Coastal California | The Wild Life | Public Edition

coastal california
T H E W I L D L I F E
s k y • l a n d • s e a
Fo r e w o r d b y J e f f C o r w i n

coastal california
T H E W I L D L I F E
pvpublications.com

coastal california
T H E W I L D L I F E
s k y • l a n d • s e a
Curated & Written by Amber Becerra and Kristin Borden

In all things of nature there is
“something of the marvelous.
—Aristotle
“

t a b l e o f c o n t e n t s
Foreword ............................................................................ 10
Inspiration........................................................................... 12
Introduction ....................................................................... 16
SDHS Project Wildlife.................................................... 20
Corwin on Conservation:
Little Brown Bat................................................................ 38
Sea Otter Savvy................................................................ 40
Published by PV Publications
Palos Verdes Peninsula, California, USA
©PV Publications LLC
All other rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying,
recording. or otherwise, without permission from the publisher.
Printed and bound in USA
ISBN: 978-1-7372192-1-7
Library of Congress Control Number: 2022912731
Coastal California, The Wild Life ©PV Publications LLC
Written and Curated by Amber Becerra & Kristin Borden
Photographed by Erik Jay and Contributing Regional Photographers
Graphic Design by Lane Bullard
PV Publications’ books are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity
for promotions as well as fundraising or educational use. Some of the proceeds of this
book support wildlife conservation through the organizations featured in this book.
Special editions can also be created to specification. For details, contact:
info@pvpublications.com or the address below:
PO Box 4752
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
www.pvpublications.com
Honored to support reforestation with One Tree Planted as part of
our commitment to sustainability. PV Publications will plant one tree
for every book sold.
www.onetreeplanted.org
Project O ............................................................................ 58
International Bird Rescue.............................................. 70
Corwin on Conservation:
Bald Eagle............................................................................ 96
Cougar Conservancy ...................................................... 98
Marine Mammal Care Center...................................... 112
Corwin on Conservation:
Elephant Seals ................................................................... 138
Shark Allies......................................................................... 140
Santa Monica Mountains Fund .................................... 154
Corwin on Conservation:
Giant Gartersnake........................................................... 182
Point Blue............................................................................ 184
Special Donors ................................................................. 202
Organization Information.............................................. 203
The Photographers ......................................................... 204
Photography Index .......................................................... 208
Acknowledgements & About Us ................................ 215

f o r e w o r d
Coastal areas are some of the most important habitats for wildlife and California offers a significant portion of the nation’s
oceanfront terrain. From migratory birds soaring, sun-bathing colonies of sea lions on the rocky coastline, whales feeding and
migrating, nesting sea turtles, kelp forest-loving sea otters—this coastline is critical to many species’ reproduction, feeding,
and socialization.
Like my latest show Wildlife Nation, this book showcases the dedicated environmental heroes that protect the natural habitats
and the unique creatures that reside along the coastline. Despite the incredible array of life found in and around the great blue
deep—our oceans and the coastline face serious dangers. Pollution, climate change, wildfires, exploitation, and acidification all
threaten this critical ocean ecosystem and the wildlife that calls it home.
Whether it’s working with scientists who fight to protect elephant seal habitats along the coast of California or bringing three
rescued California sea lions back to their homes in the wild—my work with Wildlife Nation has exposed me to both the harm
that California wildlife is facing but also the magnificent dedication of local conservation heroes fighting tirelessly to save them.
One of those heroes is one of the curators of this book and the President of the Marine Mammal Care Center—a marine animal
rehabilitation center that I had the pleasure of working with on my latest series. Helping to rehabilitate injured wildlife has always
been a passion of mine and the challenging work that these organizations do is often overlooked.
Coastal California, The Wild Life is an opportunity to peek behind-the-scenes and catch a glimpse of the beauty that these
conservationists work so hard to protect. The organizations featured in this book fight every day to ensure the survival of iconic
California species. Viewing this one-of-a-kind photography allows us to be transported to these locations where we can truly
appreciate this unique landscape and its inhabitants. I hope this will inspire you, as it does me, to want to protect them at all costs.
The mountain of environmental destruction we have to overcome is massive—but we must not give up the fight. Every
action we take to remediate the harm, makes a difference. We are in the midst of the 6th great extinction, and this one is on us.
We’re poisoning them, burning and destroying their habitats, entangling them in fishing gear, and disturbing the ecosystem
they rely on for survival. Wildlife are the innocent victims, but it doesn’t stop there.
It’s not just a loss of natural resources that we, and our children, and the next generation will depend upon. There’s a human
cost as well. By saving them, we save ourselves. All species on earth cannot survive except as interconnected parts of healthy
and vibrant ecosystems. Every species of animal or plant is woven together in the tapestry of life. We must keep this planet healthy
and thriving. Not just for the wildlife, but for the future of all life.
“
We are not far away from the point of no return
when it comes to life on earth, and we have
some radical choices to make.
—Jeff Corwin
“
Jeff Corwin
Wildlife Biologist & Conservationist
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i n t r o d u c t i o n
The coast of California spans more than 1,100 miles and if you
include the small bays and inlets, which in part are what make it so
dynamic and diverse, the number goes up to over 3,000 miles.
It is the third longest coastline in the country. With the Pacific Ocean
to the West, the California coast serves as a central hub of activity for
humans and animals alike. Coexistence proves to be a challenge but the
local wildlife fights for a chance to call this unique area home.
More than twenty-thousand rock formations and small islands line
the California coast. These uniquely formed habitats are home to a
variety of marine mammals, seabirds and shorebirds. An abundance
of sea life fills the tide pools along the rocks when the powerful tide
ebbs. Dropping beneath the waves of the Pacific Ocean lies a rich
aquatic ecosystem with too many living organisms to count.
This precious coastal habitat holds creatures unknown to many
other areas of the world. California has more native species than any
other U.S. state and has the greatest number of endemic species, or
animals that are not found anywhere else on the planet.
The coastal geography is home to not only a variety of aquatic
wildlife but also terrestrial animals that inhabit the myriad vegetation
that forms near the coastline. Catch a glimpse of the rich diversity of flora
and fauna that graces the Golden State’s coast in the pages to come.
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Bioluminescence occurs along the coast of California. This phenomenon is caused by
dinoflagellates—a type of plankton. These marine organisms emit a flash of light in
order to attract a predator to the creature trying to consume it.

S a n D i e g o
H u m a n e S o c i e t y ’ s
P r o j e c t W i l d l i f e
San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife program is the primary
resource for wild animal rehabilitation and conservation education in
San Diego County. Each year, San Diego Humane Society gives more
than 13,000 injured, orphaned and sick wild animals a second chance.
At its state-of-the-art Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center in San
Diego, injured and orphaned wildlife—from hummingbirds, doves
and ducks, to rabbits, squirrels, skunks and opossums—can heal
and grow in specially designed habitats that reduce stress and meet
their unique needs before they are released back to the wild. The
facility’s medical and surgical suites allow the wildlife veterinary team
to perform advanced medical care for species of all shapes and sizes,
including orthopedic repairs and acupuncture.
www.sdhumane.org/wildlife
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A 14-week-old mountain lion cub, semiconscious, emaciated and dehydrated, was brought to the
San Diego Humane Society by firefighters in Idyllwild. The cub received daily fluid therapy, medications
and nutrition and after doubling in weight, she was transferred to another wildlife facility where she now
lives with two other mountain lions.
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Bobcat kitten, burned in the El Dorado fire, had burned paws, singed ears
and was emaciated. She was treated and released back into the wild.
Rescued baby animals require hand feeding in the beginning of their rehabilitation journey. Care at this young age requires expert treatment.
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little brown bat
conservation challenges
White-nose syndrome, habitat loss, human/
wildlife conflict.
The population of little brown bats is declining.
They are one of many bat species suffering from
white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that affects
hibernating bats and causes death. Little brown
bats tend to go where people go, because many
of the structures we build are suitable habitat
for them. The bats can transmit parasites and
occasionally rabies, so control measures have been
used on them in some instances. Pesticide buildup,
deforestation, and mining are also detrimental
to little brown bats.
c o r w i n o n
conservation
Species: Little Brown Bat

s e a o t t e r
s a v v y
Sea Otter Savvy strives to foster community awareness and
involvement to reduce human-caused disturbance to sea otters and
promote responsible wildlife viewing. As a nonprofit that focuses on
sea otter research and conservation through community outreach,
we educate residents and visitors to California’s Central Coast
about the vital role of sea otters in nearshore ecosystems. Our
approach has three main components: leading community-sciencebased
research, developing awareness through innovative outreach,
and developing business norms and organizational partnerships.
Sea Otter Savvy relies on support to continue our disturbance
research and educational outreach programs which are valuable to
collaborating agencies and educational institutions.
www.seaottersavvy.org
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A sea otter forages for food amongst the tide pools at Carmel State River Beach,
California, successfully munching on a variety of tide pool-dwelling prey.
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This mother sea otter wraps herself and her pup in kelp to keep them from floating away while resting.
Opposite, top: Heather Barrett counts sea otters during the annual southern sea otter census.
Opposite, bottom: Sea Otter Savvy Director, Gena Bentall, collects disturbance data at Morro Bay.
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P r o j e c t O
Project O, is a non-profit organization based in Laguna Beach,
California with a mission to restore, protect, and sustain the ocean
and the sacred life within it. Project O focuses on intentional projects
that serve to protect and conserve the ocean environment.
The Blue City Network is the primary ongoing project for Project O.
It is a certification system that recognizes cities, towns, and counties
in California that demonstrate their communities’ commitment to
healthy waterways and oceans. Certification provides a data-driven
approach to assessing communities’ efforts toward protecting the
ocean. Upon certification, these participants become part of a
coalition of communities from all around California, collaborating in
their ongoing quest to become true champions of the environment.
www.project-o.org
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i n t e r n a t i o n a l
b i r d r e s c u e
Experts around the world agree: aquatic birds are in crisis. The
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation reports that seabirds are
declining faster than any other group of birds and Pacific seabirds
face the highest rate of extinction. International Bird Rescue’s work
as a global conservation organization for birds in a changing world
has never been more important. Since 1971, Bird Rescue has
responded to over 250 oil spills and other wildlife emergencies,
caring for more than 160,000 birds on six continents. With crisis
response centers in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Anchorage, the
organization specializes in emergency preparedness and response,
day-to-day aquatic bird care, and scientific research. Innovations
are shared worldwide to inspire the next generation of wildlife
specialists. Bird Rescue aims to give a voice to waterbirds through
conservation, advocacy, and wildlife literacy that builds empathy and
encourages action.
www.birdrescue.org
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“
We are treating a record number of patients each year:
more than twice the total from the previous year.
Birds in a changing world face new challenges that
range far beyond our original mandate to help birds
in oil spills. The last couple of years have seen
huge challenges for wildlife in the South Bay.
—JD Bergeron
CEO International Bird Rescue
“
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c o u g a r
c o n s e r v a n c y
The Cougar Conservancy is a nonprofit organization based out
of Los Angeles that provides expert recommendations and direct
support to Californians seeking to prevent or resolve conflicts
that may arise between communities and cougars in shared
landscapes. The Conservancy’s Conflict Task Force collaborates with
communities and individuals to implement reliable cougar conflict
prevention techniques that serve people while conserving cougars.
The Cougar Conservancy aims to empower people with training
and education that promotes coexistence with cougars and other
wildlife essential to ecosystems.
www.cougarconservancy.org
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A male cougar’s golden eyes are illuminated by the setting sun over the San Gabriel Mountain range in Southern
California. In addition to the name cougar, the species is also referred to as mountain lion, puma, panther or
catamount, which are all correct.
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—Korinna Domingo
Founder, Director of the Cougar Conservancy
“
Our goals are to enhance human-cougar
relationships through education, outreach, conflict
“management, and science-based policy.
A cougar climbs high above the clouds blanketing Los Angeles.
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m a r i n e m a m m a l
c a r e c e n t e r
The mission of the Marine Mammal Care Center is to inspire ocean
conservation through marine animal rehabilitation, education, and
research. Over 8,000 patients have come through their doors for
crucial animal care. MMCC staff and volunteers feed patients at
least 3 times per day, maintain a clean living space, provide high
quality veterinary care, take daily progress notes, and monitor water
quality. In service to the mission, the education program at the
MMCC addresses diverse audiences in both virtual and in-person
engagements and programs. Students and visitors can learn about
marine animals, ocean conservation, and the vital role people
play in environmental conservation. MMCC’s veterinary team
contributes to important scientific research to advance marine
animal rehabilitation and broader conversation efforts. MMCC relies
on public support to do this crucial conservation work and to save
the lives of these animals.
www.marinemammalcare.org
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s h a r k
a l l i e s
Shark Allies is dedicated to the protection and conservation of
sharks and rays. The organization focuses on taking action, raising
awareness and guiding initiatives that reduce the destructive
overfishing of sharks on a global scale. Shark Allies campaigns
address the biggest problems in shark conservation—the shark fin
trade and overfishing of sharks, reducing the demand of products
made from sharks, creation of marine protected areas and shark
sanctuaries, and changing the way humans value sharks.
www.sharkallies.org
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Named for the radiant blue color on its back and sides, Southern California is a major nursery area for blue sharks.
Seasonally, white sharks migrate over long distances from their feeding grounds off the central California coast to other feeding grounds far away in
the Pacific Ocean. This photo was taken of a white shark on a cage dive in Guadalupe, Mexico; one of white sharks’ favorite stops on their migration.
Although white sharks are an apex predator, if they are respected in their ocean home they are disinterested in humans as a food source and the vast
majority of human incidents are the result of mistaken identity.
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s a n t a m o n i c a
m o u n ta i n s f u n d
The Santa Monica Mountains Fund is the official non-profit
supporting the National Park Service in the Santa Monica Mountains
National Recreation Area. The Fund works to protect and encourage
appreciation and understanding of the Santa Monica Mountains
National Recreation Area. It achieves this by supporting National
Park Service efforts in education, science, research, improved
facilities, citizen engagement, stewardship and philanthropy.
www.samofund.org
Mountain Lion P-42 was a young female in this picture when she was captured for tracking
and released near Malibu Creek State Park. At the time, she was unknown by biologists
who believed that she had recently dispersed from her mother.
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Above: The purple wildflowers are the lupine. There are
82 species of this flower commonly found in the Santa
Monica Mountains.
Opposite Page:
Upper left: Yellow butterfly on mustard.
Upper right: Katydid nymph on a California poppy.
Bottom left: Tarantula hawk on narrow-leaved milkweed.
Bottom right: Swallowtail butterfly on beach sand verbena.
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p o i n t
b l u e
Point Blue’s 160 scientists work to reduce the impacts of climate
change, habitat loss, and other environmental threats. They develop
nature-based solutions to benefit both wildlife and people. They
work from the Sierra to the sea, across the Western Hemisphere,
and as far away as Antarctica, preparing for the changes—and
challenges—ahead. They partner with land and water managers,
fishers, ranchers, farmers, cities, counties, and others to improve the
health of our planet. Point Blue’s Coastal Program scientists study
the links between what’s happening in the nearshore ocean and
the health of coastally breeding marine birds throughout California.
Human activities and changes in food availability impact marine
bird colonies along our coast. To address these impacts, Point Blue
works with resource managers and local citizens to ensure that
management tools like marine protected areas (MPAs) are effective
at protecting food and reducing disturbance. At the same time,
by studying coastal bird populations, which reflect the changes in
their habitats, they are tracking the impacts of climate change in
nearshore ocean food webs. Science-driven conservation work
like this is needed to guide and inform a healthy future for wildlife
populations as well as human industries like fishing and tourism.
www.pointblue.org
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Left: Point Blue biologist Julie Howar measuring growth of a Western gull chick.
Right: Newly hatched Western gull chick.
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“
This book will take you on a photographic journey across the
California coast, providing an insider’s view of the local wildlife
and the heroes working to care for it. Coastal California, The Wild Life
captures the essence of California—from its stunning ocean landscapes
and breathtaking wilderness, to its unusual variety of flora
and fauna unique to the geography and climate of this
dynamic state. It is a celebration of the many
wildlife organizations whose incredible
conservation work is featured.
—Amber Becerra
“
ISBN 978-1-7372192-1-7
90000>
9 781737 219217
pvpublications.com