Sara headed out for a stand up paddle in Richardson Bay
Sara Heintzelman comes to Surfrider with a background in ecology and marine science, and has focused her career on developing and delivering science education and outreach programs to foster ocean literacy, create connection, and to instill the importance of protecting our oceans to audiences of all ages. After many years working with NOAA’s national marine sanctuaries, she is thrilled to continue protecting our ocean and coast through community engagement and action with the Surfrider Foundation. In her new role as Northern California Regional Manager, she will support the chapters from San Mateo County to Humboldt County, increasing their capacity to make positive change on behalf of our ocean, waves, and beaches through community-based programs and campaigns. Let’s learn a little more about Sara!
What’s your favorite marine animal and why?
This is a hard question and honestly I think it depends on the day! While the charismatic megafauna are always enticing, I definitely have a love for some of the lesser known creatures, especially invertebrates like the tiny six-rayed star or the Pacific mole crab. They each have such interesting adaptations, stories, and fun facts. Mola molas, or ocean sunfish, also hold a special place in my heart and after running a sanctuary event all about Mola molas when my kids were 2 and 5, they both adamantly insisted on Mola mola costumes for halloween; which I made and continued to resize as they wanted to keep using them for many years after!
Sara’s kids dressed as Mola molas; a real Mola mola seen off the coast of San Francisco
What have been the highlights of your career so far?
There are so many highlights, but I think a common thread among all of the moments that stand out is that they involved connecting people to special ocean places and seeing the awe and sparkle in their eyes as they saw habitats or creatures in a new light. I managed the Sanctuary Explorations program for Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary for many years. This program offered monthly field excursions to explore different parts of the sanctuary. Whether participants discovered the many tiny wonders in the intertidal, got an up close view of western gull chicks and learned how their parents changed their opportunistic feeding habitats to an all natural diet while feeding their chicks, or were awed by the magic of paddling through bioluminescent plankton in Tomales Bay in complete darkness, I would see them develop a new appreciation for our special ocean places. I truly believe that feeling connected leads to stewardship which is so needed to protect our ocean and coast!
Tidepools at Mavericks; western gull chicks; kayaks ready to go for a bioluminescence paddle in Tomales Bay
What are three fun facts about yourself?
- During college, I participated in a Sea Education Association (SEA) program and spent a semester sailing on a tall ship. We crewed the boat, sailing 24 hours per day, navigated by charts and sextant, and I did an oceanographic research project looking at the biodiversity on floating patches of sargassum (which we would have to scoop up as we sailed by them!).
- I have a tendency to make elaborate themed birthday treats!
- My family has a new year's day tradition of getting outside early on January 1st for some sort of outdoor adventure to start the new year off right. A few years ago we did a 15 mile hike, the Sea to Sky trail, in Jenner, CA and this year we hiked to the top of Mount Tamalpais.
Sara on the SSV Corwith Cramer; succulent cupcake; ROV cake; Sea to Sky trail; Mount Tamalpais Summit
Why is being a part of the Surfrider ocean conservation community important to you?
Our ocean is vital to life on earth. Every other breath we take comes from oxygen produced by plankton in our ocean. Our ocean and coastal habitats sustain incredible wildlife and so many livelihoods. Beyond this, the awe and joy that the ocean brings to humans is immeasurable. Two repeating themes I’ve observed and heard over and over is that people crave to be in community and also feel daunted by the gravity of the problems facing our world. The idea that “action is the antidote to despair” (Joan Baez) has never felt more true or necessary! Every time I take an action, even if it is a small step forward, I feel more agency, the ability to make a difference, and hope. Participating in volunteer work and contributing to making our world just a little bit better over the last several years has brought me so much hope. Our ocean needs us more than ever right now and I look forward to being able to contribute to the important work taking place in the Surfrider ocean conservation community.
What are you most excited about in your role as the Northern California Regional Manager?
I am so excited to get to know the amazing chapters in Northern California, they each have their own unique culture, focus, and are comprised of such inspiring and dedicated volunteers. I look forward to supporting the important work that each of these chapters is doing and helping them to further their vision and impact on this very special part of our coast.
First visit to Surfrider Headquarters!