Tidepools offer a unique and exciting opportunity to experience an amazing array of marine wildlife in its natural habitat. Unfortunately, the health of tidepools is greatly impacted by human activities. Agricultural and urban runoff, coastal development, trampling by unaware visitors, and over-fishing are just some of the problems affecting tidepool health.

In acknowledgement of the important role that beaches play as ecosystems, the Surfrider Foundation initiated the Beach is Alive campaign in 2002. As the U.S. embraces the new paradigm of 'ecosystem-based' management, the Surfrider Foundation believes that beaches (including Tidpools) must be treated as an integral link to marine and terrestrial systems. One of the main goals of the Beach is Alive project includes educating the public on the important ecological functions that beaches (and tidepools) provide.

Using the principles and goals of the Beach Is Alive campaign, the Malibu Chapter started a new Tidepool Protection Program in early 2005.

In Spring of 2004, concerned resident Gigi Grazer contacted the Malibu Chapter and shared her concerns about the misuse (and in some cases, abuse) of the tidepools near her Malibu home.

"I saw people urinating here in the tide pools. I saw people pick up and sometimes throw starfish. I saw people put starfish in their bags to take home with them," Grazer said.

The Grazer family made a donation towards educational signage and the development of a program to protect Malibu's tidepools. Read the Malibu Times article on Gigi Grazer>>>

The Malibu Chapter contracted Robert Checchi in the summer of 2004 to design a sign for Malibu Lagoon State Beach tidepools. Two more signs are presently being discussed.

The first sign was unveiled at Malibu Lagoon State Beach
on April 2, 2005. * Click to view the tidepool sign*

On April 2nd, 2005, the Malibu Chapter officially launched their Tidepool Protection Program at Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Volunteers from the Malibu Chapter met with local Girl Scouts (one troop came from Whittier!) to teach the girls about responsible actions while visiting Malibu's fragile tidepools.

Below you will find a schedule for the Tideool Protection Program events in 2005. For more details, if you are interested in volunteering at or organizing one of our events, or if you would like to make a donation to help promote and expand this program, please contact the Malibu Chapter at 310-451-1010.

Looking ahead to 2006, the Chapter hopes to raise additional funds to install more signs at some of Malibu's beautiful and delicate tidepools, develop a tidepool docent program to monitor and protect our local tidepools, and expand the educational events about tidepools into the local schools.

THANK YOU to the following people/organizations who are helping the Malibu Chapter make this program happen:
* CA STATE PARKS - Suzanne Goode, Lynette Hernandez
* ANGELES GIRL SCOUTS
* PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY - Dr. Karen Martin
* UCLA - Dr. Richard Ambrose, Rafe Sagarin

Schedule - 2005

April 2 - 11:00AM -
Malibu Lagoon State Beach / Official Program Launch with The Angeles Girl Scouts

May 28 - 8:00AM -
Malibu Lagoon State Beach - with The Angeles Girl Scouts

June 25 - 10AM - Tidepool Program planning meeting. Contact Nancy Hastings.

September 17 - 2:30PM -
Coastal Clean-Up Day

October 15 - 1:30PM -
Leo Carillo State Beach

November 12 - 12:00PM –
Big Dume State Beach