It’s 2022 and CoastalCare.org has a NEW LOOK . . .

Originally launched in 2010 by the Santa Aguila Foundation, CoastalCare.org was established in loving memory of young Aguila, whose favorite playground was the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean, an exceptional natural environment of unspoiled sandy beaches.

Committed to the idea that every child has the right to live in a healthy natural environment just as Aguila did, CoastalCare.org was born with a stated mission of:

• Raising awareness of the many unsustainable practices that are harming the world’s beaches and coasts
• Educating children and adults about the science of beaches and empower them to act to protect their coastal environments
• Advocating for sensible and meaningful science-based laws, policies and regulations that will protect and preserve coastlines and beaches around the world, and
• Inspiring and mobilizing individuals and groups to recognize and address global issues of coastal management

For over a decade, the site was maintained by Claire le Guern, who sadly passed away of cancer in July of 2021. Claire was truly the heart and soul of Coastal Care, an amazing, dedicated, and enthusiastic savior for the ocean and our natural environment. Though not a coastal scientist, she dedicated herself to studying the issues, posting the latest discussions and articles, encouraging and acknowledging the writings of many coastal scientists and supporters. She also researched and wrote a significant number of stories herself. She was a gift to the preservation of the world’s beaches.

Today, we unveil a re-designed CoastalCare.org site, to honor the memories of both Aguila and Claire, and to re-commit ourselves to its mission. The world has changed in the past twelve years, but it is clear that the mission of CoastalCare.org is still powerfully relevant. The impacts of climate change have become even more obvious and threatening. Whether sea-level rise, shoreline retreat and the loss of beaches, or a warming and more acidic ocean containing more plastic, the ocean and the coasts of the world need our attention and care now more than ever.

In re-committing ourselves to “illuminating the science, celebrating our coasts, and empowering communities” we look to science to inform our understanding and our choices. We look to artists to celebrate our world, while also interpreting the science to shed light on the human condition. All of this empowers individuals as well as communities to make informed choices, in their personal lives, as well as at the voting booth.

In looking forward, it is always important to also look backward – to learn, and to celebrate. Over its first 6 years (2011-2017) a staggering 175 different individuals – writers, artists, scientists, surfers, photographers, filmmakers, and friends of the coast – generously contributed their knowledge, expertise, and skills to CoastalCare.org. Another thirty publishers, magazines, media and organizations did so as well. In these first six years alone, close to 6,000 articles were published in under the “Just Washed In” section, along with 67 “Beach of the Month” stories and 66 new “Pictures of the Month.” Forty-one coastal books were reviewed and five new books were published with the support of the Santa Aguila Foundation. In addition, Sand Wars, a groundbreaking documentary film by award-winning director Denis Delastrac, was also supported by the Foundation and has gone on to receive worldwide acclaim

With the continued support of the Santa Aguila Foundation, Coastal Care is opening a new chapter and are reaching out to all friends of the coast and beaches globally to join us – whether through your research, ruminations, artistic explorations – to share your stories, visions and creative work with others around the planet to help motivate, encourage and combine all of our creative energies to help preserve and protect coasts and beaches everywhere.

Please explore the site, engage with the material in any way that works for you, and get in touch!

— Gary Griggs