California Ocean Protection Board Meetings 11/25, 12/1, 12/9

Mission Our mission is to protect California’s coast and ocean by advancing innovative, science-based policy and management, making strategic investments, and catalyzing action through partnerships and collaboration. These efforts yield significant benefits to the state while providing a global model for ecosystem-based protection and conservation.
Vision The health of California’s people and ecosystems is tied closely to that of our coast and oceans. OPC is charged with safeguarding coastal and ocean ecosystems for the benefit of all Californians, pursuant to a Vision of healthy, resilient, and productive coastal and ocean ecosystems in California, for the benefit of current and future generations.

The Ocean Protection Council is a Cabinet-level state body that works jointly with state and federal agencies, NGOs, tribes and the public to ensure that California maintains healthy, resilient, and productive ocean and coastal ecosystems. To stay updated on upcoming OPC events, initiatives, and public meetings, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media. About Us - California Ocean Protection Council

Microplastics Research Public Webinar and Panel – November 25, 2025

Learn how California researchers, supported by the Ocean Protection Council and California Sea Grant, are tackling microplastic pollution. OPC and California Sea Grant provided $1.9 million to fund five research projects addressing microplastics in California. These projects were selected through two competitive research calls focused on 1) improved understanding of aquatic microplastic contamination sources and ecological sensitivity, and 2) microplastic removal efficacy of low-impact development structural best management practices.

A public webinar sharing findings from these research projects, with opportunity for direct Q&A with researchers, will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Register for the Webinar

For more information, please contact Kyla Kelly, Water Quality Program Manager (kyla.kelly@resources.ca.gov) with the subject line “OPC Microplastics Research”.

Coastal Habitat Mapping White Paper Now Available – Informational Webinar December 1, 2025

The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) released a new Coastal Habitat Mapping Considerations White Paper, developed to explore options for statewide coastal habitat mapping efforts. The report offers recommendations for creating consistent, practical, and effective approaches to mapping California’s diverse coastal habitats.

Managing and protecting California’s coastal ecosystems, and tracking progress toward regional and statewide goals, requires accurate, up-to-date maps. These maps help scientists and managers assess habitat extent, monitor change over time, and evaluate conservation outcomes. However, past mapping has often been done in a piecemeal way, using different methods and timeframes. This inconsistency makes it difficult to get a clear statewide picture of status and trends.

To help address this challenge, OPC worked with expert workgroups to explore options for routinely and comprehensively mapping four key coastal habitats across California: coastal wetlands, beaches and dunes, eelgrass, and rocky intertidal zones. The white paper summarizes these options and provides guidance to improve future consistency of coastal habitat mapping statewide.

This effort supports OPC’s Strategic Plan goals for coastal habitat acreage targets and helps other state agencies meet mandates to track habitat acreages under AB 1757, California’s Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets.

Informational Webinar

An informational webinar will be held Monday, December 1, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., with staff from OPC, the San Francisco Estuary Institute, and the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project.

Register for the Webinar

Ocean Protection Council Meeting – December 9, 2025 – Teleconference and Public Forum

The Ocean Protection Council will hold a hybrid public meeting via teleconference and in a public forum on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. The agenda is available. 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Please register to join the meeting via Zoom or by phone.

OPC is committed to ensuring our public meetings are accessible. Members of the public can participate by providing written and oral comment on Council matters. For public participation in OPC virtual meetings, view the instructions and see below.

The meeting materials will be available on this page by November 26, 2025. Ocean Protection Council Meeting - December 9, 2025 - Teleconference and Public Forum - California Ocean Protection Council

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