PROGRAMS
LUNCH & LEARN
In partnership with the Ocean Institute, we are proud to offer Lunch & Learn, a free environmental education program focuses on raising awareness about the importance of maintaining clean and sustainable coastal ecosystems. Through this initiative, we aim to foster a sense of responsibility and connection to the natural world, empowering individuals to take meaningful action in their communities.
Each month, the program covers topics based on significant national and international environmental observances, using local marine resources and habitats as educational tools. This helps participants understand how the health of our oceans directly impacts their daily lives.
By examining real-world environmental challenges, participants will gain valuable insights into how their actions affect the planet. We emphasize hands-on learning and practical solutions, encouraging individuals to become active stewards of the environment.
Through these interactive sessions, our goal is to inspire and equip participants with the knowledge and passion to protect our oceans and promote a more sustainable future.
🎤 Missed It Live? Catch the Replay!
Couldn’t make it to one of our inspiring presentations?
No worries—we’ve got you covered!
Watch past speakers share their stories, insights, and ocean advocacy by clicking the links below to our
YouTube channel.
And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a wave of inspiration!
2025 Lunch & Learn Speaker Presentations
Jan 12 - Watersheds - Lunch & Learn Speaker Lisa Zawaski Senior Water Quality Engineer City of Dana Point
Feb 8 - Sea of Love - A heart opening Lunch & Learn With Breezy Mattox on somatic healing through breathwork, yoga and art.
March - 9 Celebrating the Festival of Whales - UCI Professor Jessica Pratt, Ph.D. and her Global Sustainability Capstone Student Presentations
April 13 - Earth Day - Retired State Park Ranger Jim Serpa - The History of Doheny Beach
May 4 - Lunch & Learn Speaker Gisele Anderson (aka Mrs. Captain Dave), shared how Dana Point became and continues to be the Whale Watching Capital of the World as well as being recognized as a Whale Heritage Area!
June 8 - World Oceans Day - Lunch & Learn Speaker Mike Foster from Killer Dana
July 6 - Plastic Free July
Aug 10 - 5th Anniversary!!!
Sept 20 - Coastal Cleanup Day
Oct 19 Trash is Spooky
Nov 16 - America Recycles Day
Dec 7 - Sustainable Gift Giving
2024 Lunch & Learn Speaker Presentations
January 7 – Watershed - Lunch & Learn Speaker Lisa Zawaski from the City of Dana Point
February 10 – Love Our Ocean - Lunch & Learn Speaker 12 Tides Ocean Restoration Through Kelp
March 3 - Festival of Whales - Lunch & Learn Speakers UCI Global Sustainability Students
April 21 – Earth Month - Lunch & Learn Speakers Barbara Johannes and Elizabeth Bamattre from the Dana Point Historical Society
May 11– Ocean Mamas - Lunch & Learn Speaker Michael Boyd - His Underwater Encounters w/ Seals and Sea Lions what their dangers are and how we can help.
June 8– World Oceans Day - Lunch & learn Speaker - Keopfer Shark Researcher and Educator
July 7– Plastic Free July - Thea Merritt - from Eco Now Refillery Store
August 11 – 4 Year Anniversary
September 21 – Coastal Cleanup Day
October 13– Trash is Spooky -Lunch & Learn Speaker Katie Thompson, Senior Director of Environment & Sustainability at PADI Worldwide
November 10– America Recycles Day
December 8 - New Years Resolution
2023 Lunch & Learn Speaker Presentations
January Theme - Protecting Our Natural Resources - Part 1 Lunch & Learn Part 2 Q & A w/Josh Liebowitz of Vibe Restaurant
February Theme - Love Our Beach and Harbor Lunch & Learn w/ The Coast Guard Auxiliary
March Theme - Grey Whales with Lunch & Learn w/ Laura Lopez of Dana Wharf
April Theme - Earth Day Lunch & Learn with Tony Terusa of Tenfold Harvest on Organic Gardening and the Ocean
May Theme - Ocean Mamas - Lunch & Learn with Nona Reimer on ocean mom behavior
June Theme - World Oceans Day - Lunch & Learn with Carmen Keopfer from Ocean Institute on
shark conservation
July Theme - Plastic Free July - Lunch & Learn Thea Merrit from Eco Now on reducing single use plastics
August Theme - Celebrating 3 Years as a Nonprofit - Lunch & Learn w/ Dr. Alissa Deming is the Vice President of Conservation Medicine and Science at Pacific Marine Mammal Center
September Theme - International Coastal Cleanup - Lunch & Learn Part 1 Intro and Part 2 w/ Sabrina Banda from the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation
October Theme - Trash is Spooky - Lunch & Learn w/ Dawn Garcia Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
Marine Biologist specializing in avian ecology and rescues numerous birds in the harbor.
November Theme - America Recycles Day Lunch & Learn w/ Pink Recycling
December Theme - New years Resolution - Lunch & Learn Speaker: UCI Professor Jessica Pratt, Ph.D. and her Global Sustainability Capstone Student Presentations
2022 Lunch & Learn Speaker Presentations
January Theme: Marine Protected Areas - Lunch & Learn -w/ OC Coastkeepers
February Theme: Love Your Beach - Lunch & Learn - Watersheds - Lisa Zawaski from The City of Dana Point
March Theme: Festival of Whales - Lunch & Learn -w/Tanya Torres - Calif. Sea Grant on Grey Whales
April Theme: Earth Day Cleanup Lunch & Learn w/Emy Terusa from Tenfold Harvest special planting project
May Theme: Ocean Mamas - Lunch & Learn w/Prof Dennis Kelly on Bottlenose Dolphins
June Theme: World Oceans Day - Lunch & Learn w/Nancy Caruso (aka Kelp Lady) of Get Inspired
July Theme: Plastic Free July - Lunch & Learn w/The Ritual Refill Store and a pop up store!
August Theme - Protect and Conserve Our Ocean - Lunch & Learn w/Victoria Nguyen - Resolve Recycling myths
September Theme - International Coastal Cleanup - Lunch & Learn w/Julie Skoglund - International Bird Rescue
October Theme - Shark Awareness - Lunch & Learn w/David McGuire of Shark Stewards
November Theme - America Recycles Day - Lunch & Learn with Ryan Hickman of Ryan's Recycling
December Theme- Lunch & Learn w/ UCI Professor Jessica Pratt, Ph.D. and her Global Sustainability Capstone Student Presentations
