Over 95 Attend Special Visit to Limuw for Coastal Co-Stewardship Training

On May 7th, over 95 people embarked a boat for a special visit to Limuw, the Chumash name for Santa Cruz island, as part of a Stewardship Pathways training hosted in partnership with the Native Coast Action Network and Chumash partners. The training highlighted place-based restoration efforts and opportunities, and the deep importance of coastal and cultural conservation—providing space for attendees to strengthen partnerships and advance coastal co-stewardship. Learn about the shared stories, sights, and learnings of this special visit to Limuw on today’s blog!

Photo by Condor Visual Media

On the sunny morning of May 7th, 2025 over 95 people came together at the Island Packers dock in Ventura, California full of excitement and curiosity for the day ahead: a Stewardship Pathways training event at Limuw, the Chumash name for Santa Cruz island. Limuw holds profound significance as the creation site of the Chumash people. Highlighting the importance of coastal and cultural conservation and stewardship, this training was developed to offer a unique way to learn about place-based restoration efforts that are shaped and sustained by meaningful engagement and anchored in Tribal science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge. This special visit was hosted by the Climate Science Alliance (Alliance) in partnership with Native Coast Action Network, Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples, and Chumash community partners, with support from the California State Coastal Conservancy and the Collaborative of Native Nations for Climate Transformation and Stewardship (CNNCTS). 

As the check-in line began to form, so did the new conversations and connections. Attendees were greeted by Alliance staff and received their boat ticket, pencil, and reflection booklet containing prompts to guide reflections for the day. This was our  first Stewardship Pathways training event to take place on open water and the charter boat became a classroom of its own—with attendees filling seats, exploring the lower and upper decks, and exchanging conversation over snacks and ginger chews.

With all aboard, the boat made its way through Ventura Harbor and out the jetty into the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean, where coastal low clouds and fog enveloped the horizon. Our Chumash partners lifted their voices in song, welcoming us and their ocean relatives with music that resonated far beyond the boat. In response, bottlenose dolphins appeared beside both sides of the boat, leaping through the wake in and out of the water’s surface, while birds glided overhead and whale spouts dotted the horizon. Once we neared the island, a pod of Risso’s dolphins slowly cruised by—an uncommon sighting, according to the captain. Gulls and pelicans soared overhead, velella floated by, and cormorants occasionally peeked their heads above water before diving deep below the surface.

Photos by Condor Visual Media

“The site visit we had at Limuw was truly incredible. I had the opportunity to talk with the other attendees about their work and learn about new things they are working on. Getting to learn about the Chumash's creation story and then being able to visit was truly unforgettable and I felt so lucky to be a part of that experience.”  — Attendee of the Special Visit to Limuw

As the clouds gave way to sunny skies, we made our first stop of the journey at the northwest end of Limuw at Painted Cave, one of the largest known sea caves in the world. As the boat eased into the cave, everyone fell silent. You could hear only the soft lapping of water, birds calling from above, and the quiet gasps of awe. It was a particularly meaningful experience for one Chumash attendee, who shared that this was their first time seeing Painted Cave in person. 

We then made our way to the northeastern side of the island, docking at Scorpion Anchorage for attendees to explore the area and have lunch together.  Continuing the conversations that started on the boat, attendees took to the trails, rested at the Scorpion Canyon campground, or headed beachside—with about a dozen attendees donning snorkeling gear for a quick dive. Under blue skies and a gentle ocean breeze, attendees observed native plants blooming wild flowers, and snapped photos of two of the iconic endemic species that were out and about: Island foxes and Island Scrub-Jays.

Photos by Condor Visual Media

After our visit to Limuw we boarded the boat back to Ventura. Attendees’ laughter and voices filled the air, as they exchanged stories about the day's activities. But the ocean had one more surprise. Half way through the trip, the boat came to a halt and the captain announced, “We got a humpback whale at 12 o'clock!”. Attendees quickly made space around the front of the boat for all to see a mother whale and her calf breaching and diving together, as if letting us in on a special training of their own. Our Chumash partners sang songs of gratitude to the whales and thanked them for their playful visit. Many attendees were touched by the experience, some even shedding tears because of how surreal and magical the moment was. 

“I absolutely loved going to Limuw! It was such an incredible trip witnessing so many different animals and enjoying the beautiful surrounding nature. It was spiritually uplifting and I just felt so connected.” — Attendee of the Special Visit to Limuw

We arrived back at the dock in the late afternoon, our hearts and minds full. Attendees left with a deepened sense of connection to the ocean and appreciation for coastal lands, a deeper understanding of Indigenous led stewardship, and ideas for how to create deeper relationships to the land and each other. Many shared that they look forward to returning to Limuw again, this time with family and friends. We hope the memories, lessons, and stories of this day continue to inspire meaningful co-stewardship and foster relationships with one another and the coastal environment.

The Climate Science Alliance is deeply grateful for our Chumash partners who offered their time, knowledges, and stories to share with attendees the powerful and long-lasting connections their peoples have with the ocean, coast, and Limuw since time immemorial. Special thank you to the Native Coast Action Network, Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples, and Chumash community partners for their participation and advisorship, and to the California State Coastal Conservancy and CNNCTS for making this Stewardship Pathways training event possible.