Posts by Holly Lohuis

January 2025 We are thrilled to celebrate an incredible milestone: the designation of the Santa Barbara Channel as the 9th Whale Heritage Area in the world! This prestigious recognition, awarded by the World Cetacean Alliance and World Animal Protection, underscores our region’s commitment to sustainable tourism, marine conservation, and the deep cultural connection we share…

Killer Whale Sightings Featuring California’s Famous Orca, Frosty January 2025 Every so often whale watching in the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area (SBCWHA) presents a moment so extraordinary that it stays with you forever. Such has been the case over the past month for four different whale watching companies and hundreds of enthusiastic whale…

December 2024 This past month, we gathered to celebrate a monumental milestone: the One-Year Anniversary of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area. The sold-out event, “A Whale of a Celebration,” was an overwhelming success, and it’s all thanks to you—our passionate supporters: donors, sponsors, in-kind donors, dedicated volunteers, and enthusiastic community members…..Thank You! The…

Thank you for all of your support in 2023, as we became the 9th whale heritage area in the world! People like yourselves inspire us to continue our mission to raise awareness about the whales of the channel, their vital significance, incredible abundance, and unique hardships. Advocating for our channel’s greatest inhabitants is no small task and…