E-Letter #1, June 4, 2003

Dear Protector of Ocean Life,

Did you know that only 0.05% of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is fully protected? That's less than three square miles of a Sanctuary that covers 5322 square miles of the most diverse and valuable marine ecosystems on earth. The Coalition of Organizations for Ocean Life (COOL) is a gathering of marine conservation organizations and non-consumptive ocean users concerned with the health of California's oceans.

Thank you for putting your name and email on the petition supporting California Marine Reserves! You may have done so at our website, by signing a list at an environmental or arts event, or at a supporting business.

Through email alerts like this one, we'll keep you posted on progress towards the creation of a network of marine reserves that will help restore, enhance and protect the diversity and abundance of California's marine life and underwater habitats. More importantly, we'll keep you informed about what YOU can do to help!

Your first two opportunities to participate are coming up: one next week, and another late next month.
Next Wednesday evening, June 11 at the Vet's Hall, 846 Front Street in Santa Cruz from 6:30 to 9 PM
"Shifting Baselines: The Future of the Blue Frontier" A compelling evening of film, discussion, and underwater photography featuring marine conservation experts and some of the nation's finest underwater artists. See our website at http://www.CaliforniaMarineReserves.org or phone (831) 425-1363 for additional details.Wednesday evening July 30, also in Santa Cruz, there will be an important public meeting. We'll provide more details on this political event in our next email alert. Meanwhile, please reserve the date so you can help push the process forward.

Thank you again for your support!

Sincerely,
Marc Shargel,
Chair, The Coalition of Organizations for Ocean Life

PS We will use your email address ONLY to keep you informed about Marine Reserves in California and related developments. We will never share this list with anyone else. Please ask your friends to register their support for new reserves at our website. If you wish to stop receiving these messages, just reply to this email."The mission of the Coalition of Organizations for Ocean Life is
to foster the creation of a network of marine reserves that will help restore, enhance and protect the diversity and abundance of California's marine life and underwater habitats, and to educate the public on the value of marine reserves and healthy oceans."