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December 9-11, 2026  |  Santa Barbara, CA

Working Summit Agenda

Explore the California Ocean Summit Program-At-A-Glance to see what’s planned for this inaugural gathering. While the overall program is taking shape, we’re continuing to confirm speakers, venues, and session details. More detailed session descriptions, speaker information, and program updates will be published as they become available.
The agenda is subject to change.

SCIENCE, POLICY & INVESTMENT

Working Summit

The engine of the Summit, bringing together leaders across sectors to collaborate, build partnerships, and advance actionable solutions.
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EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

Public Programming

Film, arts, storytelling, and community experiences designed to inspire the next wave of ocean leaders.

Day 1 / Dec 9

Corwin Pavilion, UC Santa Barbara

7:30 AM

Shuttles, Downtown Santa Barbara to UCSB

8:00 AM

Registration, Breakfast, & Coffee Networking

9:00 AM

Opening: Visual Storytelling: Why the Ocean, Why Now

9:30 AM

Keynote: Building a Collaborative Ocean Data Ecosystem,  Dawn Wright

10:15 AM

Keynote: The State of California's Ocean

11:00 AM

Panel: Scaling What Works: Replicable Ocean Policy Models

11:45 AM

Strategy Working Lunch: California Science to Scale: Emerging Ocean Solutions

1:45 PM

MPAs & Chumash Heritage

3:00 PM

Main Stage: Designing Ocean Systems That Last

3:30 PM

Main Stage: Building California's Ocean Innovation Corridor

4:30 PM

Ocean Science Happy Hour, MSI Ocean Science Building

6:00 PM

Shuttles, Return to Downtown Santa Barbara

7:30 PM

OCEAN In Concert, Granada Theatre

Day 2 / Dec 10

Downtown Santa Barbara
28 Vic
CEC Envirohub
SBPL Faulkner Gallery

8:00 AM

Breakfast & Networking, 28 Vic

9:00 AM

Keynote: California's Leadership Moment, 28 Vic

10:00 AM

Panel: Celebrating 50 Years of the Coastal Act, 28 Vic

11:15 AM

Parallel Panels: CA's Ocean Policy Landscape + Oceans, Materials, & Consumption, 28 Vic & CEC EnviroHub

12:30 PM

Working Lunch: Nonprofit & Advocacy Leadership, 28 Vic

2:00 PM

Panel: Blue Finance: Designing the Ocean Capital Stack

3:00 PM

Blue Innovation Showcase, CEC EnviroHub, Exhibit Floor, Lightning Pitches & 1:1 Meetings
Blue Innovation Showcase applications are now closed. Join the waitlist →

5:00 PM

Closing Session, 28 Vic

8:15 PM

Closing Night Concert, Conference Add-on, Venue and Artist TBA

Day 3 / Dec 11

Downtown Santa Barbara
28 Vic
CEC Envirohub
SBPL Faulkner Gallery

7:15 AM –
5:15 PM

Santa Cruz Island
ISLAND PACKERS · UC NRS & UCSB RESERVE
Private charter from Ventura Harbor. Choose 1. Stay on boat and take a cruise around the Island (most ADA-friendly; no ladder transfer required) or 2. Field station tour and hike (requires using a ladder to get off the boat).

8:00 AM –
4:15 PM

Dangermond Preserve
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
Guided bus loops through coastal conservation and restoration projects along the Gaviota Coast, with optional coastal bluff loop trail and beach walk.

8:00 AM –
10:00 AM

Sea Center & Creek Walk
SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND SEA CENTER
VIP morning tour of the Sea Center on Stearns Wharf and an urban creek walk through downtown Santa Barbara. Program details to be announced

Day 1 / Dec 9

Corwin Pavilion, UC Santa Barbara

7:30 AM

8:00 AM

9:00 AM

9:30 AM

10:15 AM

11:00 AM

11:45 AM

1:45 PM

3:00 PM

3:30 PM

4:30 PM

6:00 PM

Shuttles, Downtown Santa Barbara to UCSB
Registration, Breakfast, & Coffee Networking
Opening: Visual Storytelling: Why the Ocean, Why Now
Keynote: Building a Collaborative Ocean Data Ecosystem - Dawn Wright
Keynote: The State of California's Ocean
Panel: Scaling What Works: Replicable Ocean Policy Models
Strategy Working Lunch: California Science to Scale: Emerging Ocean Solutions
Breakout Sessions, Two Tracks: Cross Border Solutions + Todas Somos Californianas, MPAs & Chumash Heritage
Main Stage: Designing Ocean Systems That Last
Main Stage: Building California's Ocean Innovation Corridor
Ocean Science Happy Hour + OCEAN In Concert, Granada Theatre
Shuttles, Return to Downtown Santa Barbara

Day 2 / Dec 10

Downtown Santa Barbara
28 Vic
CEC Envirohub
SBPL Faulkner Gallery

8:00 AM

9:00 AM

10:00 AM

11:15 AM

12:30 PM

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

8:15 PM

Breakfast & Networking, 28 Vic
Keynote: California's Leadership Moment, 28 Vic
Panel: Nations, States & the International Ocean Community, 28 Vic
Parallel Panels: CA's Ocean Policy Landscape + Oceans, Materials, & Consumption, 28 Vic & CEC EnviroHub
Working Lunch: Nonprofit & Advocacy Leadership, 28 Vic
Panel: Blue Finance: Designing the Ocean Capital Stack
Blue Innovation Showcase, CEC EnviroHub, Exhibit Floor, Lightning Pitches & 1:1 Meetings
Closing Session, 28 Vic
VIP Dinner, Conference Add-on, Limited Spaces, Venue TBA
Closing Night Concert, Conference Add-on, Venue and Artist TBA

Day 3 / Dec 11

Field Excursions

Choose One
Limited to ~50 each
Advance Sign-up and Waiver Required

7:15 AM–
5:15 PM

8:00 AM–
4:15 PM

8:30 AM–
TBA

Santa Cruz Island
ISLAND PACKERS · UC NRS & UCSB RESERVE
Private charter from Ventura Harbor. Choose 1. Stay on boat and take a cruise around the Island (most ADA-friendly; no ladder transfer required) or 2. Field station tour and hike (requires using a ladder to get off the boat).
Dangermond Preserve
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
Guided bus loops through coastal conservation and restoration projects along the Gaviota Coast, with optional coastal bluff loop trail and beach walk.
Arroyo Hondo Preserve
HOST TO BE ANNOUNCED
Docent-led canyon and creek-to-coast experience on the Gaviota Coast. Program details to be announced.

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