Don't Miss! Wine + Wings: An Evening for Monarch Conservation
Each fall, Western monarchs travel hundreds of miles to overwinter along the California coast. This evening is about ensuring that the journey continues for generations to come.
Sip SLO Coast Wines. Support Western Monarchs.
Taste from five SLO Coast wineries, hear from local experts, and join a keynote on how we can protect and restore Western monarch migrations.
Join the Pismo Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau’s Stewardship & Educational Outreach Program for an inspiring evening of wine, education, and community—benefiting Western monarch conservation. Sip local wines, connect with stewardship partners, and learn how collective action can help protect monarch habitat and migration routes across the West.
When & Where
At The Cliffs Hotel and Spa in Shell Beach on Feb 28, 2026, from 6 pm to 9 pm PST. Free parking is available on the street in front of the hotel; valet is $10.Â
What to expect
- Wine tastings from five SLO Coast wineries
- Light bites
- Monarch-inspired art
- Stewardship partner booths
- Panel discussion with regional experts
- Featured keynote by Mary Ellen Hannibal
Additional Event Information
Why This Matters
Western monarch populations have faced significant challenges in recent decades. Habitat loss, changing environmental conditions, and reduced access to native milkweed and nectar sources all play a role. This evening is about learning what’s happening now—and what practical, community-driven solutions can help.
Your ticket supports impact: Ticket sales benefit Western monarch conservation efforts. More information coming soon.Â
Schedule Highlights
Evening flow (subject to change):Â
6:00–6:30 PM — Welcome reception & wine tastings
6:30–7:15 PM — Panel discussion
7:25–8:30 PM — Keynote presentation
8:20–9:00 PM — Closing reception & connection
Welcome Reception
Start the evening with wine tastings from SLO Coast wineries, light bites, monarch-inspired art, and stewardship partner booths from across the Central Coast. Meet the people behind local habitat projects and learn how you can get involved.
Panel Discussion
ear from local researchers, conservation advocates, and industry leaders on the current state of Western monarch populations and the work underway to protect and restore habitat.
Panelist lineup: Coming soon.
Keynote Speaker: Mary Ellen Hannibal
Science writer and environmentalist Mary Ellen Hannibal will share a compelling narrative on the monarch butterfly—its migration, the challenges it faces, and meaningful ways individuals and communities can help protect migration routes and habitat.
Featured Winery Tatings
Taste wines from five SLO Coast wineries—each offering a unique expression of this coastal region.
Participating wineries: Coming soon.
Tickets and Benefit
Purchase Tickets HERE.
Ticket sales benefit Western monarch conservation. More information on specific organizations coming soon.
This event is proudly sponsored by the Pismo Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau (CVB).
Stewardship Partner Booths
Connect with local organizations and initiatives working to protect native habitat and strengthen resilience along the Central Coast. Stop by booths for resources, volunteer opportunities, and simple actions you can take at home.
EVENT FAQs
What’s included with a ticket?
Wine tastings, light bites, access to the panel discussion and keynote, and entry to the welcome reception and partner booths.
Is this event 21+?
It’s 18+ but to do wine tasting, you must be 21+. Please bring a valid ID.
What should I wear?
Coastal casual.Â
Will there be non-alcoholic options?
Yes, water and lemonade will be available.
Are tickets refundable?
Tickets are final sale.Â
Is the venue accessible?
Yes. If you have specific needs, please contact us in advance to be sure we can accommodate.Â
Join us for an evening where SLO Coast wine meets stewardship and education—supporting the future of Western monarch migration.
Celebrating the Land and Waters That Sustain Us
Join the Pismo Beach Stewardship & Educational Outreach Program for a weekend of education, wine, and community celebrating whale conservation and ocean stewardship. From sunset beach art to an evening celebration of stewardship, it’ll be an inspiring and awe-inducing weekend.Â
Celebrating the Land and Waters That Sustain Us
Every year features a new theme that highlights the wonders of our region:
- 2024: Wine & Wings – celebrating the return of the monarch butterflies and the vineyards that shape our coastal hills.
- 2025: Wine & Whales – honoring our ocean neighbors and the marine life that thrives just offshore.
- 2026: Wine + Wings: An Evening for Monarch Conservation – Each fall, Western monarchs travel hundreds of miles to overwinter along the California coast. This evening is about ensuring that the journey continues for generations to come.Â
Weekend Highlights
Beach Clean-Up & Coastal Care
Join local volunteers and organizations for a hands-on morning of stewardship along our shoreline. Help us keep Pismo’s beaches clean and wildlife safe — every pair of hands makes a difference.
School Assemblies & Youth Engagement
Local students will take part in special assemblies and lessons designed to deepen their understanding of Pismo Beach’s ecosystems, from tide pools to dunes. These programs inspire the next generation of stewards to take pride in their home.
Evening Gathering & Keynote
The weekend culminates in an evening celebration featuring local food, wine, and music, plus an inspiring keynote from a leader in conservation, community, or climate education. It’s an opportunity to connect, reflect, and envision a sustainable future together.
2025 Stewardship Weekend Recap
The second annual Stewardship Weekend, A Splash of Wine and Whales, brought together more than 200 attendees to celebrate ocean conservation and community collaboration. The event began with stunning whale-inspired sand art by local artist Avery Kitner at the Pismo Beach Pier, followed by an evening at The Cliffs Hotel and Spa featuring local wine and a fireside chat with Vince Shay, Ben Ruttenberg, and Aubrie Fowler on protecting marine ecosystems.
Keynote speaker Adam Ernster shared breathtaking film and photography on whale conservation, inspiring guests to get involved. All ticket proceeds—$3,141—were donated to the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area, and in recognition, Happy Whale granted the city the opportunity to adopt a whale. Attendees voted to name the whale Finley, a suggestion from Shell Beach Elementary students during the week’s school assemblies.
Wine and Whales showcased how the Pismo Beach community, visitors, and partners can come together to celebrate and protect the incredible marine life that defines our coast.
About the Program
The Pismo Beach Stewardship and Educational Outreach Program was created to inspire environmental awareness and responsible tourism. It is kindly sponsored by the Pismo Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau as a commitment to cultivate a deeper connection between the community and the land and waters we all cherish.
Mission Statement
To enhance stewardship in Pismo Beach by fostering environmental awareness and education. Through arts and project-based experiences that engage the senses, hearing, seeing, and feeling the wild, we aim to deepen our connection with the ocean and coastal environment, inspiring a lifelong commitment to conservation.
Engage in Stewardship Activities
- Explore the trails of the Pismo Preserve
- Pick up trash
- Reduce, reuse, recycle
- Practice responsible pet ownership
- Ethically rebury clams when clamming
- Engage in learning while watching wildlife
- Color stewardship-inspired placemats at local restaurants
- Complete the Stewardship Activity Book
- Attend stewardship events or visit the program booth at community events
Read the Stewardship Blog to stay updated on the latest information
