Mission & History

California Coastkeeper Alliance BoatFounded in 1999, the California Coastkeeper Alliance (CCKA) began as coalition of Southern California Waterkeepers and has since expanded to the Oregon border and into the Delta. CCKA is a non-profit organization that coordinates, supports and enhances the work of local California Waterkeepers in order to ensure Californians enjoy clean water and a healthy coast. CCKA and its member Waterkeepers represent the only statewide-local partnership focused on the health of the state's waters and coastal ecosystems. By coordinating on-the-ground work at the community level with policy work at the statewide level, CCKA protects and expands upon the advances made by local groups by educating state decision-makers about issues important to California communities, giving the communities a statewide voice.

CCKA's Board of Directors consists of the Executive Directors of each member Waterkeeper organization. CCKA is a proud member of the WATERKEEPER® ALLIANCE, an international movement with over 153 Waterkeeper programs worldwide.

How We Accomplish Our Goals

CCKA draws strength from the local communities that we represent. We start on the ground, where our member Waterkeepers work, and carry issues of local concern that have statewide impacts to the appropriate decision maker - whether that be at the regional, state, or national level. California's ecosystems not only provide food and recreation, they also sustain the natural, healthy balance of your community and our planet. Using science, law, and policy, we fight for clean water and healthy coastal ecosystems for current and future generations of Californians.

Whatever flows into your local storm drain, stream, river, or coast eventually impacts you. It impacts you when you swim at the beach, fish in your stream, drink a glass of water, or take a shower. CCKA works to clean up the waters that flow through your communities. We track down polluters and hold them accountable for the contaminants that they release into your water. CCKA also works to restore coastal habitats, which thrive when our waters are healthy.

To learn more about our current initiatives, please visit our Program Overview page.

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