AMTV/SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Feb 17 – On Wednesday, February 8, the California Coastal Commission approved 56 Whale Tail Grant applications totaling more than $2 million to non-profit organizations, community groups, and schools for projects and programs that provide educational experiences focused on coastal protection, public access, and environmental justice.
“Once again, the range of proposals funded by the Whale Tail grants reminds us of how important the coast is to all Californians, regardless of race, zip code, age, orientation, or ability,” said Coastal Commission Chair Donne Brownsey. “This funding opens doors, expands horizons, and inspires life choices.”
Whale Tail Grants are supported by drivers who purchase Whale Tail License Plates, as well as California Taxpayers who “Check the Coast” at tax time with contributions to the Protect Our Coast and Ocean Fund. Over the past 20 years the Commission has awarded an average of $350,000 annually across approximately 20 grants, primarily for projects that provide opportunities for inland, rural, and historically excluded communities to experience and learn about the coast and ocean and develop leadership, stewardship, and science-based skills.
In 2021the Legislature appropriated an additional $10 million for the Whale Tail Grant Program, to be expended over five years. This is the second grant cycle since the new allocation, and is much higher than the average annual allocation. After several months of extensive public outreach, and guidance on how to apply for the grants, Commission staff received 149 applications. Many were first-time applicants, with innovative proposals engaging communities historically excluded from coastal education opportunities. The additional funding enabled the Commission to distribute $2,089,226.
Some of first-time applications included funding for environmental education and coastal experiences for tribal youth and families, low-income LGBTQ+ adults, and youth from inland communities such as Riverside, Chualar, and San Joaquin County.
“These funds allow a whole new generation of Californians to fall in love with the coast and we hope will help them evolve into coastal stewards,” said Chair Brownsey. “We want to thank everyone who has purchased a Whale Tail License Plate for making this program possible.”
On February 9, 2023, the Commission unanimously approved the following 56 competitive grants totaling $2,089,226 to the following organizations for these specified projects, roughly organized from south to north:
1. BIPOC Support Foundation, $43,359
Project Title: Explore Outdoors: From Your Neighborhood to the Coast
Engaging Communities in: Valencia Park in San Diego
Project Timeline: May 2023 – August 2024
A three-week summer program will engage BIPOC youth in earth and ocean sciences, climate change, sustainability, environmental justice, and the intersections of these topics with their city and local ecosystems. During the program, youth will enjoy six field trips, explore science careers, and learn about environmental programs at local colleges and universities.
2. Paddle for Peace, $19,600
Project Title: Diversity in our Coastal Spaces
Engaging Communities in: City Heights, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley,
National City and South East San Diego
Project Timeline: March 2023 – March 2024
Ten beach events will welcome BIPOC youth and families to learn outdoor skills like surfing and beach volleyball, create relationships with mentors, increase knowledge of ocean conservation, and enjoy community at the coast.
3. San Diego Children and Nature, $26,750
Project Title: Promoting Coastal Health by Engaging Teachers in Watershed Exploration
Engaging Communities in: Coastal south San Diego
Project Timeline: March 2023 – June 2024
Formal educators will increase their environmental literacy and outdoor teaching techniques through a ten-month program where they will visit six local ecosystems and focus on science practices that inspire engaged learning, curiosity, and wonder.
4. Ocean Discovery Institute, $50,000
Project Title: Exploring the Kelp Forest and the Rocky Intertidal
Engaging Communities in: City Heights in San Diego
Project Timeline: March 2023 – March 2024
First and third grade classes in 11 schools will learn about the rocky seashore and kelp forests through a classroom lesson, a visit to the Ocean Discovery Institute’s Living Lab, and a field trip to the coast, as they investigate human impacts and solutions and meet science role models.
5. Outside the Lens, $50,000
Project Title: Cameras in the Outdoor Classroom
Engaging Communities in: City Heights and Barrio Logan in San Diego
Project Timeline: March 2023 – January 2025
Twelve third and fourth grade classes will engage in a 12-week environmentally-focused media arts integration program to understand how their local watershed connects to the ocean. They will share their learning through creating public service announcements and participating in in-person and virtual exhibitions of their work.
6. ‘ataaxum Pomwkaan/Community Action Service Advocacy, $33,635
Project Title: Returning to Our Homelands Project
Engaging Communities in: Northern San Diego County reservations
Project Timeline: March 2023 – January 2025
Native youth and their families will be engaged in reclaiming their homelands through habitat restoration projects in partnership with Buena Vista Audubon Society. Youth will take part in coursework on climate change and wetlands, including Indigenous culture and history, and four stewardship field trips.
7. Vista Community Clinic, $50,000
Project Title: REACH Youth Coastal and Marine Education
Engaging Communities in: Vista and Oceanside
Project Timeline: April 2023 – October 2024
Middle and high school youth will take part in a yearlong afterschool program on coastal and marine conservation, with direct instruction, stewardship activities, fun and educational field trips, whale watching, fishing, and a two-night camping trip to Tijuana River Valley.
8. Amigos de Bolsa Chica, $20,000
Project Title: Reserve Watch
Engaging Communities in: Huntington Beach and visitors
Project Timeline: March 2023 – April 2024
A partnership of Amigos de Bolsa Chica, Bolsa Chica Land Trust, Bolsa Chica Conservancy, Sea & Sage Audubon, and California Department of Fish & Wildlife will recruit, train, and mobilize docents at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve during peak visitor times, seven days a week, to educate the public and protect wildlife. Handouts will be translated into Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese.
9. El Modena High School, $19,572
Project Title: Ecological Research Student Funding
Engaging Communities in: City of Orange
Project Timeline: April 2023 – June 2024
High school students will learn about local wetland plant communities, conduct habitat restoration, and participate in scientific research while completing a California Naturalist certification.
10. Riverside Community College District Foundation, $50,000
Project Title: “C” to Shining Sea
Engaging Communities in: Moreno Valley
Project Timeline: March 2023 – April 2025
As part of the TRIO Programs (e.g. Upward Bound, Talent Search, Student Support Services), middle school through college level students will learn about marine and coastal stewardship, engage in related service learning projects, learn about career pathways, and take field trips to the coast.
11. Wildwoods/Community Partners, $38,516
Project Title: City and the Sea
Engaging Communities in: Pico-Union and downtown Los Angeles
Project Timeline: March 2023 – April 2025
Environmental education and ocean stewardship experiences that focus on watersheds, water science, and the impact of urban actions on the coast will engage children and their families. Three cycles of this three-part program will include a local garden component, a community walk, and a coastal exploration field trip to Leo Carillo State Beach, with all materials in both Spanish and English.
12. Outward Bound Adventures, $46,000
Project Title: Coastal Conservation, Education, & Restoration Project for BIPOC Families
Engaging Communities in: Watts, Northwest Pasadena
Project Timeline: April 2023 – April 2025
Sixteen families will take part in “Teach Me to Camp” overnight camping adventures at Leo Carrilo State Beach. Activities will include exploring tide pools, family goal setting, and assisting in a restoration project at Topanga Lagoon.
13. Children’s Lifesaving Foundation, $50,000
Project Title: Coastal Eco-Mariners Surf Camp
Engaging Communities in: South and East Los Angeles, Mar Vista, Palms, Culver City, Boyle Heights, Pacoima
Project Timeline: March 2023 – September 2023
A summer camp will engage youth in fun, eco-marine education activities, art projects, guided surf therapy, boogie-boarding, and swimming at Zuma and Leo Carillo Beaches.
14. Bresee Foundation, $38,642
Project Title: A Whale of a Time at Bresee
Engaging Communities in: Central Los Angeles
Project Timeline: March 2023 – June 2024
Middle and high school youth, parents, and senior citizens will take part in educational activities about the ocean and ocean pollution, including sustainable seafood cooking classes, an ocean-themed book club, field trips to local aquariums and kayaking in the Channel Islands, as part of a summer day camp and school year programming.
15. Friends of Ballona Wetlands, $30,754
Project Title: Title 1 Schools Explore Ballona! Project
Engaging Communities in: Los Angeles County
Project Timeline: June 2023 – August 2024
Elementary students will experience hands-on field trips to the Ballona Wetlands, with pre- and post-trip in-class lessons supporting teachers with grade-specific California science standards.
16. DiverSeaFy, $30,000
Project Title: DiverSeaFying the Underwater World
Engaging Communities in: Los Angeles County
Project Timeline: March 2023 – November 2024
BIPOC teens will receive training to achieve PADI Open Water Scuba and PADI AWARE Ocean Conservation certifications. They will conduct three cleanup dives with DiverSeaFy alumni, and enjoy two days of diving at Catalina Island.
17. Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, $50,000
Project Title: Beach Equity & Accessibility for Community Health Leadership Program
Engaging Communities in: Los Angeles and Ventura Counties
Project Timeline: March 2023 – April 2025
BIPOC community organization leaders will meet at the beach to discuss and explore barriers to equitable beach access and inform MRCA action toward solutions. Participating organizations will be supported to bring their own groups to the beach for a day, with amenities and activities provided for a fun, positive experience.
18. Queer Surf/Green Cities Fund, $50,000
Project Title: Project ACCESS (Acknowledging Certain Costs Essential for Sustained Surfing)
Engaging Communities in: Los Angeles and Ventura County
Project Timeline: April 2023 – February 2023
Low income LGBTQ+ adults will have increased access to surfing through single day and overnight programming, while fostering sustained ocean belonging, connection, and relationships.
19. Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, $47,675
Project Title: Traveling Tataveaveat (TATAVIAM LAND): Áhëvëve mëmët (ON THE OCEAN SHORE)
Engaging Communities in: San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Simi, and Antelope Valleys
Project Timeline: April 2023 – April 2025
Native American youth will be introduced to traditional Fernandeño Tataviam villages, cultural, and natural sites, and make contemporary connections to historical sites. Youth will gain leadership skills and knowledge of local conservation efforts through aquarium visits, camping, hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor recreation including a visit to Catalina Island.
20. City of Oxnard, $49,989
Project Title: City Corps Ormond Beach Enhancement, Education, and Cleanup Program
Engaging Communities in: Oxnard
Project Timeline: June 2023 – March 2025
Oxnard City Corps trainees will receive education about Ormond Beach habitat and perform habitat protection and conservation work; youth in after-school programs will engage in service learning on Ormand Beach; and local residents will participate in community service learning days, removing invasive plants and trash, and planting native seeds.
21. California Institute of Environmental Studies, $49,300
Project Title: Ecosystem restoration focused service-learning field trips to Channel Islands National Park for Santa Paula High School Students
Engaging Communities in: Santa Paula
Project Timeline: March 2023 – April 2025
Santa Paula High School students will visit Channel Islands National Park for service learning at active restoration sites. Eight day-long trips and two overnight trips will take place over the course of the grant.
22. Ventura Audubon Society, $45,232
Project Title: Ventura County Shorebird Ambassadors
Engaging Communities in: Oxford, Port Hueneme, Ventura County
Project Timeline: March 2023 – December 2024
Two BIPOC college students will receive paid internships and career relevant mentorships as they assist in communication and education on dune ecology and habits. Beach Naturalist training workshops will educate community volunteers who will then protect shorebirds and educate beachgoers. Two community stewardship events and two bilingual nature walks will engage the local public. Volunteer Dog Rangers will be recruited to help dog owners understand how they can protect shorebirds.
23. Reel Guppy Outdoors, $20,000
Project Title: Oceans of Opportunity
Engaging Communities in: Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
Project Timeline: March 2023 – December 2024
Four cohorts of youth and their families will take part in ten experiential activities and field trips including sustainable fishing and rod building, beach cleanups, multi-media creation, port tours, and a boat trip to Santa Cruz Island.
24. Sea League/Wilderness Youth Project, $45,740
Project Title: The Sea League
Engaging Communities in: South Santa Barbara County
Project Timeline: March 2023 – August 2023
Elementary and middle school-aged, majority BIPOC youth will practice surfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddling in a three-month afterschool ocean sports program. They’ll explore tide pools, perform beach cleanups, and join their families on kayaking and snorkeling trips in Channel Islands National Park.
25. Wilderness Youth Project Incorporated, $49,566
Project Title: Bridge to Nature
Engaging Communities in: Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria
Project Timeline: March 2023 – April 2025
Elementary youth will experience in-school and afterschool nature-based mentoring programs, visiting local places including tide pools, beaches, and mesas, for activities including journaling, sensory awareness games, child-centered wandering, and focused nature inquiry.
26. Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, $50,000
Project Title: Explore the Coast Program
Engaging Communities in: Guadalupe and Santa Maria
Project Timeline: May 2023 – May 2024
Sixth graders will receive 12 in-class lessons and four coastal field trips to learn about ecosystem functions, science careers, and how human actions both positive and negative can impact the environment. Field trips will be to local estuaries, Santa Cruz Island, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
27. Northern Chumash Tribal Council, $45,238
Project Title: Curriculum Development with TEK and Scientific Research Ocean Monitoring
Engaging Communities in: Central Coast inland to Bakersfield
Project Timeline: March 2023 – April 2025
A certification course on the skills needed for monitoring the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary for adaptive management and mitigation of impacts of new energy sources, centered in traditional ecological knowledge and western scientific research, will be designed and piloted.
28. SLO Beaver Brigade/Ecologistics, $41,480
Project Title: Beaver Education in SLO County
Engaging Communities in: San Luis Obispo County
Project Timeline: March 2023 – March 2025
Twice-monthly experiential tours to beaver wetlands, including Spanish language and wheelchair accessible tours; monthly river and creek cleanups; new educational interpretive panels and a mural; and Spanish-translated educational materials will engage and educate the local community about the environmental and climate benefits of beavers and the connection of local waterways to the ocean.
29. Chualar Union Elementary School, $49,998
Project Title: Chualar Coastal Conservation: It Starts with Us!
Engaging Communities in: Chualar
Project Timeline: June 2023 – March 2025
A part-time science teacher will lead ocean conservation lessons with students, host bilingual coastal conservation community events, and implement community cleanups in Chualar and on the coast. Fifth and seventh grade students will attend a three-day residential outdoor science class, including trips to Elkhorn Slough.
30. Salinas Surf Club/Wahine Project, $3,687
Project Title: Salinas Youth Riding Waves with Whales
Engaging Communities in: East Salinas
Project Timeline: June 2023 – December 2023
Youth surf club members will learn about whales and the National Marine Sanctuary through hands-on activities and on a whale watch tour, and they will create personal fishing line recycling containers.
31. Bird School Project, $19,990
Project Title: Birding with Families on the Elkhorn Slough/Pajareando con Familias en el Humedal Elkhorn
Engaging Communities in: Watsonville and Salinas
Project Timeline: April 2023 – November 2024
Ten field trips to explore Elkhorn Slough on an electric catamaran, and four community birding events will take place in Watsonville and Salinas. Participants will learn about migratory coastal birds and the importance of Monterey Bay in the Pacific Flyway migration route during these bilingual programs.
32. Monterey Audubon Society, $19,800
Project Title: Black Oystercatcher Monitoring Project Latinx Internship
Engaging Communities in: Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove
Project Timeline: March 2023 – September 2023
An undergraduate student from CSU Monterey Bay will take part in a mentored, paid internship to assist with Black Oystercatcher monitoring and public education.
33. Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, $44,805
Project Title: Watershed to the Sea Experiential Education & Stewardship
Engaging Communities in: South Monterey County
Project Timeline: April 2023 – June 2024
Middle and high school classes will participate in educational programming on watersheds and sandy beaches, including classroom lessons, field trips, data collection and analysis, and conservation action projects. Teachers will receive professional development training.
34. San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, $48,598
Project Title: Voyagers: Investigating Sierras, Trails, and Seas
Engaging Communities in: Madera and Fresno Counties
Project Timeline: March 2023 – December 2024
High school youth will explore and learn about the San Joaquin River watershed, including connections between river and marine ecosystems, through two campouts, a week of summer day camp, a service-learning project on invasive plants, and a capstone project presentation and exhibition.
35. Coastal Watershed Council, $50,000
Project Title: San Lorenzo River Environmental Stewardship Program
Engaging Communities in: Santa Cruz
Project Timeline: April 2023 – December 2023
People experiencing homelessness will be offered weekly environmental education, stewardship opportunities, and services. Training emphasizes plant and wildlife identification, basic stewardship principles related to habitat, and training on plant care and seasonal needs. Work includes removal of debris/litter and invasive species, planting of new native species, weeding, watering, and other site maintenance activities along the San Lorenzo River.
36. Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, $20,000
Project Title: Coyote Creek Environmental Education Project
Engaging Communities in: East San Jose
Project Timeline: April 2023 – July 2024
K-12 students will participate in experiential after-school programming in environmental topics including flood preparedness, urban runoff, watershed health, and trash decomposition.
37. Marshmallow Minds, $37,750
Project Title: Safe Birds, Safe Waters
Engaging Communities in: Santa Clara County
Project Timeline: March 2023 – April 2025
Elementary and middle school students will learn about coding and design thinking as part of a project on bird ecology, and will take a field trip to help restore San Francisco Bay shoreline habitat.
38. Climate Resilient Communities, $47,840
Project Title: Bay to Sea Youth Educational Program for Underrepresented Frontline Communities
Engaging Communities in: North Fair Oaks, Belle Haven, and East Palo Alto
Project Timeline: March 2023 – April 2025
As part of a six-month Youth Climate Collective, high school students and young adults will learn about sea level rise, flood zones, and pollution; participate in ten field trips to coastal, watershed, and wetland locations guided by professionals in
the field; take part in 12 environmental career workshops; participate in a career fair; and organize two beach cleanups for friends and family.
39. Literacy for Environmental Justice, $49,872
Project Title: Coast & Climate Eco-Adventures Program
Engaging Communities in: Bayview-Hunters Point in San Francisco
Project Timeline: April 2023 – August 2024
Middle and high school students will receive six hands-on field lessons and six in-class lessons on local coastal ecology, sea level rise, and coastal climate adaptation strategies, and enjoy San Francisco Bay kayaking and fishing outings.
40. Stockton Unified Native American Indian Center, $39,959
Project Title: Fleming Summer Learning
Engaging Communities in: Stockton
Project Timeline: June 2023 – July 2023
Native American youth will take part in a four-week summer learning program about local waterways and their connection to the ocean with a focus on environmental justice and Native American communities, including weekly field trips in the Delta and on the coast and guest lectures from government, community organizations, and higher learning institutions.
41. San Joaquin County Office of Education, $47,988
Project Title: Salmon Champions
Engaging Communities in: San Joaquin County
Project Timeline: April 2023 – March 2025
Elementary and middle school classes will learn about and raise salmon and release them at Mokelumne River Hatchery. Teachers and high school student leaders will participate in professional development activities, plan and lead educational programming at the salmon release event, and take part in a green career fair.
42. Golden Gate Audubon, $49,800
Project Title: Eco-Education
Engaging Communities in: San Francisco, Oakland, and Richmond
Project Timeline: June 2023 – May 2024
Four class sessions and three field trips will connect classrooms to local coastal ecosystems and human impacts to the environment as they travel from creek to marsh to ocean, with families included in the final ocean field trip.
43. Friends of Sausal Creek, $38,000
Project Title: From Headwaters to Ocean: Sausal Creek Watershed Connections
Engaging Communities in: Fruitvale District in Oakland
Project Timeline: March 2023 – April 2025
Through experiential classes, field trips, and restoration activities, Oakland youth will study the Sausal Creek Watershed, Oakland Estuary, and Pacific Ocean ecology; understand water quality and storm drain pollution links; identify creek and marine flora and fauna; and deepen their commitment to environmental stewardship. The wider community will engage in habitat restoration workdays and in walks with local community experts and artists.
44. California Invasive Plant Council, $41,613
Project Title: Shoreline Invasive Plant Professional Development Program
Engaging Communities in: Oakland, East Bay
Project Timeline: March 2023 – December 2023
A partnership with Oakland Civicorps will provide one year of in-depth shoreline ecology education, hands-on restoration experience, and professional development training for early-career professionals in the conservation and restoration field.
45. Earth Team, $20,000
Project Title: Blue Oceans Internship
Engaging Communities in: Antioch, Pinole, Richmond
Project Timeline: May 2023 – June 2024
High school interns will work with members of their campus communities to develop awareness campaigns of land-based ocean pollution and elicit changes in stewardship behaviors through multiple communication and engagement efforts. They will conduct related environmental investigations off campus, including through several field days and kayaking expeditions.
46. Environmental Traveling Companions, $50,000
Project Title: ETC Youth LEAD
Engaging Communities in: SF Bay Area
Project Timeline: April 2023 – March 2024
Sliding-scale scholarships will fund teens to participate in watershed education and stewardship which includes five-day sea kayaking, five-day backpacking,
and three-day rafting, with an opportunity for a follow-up eight-month internship. Curricular materials will be updated with a focus on coastal and watershed climate change impacts.
47. California State University Maritime Academy, $13,333
Project Title: Junior Ocean Explorer Program
Engaging Communities in: Vallejo
Project Timeline: March 2023 – April 2024
Vallejo fifth graders and their families will connect with Maritime Academy cadets through classroom lessons on estuary ecology, a campus visit, and a cruise on the Carquinez Strait to collect data and plankton samples.
48. United Anglers of Casa Grande, $50,000
Project Title: Tissue Sampling: Permit Management of a Rescue and Rear Program for Native Steelhead Trout
Engaging Communities in: Sonoma County, Petaluma Watershed
Project Timeline: March 2023 – March 2025
High school students will collect juvenile trout stranded from drought conditions, perform measurements and take samples, relocate them to the Casa Grande High School hatchery, and release them when freshwater flows allow. Tissue samples will be sent to NOAA Fisheries for the first-ever genetic analysis of Petaluma Steelhead trout as part of this NOAA-permitted project.
49. Sacramento Inspiring Connections Outdoors/Sierra Club Foundation, $16,000
Project Title: Three Day Adventures at the Coast for Sacramento Youths
Engaging Communities in: Sacramento
Project Timeline: April 2023 – March 2025
Youth and young adults will experience the coast for the first time on three-day outings at a coastal hostel, while learning about and enjoying coastal habitats.
50. Naked Whale Research, $17,425
Project Title: Crest to Coast
Engaging Communities in: Greenville, Plumas County
Project Timeline: March 2023 – May 2023
Greenville high school students will visit Mendocino County on a four-day trip to learn about marine science and marine mammal conservation and to participate in whale research. At home, they will produce videos comparing marine mammal recovery to that of a top mountain predator after a catastrophic fire event.
51. Mattole Restoration Council, $49,336
Project Title: Lost Coast Climate Resilience and Community Education Program
Engaging Communities in: Rural southern Humboldt County
Project Timeline: April 2023 – April 2025
Mixed-grade classes will receive age-appropriate climate and stewardship lessons as part of 12 classroom presentations, six coastal field trips, and four after-school program days. The community will be welcomed to family friendly hikes, beach cleanups, stewardship workdays, and an innovative Climate Change Emotions workshop. Scholarships will be offered to Indigenous and low-income Cal Poly students for the Mattole Field Institute Spring Field Course.
52. Northcoast Environmental Center, $16,624
Project Title: Bike Justice Humboldt
Engaging Communities in: Arcata, Eureka, McKinleyville
Project Timeline: March 2023 – March 2024
At least six bike tours along Humboldt Bay and the coast will engage students and other community members with a lens on environmental justice and increasing bicycle commuting, and provide education on basic bike maintenance, route finding, and civic engagement. At least four of the tours will be co-hosted with other local community groups and tailored to their specific interests.
53. Natural History Museum of Cal Poly Humboldt / Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation, $49,787
Project Title: Ocean and Climate Education and Exploration (OCEE)
Engaging Communities in: Humboldt County
Project Timeline: March 2023 – May 2024
The Museum will create and install two new exhibits relating to climate change science, expand on existing exhibits with additional climate information, and build a new marine science teaching box to be loaned to local teachers and used at outreach events.
54. Friends of the Dunes, $15,000
Project Title: Summer Sand Adventures
Engaging Communities in: Humboldt County
Project Timeline: March 2023 – December 2023
Summer camp programming and camper scholarships will be supported to engage Humboldt youth in multi-day inquiry-based exploration of coastal dunes and wetlands.
55. Resources for Indian Student Education, $12,022
Project Title: Native Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Engaging Communities in: Greenville in Plumas County, Alturas-Fort Bidwell in Modoc County
Project Timeline: March 2023 – September 2023
Native youth will experience the ocean for the first time on a five-day field trip to Mendocino County, including kayaking and hands-on stewardship at the Pda Hua village site near Point Arena.
56. Big Lagoon Elementary, $28,951
Project Title: Big Lagoon Coastal Camp
Engaging Communities in: Northern Humboldt and Southern Del Norte Counties
Project Timeline: March 2023 – July 2023
Indigenous youth will enjoy an immersive three-day coastal camp where they will use Yurok canoes, hike to Sue-meg State Park for interpretive presentations, and explore Yurok connection to the coast through learning indigenous skills, guided explorations of the beach, and camping at Big Lagoon.
10月26日加州萨克拉门托报道，民主党人加州州长纽森（Gavin Newsom）今天对外宣称，他将在2026年中期选举后考虑是否竞选美国总统。纽森的州长任期将于2027年1月结束，由于任期限制，他无法再次参选州长。 58岁的纽森今天在回复明年中期选举结束后是否会“认真考虑”竞选总统的问题时表示：“是的，否则我就是在撒谎，我就是撒谎。而且我不会——我不能那样做。” 纽森曾多次前往关键的摇摆州，包括今年7月访问南卡罗来纳州。目前，该州计划在2028年总统大选中举办首场民主党初选，但情况可能会有所改变。纽森当时的行程包含多个地点，他会见了该州民主党领导人，并在一家咖啡店驻足，号召活动人士，并帮助店员提供浓缩咖啡。 纽森在谈及在南卡罗来纳州与民主党人会面时说道：“我碰巧，感谢上帝，我做对了这行，我爱人。我真的爱人。” 纽森表示，在经历了包括阅读障碍在内的诸多挑战之后，他可能竞选美国总统的消息提醒他，人生可能会朝着意想不到的方向发展。 纽森还表示：“我不知道，一个SAT成绩只有960分，却仍然读不懂讲稿，总是待在教室后排的人，竟然会把这些都扔掉，这本身就很不可思议。谁知道呢？我期待着2028年谁能参选，谁能实现那个目标。而这正是美国人民应该思考的问题。” 纽森认为，他目前的重点是通过加州第50号提案。这项他一直倡导的投票措施将允许州民主党人暂时改变美国众议院选区的边界，使其更有利于民主党。 纽森说，他的努力将在下周的特别选举中决定结果，这是对特朗普总统推动共和党控制的州，如德克萨斯州修改国会选区划分的回应，以便共和党明年有更大的机会保住其在众议院的微弱多数席位。 纽森还说：“我认为这关乎我们的民主。这关乎这个共和国的未来。我认为这关乎开国元勋们为之奋斗乃至牺牲的事业，关乎法治，而非特朗普的统治。” 投票前紧张局势加剧，两党都认为重新划分选区的努力对于实现明年赢得众议院多数席位的目标至关重要。无论哪个党控制着众议院，都拥有对行政部门的传票和监督权。 纽森在10月23日的一场劳工活动上对50号提案的支持者说：“我们有成百上千的移民和海关执法局（ICE）和边境巡逻队。”他指的是该州的联邦特工。纽森预测，在11月4日的特别选举之前，他们的人数可能会增加。 纽森还说：“别以为选举日那天我们不会再看到更多这样的事，这些人可不是闹着玩的。” 纽森谴责美国司法部表示将派遣自己的监督员监督加州的补选和新泽西州的州长选举，称这是特朗普政府恐吓民主党人的举动。美国司法部表示，此举的目的是“确保透明度、选票安全以及遵守联邦法律”。 虽然纽森长期以来一直是加州的常客，但他去年涉足总统政治时引起了人们的强烈关注，当时他是民主党人拜登总统的坚定捍卫者，尤其是在拜登与特朗普的辩论表现之后，这促使许多民主党人呼吁拜登退出2024年的竞选。…
10月26日吉隆坡报道，美国总统特朗普今天在马来西亚首都吉隆坡见证了柬埔寨和泰国签署扩大停火协议仪式，该协议由特朗普总统在今年夏天协助促成，成功结束了柬泰两国的边境冲突。扩大停火协议签署后，特朗普总统又与柬埔寨和泰国达成了单独的经济协议。 此次仪式是特朗普抵达马来西亚吉隆坡东盟（ASEAN）年度峰会后参加的首项活动，也是他亚洲之行的一部分，他此次亚洲之行还包括将对日本和韩国的访问。 特朗普总统在见证了柬埔寨首相洪玛奈（Hun Manet）和泰国总理阿努廷（Anutin Charnvirakul）签署扩大停火协议时表示：“我们做了一件很多人认为不可能的事情。” 该协议要求泰国释放18名被俘柬埔寨士兵，并要求两国开始从边境撤走重型武器。柬埔寨总理称这是“历史性的一天”，泰国总理则表示，该协议奠定了“持久和平的基石”。 特朗普总统此前威胁对柬泰两国征收更高关税，以迫使它们同意结束这场已造成数十人死亡、数十万人流离失所的边境冲突。 此前，特朗普总统今天搭乘空军一号专机抵达马来西亚首都吉隆坡时，在走过红毯时与当地演员一起表演了他标志性的竞选舞蹈。他还一手挥舞着美国国旗，一手挥舞着马来西亚国旗。 马来西亚总理安瓦尔（Anwar Ibrahim）赞扬了泰国和柬埔寨之间的协议，并在峰会开幕致辞中表示：“它提醒我们，和解不是让步，而是一种勇气。” 特朗普总统今天还与马来西亚签署了涉及贸易和关键矿产的协议。由于中国限制了关键技术制造零部件的出口，美国一直在努力扩大其供应链，以减少对中国的依赖。 美国和马来西亚发表的联合声明称，双方达成协议“旨在加强双边经济关系，这将为两国出口商提供前所未有的进入对方市场的机会”。 该声明宣称：“该协议将以我们长期的经济关系为基础，包括2004年签署的《美国-马来西亚贸易投资框架协议》。
10月26日吉隆坡报道，美国总统特朗普总统于当地时间周日上午10点后不久抵达马来西亚首都吉隆坡，在亚洲之旅的首站与马来西亚总理安瓦尔举行了双边会谈，并与东盟 (ASEAN) 柬埔寨和泰国领导人举行会谈。 特朗普总统在为期一周的亚洲之旅里，还将与日本、韩国及中国领导人会晤，其重要目标是与中国国家主席习近平达成贸易协议，以期结束持续数月的贸易战。 特朗普总统在飞行途中发帖表示，他将在抵达后与泰国总理会面，并签署泰柬和平协议，并提及泰国太后诗丽吉最近去世的消息。 预计特朗普总统将于此次海外之行的最后一天10月30日，在韩国与中国国家主席习近平举行会谈。 今年夏天，随着美中关税和贸易谈判继续进行，两国关系有所缓和，但最近，在美中两国领导人会晤前几周，中国宣布加强对稀土矿物的出口管制，紧张局势进一步加剧。特朗普政府认为，这些扩大的限制措施适用于世界各国，将对全球制造业产生重大影响。特朗普总统的高级经济顾问称中国的出口管制是“经济胁迫”和“敲诈勒索”。 作为回应，特朗普总统威胁称，如果与习近平的谈判失败，美国将从11月1日起对中国进口产品加征100%的关税。 即便如此，特朗普总统仍显得乐观，表示期待与习近平会晤时“能够达成一项好协议”。他表示，预计双方还将就中国购买美国大豆，甚至核问题进行磋商。 访问马来西亚后，特朗普将前往日本，预计将与日本新任首相高市早苗举行会谈。高市早苗是一位政治保守派，也是日本首位女性领导人。尽管美日两国已经达成贸易协议，但此次会谈仍将重点关注美日关系的这一方面。 预计特朗普10月29日还将访问韩国参加亚太经合组织（APEC）峰会。届时，特朗普总统将与韩国总统举行双边会晤，并在亚太经合组织（APEC）工商领导人午餐会上发表主旨演讲，并参加亚太经合组织工作晚宴。
10月25日第比利斯报道，格鲁吉亚国家安全局（SSG）今天表示，三名中国公民在格鲁吉亚首都第比利斯被捕，他们试图非法购买2公斤（4.4磅）铀。 格鲁吉亚国家安全局在一份声明中表示，嫌疑人计划经俄罗斯将核材料运往中国，并公布了扣押行动的视频片段。 该机构表示：“三名中国公民在第比利斯被拘留，他们试图非法购买2公斤核材料—铀。” 并补充说，该犯罪集团成员计划支付40万美元（34.4万欧元）购买这些放射性物质。 据当局称，一名已在格鲁吉亚的中国公民违反格鲁吉亚签证规定，带领专家前往格鲁吉亚，在该国各地搜寻铀矿。 声明称，该犯罪集团的其他成员在中国协调了此次行动。肇事者在“商讨非法交易细节”时被确认身份并被拘留。 该机构没有具体说明逮捕的具体时间，也没有提供嫌疑人的身份。 今年1月，据称是日本犯罪集团头目的日本人海老泽武（Takeshi Ebisawa）承认了一项指控，他被控密谋从缅甸贩运铀和钚，因为他相信伊朗会将其用于制造核武器。
10月25日华盛顿报道，美国总统特朗普今天在启程前往亚洲访问时表示，白宫宴会厅迄今为止已筹集“超过3.5亿美元”。特朗普总统此前曾表示，白宫宴会厅建设资金将全部来自美国私人捐款和他自己的资金，不花纳税人的钱。 美国数十位高管和公司已捐款，用于特朗普总统耗资3亿美元建造的宴会厅，其中许多人希望获得白宫的优惠政策、减少审查或批准重大交易。 白宫宴会厅将取代白宫东翼，其捐赠者包括美国大型科技公司、国防承包商和其他大型企业。白宫尚未披露每家公司的捐款金额。 据白宫提供的37家捐赠者名单，其中包括谷歌（Google）和亚马逊（Amazon）等科技公司，以及瑞波币和Coinbase等加密货币公司。据消息人士透露，其他为该项目捐款的公司包括英伟达、萨斯奎汉纳国际集团和生物科技公司ExtremityCare。特朗普总统上周曾举办了一场大型答谢捐赠者的晚宴，不过参加该晚宴者不都是捐赠者。 一份嘉宾名单显示，受邀参加特朗普答谢晚宴的数十名捐赠者中包括全球领先的先进微芯片开发商之一英伟达的代表。海纳国际集团（SIG）的联合创始人兼抖音美国公司TikTok的投资者杰夫·亚斯也在嘉宾名单上。 针对有些对建造白宫宴会厅不满的声音，白宫新闻秘书莱维特在一份声明中表示：“那些错误地声称存在利益冲突的批评者，如果由纳税人买单，他们也会抱怨。白宫宴会厅项目的捐赠者代表了众多优秀的美国公司和慷慨的个人，他们都在为建设人民之家、造福子孙后代做出贡献。” 白宫宴会厅捐赠者和晚宴嘉宾包括科技巨头谷歌、软件服务商帕兰泰尔（Palantir)、科技巨头亚马逊和微软，以及手机运营商T-Mobile，都在白宫列出的捐助者名单之列。 谷歌旗下的视频平台YouTube也同意向白宫宴会厅项目捐款2200万美元。移动运营商T-Mobile发言人在一份声明中表示，该公司向负责处理白宫宴会厅捐赠的国家广场信托基金(Trust for the National Mall)捐款，但“不参与这些资金的使用或与宴会厅建设相关的决策”。 根据白宫的捐赠者名单，一些加密货币领域的大佬也向白宫宴会厅捐款。Coinbase 的一位发言人证实，美国最大的加密货币交易所 Coinbase…
10月24日纽约报道，美国职业篮球联赛 （NBA）总裁萧华（Adam Silver）今晚对波特兰教练比卢普斯（Chauncey Billups）和迈阿密后卫罗齐尔（Terry Rozier）因涉赌被捕首次公开发表的评论中声称，他对震惊起诉感到震惊。 萧华在亚马逊在线视频Prime Video中的波士顿对阵纽约的比赛首播中说：“我最初的反应是深感不安，对联盟及其球迷来说，没有什么比比赛的公平性更重要了。我心里很不是滋味，非常难过。” 联盟中许多人今天在包括比卢普斯和罗齐尔等近30人被联邦调查局（FBI）逮捕后表达了同样的感受。 罗齐尔被捕的原因是联邦调查局指控他与同伙合谋，帮助他们根据他的数据表现赢得赌注。这些指控与前多伦多球员波特（Jontay Porter）在2024年被萧华禁赛前面临的指控类似。 此前，罗齐尔的律师特拉斯蒂（James Trusty ）10月23日在一份声明中称，罗齐尔一直被定性为调查对象，而非目标，但“今天早上6点，他们打电话告诉我，联邦调查局特工正试图在一家酒店逮捕他。” 特拉斯蒂指责联邦检察官“想通过放走罪犯来羞辱一名职业运动员，这本身就是一种不该有的荣耀”。 比卢普斯因参与联邦官员所称的黑手党支持的、被操纵的扑克游戏而面临串谋实施电信欺诈和洗钱的指控。他还与起诉书中仅被描述为“同谋8号”的某人的证词相符，起诉书中详细描述了一些人如何向赌徒提供球员健康状况的内部信息。…