The California Coastal Commission invites the public to submit personal stories of coastal stewardship in celebration of the 25^th anniversary of California Coastal Cleanup Day, in conjunction with our Coastal Stewardship Pledge. If you have taken part in something (small or large) to care for our coast and ocean, please share your story and/or pictures in order to inspire others to take action in their daily lives. Your stories may be posted on the Coastal Commission website!

 Submit your coastal stewardship story by July 1st for the chance to win a "Coast-Lover's Prize Package" (a framed Coastal Cleanup Day poster – either current or from our archives, a 2009 Coastal Cleanup Day T-Shirt, and several other surprises...). Make your submission by email to coast4u@coastal.ca.gov (please keep any photos to under 500 Kb in jpg format) or by postal mail to:

Coastal Steward Stories, California Coastal Commission, 45 Fremont Street, Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94105

Be sure to include your phone number, mailing address, and email (if available) in order to be eligible for the contest. Submissions will be posted on the California Coastal Commission’s website (at CCC discretion) at www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/steward/stories.html.  A winner will be chosen by random drawing. The public will be invited to post comments on the stories once they are on the website.

For ideas on how to be a Coastal Steward, check out the Coastal Stewardship Pledge at www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/steward/pledge_form.html (or click on the link at www.coastforyou.org). 

Happy Earth Day! Thank you for making a difference for our coast and ocean!

We are now accepting entries for our California Coastal Art & Poetry Contest for K - 12th graders.  Entries must be postmarked by January 31, 2009.  An entry form, guidelines, and examples of past winners and honorable mentions can be found HERE.  The main thing to remember is to stick to a California coastal or marine theme.  It just kills us to disregard the beautiful entries of clown fish or penguins!  Winners will be selected in art and in poetry in four different grade categories (eight winners total).  Winners receive a $100 gift certificate from an art supply store (art winners) or from a book store (poetry winners).  We look forward to seeing your amazing entries!!

some of you may have seen the horrible pictures of a poor turtle that had grown around a band constricting its middle.  algalita has posted an update - she is still alive and living in the new orleans area!  may she be a vivid reminder to us all to minimize our use of plastic and make sure that every piece of trash goes where it belongs, no matter how small.

Any artistic media including photography, painting, digital art, or graphic design may be used - the key is that it be 11 3/8 inches wide by 5 3/8 inches high and will work as the background for a California license plate.  A license plate template is included with the guidelines.  The design must include a whale tail, which may be the central feature or part of a broader California coastal motif.  Please refer to the conest guidelines for complete rules.  They can be found at:   http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/plate/newplatecontest.html

Check it out!

http://www.thankyouocean.org/podcast.  

California Coastal Cleanup Day is fast approaching!!  Judging by the masses of preregistrations, this year will have a HUGE number of volunteers statewide!!!  Thanks guys!  This event would not be successful year after year without you.  Go HERE and click on your county to preregister, find the local coordinator, and see other information specific to your local area. 

COASTWEEKS is also starting soon.  It is a celebration of California's coastal and water resources.  It begins with Coastal Cleanup Day on September 20 and continues through October 12 with fun events for all ages.  For a calendar of events, visit www.coastforyou.org.  You can take part in activities such as native plant restoration, community festivals, guided nature walks, kayaking trips, speakers, bird watching outings, and more!

The California Coastal Commission announces the tenth anniversary of its Amateur Coastal Photography Contest. Up to five color photos may be submitted depicting scenery of the California coast, native coastal wildlife, or people using the coast. Entry is free and excellent donated prizes include complimentary hotel stays and tickets aboard a yacht cruise. Postmark deadline is August 22, 2008. For an entry form and full contest guidelines, see the photo contest link at www.coastforyou.org or call (800) COAST-4U.

Over 7,500 kids throughout the state commemorated World Ocean Day at the 15^th Annual Kids' Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup by taking part in seven cleanups all along the California coast, stretching from Humboldt County to San Diego.   After the cleanup, they took part in an aerial art exhibition.  Below is the San Francisco image.  To see the rest visit www.oceanday.net and click on 2008.

The Coastal Art & Poetry Contest is open to all California students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and is a chance for students to explore coastal themes and present them creatively. By encouraging youth to reflect on the beauty and spirit of California's beaches and ocean, we hope to inspire a greater sense of stewardship for these natural places.

Each year the entries are just amazing, and this year was no exception to the rule.  We received thousands of entries, including some of the best work we have ever seen.  Here is one of my favorites from the art; please do check out the rest at www.coastforyou.org.  The deadline for next year's contest will be January 31.