Humboldt Waterkeeper (formerly Humboldt Baykeeper) works to safeguard our coastal resources for the health, enjoyment, and economic strength of the Humboldt Bay community through education, scientific research, and enforcement of laws to fight pollution.Formed in 2004 after the resounding defeat of a proposal for a Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) import facility on the Samoa Peninsula, we soon brought our expertise in water quality and legacy dioxin contamination to adjacent watersheds as well. Humboldt Bay is still our top priority, but our new name reflects the work we've been doing for years.Humboldt Waterkeeper's Tax ID# is 86-1468130.Our Staff:
Jennifer Kalt, Executive Director: jkalt [AT] humboldtwaterkeeper.org or707.499.3678
Jasmin Segura, Bay Tours Coordinator: jasmin [AT] humboldtwaterkeeper.org or 707.616.7261
Sylvia van Royen, GIS & Policy Analyst: sylvia [AT] humboldtwaterkeeper.org
Humboldt Waterkeeper Advisory Committee:Maia Cheli - Senior Development Manager, Schatz Energy Research CenterFred Evenson - Director, Ecological Rights FoundationBeth Frink, former Executive Director, Humboldt BaykeeperAldaron Laird - Sea Level Rise Planner, retiredMike Manetas - Educator, retiredLaurie Richmond - Assistant Professor, Humboldt State UniversityMichelle D. Smith - Attorney-at-LawMichael Welch - Director, Redwood Alliance What are Coastal Resources?Humboldt Bay is the second largest estuary in California. The bay and the adjacent Pacific Ocean coastline give our community its unique character. The health of our waters both in the bay and along our coast depend greatly on the functioning of the intertidal mudflats, salt marshes, and freshwater wetlands of Humboldt Bay, which act as a natural pollution filter and flood plain. Clean water supports healthier fisheries, which in turn support bird and wildlife populations.For the human community around the bay and coast this means more lucrative sport, subsistence, and commercial fisheries, better bird watching and bird hunting, and cleaner water for recreating, including boating, surfing, paddleboarding, and swimming.Humboldt Waterkeeper's programs involve scientists, Native American tribes, boaters and surfers, fishermen, oyster farmers, birdwatchers, students, and other concerned residents in the important work of protecting the bay, its watershed, and the near-shore waters of the Pacific Ocean.The geographical reach of Humboldt Waterkeeper's programs includes Humboldt Bay, its tributaries, and the Pacific Coast from Trinidad Head to the north and the Eel River estuary to the south. Waterkeeper maintains an on-the-water presence throughout the area, patrolling by motorboat, kayak, paddleboard, and occasionally by drone, with upland areas patrolled by car and on foot.
