Honor the Ocean: A Celebration of LA's Indigenous Maritime Peoples and MPAs

The Los Angeles Marine Protected Area Collaborative invites you to celebrate Los Angeles’ underwater parks. California’s MPAs preserve our stunning marine ecosystems for future generations.

The event begins with a ceremonial blessing from the Chumash community, followed by the rare opportunity to see a tomol, the Chumash redwood planked and sewn canoe, the “Xax A’lul-koy” (Great Dolphin) at the beach, and guests can enjoy storytelling by Chumash elders. 

L.A. County lifeguards will be on hand to provide information on ocean safety and Malibu Makos will be offering free surf lessons. L.A. Waterkeeper will have their boat offshore, crewed by students from the Sherman Indian School, after conducting an MPA Watch Boat-Based Survey.

Our collaborative partners will provide marine education and fun activities. Come and learn about:

  • Marine Protected Area science and monitoring and science

  • Chumash history, culture, stories, traditions and maritime education

  • Coastal volunteer opportunities and citizen science

  • Marine biology and touch pools

  • Watershed education

  • Free surf lessons by Malibu Makos