Winter 2024

Administration reports that much of the tourism in the five counties bordering the sanc- tuary is focused on the coast and the ocean, bringing in billions of dollars in revenue. “When people have seen what we have here, they become ambassadors of our mission to have clean, safe and accessible water,” Balestreri says. “It’s our goal to integrate environmental and ocean protection into our properties and busi- ness practices and provide an example of lead- ership for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary region.” His Cannery Row Company and its associated businesses have contributed substantially to MBNMS. The bottom line is, the sanctuary is for all of us. It unites. It sparks change. “Since the begin- ning of time, oceans, lakes and rivers brought people from all over to live and vacation,” Balestreri notes. “The Monterey Bay Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful places where land meets water.” Kelly agrees, saying the sanctuary has a transformative effect on those who expe- rience it.“It’s a marine sanctuary, but it’s an emo- tional sanctuary,” she points out. “There are so many ways that humans connect to the ocean. There is hard scientific evidence of the physio- logical changes that happen in the human body when you are in, on or near large bodies of water. Our parasympathetic nervous system kicks in and we feel calmer, we feel serene, we feel inspired, we feel more creative, we feel a sense of well being. We all know it anecdotally to be true—we all go to the ocean. Why? To watch the sunset, to walk along the shore with our toes in the water, to listen to the crashing sound of the waves, to feel peaceful. Also, if you think about all of our life’s big events, from mar- riage to proposals, to mourning the death of someone, to celebrating, we do it at the ocean, at the water’s edge.There’s a reason for that: It creates a sense of inspiration and beauty and peace. So I would encourage people to recog- nize it as a public health benefit.” The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation has created an opportunity to donate in honor of recently deceased Board Member Christina Sandera, who passed away in July. If you would like to donate to the Christina Sandera Memorial Fund or to learn more about the sanctuary and the foun- dation, visit www.montereybayfoundation.org . 114 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 4 (Above) Northern elephant seals are protected and right at home in sanctuary waters. (Below) Back on land, the foundation board and its “Sea Star” recipients keep conser- vation efforts flourishing during their annual gala at Tehama. Photo: Robert Schwemmer (Left to right) Fred Keeley, Martine Watkins, Danny Bernstein, Yvette Lopez Brooks, Sam Farr, Lisa Wooninck, Ted Balestreri, Hilary Bryant, Secretary Leon Panetta, Ginaia Kelly, Dan Haifley, Nova Covington, Joel Johnson (not pictured: Gordon Eubanks) Photo: David Poznic Photography