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By Santa Barbara Channelkeeper
The community gathered on May 7th for Santa Barbara Channelkeeper’s 21st Blue Water Ball at the Cabrillo Pavilion to celebrate the organization’s legacy of clean water work and to generate support for current and future programs.
Dressed in varying shades of blue, guests enjoyed sweeping views of the Santa Barbara Channel while enjoying cocktails on the pavilion terraces, connecting with friends, and making new ones. Breezy jazz from the Dave Vignoe Trio and keyboardist Mel McGary underscored the seaside ambiance. Chumash elder and firekeeper Art Cisneros set the tone by leading a heartfelt blessing in Chumash and English honoring the ocean, sky, and the sparks of spirit within each of us.
During the dinner hour, emcee Geoff Green entertained with lively auction commentary, while Catering Connection served a sumptuous three-course meal. Blue Water Ball attendees each received embroidered beach towels from Riviera Towel Company and chocolate truffles provided by the Santa Barbara Company.
Highlights from the evening were Branden Aroyan’s large-scale art installations, executive director Ted Morton’s summary of Channelkeeper’s impressive impact, and the thought-provoking keynote address about healthy oceans in a changing climate by Dr. Benjamin Halpern.
“This year’s Blue Water Ball was a terrific, fun event,” said executive director Ted Morton. “We were thrilled to bring supporters together to celebrate Channelkeeper’s accomplishments and the positive impact that we are making in our community.”
Local non-profit Santa Barbara Channelkeeper protects and restores the Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds through science-based advocacy, education, field work, and enforcement. The organization defends our community’s right to clean water and informs, inspires, and empowers people to speak and act for our waterways.
“Climate change is the most significant challenge of our lifetime,” said Morton prior to the keynote speech. “Channelkeeper’s Board recently approved a five-year strategic plan that sets out a course to do more to ensure that the Santa Barbara Channel and its watersheds, and the people and wildlife that depend on these areas, are able to counter and adapt to the intensifying impacts of climate change.”
This year’s Blue Water Ball was successful in raising funds that make it possible for Chanelkeeper to protect local beaches, creeks, and coast, and defend the community’s right to clean water and healthy habitats. The event raised more than $130,000.
The funds raised at the Blue Water Ball support a wide range of Channelkeeper programs, which include monitoring creeks and coastal waters, organizing volunteers for community cleanups, providing educational experiences for local students about water quality and habitats, and advocating for strong policies to ensure clean, safe water and healthy habitats.
The organization is grateful for the community’s ongoing support and would like to extend special thanks to Ad Hoc Committee Volunteers: Terry Kleid, Holly Sherwin, and Mimi deGruy; to Event Sponsors Montecito Bank & Trust, MarBorg Industries, Dolphin Consulting, and HG Insights; to our many event underwriters, including Riviera Towel Company, Patagonia, the Santa Barbara Company, and Sunstone and Sweetzer wineries, and the many individual sponsors, guests, and honorary committee members who made the evening so special and successful.
