Coming Soon
Stewardship Weekend returns in 2027
The next weekend’s theme, dates and tickets will be announced here. Join our newsletter to hear first.
Get UpdatesCelebrating 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.
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.
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
