California Coastal Commission awards new Whale Tail grants amid surge in popularity

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Surplus-Era Funding Highlights Growing Demand for Coastal Programs Serving Working Communities

SAN FRANCISCO, February 18, 2025 – The California Coastal Commission’s Whale Tail Grant program, which enhances public education and access to the state’s renowned coastline, has seen an unprecedented surge in demand in recent years.

This February, the Coastal Commission approved 53 Whale Tail grant applications totaling $1.7 million, awarding funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, local governments, and tribal governments for programs focused on coastal education, conservation, and public access.

“These Whale Tail grants embody California’s deep-rooted love for the coast and our commitment to protecting it for future generations,” said Coastal Commission Chair Justin Cummings. “By prioritizing inland and historically underserved communities, these grants reaffirm that the coast belongs to all of us—regardless of race, zip code, age, orientation, or ability.”

The number of annual Whale Tail grant recipients has more than tripled in recent years, largely due to a one-time $10 million state funding boost in 2021. Since then, the Coastal Commission has awarded 259 competitive grants totaling over $9.2 million—a significant increase from the 87 projects totaling $1.7 million funded in the four years leading up to the pandemic.

This year’s funding cycle saw a record-breaking 299 applications requesting a total of $11.3 million. Many were first-time applicants proposing innovative programs to engage communities historically excluded from coastal access and environmental education. The 53 projects selected this year will serve every coastal county as well as inland communities in Glenn, Madera, Plumas, Riverside, San Benito, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Tulare counties.

“These funds ensure that future generations of Californians can develop a love for the coast and become its stewards,” Cummings added. “We’re grateful to everyone who has purchased a Whale Tail License Plate and encourage California taxpayers to support the Protect Our Coast & Ocean Fund on their tax forms.”

The Whale Tail Grant program was established in 1998, when the Coastal Commission launched a specialty license plate to fund public education initiatives. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $25 million through more than 1,000 grants, supporting experiential education, outdoor recreation, and coastal stewardship programs across the state.