On Sunday June 28 several hundred exultant coastal advocates gathered at the Gualala Arts Center to celebrate the expansion of the Cordell Banks and Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries. More than doubling in size, these protected areas now extend north up the Sonoma and Mendocino coast beyond Point Arena, providing permanent protection to this very rich and fragile habitat.
The event was marked by nearly constant rounds of applause, punctuated with cheers and standing ovations. One of the loudest shout-outs came when Congressman Jared Huffman speculated about pushing the boundaries even farther north. Noting that numerous people have proposed that the whole California coast should be protected, and maybe Oregon as well. he said we had to think big: “there’s no logical stopping point until all Alaska is included.”
Sierra Club wilderness advocate Vicky Hoover came all the way from San Francisco to join the party.