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2026 California Ocean Summit

Innovating For Resilience

A premier event advancing ocean stewardship through science, policy, philanthropy, investment, and culture. Join us as we leverage California's legacy of environmental innovation to drive lasting impact for our coast.
A premier event advancing ocean stewardship through science, policy, philanthropy, investment, and culture. Join us as we leverage California's legacy of environmental innovation to drive lasting impact for our coast.

December 9-11, 2026  |  Santa Barbara, CA

One Summit, Two Experiences

The California Ocean Summit is intentionally designed to bring together both the leaders driving ocean solutions and the broader community that cares about the future of our coasts. Through a combination of working sessions and public-facing cultural programming, the Summit creates opportunities for meaningful collaboration, storytelling, and action.

SCIENCE, POLICY & INVESTMENT

Working Summit

The engine of the Summit, bringing together leaders across sectors to collaborate, build partnerships, and advance actionable solutions.

Who Should Attend:

  • Ocean Scientists & Researchers
  • Policymakers & Government Leaders
  • Impact Investors & Philanthropists
  • Venture Capital Firms
  • Ocean Startups & Entrepreneurs
  • NGOs & Environmental Organizations
  • Cultural Leaders & Storytellers
  • Media & Journalists
  • Environmental Leaders
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Connect

Gain direct access to leaders across ocean science, policy, investment, philanthropy, and innovation through curated networking and cross-sector matchmaking.

Collaborate

Participate in working sessions designed to build partnerships, align priorities, and accelerate real-world solutions for California’s ocean future.

Shape the Future

Help influence emerging ocean policy, investment initiatives, and the development of a California Ocean Action Declaration and Coastal Ocean Innovation Hub.

EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

Public Programming

The California Ocean Summit extends beyond the Working Summit through a vibrant series of films, performances, exhibitions, conversations, and community experiences. A defining feature of the Summit, this public-facing programming sets it apart from traditional ocean conferences by inviting the broader community into the conversation. Designed for both attendees and the public, these experiences celebrate ocean culture, amplify diverse voices, and inspire meaningful engagement with the future of California’s coast and ocean.

Public Events:

  • Arts & Cultural Experiences
  • Film Screenings
  • Live Performances & Concert Experiences
  • Community Engagement Activities
  • Public Talks & Storytelling Events
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SCIENCE, POLICY & INVESTMENT

Working Summit

The engine of the Summit, bringing together leaders across sectors to collaborate, build partnerships, and advance actionable solutions.
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EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

Public Programming

Film, arts, storytelling, and community experiences designed to inspire the next wave of ocean leaders.

Where Science, Capital, Policy, and Culture Converge

The California Ocean Summit is organized around five interconnected themes designed to spark collaboration, accelerate innovation, and advance meaningful action. Together, these focus areas bring diverse perspectives into conversation around the future of ocean stewardship and coastal resilience.

Ocean Innovation

INNOVATION

Explore the research, technology, deployment, and commercialization shaping the future of ocean solutions—highlighting the people and innovations moving from concept to real-world impact.

Policy & Progress

ACTION

Engage with policymakers, agency leaders, and advocates working to advance practical solutions for California’s ocean and coastal ecosystems. Discussions focus on implementation, collaboration, and the policies needed to drive measurable progress.

Capital & Investment

INVESTMENT

Discover how philanthropy, ocean venture capital, impact investing, and blended finance can help scale ocean solutions. This focus area connects funders and innovators around opportunities to accelerate environmental and economic outcomes.

Community & Culture

CONNECTION

Experience the power of storytelling, film, arts, and public engagement to inspire action and deepen our connection to the ocean. This portion of the event explores how culture can help move ocean issues from the margins to the center of public conversation.

Field Experiences

EXPLORATION

Step beyond the conference venue and into the landscapes that make California’s coastline unique. Guided site visits and immersive experiences provide firsthand perspectives on the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping our coastal future.

Community & Culture

CONNECTION

Experience the power of storytelling, film, arts, and public engagement to inspire action and deepen our connection to the ocean. This portion of the event explores how culture can help move ocean issues from the margins to the center of public conversation.

Where Science, Capital, Policy, and Culture Converge

The California Ocean Summit is organized around five interconnected themes designed to spark collaboration, accelerate innovation, and advance meaningful action. Together, these focus areas bring diverse perspectives into conversation around the future of ocean stewardship and coastal resilience.

Ocean Innovation

INNOVATION

Explore the research, technology, deployment, and commercialization shaping the future of ocean solutions—highlighting the people and innovations moving from concept to real-world impact.

Policy & Progress

ACTION

Engage with policymakers, agency leaders, and advocates working to advance practical solutions for California’s ocean and coastal ecosystems. Discussions focus on implementation, collaboration, and the policies needed to drive measurable progress.

Capital & Investment

INVESTMENT

Discover how philanthropy, ocean venture capital, impact investing, and blended finance can help scale ocean solutions. This focus area connects funders and innovators around opportunities to accelerate environmental and economic outcomes.

Community & Culture

CONNECTION

Experience the power of storytelling, film, arts, and public engagement to inspire action and deepen our connection to the ocean. This portion of the event explores how culture can help move ocean issues from the margins to the center of public conversation.

Field Experiences

EXPLORATION

Step beyond the conference venue and into the landscapes that make California’s coastline unique. Guided site visits and immersive experiences provide firsthand perspectives on the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping our coastal future.

2026 Partnerships

Meet the organizations helping chart the course for the future of ocean stewardship. Our sponsors and partners provide the leadership, resources, and vision that make the California Ocean Summit possible.
Become a Sponsor

Ocean Visionary Presenting Partners

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Community Partners

Keynotes & Featured Participants

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Dr. Dawn Wright is Chief Scientist at Esri and a globally recognized pioneer in marine geographic information systems (GIS). A Professor of Geography and Oceanography at Oregon State University, she made history in 2022 as the first Black person to dive to the Challenger Deep, the deepest point on Earth. Her groundbreaking work has advanced ocean mapping, marine science, and the use of geospatial technology to better understand and protect our planet.

Dawn Wright

ESRI, CHIEF SCIENTIST

Gregg Hart represents California’s 37th Assembly District, serving Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. A longtime public servant and environmental advocate, he has championed legislation to protect California’s coast, reduce marine pollution, and advance sustainable ocean and climate policy.

Gregg Hart

37TH DISTRICT ASSEMBLYMEMBER

Laura Francis is the Founder of the Sea Forward Ocean Health Fund, a collaborative philanthropic fund investing in ocean solutions. A former NOAA marine biologist with 27 years of service, she now pioneers innovative finance models to accelerate ocean impact.

Laura Francis

SEA FORWARD FUND, FOUNDER

Tom Quigley, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Superorganism, the first venture firm dedicated to biodiversity, investing at the intersection of nature, biotech, and ocean innovation.

Tom Quigley

SUPERORGANISM

Peter Bryant, Managing Director, Philanthropy, Oceans, Builders Vision, a mission-driven impact platform combining philanthropy, investment, and influence to catalyze capital across the ocean and blue economy ecosystem.

Peter Bryant

BUIDER'S VISION

Dr. Catherine (Cat) Burns, Managing Director, NatureVest (The Nature Conservancy), leading Blue Bonds for Ocean Conservation and private investment in sustainable aquaculture private equity funds, spanning conservation debt and blue-economy venture.

Catherine (Cat) Burns

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

Matthew Stotts is Co-Founder and Partner at Cerulean Ventures, where he invests in early-stage companies building solutions for climate resilience, biodiversity, and a nature-positive economy. He is a former technology founder and professor of technology management at the University of California.

Mathew Stotts

CERULEAN VENTURES, CO-FOUNDER

Gracie White, Senior Director of Global Ocean Investments, Conservation International Ventures (CI Ventures), investing in early-stage, nature-positive enterprises across emerging markets.

Gracie White

CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL VENTURES

SCIENCE, POLICY & INVESTMENT

Working Summit

The engine of the Summit, bringing together leaders across sectors to collaborate, build partnerships, and advance actionable solutions.
Request More Information

EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

Public Programming

Film, arts, storytelling, and community experiences designed to inspire the next wave of ocean leaders.

BECOME A PARTNER

Partnership Opportunities

Partner with the California Ocean Summit and connect your organization with leaders across science, policy, investment, philanthropy, and innovation. Complete the form to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and partnership benefits.
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The California Ocean Summit website is currently evolving. Subscribe to receive updates, programming announcements, speaker news, and opportunities to get involved as new information becomes available.
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Be part of the movement.

The California Ocean Summit website is currently evolving. Subscribe to receive updates, programming announcements, speaker news, and opportunities to get involved as new information becomes available.
We care about your data in our privacy policy.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
contact: info@calocean.org
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