In late 2017 Humboldt Baykeeper rode a tidal wave of Clean Water Act victories aimed at reducing pollution in California’s second-largest natural estuary, filing four court actions, and winning each time.

But despite Humboldt Baykeeper’s banner year, Jen Kalt bemoans the current lack of enforcement of environmental laws across the United States. For authorities to enable businesses to operate outside of those laws, she says, is “an injustice to the people who believe in running their businesses in ways that follow the law and protect the environment.”

Photo: Humboldt Baykeeper Jen Kalt collecting bacteria samples for a continuing source identification study. Photo by Todd Kraemer, Pacific Watershed Associates.

Since 2005, Humboldt Baykeeper has offered free bay tours for the general public. Over the years, more than 7,500 people have enjoyed our docent-led tours.

This year, our Bay Tours Program has restructured to focus on youth and ESL students, although we still offer kayak tours for the general public combined with Earth Day and Coastal Cleanup Day volunteer trash cleanups. Our next paddle cleanup will be on Saturday, September 15, for Coastal Cleanup Day. To reserve a spot, contact Jasmin Segura at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (707) 407-6183.

Two of our local beaches are Beach Bummers again this year: Clam Beach (#4) and Luffenholtz Beach (#6). Both are impacted by storm drains, which discharge polluted runoff into streams and coastal waters. Mad River Beach North received an A+ grade, suggesting that proximity to septic systems may be a major factor in the overall health of our coastal waters. 

The Humboldt Bay area may become the site of the first offshore wind energy project on the west coast of North America. The pieces are quickly falling into place for Redwood Coast Energy Authority to become the first local government entity to apply for a commercial offshore wind lease from the federal government. Unlike land-based projects, this lease bid would be just the beginning of a series of studies and related permits that could culminate in project development in 5-7 years.

Call of Life: Facing the Mass Extinction investigates the growing threat to Earth’s life support systems from this unprecedented loss of biodiversity. Through interviews with leading scientists, psychologists, anthropologists, philosophers, and indigenous and religious leaders, the film explores the causes, the scope, and the potential effects of the mass extinction, but also looks beyond the immediate causes of the crisis to consider how our cultural and economic systems, along with deep-seated psychological and behavioral patterns, have allowed this situation to develop, continue to reinforce it, and even determine our response to it.

Surf films TBA!

UPDATED! Humboldt Baykeeper has been testing mercury levels in local fish since July 2016 with funding from the California Environmental Protection Agency. We’ve found that most local fish are safe to eat in moderation—with a few exceptions.

Click HERE for the Final Report

Click HERE for the updated Guidelines

Comiendo Pescado Con Seguridad Pautas para Humboldt Bay