Sea Otter Awareness Week

September 20 – 26, 2026

Annually, throughout the last full week of September, we celebrate sea otters during Sea Otter Awareness Week. We encourage zoological and educational institutions, governmental agencies and communities to plan and undertake events that highlight sea otters. These activities include sharing stories, disseminating science and generating media that inspire a deeper awareness of these unique marine mammals, their ecological importance and the many challenges they face.

Sea Otter Awareness Week is organized and sponsored by Defenders of Wildlife, Sea Otter Savvy, California Department of Parks and Recreation, the Elakha Alliance, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Jump to Calendar of Events

2026 Theme: Rooted in Resilience

For Sea Otter Awareness Week 2026, we celebrate the deep connections among sea otters, kelp forests and the natural communities that depend on healthy oceans. Just as the roots and rhizomes of eelgrass beds and the holdfasts of kelp grip coastal substrates, true resilience begins with durable attachments.

The interrelationships between sea otters, their habitats, other wildlife and people create resilient networks that can adapt, recover and thrive amid change. Sea otters have demonstrated a remarkable ability to support the diversity and biomass of kelp and estuarine ecosystems; however, building resilience for sea otters and coastlines in today’s world takes a cohesive effort. This includes enforcing protections, advancing research, increasing awareness and nurturing coexistence. It could also involve conversing with local communities about reintroducing sea otters to areas where they have remained absent since the maritime fur trade hunted them to regional extinction. Reestablishing the sea otter’s keystone role in nearshore environments will likely reinforce the hardiness of those systems while aiding the species’ recovery.

Resilience is also about people. Wildlife conservation requires long-term adaptability, collaboration and persistence. Generating opportunities for dialogue about coastal renovation, including potential sea otter reintroduction, will cultivate informed human communities that can navigate change. Restoring healthy ecosystems through open participation among people and nature-based solutions—with an emphasis on sea otters, of course!—will require a sophisticated, steadfast, integrated approach…one firmly rooted in resilience.

Logo designed by Heather Barrett

Calendar of Events

September 20 2026, 10am to 2pm

Portland, OR

Sea Otter Viewing Station at Oregon Zoo

Host: Elakha Alliance | Featuring Elakha Alliance and Oregon Zoo experts

For Sea Otter Awareness Week, the Elakha Alliance has designated a sea otter viewing station at the Oregon Zoo to kick off Sea Otter Awareness Week. Stop by our viewing station next to the sea otter exhibit and meet with an Elakha representative to learn the history of sea otters in Oregon and the critical reasons they should return to their native waters. We will also have sea otter artwork for sale!

Learn More

September 20 2026, 11am to 2pm

Berkeley, CA

Sea Otters and Their Cultural Significance to the Ohlone Peoples

Host: The Lawrence Hall of Science | Featuring Sea Otter Savvy and Cafe Ohlone

Join Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino with Cafe Ohlone, along with Heather Barrett from Sea Otter Savvy, in preparation for Sea Otter Awareness Week at The Lawrence Hall of Science. Sea otters were hunted to near extinction during the maritime fur trade, and despite conservation efforts, the southern sea otter is still missing from Northern California, including the San Francisco Bay. Sea otters play a vital role in Ohlone culture—come learn about sea otters, listen to stories about Ohlone culture, discover the sea otter’s significance to the Ohlone people, and learn more about how you can help promote species recovery and coexistence.

Learn More

September 20 2026, 6 to 8pm

Portland, OR

Sea Otter Sip & Paint Night

Host: Elakha Alliance | Featuring Elakha Alliance and Fullerton Wines

Join the Elakha Alliance at Fullerton Wines Tasting Room in Portland for a Sea Otter Sip & Paint Night fundraiser! Your ticket serves as a direct donation to the Elakha Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring Oregon’s sea otter population. Reservations are required, and participants of all ages are welcome. No painting experience? No problem! Artist and Oregon Zoo Marine Life Keeper Megan Tate Hagedorn will guide you step-by-step through creating a beautiful sea otter painting inspired by the Mona Lisa. All skill levels can join in the fun – just bring your creativity and enthusiasm!

Reserve Your Spot

September 21 2026, 12 to 1pm

Virtual

Marine Mammal Monday: Sea Otters!

Host: The Marine Mammal Center | Featuring staff from The Marine Mammal Center & Sea Otter Savvy

Learn more about this intriguing marine mammal from expert educators. Geared toward kids of all ages!

YouTube Live link coming soon!

September 22 2026, 12 to 1pm

Virtual

Float Down the Coast

Host: Sea Otter Savvy | Featuring Elakha Alliance, Sea Otter Savvy, Defenders of Wildlife, Monterey Bay Aquarium, California State Parks

Enjoy this unique opportunity to virtually visit locations along the Pacific coast and witness areas with and without wild sea otters. As you travel southward, our collection of sea otter biologists, representatives, and interpreters will inform you about sea otter behavior, habitat, and ecological significance. Sea otter sightings guaranteed!

Zoom Link

Sea Otter Resilience Recharge Raft

Host: Wildlife Conservation Network’s Sea Otter Fund

It’s normal at times to feel tired, discouraged, or even heartbroken by the challenges we face. For all of you who love sea otters, Dr. Jen Miller, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Sea Otter Fund and a certified meditation teacher, has recorded a gentle 8-minute guided visualization.

Chuck Place/Alamy Stock Photo

This practice offers a moment to reconnect with sea otters, reflect on the difference each of us is making, and draw strength from the wider community working to protect wildlife. You’ll leave feeling refreshed, encouraged, and ready to rejoin the raft. Return to this recording whenever you need a resilience recharge!

Watch Guided Visualization

Please fill out Sea Otter Savvy’s online survey, which seeks public input on sea otter reintroduction and recovery.

Survey