2017 Annual Report by Inland Ocean Coalition

2017 ANNUAL REPORT

A year of

Building Land-toSea Stewardship

THANK YOU

for supporting the nation's first Inland Ocean Movement Dear Friends, It has been a very exciting year to drive forward the creation and expansion of the Inland Ocean Coalition. When I started the Colorado Ocean Coalition (COCO) in 2011, I had no idea that the concept of having community-based ocean conservation initiatives would be appealing to so many people. After years of running COCO and helping other chapters grow, it became apparent that to really achieve our mission of creating an inland movement that builds land-tosea stewardship, we needed to think bigger. Working with people around the country who want to initiate programs and campaigns in their region similar to those started by COCO has been really encouraging. We’ve created a userfriendly format for people who want to start a chapter, and chapter leads tailor their education and outreach efforts to community interests and pressing local issues. I am truly inspired by the dedication and leadership of people coming forward—from high school and college students, to baristas, college professors, military families, and working professionals—saying, "I want to be an ocean leader in my community even though I don't live on the coast." It has been a great honor to work with talented ocean advocates, our Advisory Board, and generous donors to shift from individual inland ocean chapters to a unified voice for inland communities. We are working together, sharing information, and learning from each other. I am looking forward to the combined efforts to take our chapter work to a new level where we continue to partner with nonprofits, government agencies, scientists, businesses, and others to localize critical and timely ocean protection priorities in inland communities throughout the country. This is our first impact report that lays out the new mission, vision, and impacts as a unified inland ocean network. We hope that you are as inspired as we are with the tremendous energy and leadership that communities around the country have shown toward ocean and water conservation. Your time, dedication, financial support, and in-kind contributions are the foundation of what we have been able to accomplish. Together, we are showing the world that you don't have to see the ocean to protect it.

For the ocean,

Vicki Nichols Goldstein Founder & Executive Director Inland Ocean Coalition

SUPPORTERS Thank you to the more than 100 individual donors (and those who wish to remain anonymous), foundations, companies, and institutions that supported the Inland Ocean Coalition's work in 2017.

DONATIONS OF $10,000+ Weaver Family Fund

DONATIONS OF $1,000+ Anonymous Anonymous in Memory of Roger Heasley Douglas and Abby Brown Family Foundation Marcus Eriksen Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation Lucky's Market Norcross Wildlife Foundation, Inc. Wade Norris & Shonika Proctor

DONATIONS OF $500+ Anonymous Bruce & Toni Bowden Jane & Walter Enterline Greg Evans Bill & Jane Petzold Lynn ThorÃ© Schwab Charitable Fund Steve Szabo The Matrix Group

DONATIONS OF $250+ Amy & Terry Britton Susan Brodie Kevin Duncan Erin Cooper Carolyn Grant Zori Levine & Josh Goldstein Diane Heasley Kimberly Hult David Kahn Tracey MacDermott Evelyn & Jim Masson Shireen & Scott Miller Andrew Muller Jacqueline Noel Shawn Rodine Ted & Patty Ross Kathy & Scott Rudge Sherpani Steve Weaver Kelly Webb

DONATIONS OF $50+

DONATIONS OF $25+

Rob Bryan Michael Dirks Dive Local Apparel Judy Gilligan & David Kline Barbara Greweling Caroline Himes Jean Housepian Anne Levonen Cindy Marvell Amanda Masters Jon Miller Ocean First Divers Felicia Olivera & Bertrand Granberg Linda Phillips Beverly Reeves Bobbie Van Dyke Tamar Van Vilet Doug & Debbie Way Peggy Wrenn Denise Yourick

Raymond Bridge Susan Bruce Penny Duncan Jessica Feld Dave Hanna Lynette Marie Hanthorn Michael Hoog Kerry Lightenburger Joanna Mandell Rachael Merkt Jacqueline Russell Paddy Ryan Wendi Shaver Emily Shuff Chandra Spring Scott Waten Trudy Welty Jan Wilson Julie Zahniser

DONATIONS OF $100+ Anonymous Elke Adler KC Becker Julie Brown Elaine Burritt Amy & Ken Cramer Laura DeLuca Glenna DeZafra Joe DiNardo Fred & Andrea Gluck Matt Gordon Dale Greene David Helvarg Sydney Hoerler Lori & Josh Kahn Annette & John Kissinger Duane Kline John Krampf Janice Lopitz Katherine Ludwig Javier Marti Tana Matzuk Barbara & Tom Miller Susan Moran Kiki Nordstrom Elaine Pease Jennifer & John Peterson Ruth Petzold Margaret Porter Kathy & Scott Rudge in Memory of Jeff Cutter Sonja Sables Sally & Glenn Sudol Swoon Jewelry (Jessie Berggren) Cassie Todd Heidi & Scott VanGenderen Britta Voss Cindy Ward Debbie Welles Debra Whitehead

THE PEOPLE 2017 Advisory Board

"Creating stewardship

Richard Marks, Chair (through May 2017) for our inland waters—with Kelly Webb, Chair an emphasis on our connection Ali Miller, Dive Professional Amy Britton, Sustainable Tourism to the ocean—is essential for the Chris Shrope, Leeds Board Fellow health of our planet." Debbie Welles, Plastic Pollution Specialist -Janice Lopitz, Erin Cooper, Watershed Initiatives Advisory Board Jane Enterline, Inland Ocean Coalition Chapters Member Janice Lopitz, Watershed Initiatives Jenifer Atkinson, Sustainability and Stewardship Josh Goldstein, Legal Counsel Kathy Rudge, Fundraising Chair Kiki Nordstrom, Events & Outreach Matthew Mosley, Marketing Max Boykoff PhD, Associate Professor, CU-Boulder Michael Dirks, Plastic Pollution Mikki McComb-Kobza PhD, Marine Science Education Paddy Ryan PhD, Travel Author, Photographer, and Educator Rob Bryan, Events & Outreach Shawn Rodine, Outdoor Recreation Susan Bruce, Land-To-Sea Travel Ted Ross, Waterkeeper Alliance Affiliate

Staff & Interns Vicki Nichols Goldstein, Founder & Executive Director Andrea Smith, Lead, Operations & Public Outreach Christine Evans, Lead, Operations & Public Outreach Kaiya Whitehead, Intern Zehra Cheatham, Intern Danielle Duncan, Inland Delegation Coordinator

IMPACTS

The Inland Ocean Coalition builds land-to-sea stewardship by engaging communities in improving the impacts and relationships between the inland, the coasts, and the ocean.

over

3,500

volunteer hours given back to the community

84,490 Total cash value of volunteer hours given back to the community

5,180

social media followers

community events hosted/attended

reaching over

82,000 in person, and

212,000

new donors

through online media

ed creek b in a dry h o, s a ra tr up Colo d ers pick Boulder, in p u Volunte n a creek cle . during a fall 2017

Inland Delegates met with Congressional aids from Colorado, Arizona, and Michigan during Hill Day of the Blue Vision Summit.

THE ORGANIZATION The Inland Ocean Coalition establishes collaborative partnerships with other nonprofits, governmental agencies, and advocacy groups to create programs, campaigns, and initiatives which are then implemented locally by a network of inland ocean chapters. All chapters are guided by the organization's mission and vision of creating an inland movement that builds land-to-sea stewardship by encouraging citizens and communities to take an active role in improving the impacts and relationships between the inland, the coasts, and the ocean.

Campaigns Specific operational efforts to accomplish a defined objective.

What We Get Others To Do

Collaborators

Coordination and cooperation with ocean and water management, education, and advocacy groups.

Internally managed efforts to promote the organization's mission and vision.

Aspirational goals to preserve and protect the ocean.

What Everybody Should Do

What We Do

Programs Networked organizations chartered to build the inland ocean movement.

Chapters Chapter Recruitment Chapter Networking Chapter Support

Community Engagement Ocean Rangers Youth Ocean Rangers Ocean Ambassadors Land-to-Sea Travel Legislative Outreach

Initiatives Reduce Fossil Fuel Use Eliminate Single-Use Plastics Support Sustainable Fisheries Promote Watershed Health Advocate for Biodiversity Encourage the Establishment of Marine Protected Areas

2017 HIGHLIGHTS Transition to the Inland Ocean Coalition Growing interest from inland communities in the work being done in Colorado prompted the transition to the Inland Ocean Coalition, which now supports eight chapters in the United States and one in Canada. Inland ocean chapters implement programs and campaigns developed and co-developed by the Colorado Ocean Coalition and work to address issues unique to their locale. Special thanks to Patricia Beach at True North Programs, LLC for the time and energy she spent helping to facilitate the transition.

New Inland Ocean Coalition Chapters The Inland Ocean Coalition welcomed two new chapters in 2017: the Buffalo, NY Ocean Coalition and the Colorado Ocean Coalition at CSU Fort Collins. The Buffalo Chapter was founded by Stephanie Krueger, a lifelong ocean lover and advocate already involved in local stewardship initiatives. The Chapter at CSU was started by Paul Burnsworth, who, after spending several years in California and Hawaii, realized how much he missed the ocean and decided to start a chapter after a professor at CSU mentioned an ocean coalition in Boulder.

Blue Vision Summit and Hill Day in Washington, DC The Inland Ocean Coalition lead an Inland Delegation of 14 ocean advocates to the Blue Vision Summit in Washington, DC, hosted by the Blue Frontier Campaign. The Inland group joined scientists, advocates, educators, public officials, and youth from 25 states. The Inland Ocean Delegation attended 10 meetings with Congressional aids from Colorado, Michigan, and Arizona, joining the 130 meetings in total, where advocates pressed elected officials on offshore oil drilling, ending plastic pollution, coastal resilience, and more.

Official Launch of Suck the Straws Out Suck the Straws Out is an educational campaign to decrease the use of plastic straws. We encourage restaurants, bars, and other establishments to only serve straws upon request, and to offer an eco-friendly or reusable alternative in such cases. The United States uses 500 million straws every day—enough to encircle the earth 2.5 times—many of which end up in the environment and our ocean where they cause widespread pollution and can be fatal to marine life. This campaign is a first step in getting people to think about how much plastic they use in their daily lives.

Healthy Oceans Coalition Training Eight Inland Ocean Coalition members attended the 2017 Healthy Oceans Coalition (HOC) advocacy training in Chicago. The HOC is a nonprofit dedicated to building awareness of how the National Ocean Policy (NOP) supports our nation’s ability to manage our shared marine resources. The goal was to gain a deeper understanding of how our work inland relates to the NOP, and to acquire practical communication and advocacy tools.

Land-to-Sea: 1st Annual Inland Ocean Coalition Fundraiser In collaboration with Bradford Heap's Wild Standard Restaurant and Colorado Gives Day, the Coalition held its first annual fundraiser as the Inland Ocean Coalition. Proceeds went towards campaigns and events, chapter support and expansion, watershed initiatives, ocean and water policy, and volunteer leadership trainings.

Jack Johnson Concert Tour Collaboration The Colorado Ocean Coalition was selected as one of Jack Johnson’s non-profit partners for his 2017 summer concert tour. The chapter raised $2,500, which was matched by the Johnson Ohanna Foundation. This was COCO's 3rd time being selected to receive public exposure and matched funds. The growth of Inland Ocean Coalition chapters expands opportunities for partnerships and collaborations like this one.

CHAPTERS "I am awed by our chapter growth. Ocean lovers from inland communities and colleges around the country are contacting us to start their own chapters. Our chapter network is comprised of dynamic, engaged, and fun activists. It is an honor and a pleasure to be part of the Inland Ocean Coalition." - Jane Enterline, Advisory Board Member and founder of the Great Lakes Ocean Coalition

In keeping with our vision for citizens and communities to take an active role in improving the impacts and relationships between the inland, the coasts, and the ocean, our chapters promote a healthy ocean and waterways through education, community engagement, and the local implementation of Inland Ocean Coalition programs, campaigns, and initiatives. Each chapter works on matters and issues unique to its locale and helps people understand the land-to-sea connection. Chapters are encouraged to develop and share their own programs, campaigns, and initiatives to magnify the collective impact of the inland ocean movement. Current chapters include Colorado, Sonoran Desert in Arizona, Great Lakes in Michigan, Illinois, Utah, Buffalo, NY, Prairie in Manitoba, Canada, and University chapters at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

Colorado Ocean Coalition The Inland Ocean Coalition began as the Colorado Ocean Coalition (COCO) in 2011. Founded by Vicki Nichols Goldstein after a family move to landlocked Boulder, CO, the Coalitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aim was to inspire and empower Coloradans to promote the health of our ocean through education and community involvement. In 2017, the Colorado Ocean Coalition hosted or attended 49 events, including the Colorado Environmental Film Fest, the Healthy Oceans Coalition Training in Chicago, the Blue Vision Summit, Capitol Hill Oceans Week, events for World Oceans Day, collaborative Blue Drink events, river and creek cleanups, the International Ocean Film Fest, documentary screenings, and more. The chapter also implemented many IOC programs, campaigns, and initiatives throughout the Front Range area.

Contact: Vicki Nichols Goldstein vgoldstein@inlandoceancoalition.org facebook.com/coloradoocean instagram.com/coloradoocean twitter.com/coloradoocean

Great Lakes Ocean Coalition The Great Lakes Ocean Coalition had another active, informative, and fun year in Northern Michigan. Chapter Lead Jane Enterline attended the Blue Vision Summit and met with Senator Gary Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office about plastic pollution, offshore oil drilling, and the importance of protecting the Great Lakes. The chapter supported Sailors for the Seas' Clean Regatta in Harbor Springs, MI, participated in an All Hands on Deck event to support the Great Lakes, partnered with Utah Ocean Coalition to conduct a beach cleanup, raised awareness of plastic pollution on Lake Michigan, promoted the Plastic Free July campaign, and recruited a lead for a University of Michigan College Chapter.

Contact: Jane Enterline jane.enterline@gmail.com facebook.com/greatlakesoceancoalition Harbor Springs, MI

Utah Ocean Coalition In 2017, the Utah Ocean Coalition collaborated with Rowland Hall Summer Works to create a Youth Ocean Ranger (YOR) course. It culminated in the joining of Rowland Hall with the Inland Ocean Coalition and the creation of a Summit to Sea Youth Ocean Rangers Training. The training focuses on marine biology and conservation and will take place in Pigeon Key, Florida in 2018. The chapter also sent two representatives to the Healthy Oceans Coalition Advocacy Training in Chicago and continued with local outreach and education efforts.

facebook.com/utahoceancoalition twitter.com/utahoceans instagram.com/utah.ocean.coalition Contact: Tricia Petzold utahoceancoalition@gmail.com

Salt Lake City

Prairie Ocean Coalition The Prairie Ocean Coalition continued with education and outreach through social media, particularly around plastic pollution, choosing reef-safe personal care products, climate change, and sustainable seafood. The chapter also promoted local ocean and water events and activities through social media. The Prairie Ocean Coalition is looking for additional support in the Manitoba region to help with further outreach, community engagement, and event planning.

Contact: Mavis McRae prairieoceanco@gmail.com

facebook.com/prairieoceanco/

twitter.com/prairieoceanco

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Sonoran Desert Ocean Coalition The Sonoran Desert chapter joined the Coalition in late 2016 and began outreach and education efforts in early 2017, focusing primarily on sustainable seafood. Chapter Lead Kristin Wisniski-Blum incorporated the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch Program and collaborated with the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum to share timely information on ocean health and easy ways to help alleviate stress on marine ecosystems. She believes strongly that we can all make a difference for the health of our oceanâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;even living in the desert. In the chapter's first year, Kristin attended the Blue Vision Summit, hosted 4 Sustainable Seafood Happy Hours in Tucson, Arizona, and helped coordinate a sustainable seafood tasting event for World Ocean's Day at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

Contact: Kristin Wisniski-Blum wizblum@gmail.com facebook.com/tucsonfish/ Tucson, Arizona

Illinois Ocean Coalition The Illinois Ocean Coalition was established by Aurora University Professor Chris Wells in 2016. In 2017 the chapter continued its focus on aquatic debris, plastic pollution, and local water quality testing with help from Aurora University students. Chris attended the Healthy Oceans Coalition Training in Chicago, participated in the Lake Michigan Coastal Geology Research Group's long-term shoreline change monitoring program along with his students, and in the University's annual Lake Study Day. Late in the year Chicago-based Ann McElhatton joined Chris's team as a chapter colead to amplify the chapter's efforts in Illinois.

facebook.com/groups/illinoisoceancoalition/ instagram.com/illinoisoceancoalition Contact: Ann McElhatton, Co-Lead beachchairscientist@gmail.com

Contact: Chris Wells, Co-Lead cwells@gwc.aurora.edu

Buffalo, NY Ocean Coalition Stephanie Krueger started the Buffalo, NY Ocean Coalition in late 2017 after connecting with Vicki Goldstein at the Blue Vision Summit earlier that year. "I decided to start a chapter because I’m very passionate about ocean conservation and because I live In Buffalo, NY where there is no ocean, this was the perfect fit for me. I was a team lead with The Alliance for the Great Lakes prior to the chapter and also participated in The Blue Vision Summit’s Hill Day. Now, as a chapter of The Inland Ocean Coalition, I have more support and a bigger network. I think it’s important to be involved with an organization like the IOC because not only do people not realize the affect we have on the ocean, they don’t realize WE ARE ALL having an affect on it, not just coastal communities. And if we are all impacting the ocean, then we all have the power to make a difference." Stephanie has been very involved in beach cleanups and advocating for plastic pollution reduction and we're excited for what she will bring to the Coalition!

Contact: Stephanie Krueger krueges01@mail.buffalostate.edu facebook.com/the-buffalo-NY-ocean-coalition/

University of Colorado, Boulder The CU Chapter worked closely with the Colorado Ocean Coalition in 2017 to amplify land-to-sea stewardship programs and outreach. The two chapters co-hosted events, including creek cleanups, documentary screenings, and fundraisers. The CU Chapter hosted several on-campus documentary film screenings, including Smog of the Sea and Chasing Coral, recruited new members, and brought in guest speakers from the community to discuss important ocean and water issues. The chapter worked closely with the musician and songwriter Jack Johnson to be highlighted at his Fiddlers Green Concert in Denver and published an online book called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women of the Ocean.â&#x20AC;?

Contact: Brooke Elzweig brel5640@colorado.edu facebook.com/groups/coloradooceancoalition/ instagram.com/cuboulder_coco/

Colorado Ocean Coalition at CSU Fort Collins Paul Burnsworth got inspired to start an Inland Ocean Coalition University chapter in the fall of 2017 after a Professor pointed him toward the Colorado Ocean Coalition in Boulder. "Once you make a connection to the ocean, there's no way to forget what made you fall in love. After spending 2 years in Monterey, CA and 3 years in Hawaii, my connection came in the form of recreation, but I ultimately fell in love with the power, beauty, and calming qualities of being around the ocean. Once I moved to Colorado, I realized how badly I missed being near the ocean. A professor mentioned there might be an ocean coalition in Boulder that would help me get into ocean conservation despite being landlocked. Once I read what the Inland Ocean Coalition was doing in Colorado and across the United States, I knew I had to reach out and see how I could help. I had no idea this would turn into a university chapter as well as an internship! I know we're doing good work with good people. The news has been full of articles about our oceans and the plastic pollution problem we're facing due to our own plastic addiction. As we work around our states and communities to clean up our watersheds, get straws out of drinks, and engage with our neighbors about the problems we face, we're not only helping keep pollution out of the ocean, we're also helping to keep the water we drink safe and clean."

Contact: Paul Burnsworth brel5640@colorado.edu facebook.com/cococsu/

FINANCIALS REVENUE

“The Inland Ocean Coalition is a critical voice in connecting the dots between our everyday actions and the health of the ocean. Collaborating with the Coalition’s dedicated staff and volunteers on ocean policy and education has only further inspired me to follow their model of connecting with your community, recognizing that you can best inspire those around you.”

The organization's 2017 budget was valued at $233,326, where $33,768 came from donations, $11,750 from grants, and $187,808 from in-kind contributions.

- Sarah Winter Whelan, Ocean Policy Program Director, American Littoral Society

Over the years, the organization has received major funding from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation, the Garfield Foundation, the Goldstein Family Foundation, the Schwab Charitable Fund, the Community First Foundation, the Gilbane Foundation, and the Weaver Family Foundation.

EXPENSES

15% Watershed Initiatives Implement land-to-sea stewardship and citizen science initiatives..

15% Ocean & Water Policy Support national legislative efforts and meet with political leaders on important ocean and water bills.

15% Train New Leadership Empower all, including youth, to ignite engagement and action around ocean and water issues.

10% Administration Support legal, financial, and liability standards of the organization's nonprofit status.

25% Campaigns & Events Educate, raise awareness, and create change on important ocean and water issues.

20% Inland Ocean Chapters Strengthen and support existing chapters through program implementation.

INLAND OCEANÂ COALITION www.inlandoceancoalition.org vgoldstein@inlandoceancoalition.org

@inlandoceancoalition

www.facebook.com/InlandOcean

@InlandOcean

Artwork by Melina Goldstein The Inland Ocean Coalition is a project of the Ocean Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.