Board & Committees

Estuary Program Partners

We depend on many partners including nonprofits, businesses, volunteers, municipalities and agencies, to accomplish our shared goals of protecting and restoring the estuary and the watershed.

Bay Foundation of Morro Bay

The nonprofit home for the Estuary Program is the Bay Foundation of Morro Bay, a 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation is an all-volunteer board of directors, providing the administrative framework for the Estuary Program. The Bay Foundation applies for grants, manages the program’s funding, and employs the staff.

Click here for more information about the Bay Foundation Board, including a current list of members 

Visit the Bay Foundation’s tribute to Gary Karner, a former board member of 18 years, who passed away on November 23rd, 2020.

Executive Committee

In addition to the Estuary Program staff and Bay Foundation Board, there are committees that help oversee and move the Estuary Program forward. The Executive Committee provides the general policy direction for the Estuary Program, assesses progress, and approves the annual workplan.

Members serve at the pleasure of their respective organizations, which include the following: Federal Government, State of California, San Luis Obispo County, City of Morro Bay, Los Osos Community Services District, and the Bay Foundation of Morro Bay. The committee is also made up of members representing the following interest areas: At Large Government Agency, Environmental Interests, Agricultural Interests, Tourism/Recreation Interests, Science and Research, and Local Fisheries.

Agendas for recent meetings are available:

Technical Advisory Groups and Working Groups

Community members and representatives from various organizations serve on working groups that focus on science and technical issues, financial planning and fund

ing, and education and outreach projects. Individuals with relevant skills and experience who are willing to devote the time may participate on a working group.

Meeting Schedules

Quarterly meetings of the Executive Committee and the Bay Foundation’s monthly meetings are open to the public. In addition, the Estuary Program holds occasional public meetings on topics of interest to the community. You can learn more on our Events page.

Fiscal Year 2023 Meeting Dates of the Bay Foundation, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the MBNEP Office or via remote video call:

  • October 12, 2022
  • November 9, 2022
  • December 14, 2022
  • February 8, 2023
  • March 8, 2023
  • April 12, 2023
  • May 10, 2023
  • June 14, 2023
  • July 12, 2023
  • September 13, 2023
  • October 11, 2023
  • November 8, 2023
  • December 13, 2023

Fiscal Year 2023 Meeting Dates of the Executive Committee, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the MBNEP Office or via remote video call:

  • November 16, 2022
  • February 15, 2023
  • May 17, 2023
  • August 16, 2023
  • November 15, 2023