People often ask, “What’s the most effective thing I can do to help the Bay?”
I love that there are so many good ways to answer this question. You can read our monthly emails to stay informed, sign advocacy petitions that go directly to decision-makers, spread the word about important updates on social media—and of course make donations to support our work!
And one of the most powerful things you can do is also the simplest: keep an eye out.
Many of our biggest wins against polluters started with tips from people like you—someone who noticed something that didn’t look right. Maybe it was spotting something unusual in the water, witnessing the dumping of hazardous materials, or seeing shorebirds behaving strangely. These public reports have frequently led to investigations, enforcement, and real change.
Baykeeper has a team of sixteen staff, but with your help, we’re effectively a team of thousands. Our ability to protect the Bay is amplified by a strong network of people who are paying attention and speaking up.
That’s why this spring we’ve launched a new campaign to raise awareness about Baykeeper and our network. You can catch the bold signs in BART stations, on ferries, and online encouraging people to “keep an eye on the Bay.” Our goal is to grow the community of people who care enough to act.
If you see something that doesn’t look right, report it to our pollution hotline. And if you know someone who loves the Bay, send them to this page so they can join us, too. The more eyes on the water, the more we can protect it together.
There’s also coincidentally a charming new podcast about the Bay that highlights this very topic. It’s called Once Upon A Bay, created by Baykeeper’s founder, “Mad Dog” Mike Herz, and his wife, Kate Josephs. Their latest episode explores what it means to be a keeper of San Francisco Bay—including a few soundbites from yours truly—and it’s worth the listen.
Thank you for being part of our community keeping an eye on the Bay!
From one keeper to another,
Sejal Choksi-Chugh