Help Monitor our Marine Protected Areas

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Channelkeeper is looking for volunteers to help us record and track human activities in and adjacent to Santa Barbara's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) through our MPA Watch program. The information we collect will help government agencies and scientists interpret how our MPAs are being used by the community, while also informing MPA management and enforcement. The MPA Volunteer Watch program is designed so that with only one-two training sessions, volunteers are able to contribute the data they have collected on human activity taking place within the MPAs.

The MPA Volunteer Watch program conducts surveys at the Campus Point MPA in Goleta/Isla Vista/Ellwood area and at the Naples and Kashtayit MPAs on the Gaviota coast. Volunteers collect data by walking designated transects along the beach, but surveys could also easily be done by paddle boarding or kayaking along the transect as well. Becoming an MPA Watch volunteer is easy and fun. Channelkeeper hosts volunteer training workshops virtually throughout the year that are followed by field training sessions at the Campus Point MPA. Please contact us for upcoming training dates. If you want to attend a workshop or learn more about MPA Watch, please email or call us at 805.563.3377 ext. 4. Every MPA Watch volunteer will receive a free Channelkeeper t-shirt, and volunteers that complete 10 surveys will receive an additional exciting treat!