ORGANIZERS

Based out of Ventura, Paso Pacífico helps protect birds and whales that migrate between Ventura County and the tropics. In our main working areas in Central America, we save endangered species like sea turtles and spider monkeys, plant native trees, and work with community members to improve the environment for a better world. Our mission is to restore and protect the Pacific Slope ecosystems, including dry tropical forests, mangrove wetlands, and coral reefs. We accomplish this by building wildlife corridors that protect biodiversity and connect people to their land and ocean, emphasizing the involvement of local communities, landowners, and partner organizations.

The MERITO Foundation is a nonprofit environmental organization based in Ventura since 2014. Our mission is to protect the ocean by engaging multicultural youth and their communities in transformative experiences in environmental education, recreation, scientific research, marine conservation, and entrepreneurship. Our vision is a healthy ocean cared for by diverse coastal communities who live in an environmentally responsible manner regardless of native language, economic status, cultural beliefs, or ethnic background because we share one ocean.