It’s April and the signs of spring are all around. A few warm days are sneaking in between the rainy cold ones. The grasses are getting taller and the trees are starting to leaf out. Gray whales heading north along the California coast have been spotted in the Bay and here at Call of the Sea we are launching the first sails of the season.
Growing up in Washington DC, the Cherry Blossom trees by the Jefferson, FDR and MLK Memorials in early April always heralded the coming of Spring. I was lucky enough to be there for the peak bloom this past week and to witness the massive project now underway that will restore and raise the seawall around the Tidal Basin. As often as twice a day at high tide, large stretches of its banks are now submerged, and many of the Cherry Blossom trees are dying or in danger.
The National Park Service launched this $113 million project in 2024 to deal with the problems being caused by sea level rise. Funded through the Great American Outdoors Act, it aims to raise the seawall by 5 feet to keep things stable for the next century so that future generations may grow up with the Cherry Blossoms welcoming springtime in DC.
Similar effects of sea level rise are already being felt along our shoreline around the San Francisco Bay, whether it be the King Tides that flood areas around Sausalito and San Rafael, or on Crissy Field and along the Embarcadero. San Francisco, for one, is already planning its own seawall project. These changes in our coastal environment threaten valuable places and communities all around the Bay and it is the people who live here that care most about the impact. Call of the Sea is committed to helping young people gain access to the ocean and learn about the coastal environment so that they can be better stewards and focus on sustainability and their own future.
In April we honor Earth Day all month with special sails and programs, and we are participating in SF Climate Week and the Climate Action Youth Summit to promote ocean conservation efforts. Join us in welcoming the arrival of spring and in celebrating the 8th anniversary of the Brigantine Matthew Turner’s launch. See you all out on the water.
Eight years ago, April 1st, 2017, brigantine Matthew Turner was launched here in Sausalito, CA. The April Fools joke was nearly on us when it took hours longer than anticipated. We almost missed the high tide window for floating the ship! The day was a highpoint for Call of the Sea, and for all of the volunteers and donors who gave so much time and resources. Thank you to all who helped make this dream come true!
Volunteers are Call of the Sea’s heart and soul. Founder Alan Olson has been a volunteer since 1984. Hundreds of volunteers helped build the ship. They all deserve recognition! Read about just a few of our volunteers on our Volunteer Spotlight page. Nowadays, we have many volunteers with a variety of skills helping every week, and enjoying the tall ship community!
- Wednesdays & Saturdays-Carpentry Projects
- Weekend Sailing and Ship Maintenance
- Special Events tabling and support
Volunteer Sarah Devlin, assisting Matthew Turner ship crew with cleanup after a youth sail. Sarah also helps out at special events! Thank you, Sarah!
Saturday April 26, 2025 10 am-2 pm
at the Bay Model Visitor Center in Sausalito
- Free Ship Tours 10 am-1 pm
- Bay Model Tours
- Fun Educational Activities
- Traditional Rope-Making Demo
- Live Music
- Paella & Ice cream for sale
- Afternoon Sail starting at 2:00 pm
If you cannot make it on April 26, check out the other Saturday dock tour dates. Docents will be standing by to escort groups down the restricted Army Corps Pier to get a close look at brigantine Matthew Turner, and answer questions about the ship.
Saturday Dock Tours at 10 AM on the following dates:
- May 10
- May 17
- May 24
- May 31
- June 28
- August 9
- August 23
