2021 ANNUAL REPORT
LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
I look back to 2010 when I began exploring the idea of creating an inland ocean movement and I am amazed at how many people have embraced the concept. In 2011 we formally launched the Colorado Ocean Coalition, revamped to the Inland Ocean Coalition in 2017 to encompass our growing national representation and focus, and now we have 16 chapters and over 100 trained Inland Ocean Ambassadors in 30 different states. Our growth over the past decade has really shown us that you don’t have to see the ocean to protect it and that ocean protection can happen from anywhere in the US and the world. 2021 was another challenging year for just about everyone, and we were not excluded. So much of our outreach used to focus on in person engagement and community building, which has been dramatically scaled back during the pandemic. This has not stopped us, however, from continuing to work on the biggest challenges facing our ocean while connecting with a wider audience in the virtual sphere issues like the reduction of plastic use and pollution, supporting our National Marine Sanctuary system, encouraging more Marine Protected Areas to be established and expanded throughout our ocean world, and focusing on the health of our waterways. Last year included another wake up call with the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC’s) Sixth Assessment Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis.
he report laid out a variety of outcomes regarding our fossil fuel emissions, none of which looked good for human wellbeing or the future of our planet. We are reaching a tipping point and our ocean and environment are in great danger, which puts humanity in danger too. This report gave us data that we used in our outreach to legislative leaders and our ocean community to advocate for policies to move us towards a more sustainable future and to work together to avert a worst case climate scenario. In 2021 we helped build grassroots support for an incredible legislative win in Colorado to tackle plastic pollution. The Colorado legislature passed The Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, one of the most comprehensive statewide pieces of legislation that has ever enacted to address the plastic crisis, making Colorado the first inland state to pass legislation to phase out single use plastic products. Colorado also became the 10th state legislature to ban single use plastic shopping bags in certain stores, the 8th to ban Polystyrene (Styrofoam) food containers, and the first state in the country to reverse municipal preemption (a ban on bans at the city level).
While we are excited about the progress being made, the challenges facing our planet will require more of us coming together and having more seats at the table for a wider representation of the diversity within our country. We have been fostering this inclusivity in growing our outreach through our Inland Ocean Ambassador (IOA) Program, chapters around the country, outreach to legislators, and being active in our local communities. We also received a grant from the David & Lucile Packard Foundation to focus on justice, equity, diversity, and
inclusion within our organization and the environmental movement as a whole. We recognize that it is long past time to include more voices at the table and in decision making and are committed to this important work.
More and more people are recognizing that the health of our ocean impacts all other systems and life on the planet It used to be unusual to have people care much about ocean issues who didn’t live on the coast, but more and more people are starting to pay attention to not only the plight of our ocean, but also to the solutions. At the same time, the problems are also getting worse, meaning that we need more engagement and more people to get involved. That is the space we are trying to fill as an organization, because the ocean impacts all of us.
We are so grateful that you are here with us, whether it’s been for a short amount of time or whether you ’ ve been here since our early days. We couldn’t do it without you, and we ’ re excited and committed to facing the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Founder & Executive Director For our ocean and waterways,
THE OCEAN BELONGS TO ALL OF US
To create an inland movement that builds land-to-sea stewardship. Mission Vision For individuals and communities to take an active role in improving the impacts and relationships between the inland, the coasts, and the ocean.
Watershed Health
Ocean Protection
To protect our ocean we must protect our waterways. We address the impacts of agriculture on our watersheds, microplastics in our waterways, and host creek cleanups across the country. We facilitate community engagement through educational webinars and workshops, collaborative events, in classroom education, and we advocate for watershed-friendly lawn and yard care practices, healthy personal care products, and bans on toxic sunscreens in the US and internationally.
As an ocean conservation organization that operates in inland communities across the United States, our approach to ocean protection must be a holistic one. Furthermore, the highly interconnected nature of the largest issues facing our ocean necessitate a multi pronged approach that considers land based impacts in addition to what happens at sea. Our programs are inextricably linked issues and form the basis of our model for protecting our ocean, from source to sea.
LAND-TO-SEA PROGRAMS
We work on the most serious threats facing our ocean, including overfishing, widespread pollution, offshore oil development, the weakening of healthy fisheries legislation, and attacks on our national marine monuments, sanctuaries, and other protected areas. We focus on federal and state policy, build relationships with policymakers, serve as a resource for ocean issues for inland constituencies, and facilitate education, outreach, and community building.
Our ocean is one of our planet's most powerful carbon sinks, and restoring ocean ecosystems one of the best ways we have for addressing the climate crisis. We support legislation to address the climate crisis and advocate for ocean protection as a key solution. Some of the measures we are advocating for include the Thirty by Thirty Resolution to Save Nature, the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act, the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act (by 2050 plastic production and disposal could account for 14% of our remaining carbon budget), and initiatives like the Ocean Climate Action Plan.
Global reliance on disposable plastic is overwhelming our planet and risks near permanent contamination of our planet according to scientists. We address plastic pollution through campaigns targeting single-use plastics, working collectively with coalitions and as part of larger movements to get to the root cause of plastic pollution, scientific studies that assess the extent of microplastics in our waterways, and legislative change at the state and federal levels. We push for individual and corporate/industry change and are fighting back against the petrochemical buildout happening in the United States.
Climate Change
Plastic Prevention
We signed onto 113 policies, bills, and resolutions to support ocean, climate, and watershed health, and prevent plastic pollution. We submitted comment letters for key legislation and proposals and had 72 meetings with legislators from 20 states.
Grew the Inland Ocean Ambassador (IOA) Training
This new program is a collaboration between landowners, farmers, and ranchers to support the health of our watersheds, ocean, and climate. This collaboration's overarching goal is to support those who practice ecological farming methods that prevent agricultural pollutants from making their way into our waterways and inevitably our ocean.
Launched the Ocean-Friendly Farming (OFF) Program
We received a grant from the David & Lucile Packard Foundation in 2021 to focus on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within our organization and the environmental movement as a whole. We recognize that it is long past time to include more voices at the table and in decision-making and are committed to this critical work
HIGHLIGHTS
Our IOA Certification Training Program was started in 2020 in response to the pandemic and prepares individuals with the tools to be powerful advocates for ocean health. In 2021 we grew the program and had 81 participants graduate from 29 states and 8 countries. IOAs learn from top ocean advocates, scientists, and policymakers, and network with other IOAs and partner organizations to expand their ocean and water expertise.
2021
Supported Ocean, Water, Plastic, & Climate Legislation
Pursued Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Celebrated
Hosted
TrashBlitz is a collaboration of a broad spectrum of NGOs working to keep our environment clean. With state of the art data collection software, we are able to identify how much plastic is in our streets and rivers The data will show us how much of each type of plastic there is as well as the most prevalent brands. This data contributes to Break Free From Plastic’s
Partnered with 5 Gyres on Trash Blitz Our 10-Year Anniversary Our 3rd Masquerade Mermaid Ball Landmark Plastic Legislation in Colorado
Passed
Global Brand Audits to identify and track plastic pollution trends. We helped build support for The Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, one of the most comprehensive statewide pieces of plastic legislation that has ever been passed. Colorado became the first inland state to enact legislation to phase out single use plastic products, the 10th state to ban single-use plastic shopping bags in certain stores, the 8th to ban Polystyrene (Styrofoam) food containers, and the first state in the country to reverse municipal preemption (a ban on bans at the city level) From our humble beginnings back in 2011 as the Colorado Ocean Coalition to a nationally-focused organization with representation internationally, the IOC has gone through many shifts and changes, but what has stayed the same is our commitment to getting more individuals and communities involved in protecting our ocean, and our firm belief that you don't have to see the ocean to protect it.
In celebration of our 10th Anniversary, the Masquerade Mermaid Ball was a fun filled and action packed evening, with delicious sustainable food, live music by Manas Itene of Michael Franti & Spearhead, an online auction, costume contest, and of course, mermaids! The event raised over $32,500 to help protect our ocean, climate, and waterways.
BY THE NUMBERS 36 113 81 8 COMMUNITY EVENTS HOSTED OR ATTENDED ACROSS THE COUNTRY OR ONLINE COUNTRIES REPRESENTED BY AMBASSADORS POLICIES AND RESOLUTIONS SIGNED ONTO FOR STRONGER OCEAN PROTECTION STATES REPRESENTED BY AMBASSADORS & CHAPTERS TRAINED INLAND OCEAN AMBASSADORS 29 72 MEETINGS WITH LEGISLATORS
INLAND
Some of the issue areas where our chapters and Ambassadors were active included: plastic pollution reduction legislation at the state and federal levels, an initiative to protect 30% of our ocean and lands by 2030, protecting our national marine monuments and sanctuaries, national legislation to protect our ocean and climate, and raising awareness around priority issue areas in their communities and with their legislators. As the world slowly continues with some sense of normalcy, we look forward to seeing our chapters and Ambassadors continue to engage their communities through a hybrid of virtual events to continue to make our programming accessible, while also incorporating more in person events.
OCEAN NETWORK
Our network of engaged inland ocean advocates is growing across the country through our chapters and Inland Ocean Ambassadors. Chapters and ambassadors engage with their local communities on a variety of key issues, connect with their legislators, and lead inland initiatives to protect our ocean, climate, and waterways. Since the pandemic, much of our outreach has turned virtual, which has allowed us to reach wider audiences and people from communities in a way that would not have been possible in person. However, we were also grateful to be able to host some in-person events in 2021.
As the inland ocean movement continues to grow, we are excited to recruit Ambassadors from new areas and demographics and to start chapters in different areas of the country. We are dedicated to building a more just, inclusive, and equitable organization and ocean movement, and look forward to working with our chapters, Ambassadors, and partners to break down the walls that have kept too many voices out of the movement for far too long.
States Represented by Chapters or Ambassadors
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington, DC
BOCO Dental RockefellerEarthJusticeDeborahCommunityCoalAltar'd5NaturalProsthodontics&ResourcesDefenseCouncilGyresInstituteStateCreekPhysicalTherapyFoundationBoulderKarrer&KeithKramerPhilanthropyAdvisors,Inc.ResourcesLegacyFund $120,000 $5,000+ $15,000+ $1,000+ The David & Lucile Packard Foundation Thank you to the more than 300 individual donors, businesses, and foundations that supported our work in 2021. Donations over $25 are listed below. $500+ $100+ 1313 A Salon 8z Real SusanSusanLoriJoshJoanJaymeJaneIgnitionHazelsCourtneyBrownsteinEstateHyattFarberSchreckToomeyBeverageWorldStrategyGroup&WaltEnterlineRitchieHaugDinarKennedyChristoffEastmanLiveWestRealty DONORS $60,000 $250+ Amanda Wheeler Angela Joerin Barbara & Tom Miller Beach Necessities Bryce WildWendyTheSuzanneShaneSchwabSarahRockyRisemintPaulaPaulKendraKellyKellyKadeeDianeDeborahChristopherJohnsonShropeRylanderHeasleySchoettleWebbWrightScott,LCCHilbinkDoyle&JimBradleyCapitalAdvisorsMountainPaddleboardRajskiCharitableFundHatchFowlerReceptionistBenchleyWaxCandleCo.$10,000+ Cogent PatriciaMarketingEntertainment&BernardGoldsteinFamilyFoundation Epic Water Filters Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives Kim Payes Latitude 40 Real Estate Group Ocean RobertPeriodonticsConservancy&DentalImplants,PCE.RingdahlFoundation,Inc. Alexandra Dunbar Amanda Chaisson Andrea Vega Angela McCormick
Everett TahshaSwoonSusanSteveStephenStanleyShaunScottSaraSamanthaRyanRosalindRobReneeRachaelPatrickPatriciaPamNinaNicholasMichelleMelindaMaryMadelineLauraKittyKikiKerryKennethKeithKathleenKatherineKateJudithJodyJoannaJeffreyJeffHannahWeeksMaierAshLindsayMandellGerstmanAlexander-DaveyAshleyKrausO'HaraDanaFoulkLightenburgerNordstromBrighamDeLucaKennedySalazarTovarDillerBriggsMartinekTreischelRosenbergRyanPlunkettLilleyFenwickWisemanBaggettSaverinGardenWatersAhernHeardIIWilsonBialonRossJewelryWehrReinhardRachelPatriciaPatNinaNadyaMindyMarissaMaiaLuzLouiseLeslieKristinKristenKendricJulieJoshJohnJenniferJennaJeanJasonJannaJanetHelenHannahEvelynElizabethEdwardDeborahDebbieDavidDanicaCommunityCindyChandaCarolineCarinBobAnonymousMorehouseReichHimesSpearsBrandjordFirstFoundationLarsonRiordonWellesHenryRossSheets&JimMassonO'ReillyPelzmanThompsonOttoKonzakHousepian&PeterMerlinBakerWrightKahnHarriganFreymuthBoedeckerBennettGlustromChawlaRooneyCaddleStockreefKaufmanSustacheGarfieldSchnettlerMazalLevHohensee $50+ Reuben Martinez Richard Reading Rivkah Bacharach RJ ErinElaineDeniseDeborahDavidCourtneyConstanceChristineChristieBruceBriannaBlakelyArielAndrewAndreaAjayWilliamVickiVickiTriciaThomasTeresaTedTaylorTanaTabithaSusanSusanSummerStanStaceyShawnScottRobertKlineMuirHarrisPietzPoolDeetzLendermanBruceMoranBirdwellMatzukRusselDoeringEastburnVirdenPetzoldHunterNicholsGoldsteinShutkinShenoyRaySheldonSnappEllerLachneyGoldsteinLaFeverJochimSchonlauMeijerSchollmeierAlperYourickBurrittCooper
Alexandra Duggal Alexis DougDeannaChristineCatherineBraydenBrandonBeverlyAnnaAndrewLingenfelterSlamaGustafsonReevesCannonSchmitzHickeyGilbertoSemanchikLeBlanc Dustin Johnson Ella MaryMarianaMariaMaggieLynneLaurieKrystinKatieKathleenKateKacieJennyJenniferJayceJasonJamesHaleyGoldmanBoydCoffinGrubbPhilpottWebsterJakubowskiLarsenRauPetersenOwensRiosRotundoBuhligPeacockPatinoTorresRussel Tamar van Vilet Tara WendiWadeTinamarieTerrilWinerHarknessHernandezNorrisBrandeis $25+ Meghan Mattson Michael Pacifico Michael ZacharyShelbyShannonShannonSarahSamanthaPriscilaNicoleMiroslavPellerinRakicBroseBajadaliPickeringPerezCooperValleyGreyGreenberg
CORPORATE SPONSORS GlennaDeZafra Shiver of Sharks Pod of Whales Shoal of Squid School of Fish Squadron of Pelicans Food and Beverage Sponsors
AUCTION DONORS MaddieBoatwright SusanBruce RuthPetzold ManasItene JohnBates Dr.PaddyRyan AndyMann LanceKittel KristenBoedecker DavidHelvarg PamTreischel TheBeadedBohemian OTracyTravis ceanSpirit LRichGerman akshmiNallamala IntotheSea CassonTrenor ClaireIbarra MaggieKusch
Thank you to our wonderful partners and collaborators! KEY PARTNERS
OceanProtection 30% PlasticPrevention 24% ClimateChange 20% WatershedHealth 15% Administration 11% Foundations/Grants 76.6% Individuals 12.3% Businesses/Corporate 11.2% REVENUE The organization's 2021 revenue was $290,731. PROGRAM BREAKDOWN FINANCIALS
Ash Heather, Chair Christine Jochim Christopher Shrope Debbie Welles Erin Cooper Kelly Webb Maddie Boatwright, LEEDS Board Fellow Michael Dirks Vicki Nichols Goldstein, Founder & Executive Director Lance Kittel, Associate Director Melissa Jung, Program & Outreach Manager Caoilfhionn Schwab, Development & Communications Manager Christine Evans, Grants & Communications Manager Michelle Kaufman, Operations Manager ADVISORY BOARD Neil Brandt Nicholas Biber Paddy Ryan Patrick Chandler Susan Bruce Taylor Shedd Ted Ross Troy Trimmer Rachel Lev STAFF INTERNS Alex Dunbar Henry Arndt Olivia Smith Rose Iannuzzi Tabitha Birdwell
INLAND OCEAN COALITION The Inland Ocean Coalition is a project of The Ocean Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization info@inlandoceancoalition.org www.facebook.com/InlandOcean @inlandoceancoalition @InlandOceanCo www.inlandoceancoalition.org THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!
