Join us for a special Cove Talk with Kate Huckelbridge, Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act—one of the most influential environmental laws in the nation.

Since 1976, the Coastal Act has helped protect public access, preserve coastal habitats, guide responsible development, and safeguard the character of California’s shoreline for future generations. In this timely conversation, Kate will reflect on the Act’s enduring legacy, the challenges facing our coast today, and the opportunities ahead as California responds to sea level rise, biodiversity loss, and increasing pressure on coastal communities.

Set against the backdrop of Crystal Cove’s protected shoreline, this discussion offers a meaningful opportunity to consider what it takes to steward one of California’s most treasured public resources—and how bold policy, science, and civic engagement continue to shape the future of our coast.

Location: Special Event Deck at #34

Meet Kate:

Dr. Kate Huckelbridge began serving as the Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission in February of 2023.  Before this appointment, Dr. Huckelbridge served as the Commission’s Senior Deputy Director and has worked for the agency since 2009 in a number of different roles, including as a senior environmental scientist and as the Deputy Director over the Energy, Ocean Resources and Federal Consistency Unit, Transportation Unit, and the North Coast District. She also served as the Tribal Liaison for the Commission.  Born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Kate completed her undergraduate studies at Northwestern University with an environmental engineering degree. After working briefly as a consultant, she went on to earn a masters and a PhD in environmental engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research focused on water quality dynamics and modeling in managed wetland systems.