Building Community

When you are hungry, everything seems more difficult. It is harder to accomplish tasks, to stay focused, and to learn.

For Californians, seeing the Western Snowy Plover is a delightful bonus of spending time at the beach. No bigger than the size of a tennis ball, the plover can be found running quickly on its little legs as it dodges the waves washing up and back on the ocean sand. Moving through the kelp wrack, it feasts on beach hoppers and kelp flies before returning to its nest.

What began as a foggy morning at the harbor turned into a beautiful sunny afternoon as UC Santa Barbara female marine scientists gathered to share a day of learning and mentorship with high-school age students from the surrounding community.

Swimming is so much more than a physical action. It is an immersive experience in which all the senses become activated.