MBNMS: Save Our Shores' Sanctuary Steward Certification Program

Save Our Shores' Sanctuary Steward Certification Program is a unique volunteer program dedicated to preserving the ecological integrity of California's central coast, particularly the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, through public education, policy research, and citizen action. Participants of the program receive 50 hours of professional training and, in return, provide high-impact advocacy and education aimed at ensuring thelong-term health of the Sanctuary. Through the Sanctuary Steward program, individual citizens become skilled marine educators, community organizers, and resident experts on issues affecting the Sanctuary. Stewards reach the public audience in several ways: by making slide presentations, by hosting interpretive educational displays, by leading beach cleanup tours, and by presenting ecology talks on Sanctuary sailing trips. Stewards also complete a self-designed outreach project that builds upon their training and makes a larger impact upon the community, such as designing an educational tool to enhance public outreach programs or writing fact sheets to keep Stewards abreast on current issues. The Sanctuary Steward course is a program of Save Our Shores, a nonprofit, volunteer-based, marine conservation organization. For more information, please call Lorraine Riversong at (831)462-9122.