Our summer Marine Protected Area (MPA) Watch volunteer training season has begun with the support of our Coastal Advocate interns, Carmen and Andrew. We are so grateful for their dedication as they support community science on the West Marin coast.

This year, in addition to our standard MPA Watch training sessions, we are expanding the program by offering refresher trainings for returning volunteers. In alignment with statewide MPA Watch network guidance, these updated materials, developed collaboratively with the network, are also being shared with new volunteers to ensure all participants apply survey protocols consistently and collect high-quality data.

We are also continuing—for the second summer season—our MPA Watch Intercept survey pilot project at Limantour Beach and Duxbury Reef. Brief conversations with coastal visitors will help us better understand how people experience and connect with these special places, including visitor trip information, basic demographics, and attitudes about and knowledge of marine protected areas. We are one of six organizations along the California coast participating in this pilot. Results will be analyzed with support from UC Davis Community Science experts and shared in 2027.

The impact of this work extends beyond data collection—by engaging volunteers and visitors in community science, MPA Watch builds a deeper connection between our community and the ocean while providing valuable information to help manage West Marin’s coastal ecosystems.

Learn More:
Sign up to become an MPA Watch Volunteer
From the Perspective of a Coastal Advocate