Baykeeper's E-Newsletter for May 2016

Last week to register for the Bay Parade on May 22

Hurry! Just 5 days left to sign up to swim, kayak, stand up paddleboard, or boat in Baykeeper's Bay Parade on May 22.

Join us for a fun day on the water in support of a great cause—Baykeeper's work to keep San Francisco Bay clean and healthy for recreation.

SWIM 6.5 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge to McCovey Cove. Timed solo, timed relay, and open relay divisions.

KAYAK or SUP 1 mile roundtrip from Pier 40 to McCovey Cove.

SAILBOATS and POWERBOATS are needed to support swimmers and relay teams from the Golden Gate Bridge to McCovey Cove.

You'll make it to the big screen when the parade's finale is broadcast on the Jumbotron at the start of the San Francisco Giants baseball game. Plus, the biggest fundraiser and fastest swimmers will have their names engraved on the solid-gold Golden Rivet Award and be recognized at the SF Giants' May 22 home plate ceremony.

Sign up now to be part of the premier multi-sport event in San Francisco Bay!

Learn more about the Bay Parade and register to participate.

Photo by Robb Most

Cheer on Bay Parade participants with your donation

You can be an important part of the Bay Parade without even getting in the water!

Just make a donation in support of your favorite Bay Parade swimmer, kayaker, stand up paddleboarder, or boater. Or, make your donation in support of all Bay Parade participants! All proceeds support Baykeeper's work to stop pollution in San Francisco Bay.

Whether it's a swimmer swimming 6.5 miles without a wetsuit, a stand up paddleboarder dressed as a penguin, or a mom and child in a kayak—your donation lets Bay Parade participants know you believe in them. And that you believe in the cause they're on the water for—a beautiful San Francisco Bay.

Plus, you can get a ticket to the Bay Parade after party with every $50 donation!

Donate today to support Bay Parade swimmers, kayakers, SUPers, and boaters.

Photo by Robb Most

Catch the Bay Parade finale and celebrate at the after party on May 22

On Sunday, May 22, you're invited to watch the Bay Parade finale, then join Bay Parade participants at the after party.

Come on down to the pier at McCovey Cove at 12:45pm to catch the Bay Parade finale. You'll find 100 swimmers, kayakers, paddlers, and boaters parading down the water to the sounds of live music and raucous celebration.

The celebration continues from 1:30 to 3:30 with food and drink at the Bay Parade After Party, hosted by Anchor Brewing at The Yard at Mission Rock.

Tickets to the After Party are $50. Buy one via the link below, or get your ticket by donating $50 or more to a Bay Parade participant's fundraising page.

Learn more and purchase tickets to the Bay Parade After Party.

Baykeeper opposes Cal WaterFix Delta Tunnels Plan

Plans to divert fresh water from the Sacramento River and send it through two tunnels to pumps on the southern end of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta could devastate the San Francisco Bay-Delta ecosystem.

Baykeeper has worked to oppose the construction of Delta tunnels for many years. Now, we have issued a summary of our science-based position for rejecting the California WaterFix tunnels plan. Instead of building huge tunnels, California needs to use water recycling, water conservation, storm water re-use, and improved groundwater management.

The proposed Delta tunnels could increase pollution in the Bay and Delta, lead to toxic algae blooms, further endanger fish that include salmon and Delta smelt, and intensify harm to the Bay Area from global climate change.

Baykeeper's science-based report describes these threats, and also offers specific recommendations of better ways to ensure a reliable California water supply and restore the Bay-Delta ecosystem.

Learn more and read Baykeeper's position summary on the Cal WaterFix-Delta tunnels plan.

Photo by Joan Robbins

Vote Yes on Measure AA on June 7

Baykeeper recommends a Yes vote on Measure AA in the California primary election on June 7. This ballot measure will provide critical funding to improve the health and resiliency of San Francisco Bay.

Measure AA provides funds to:

• Restore Bay wetlands
• Reduce trash and other pollution in the Bay
• Protect shoreline communities from future flooding
• Increase trails and parks along the Bay shoreline

The ballot measure is a $12 per year parcel tax—a tax on each piece of property in the nine counties surrounding San Francisco Bay. It needs a 2/3 yes vote to pass. Remember to vote on June 7, and vote yes on AA!

Learn more about Measure AA for a clean and healthy San Francisco Bay.

Photo at top by Roberto Soncin Gerometta