Posts by Adam Ernster

As we reflect on our 2nd annual Whale of a Celebration, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. This special gathering is more than an event—it is a testament to the deep love, dedication, and community spirit that make the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area so vibrant. To all who attended, thank you for showing up…

We are thrilled to share that Luisa Hyatt is stepping in as the new Interim Co-Director of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area. Luisa is an ocean woman through and through. With her husband Mark, she has spent decades building deep connections to the Santa Barbara Channel and its community. Together, they brought Paddle…

It is with deep gratitude and admiration that we share the news of Hiroko Benko’s resignation as Co-Director of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area. For the past four years, Hiroko has poured her heart, wisdom, and energy into helping our community achieve something truly remarkable: the global designation of the Santa Barbara Channel…

A recent publication entitled “Blue whales are going eerily silent—and scientists say it’s a warning sign”, gave insight into the mysterious lives of blue whales, and how warm water years like 2014’s “The Blob,” may affect their behavioral patterns and appearances. Overview & Findings Scientists have been using a long-term hydrophone system—essentially an underwater microphone…

A  New Film Co-Sponsored by SBCWHA  Is Screening Feb 6th & 7th at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Battle of the Blues is a 25-minute narrative film that highlights the population of Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) that reside off the US west coast, specifically in Southern California. As the largest animal the world has…

October 15, 2024 Happywhale engages citizen scientists to identify individual marine mammals, for fun and for science. This is a vital platform for cataloging whale sightings but also more importantly, fosters a global community committed to whale conservation. The significance of Happywhale lies not just in its innovative technology, but in its role as a…

Humpback whales (Megaptera Novaengliae) are a species of large baleen whale that can be found in all of the world’s oceans. These incredible whales breed in warm tropical waters and migrate to cold nutrient-rich waters to feed. Showing up in the spring months here in the Santa Barbara Channel, these whales will remain here until…