San Diego County CA— On October 28, Waterkeeper Alliance President Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will give a keynote address to guests at San Diego Coastkeeper’s 18th Annual Seaside Soiree. This year’s open-air affair also marks a significant milestone for San Diego Coastkeeper, which turns 20 years old in its mission to protect and restore fishable, swimmable and drinkable waters to San Diego County.
At the Seaside Soiree, Kennedy, along with supporters, board members and staff, will celebrate the importance of San Diego’s underwater treasures and healthy waterways while sipping on Mai Tais at the Bali Hai on Shelter Island. The event raises money to support the organization’s work on water quality and water supply issues in San Diego County’s meandering inland waters, along its beautiful coastline and in its pursuit of an economy fueled by clean water.
“San Diego Coastkeeper has grown into a movement of people across the county who are passionate about protecting our waters,” said Executive Director Megan Baehrens. “We have drastically improved the health of San Diego’s waters and protected the resources and activities that define the San Diego County way of life. Let’s celebrate that.”
Originally a two-person team, San Diego Coastkeeper demonstrated early success by bringing major corporations into compliance with pollution laws, reducing sewage spills in the City of San Diego and reducing countywide beach advisories.
It began its journey in 1995 when San Diego Coastkeeper emerged as the 15th Waterkeeper organization in the country, focusing on local, community-based advocacy. As the founder of the global Waterkeeper Alliance, which connects and supports local Waterkeeper programs to provide a voice for waterways and their communities worldwide, Kennedy was present at the organization’s launch 20 years ago. In 2015, Kennedy, now one of Time magazine’s “Heroes for the Planet,” will revisit those early victories and look to the future of the locally based Waterkeeper model.
“It’s my honor to return to the home of the 15th Waterkeeper organization, one of the early leaders in a movement now aimed at protecting 500 waterways across the globe,” said Kennedy. “San Diego Coastkeeper’s achievements are historic markers demonstrating the power of persistence, collaboration and engagement to improve the waters this region depends on every day.”
San Diego Coastkeeper’s Seaside Soiree VIP and general admission tickets are on sale. To sponsor or underwrite the event, contact Megan Baehrens at meganb@sdcoastkeeper.org or (619) 758-7743 X103. The event, which runs from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. on October 28, will include a roaming buffet, education stations, opportunity drawing and interactive setting to celebrate its accomplishments.
For more information about San Diego Coastkeeper and how you can protect the county’s waters, please visit Coastkeeper’s website at www.sdcoastkeeper.org.