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 with whales and dolphins.
None of this would have been possible without the generous support of Mimi Michaelis. Ms. Michaelis’ visionary seed funding set the foundation for this achievement, enabling us to embark on the rigorous application process and implement initiatives that highlight the unique ecological and cultural significance of the Santa Barbara Channel. Her unwavering belief in the importance of ocean conservation and community-driven stewardship has truly made this dream a reality.
Over the years, Ms. Michaelis has made significant philanthropic contributions to the Santa Barbara, CA community through varies roles and support for local organizations, including Ganna Walska Lotusland, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Barbara Museum of Arts, and California Missions Foundation. Through these efforts, Ms. Michaelis has played a vital role in supporting arts, culture, and historical preservation in Santa Barbara. And now, she is a Blue Whale donor, our largest supporter for SBCWHA.
The Santa Barbara Channel is a treasure trove of marine biodiversity, home to a variety of whale and dolphin species that captivate residents and visitors alike. Thanks to Ms. Michaelis and other supporters, SBCWHA has been able to support important research by donating to Cascadia Research Collective and Happywhale. There is now a young, beautiful humpback whale we named Mimi Michaelis, CRC-21686, who has been seen and photographed 13 times since September 2023. The Condor Express last saw this whale on October 24, 2024. We can’t wait to see Mimi the humpback whale back in the SBCWHA, hopefully this spring.
