Miocean’s Mission Statement
To clean up our local shoreline using a business approach and applying expertise, passion and resources for measurable improvements.
Miocean’s Approach
Our Board members identify pollution reduction projects at “the tipping point” – fully defined, permitted, agency-sponsored projects that need community-based funding. Miocean seeks worthwhile projects along the Southern California shoreline that will yield measurable, visible results within 1-2 years. The Foundation targets 2-4 projects each year, allocating resources to pollution prevention, education and structural improvements to reduce urban run-off and enhance water quality.
Come make a splash with us at our sunset gala: Annual Blue 42 Celebration
Miocean Today
Miocean recently completed its seventh project at Poche Beach, San Clemente, partnering with the County of Orange. To date, Miocean-supported projects have eliminated more than 1.2 million gallons each day of polluted water from our coastline. In addition, the new Miocean Back Bay Science Center will expedite laboratory testing and information feedback to the community for our 42-miles of Orange County coastline and offers an additional opportunity for kids to learn about urban run-off through field trips.
This expands our ongoing educational outeach. More than 10,000 Southern Californian 5th graders have “graduated” from Miocean’s highly regarded Watershed Education Program at the Dana Point Ocean Institute.
The Miocean Foundation executes and audits its projects under the guidance of our all-volunteer Board of Directors.
The Miocean Team
Miocean’s Board of Directors is comprised of Orange County business leaders who share a passion for protecting our ocean.
Miocean…
Applies a business approach to cleaning up our oceans.
Emphasizes a solutions-driven organization focused on measurable projects.
Recognizes that each beach has unique problems and circumstances, thus requiring specialized solutions.
Provides funds to grassroots environmental organizations or partnering with them for specific projects and programs.
Contributes project management and/or technical expertise to solve ocean pollution.
Maintains a high profile on local water quality task forces and participates in identifying long-tern solutions.
Who is Miocean?
Miocean is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to protecting and improving Orange County’s 42-mile coastline by reducing urban run-off pollution. We seek to clean up our oceans with knowledge, passion and commitment, led by an all-volunteer Board of local business leaders who share a deep passion for protecting our ocean, and supported by an advisory board of corporate and private sponsors, local elected officials, community leaders and ocean-oriented industry leaders.
What is Miocean?
We are a 501(c)3 IRS-registered non-profit organization, which began in 2001 when one of our founding members nearly died after contracting a staph infection while teaching children to surf at Doheny Beach. Stunned by the lack of action to stop the urban pollution problem that caused the infection, he rallied his business peers to form Miocean and create direct solutions to reduce urban run-off. Today, Miocean partners with local counties, cities, water districts, and other non-governmental organizations to support focused projects and education that can reduce urban run-off. We apply proven business approaches, knowledge and commitment to achieve these goals.
When is Miocean involved?
Miocean focuses on pollution reduction projects that are fully defined, permitted, agency-sponsored projects that need community-based funding, with a focus on projects along the Southern California shoreline that will yield measurable, visible results within 1-2 years.
We have completed two major projects in Dana Point: a $1.2 million filtration/diversion system at Doheny State Beach, and a $6.7 million ozone filtration system at Salt Creek. Miocean, since 2005 has also supported a unique educational program for 5th grade students through the Ocean Institute in Dana Point and recently completed its first major project in Newport Beach for the new Back Bay Science Center in Newport Beach to support faster water quality testing techniques and watershed educational programs. Miocean has also supported smaller watershed educational projects such as the Wyland Mobile Classroom for young children and Orange County Water Camp for 8th and 9th graders.
How does Miocean operate?
We partner with local counties, cities, water districts, non-governmental organizations in improvement projects and educational initiatives that protect our oceans by reducing urban run-off pollution. We conduct business, oversee projects, and audits results under the guidance of our all-volunteer Board of Directors, whose annual contributions make it possible to operate with virtually no overhead expenses and direct virtually all donations directly to meaningful projects and programs.
How Does Miocean Select its Projects?
Select Board members screen and pre-qualify possible projects, which are then approved by the entire Board of Directors. Miocean then negotiates with the partnering entity (City or NGO) and determines the criteria for funding. We also seek “leverage” of our contributions through matching grants, city funding and charitable donations. All of Miocean’s operational casts are covered by the sponsoring Board of Directors, so that 100% of donations are directed to projects. Finally, the projects are monitored for proper implementation and performance, which helps assure measurable outcomes.
For more information: www.miocean.org