Orange County Coastkeeper

Orange County Coastkeeper is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting fresh- and saltwater ecosystems in Orange County, California. Founded in March 1999 by Garry Brown, it was the 27th licensed "Keeper" program in the United States[3]. The organization is classified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation under the federal tax ID 33-0847892[4].

Mission

The mission of Orange County Coastkeeper is to protect water resources that are swimmable, drinkable, and fishable, while promoting watershed resilience throughout the region. It aims to achieve this through collaborative efforts with diverse groups in both public and private sectors[1][2].

Programs and Objectives

Orange County Coastkeeper implements a variety of programs in areas such as education, advocacy, restoration, research, enforcement, and conservation. Key objectives include:

• Collaborative Watershed Management: Building a regional approach to managing watersheds collaboratively.
• Water Quality Solutions: Developing solutions that meet the needs of both the environment and the community.
• Measurable Results: Ensuring that all actions and programs have well-defined and measurable outcomes.
• Environmental Awareness: Increasing awareness among citizens, students, policymakers, and the business community.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws.
• Research and Policy Action: Conducting research to identify pollution impacts and provide sound evidence for policy and enforcement actions[2].

History

The concept of "Keeper" programs traces back to a 19th-century English tradition where "river keepers" were responsible for maintaining healthy waters. In the United States, this model was adapted with the establishment of the Hudson Riverkeeper in 1983. Orange County Coastkeeper was founded by Garry Brown, who recognized the need for similar stewardship in Orange County's waters[3].

Funding and Operations

The organization is supported by private foundation grants, government program grants, and donations from individuals and corporations. It has grown significantly since its founding, expanding its staff and operations across Orange County[3].

[1] https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit/2802d81b61024955b77cbd623c8de682-orange-county-coastkeeper-costa-mesa [2] https://www.coastkeeper.org/what-we-do/ [3] https://www.coastkeeper.org/about/our-history/ [4] https://www.coastkeeper.org/donate/ [5] https://www.coastkeeper.org/about/