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California Ocean Protection Council (OPC)
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Protecting California’s coast and ocean 🌊
View our other social media channels and guidelines: opc.ca.gov/social
View our other social media channels and guidelines: opc.ca.gov/social
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A new marine sanctuary off California’s coast.
In October 2024, NOAA designated the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, the first sanctuary in the nation nominated by tribes. Effective November 30, 2024, it covers 4,543 square miles off California's Central Coast, making it the third largest in the country.
The sanctuary protects areas of cultural significance to California Native American tribes, prioritizes tribal stewardship, and safeguards marine life and habitats in an exceptionally biodiverse region. Protecting culture and ecology together is the heart of this milestone.
OPC supported the final designation and serves on the sanctuary's Intergovernmental Policy Committee and Sanctuary Advisory Council on behalf of the State of California.
This is #3 of 9 milestones we are marking in this series.
#MarkingOurMilestones - progress for California's coast and ocean during this administration.
In October 2024, NOAA designated the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, the first sanctuary in the nation nominated by tribes. Effective November 30, 2024, it covers 4,543 square miles off California's Central Coast, making it the third largest in the country.
The sanctuary protects areas of cultural significance to California Native American tribes, prioritizes tribal stewardship, and safeguards marine life and habitats in an exceptionally biodiverse region. Protecting culture and ecology together is the heart of this milestone.
OPC supported the final designation and serves on the sanctuary's Intergovernmental Policy Committee and Sanctuary Advisory Council on behalf of the State of California.
This is #3 of 9 milestones we are marking in this series.
#MarkingOurMilestones - progress for California's coast and ocean during this administration.
Good policy is shaped by the people it serves.
In 2022, OPC adopted its first Equity Plan to make sure projects benefit California's many communities. In early 2023, it adopted its first Tribal Engagement Strategy to strengthen engagement with California Native American tribes, informed by tribes themselves.
Since then, more than 45% of OPC-awarded projects, over $45 million, have directly benefited tribes and vulnerable communities. Equity is part of how OPC plans and funds its work, not a separate effort alongside it. That means advancing local stewardship, better coastal access, improving environmental and public health, and integrating workforce development in our projects.
In 2024, OPC also launched the Environmental Justice Advisory Board for California's Coast and Ocean, in partnership with Better World Group to increase connections across the state and our communities.
🔗 opc.ca.gov/community-bene…
This is #2 of 9 milestones we are marking in this series.
#MarkingOurMilestones - progress for California's coast and ocean during this administration.
In 2022, OPC adopted its first Equity Plan to make sure projects benefit California's many communities. In early 2023, it adopted its first Tribal Engagement Strategy to strengthen engagement with California Native American tribes, informed by tribes themselves.
Since then, more than 45% of OPC-awarded projects, over $45 million, have directly benefited tribes and vulnerable communities. Equity is part of how OPC plans and funds its work, not a separate effort alongside it. That means advancing local stewardship, better coastal access, improving environmental and public health, and integrating workforce development in our projects.
In 2024, OPC also launched the Environmental Justice Advisory Board for California's Coast and Ocean, in partnership with Better World Group to increase connections across the state and our communities.
🔗 opc.ca.gov/community-bene…
This is #2 of 9 milestones we are marking in this series.
#MarkingOurMilestones - progress for California's coast and ocean during this administration.
Our first story starts with land.
In 2022, OPC funded the return of 46 acres of ancestral coastal land in Humboldt County to the Wiyot Tribe. The site is known as Mouralherwaqh, which means "wolf's house." It was the first investment of its kind by a California Natural Resources Agency department.
The land return helps right historical wrongs while conserving a place of deep cultural and ecological importance. For the Wiyot Tribe, this is land with deep ancestral ties. OPC is honored to have funded this land return.
🔗 opc.ca.gov/2022/08/wiyot-…
It is the first of nine milestones we are marking in this series.
#MarkingOurMilestones - progress for California's coast and ocean during this administration.
In 2022, OPC funded the return of 46 acres of ancestral coastal land in Humboldt County to the Wiyot Tribe. The site is known as Mouralherwaqh, which means "wolf's house." It was the first investment of its kind by a California Natural Resources Agency department.
The land return helps right historical wrongs while conserving a place of deep cultural and ecological importance. For the Wiyot Tribe, this is land with deep ancestral ties. OPC is honored to have funded this land return.
🔗 opc.ca.gov/2022/08/wiyot-…
It is the first of nine milestones we are marking in this series.
#MarkingOurMilestones - progress for California's coast and ocean during this administration.
There’s still time to apply: proposals are due Friday, November 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT*, and additional funding may soon be available.
*Due to the expedited nature of this solicitation, proposals are due November 6, 2026. However, OPC recognizes additional time may be required. If necessary, proposals may be considered for funding if submitted no later than Friday, November 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Potential Additional Funding from the State Coastal Conservancy:
The State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) is considering an additional $1 million in funding to support projects through this solicitation, pending approval at its December 3, 2026, Board meeting.
SCC will consider the full range of activities eligible under this solicitation, with funding decisions informed by SCC’s Project Selection Criteria. An additional priority is to evaluate the performance of shorelines restored using nature-based solutions for sea level rise adaptation compared to similar armored or degraded shorelines, particularly in San Francisco Bay and Southern California, where coastal impacts associated with El Niño are already occurring. Such projects could provide timely information to inform near-term coastal hazard response, including the selection of emergency shoreline protection measures that preserve opportunities for future nature-based adaptation, as well as longer-term sea level rise adaptation planning.
*Due to the expedited nature of this solicitation, proposals are due November 6, 2026. However, OPC recognizes additional time may be required. If necessary, proposals may be considered for funding if submitted no later than Friday, November 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Potential Additional Funding from the State Coastal Conservancy:
The State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) is considering an additional $1 million in funding to support projects through this solicitation, pending approval at its December 3, 2026, Board meeting.
SCC will consider the full range of activities eligible under this solicitation, with funding decisions informed by SCC’s Project Selection Criteria. An additional priority is to evaluate the performance of shorelines restored using nature-based solutions for sea level rise adaptation compared to similar armored or degraded shorelines, particularly in San Francisco Bay and Southern California, where coastal impacts associated with El Niño are already occurring. Such projects could provide timely information to inform near-term coastal hazard response, including the selection of emergency shoreline protection measures that preserve opportunities for future nature-based adaptation, as well as longer-term sea level rise adaptation planning.
El Niño is continuing to strengthen off California’s coast. OPC just released an expedited solicitation for urgent monitoring and rapid response projects.
Funding is available for projects that advance one or both:
🔹 Track 1: Time-sensitive monitoring and assessment to inform response
🔹 Track 2: Targeted management and response
Field- and remote-based monitoring, research, synthesis, and on-the-ground interventions like wildlife emergency response and restoration are eligible. Projects that can mobilize quickly and share data in real time with managers, partners, and the public will be prioritized.
📅 Informational webinar and office hour: Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PT
📅 Proposals due: Nov. 6, 2026 (proposals submitted by Nov. 13 may be considered)
Read the solicitation and register for the webinar: bit.ly/OPC-RFP-EL
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