepaniak
Oceanic Society community member Jill McIntire led her own clean up in her neighborhood, collecting 5 large bags of trash. © Jill McIntire
Abbotts Lagoon Hikes At Point Reyes National Seashore
On both July 10th and July 18th, Oceanic Society groups met north of San Francisco at Point Reyes National Seashore for a nearly 3-mile guided hike around Abbotts Lagoon, led by naturalist Roger Harris and California Programs manager Chris Biertuempfel. Abbotts Lagoon is part of the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, and the groups took the opportunity to discuss habitat preservation, a theme that we also discuss on our whale watch trips to the Farallon Islands.
Participants explore Abbotts Lagoon during one of our guided community hikes. © Chris Biertuempfel
Participants also reflected on the power of concerned citizens when advocating for natural zones. In fact, today the nearby headlands could have seen significant development if individuals and conservation groups didn’t call for and demand protection. During the hike the group enjoyed excellent bird sightings including Red-tailed Hawks, California Quails, Great Blue Herons, and more, while also enjoying the beautiful scenic view that Point Reyes Seashore has to offer.
Community members walk along the beach at Great Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore. © Chris Biertuempfel
Help Us Plan Future Community Events
Help Oceanic Society plan future free community events by completing the form below. Thanks for your support!
Suggest a Future Community Event
