Press Releases

The small community of Moss Landing recently hosted one of wildlife conservation's most iconic figures, Dr. Jane Goodall. During a beautiful sunny day in Moss Landing visitors aboard Monterey Bay Eco Tours' El Cat, a custom-built, fully electric catamaran, heard from Dr. Goodall and representatives from the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) about the importance of protecting the iconic Southern Sea Otter. As passengers cruised the calm waters of Elkhorn Slough, a sanctuary for sea otters, Dr. Goodall shared her passion for animals and encouraged individuals to take action in their community to protect what they love.

Sea otters hold a special place in the hearts of Monterey Bay residents. These endangered species are critical for protecting and maintaining the health of our coastal ecosystems. Their appetites help control invertebrate populations, which in turn sustain lush kelp forests and eel grass beds. These vibrant habitats are one of the reasons Monterey Bay is such a beloved treasure. Thousands of visitors come to our coast to witness the diverse marine wildlife and ecosystems and Moss Landing is home to world renowned research facilities like the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and Moss Landing Marine Labs.

Dr. Goodall also spoke at multiple venues across the Monterey Peninsula in celebration of the launch of the WCN's new Sea Otter Fund dedicated to restoring sea otter populations along their historical U.S. Pacific range. This is WCN's first marine-focused fund with an impressive 92% of the donations going directly to conservation programs in the field.

Wendy Kitchell, owner of Monterey Bay Eco Tours, described meeting and hosting Dr. Goodall as one of the most profound moments of her life. "Jane Goodall is my all-time hero. The work she does, and the people she surrounds herself with, inspire me to be a better person every single day. Her message of hope and inspiration is exactly what the world needs right now. Her visit to Moss Landing—and touring the slough on our electric boat, designed to have minimal environmental impact—was an absolute dream come true," said Kitchell.
 
Dr. Goodall is no stranger to sea otter conservation. She worked closely with Margaret Wentworth Owings, who launched the sea otter protection movement in Monterey County in the late 1960s by founding Friends of the Sea Otter (FSO). Dr. Goodall visited Owings in Big Sur and quickly became a supporter of FSO and its mission. She later authored a book about sea otters—their lives, behaviors, and the importance of protecting this endangered species.