Sanctuary Advisory Council Membership

Apply to be a Sanctuary Advisory Council member today! Advisory Council members volunteer time to make their community’s voice heard. The council provides advice and recommendations to help address marine conservation issues across the 116 mile stretch of coast from San Luis Obispo County to the Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County, and reaching up to 60 miles offshore.

Advisory council members serve as liaisons between their constituents and sanctuary management. The advisory council shall draw on the expertise of its members to provide advice and recommendations to the sanctuary superintendent regarding the protection and management of Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Motivated individuals interested are highly encouraged to apply.

Council members should be actively involved with their constituents to afford best representation possible. Therefore, all seats should:

• Have the ability and willingness to communicate with the spectrum of users, rightsholders, Indigenous communities, or stakeholders the seat represents.
• Understand the important links and/or the uses the seat represents and the sanctuary resources.
• Create engagement opportunities with the community represented by the seat to support sanctuary management.
• Actively participate in advisory council meetings, both in-person and virtual.
• Participate in community programs and events associated with the sanctuary.
• Facilitate regular communication between the member and alternate pertaining to the stakeholders, users, rightsholders, or Indigenous communities that the seat represents.
• Commitment, availability and willingness to chair or participate on council working groups or subcommittees.

See seat descriptions for additional seat-specific expectations for council members.

If you have questions, please contact Sachiko Lamen at sachiko.lamen@noaa.gov

Now Accepting Applications For Open Seats!

The application deadline is September 30, 2026. Applications not received or postmarked by September 30, 2025 will not be considered.

The sanctuary is currently seeking applicants for the following the following seats and positions for a period of two to three years:

• Research, Primary

See seat descriptions for seat-specific expectations.

Applicants do not necessarily need prior first-hand experience within the sanctuary, but they should be very familiar with their constituents' regional interests and how they relate to, or benefit, the management of Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

How To Apply

1. Interested parties should submit an application, and include written statements of particular interest, qualifications, and experience related to the sanctuary and seat(s) you are applying to. More information for prospective applicants is available in the application.

2. The deadline to submit your application is September 30, 2026.

   Please submit applications via email to Sachiko Lamen at sachiko.lamen@noaa.gov.

   Alternatively, you can mail your application package to:
   

   Sachiko Lamen,
   Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
   1 Grand Ave, Bldg #83 Suite 1C-1,
   San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

3. Review Background Materials

   • Application Cover Letter

   • Advisory Council Scope and Responsibilities
     This one pager provides an overview of important advisory council and member activities

   • CHNMS Advisory Council Charter
     The charter outlines the purposes and establishes rules for operation.

   • National Sanctuary Advisory Council Implementation Handbook.
     The handbook provides operational requirements and a procedural framework for SACs.

   • Check out the ONMS Advisory Council homepage.

   • Review the CHNMS Indigenous Collaborative Co-Stewardship framework for an overview of how the SAC and other groups and processes are envisioned to interact.

FAQs

What is a sanctuary advisory council?

National marine sanctuary advisory councils are community-based, volunteer advisory groups established to provide advice and recommendations to NOAA on issues including management, research and monitoring needs (that may be informed through Indigenous Knowledge and western science), service, and stewardship. This sanctuary advisory council brings members of a diverse community together to provide advice to NOAA, to serve as a liaison with the nominating community, and to assist in guiding the site through the designation process.

How long do sanctuary advisory council members serve?

Applicants chosen as members or alternates should expect to serve 2 to 3-year terms. Members are limited to three consecutive three-year terms on the council in the same seat, unless the ONMS Director has granted a waiver.

How do I apply for a seat on the sanctuary advisory council?

Interested parties should submit written statements of particular interest, qualifications, and experience related to Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Sanctuary advisory council members must be at least 18 years of age.

How are applicants for the sanctuary advisory council chosen?

Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; views regarding the protection and management of marine or Great Lakes resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the site. NOAA seeks to create a sanctuary advisory council that is balanced in terms of points of view represented, geographic diversity, and advisory functions the council will perform. NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries director makes the final selection for seats.