Sea Otter Savvy

Science-led sea otter conservation and coexistence. Sea Otter Savvy is the only organization in the world solely dedicated to reducing human-caused disturbance to sea otters. A women-led, scientist-run 501(c)(3) founded in 2015 and based in Moss Landing, California, we foster awareness and stewardship in coastal communities and among the wildlife-viewing public. Our programs span peer-reviewed research on human-wildlife interaction, school and community education, and the Community Active Wildlife Stewards (CAWS) certification program. This work protects wild sea otters and helps guide sea otter recovery and reintroduction efforts.

Our work spans three interconnected programs. We conduct field research at coastal sites across central California, producing peer-reviewed research on how human activity affects sea otters, including publications in the Journal of Wildlife Management and Marine Mammal Science. We serve hundreds of students annually through classroom lessons and field experiences in Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Cruz counties, and co-organize Sea Otter Awareness Week each year with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Defenders of Wildlife, California State Parks, and other conservation partners. Through our Community Active Wildlife Stewards (CAWS) certification, we train coastal businesses and professionals to model wildlife-friendly practices in their operations.

Community science volunteers have contributed over 3,100 hours of field research since 2015, and our broader volunteer network supports everything from shore-based data collection to public engagement at coastal sites. We are actively growing our team and board as the organization enters its second decade.