2014 Annual Report

In composing this President’s message, I reflect on 2014 - SOFT’s first year. However, before we explore 2014 with the remainder of this publication, I need to tell you why we are here. Our mission is ensuring the survival and recovery of sea otters in their habitats by building funds to support research, conservation & education. But, what does that mean? Or why are we necessary? The answer to those questions is the real story of why the Sea Otter Foundation & Trust (SOFT) was formed.

Let’s turn the clock back to March 2011 at the Sea Otter Conservation Workshop where an impassioned speech was given by Dr. Mike Murray (Director of Veterinary Services, Monterey Bay Aquarium) detailing the need for a dedicated sea otter fund to provide financial resources directly to the sea otter researcher and conservationists. Specifically, zoos and aquariums housing sea otters find themselves competing for funding and recognition with the other, equally important, animals within their facilities. University students face a similar dilemma; competing with other university studies exploring viable research programs outside the otter realm. Even important sea otter educational and awareness programs have been cut from the tightening budgets of our modern day.

So, the need to provide a funding source specifically for the sea otter became pretty clear and I found myself raising my hand, so to speak. My career to date had been nonprofit marketing and fundraising, so it was impeccable timing. From there, I made connections with others in the industry, most importantly Andy Johnson, manager of the Sea Otter Research & Conservation program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. With his help and encouragement, I found the courage to begin this adventure marrying my nonprofit skills to a need in the sea otter world. And, SOFT was born!

But, SOFT is certainly not about me; nor is it about any one organization or program; it’s about the sea otter and the entire community of people who love, study and work with them. For the first time, there is an organization that is fundraising specifically to give funding grants to sea otter researchers, biology students, conservation organizations and educational programs focused on the sea otter.

You might be thinking there are other organizations and initiatives that are sea otter specific. Yes, that is true–Friends of the Sea Otter, Seaotters.com and The Otter Project, to name only a few–are working diligently and passionately to make a difference for the sea otter. However, their ability to provide funding to research efforts is limited for a variety of reasons. SOFT is here to complement their overall efforts; either in funding or partnership education.

Will we educate? Absolutely! The more people we reach, nationally and internationally, regarding the essential species we all know sea otters to be, the more positive impact we will have for sea otters.

Will we fundraise? Definitely – that is our mission, after all. But, as SOFT is a completely volunteer organization, you know that 100% of your gift goes directly to the organizations, students, associations and conservation groups which you might not be able to give to directly. That is what makes SOFT unique.

Together in sea otter efforts,

President’s Message

Our mission: Ensuring the survival and recovery of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) in their habitats by building funds to support

research, conservation and education

www.SeaOtterFoundationTrust.org

Sea Otter Foundation & Trust—SOFT

Board of Directors

Diane Tomecek, President & CEO David Tomecek, Vice President

Elizabeth Lynch, Secretary Cathy McGuire, Treasurer

Andrea Kiere, Board Member

SOFT extends its sincere appreciation to the following individuals for their guidance, service and/or exemplary volunteer contributions: Jessica Black, Dr. David Jessup DVM—retired, Andrew Johnson, Dr. Michael Murray DVM, Candis Townsend & Glenn VanBlaricom.

We would also like to thank Ann Beauvais, Steven Harrell & Jana Johnson for their past service.

SOFT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable organization (EIN 46-4183357); contributions are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Diane

All photographs © www.SeaOtterFoundationTrust.org

Recycling gets a new twist with SOFT

The idea of recycling is certainly not new, but SOFT believes that by valuing the idea of keeping

our environment clean on land is an excellent way to keep our oceans clean. To that end, SOFT

participates in an in-depth recycling program, especially geared toward difficult-to-recycle items

like energy bar wrappers, cereal bags, plastic cosmetic and makeup items, toothbrushes, tooth-

paste tubes & dental floss containers, Brita water filtration systems and plastic scotch tape rolls.

Thanks to all who participate in the program! In 2014, we recycled:

6,000 Beauty care & cosmetic products

100 Entenmann’s Little Bites wrappers

500 cereal bags & cereal box liners

575 toothbrushes, toothpaste packaging, dental floss, deodorant & mouthwash bottles

1574 Energy Bar wrappers

80 Capri Sun & Honest Kids pouches

115 Baby food & GoGo Squeeze pouches

200 cheese packaging wrappers

10 Brita water filters

215 lbs. of aluminum & 375 lbs. of steel

Once collected, these items are shipped in bulk - to minimize the environmental impact – to Terracycle, an upcycling company that believes in eliminating trash completely.

The funding dollars SOFT receives from recycling these products are funneled directly into our sea otter granting fund.

SOFT values community clean-

up days!

In early June, we participated in

World Environment & World

Ocean’s Day. Believing in a pris-

tine environment, we ventured out

frequently throughout 2014 to

clean-up country roads, open

fields and even parking lots of

trash and recyclables, instilling the

idea in others that we can make a

difference one person, one day at

a time.

When most people think of aquariums with sea otters, they tend

to assume the facility will be on a coast or near a large body of

inland water. One very obvious exception, however, is the

Minnesota Zoo. The good folks there will readily admit that

they’re about 1,500 miles from the nearest ocean, but that

they’re also home to three of the coolest sea otters around –

Rocky, Capers & Jasper.

When SOFT visited Minnesota Zoo, located in Apple Valley (a

southeast suburb in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area),

we were excited to learn that the facility is home to not only sea

otters, but also two other species of otter: North American river

and Asian small-clawed otters. Needless to say, spending an

entire day at Minnesota Zoo was time well spent!

When we swung over to the sea otter exhibit, we were

pleasantly surprised to note the basis for the overall area:

Russia’s Grizzly Coast. Most sea otter exhibits we’ve seen focus

on the North American coast and its inhabitants. The Minnesota

Zoo approach, however, takes on the western side of the Pacific

Ocean. Wild boar, Amur leopards, Brown (Grizzly) bears and

other inhabitants of eastern Russia join the sea otter in exhibits

that play on the lush dense forests and craggy coasts of that

region. As mentioned, it is a different and well-done exploration

of the not often discussed Russian sea otter habitat.

We arrived during feeding time for Rocky, Capers and Jasper,

which is always a fun and interactive time for visitors. The zoo

has developed a list of the “Top 10 Reasons Sea Otters Are So

Amazing” detailing a myriad of sea otter characteristics

including their role as keystone species, their ability to use tools

and their need to eat 25-30% of

their body weight per day. For

Rocky, Capers & Jasper, who

weigh approximately 70 pounds,

this translates to their needing to

eat 15-18 pounds of food per day.

While we awaited our contact,

trainer Jenny Beem, we noticed

the attention to detail in the

exhibit, both inside and out. The

exterior areas are decorated to

look like a Russian expedition and

Rocky, Capers & Jasper make great

crowd pleasers at Minnesota Zoo

North American river otters & Asian Small-clawed otters call Minnesota Zoo

home too!

The North American river otter

exhibit, part of the Medtronic

Minnesota Trail, had a deep

pool and shallow stream sup-

ported by the exhibits recirculat-

ing water system. Rocks, tree

limbs and other naturalistic fea-

tures (some real, some simulat-

ed) litter the exhibit, providing

lots of opportunity for enrich-

ment for Bobby & Nena, the

male and female North Ameri-

can river otters there.

The Asian small-clawed otters

have their own exhibit and pool

area within the Tropics Trail,

which is housed within an envi-

ronmentally-controlled building

with many other sub-exhibits

that mesh into the overall tropi-

cal exhibit. The family unit—

composed of parents Curly

(born in 1993) and Laura Lee

(born in 2000) and their two

litters of offspring from 2007

and 2008—were piled into one

snoozy mass during SOFT’s

visit.

Quick

Fact:

Minnesota Zoo

created

Fish Smart

They partner with Twin City

restaurants and businesses to

only provide sus-tainable or good seafood choices

to customers.

The zoo also

participates in

Seafood Watch.

the attention to detail (including Cyrillic text on faux crates) make you feel like you’ve

stepped into that area.

Inside the exhibit, which features a large double-pool arrangement set in front of faux

and natural rocks intended to simulate a craggy coast line, the three northern sea

otters have ample room to swim and rough-house with one another.

Once we were joined by Jenny, we learned that Capers arrived at Minnesota Zoo first,

in December 2006 after being rescued as a lone pup by the Alaska SeaLife Center and

spending some time at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. Jasper, another abandoned pup

rescued by Alaska SeaLife Center, arrived in August 2007. Along with Jasper came

Rocky, who was rescued by Alaska SeaLife Center at about the same time.

Like any animal or human, they each have their own personality, Jenny told us.

Rocky is the big boy that loves his toys, often carrying enrichment items all over the

exhibit and interacting with them long after the others have moved onto other things.

He also tends to be a bit of a food thief; maybe it’s his playful spirit. Capers is into ice

– eating it, playing with it, rolling around in it, chasing it, chomping it, you name it.

Jasper is the social butterfly, often spending time near the glass

so he can observe and interact with visitors and zoo staff.

While we watched the three males make their way around their

large exhibit space, Jenny explained how Minnesota Zoo still

considers itself a relatively new facility in the sea otter world and,

because of that, remains energetic about enhancing their

interactions with, enrichment of and care for their three charges.

She pointed out that their main pool in the exhibit is connected

with the keeper areas and pools behind the scenes and invited us

back to see what goes on back there.

But that’s a story for another day…stay tuned…

Part II of SOFT’s visit to Minnesota Zoo will be part of our next publication.

Capers munches some ice!

NY Aquarium–a great home for Jacob, Quint & Tazo–an update

The three sea otters calling NY Aquarium home are grateful to their keepers, especially for the work they performed keep-

ing them safe during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

SOFT visited the aquarium in spring 2014 and was able to take a behind the scenes tour with keeper Kayla Bergman to

visit Jacob and Quint. Tazo was in a different holding area at the time, so we spent our time with Jacob and Quint, both

southern sea otters. Kayla showed us around the aquarium’s extensive holding areas and introduced us to Jacob and

Quint individually. Jacob is an oldest of their sea otters and Kayla talked

about him being really sweet and it became obvious as we watched him

interact with her. She mentioned that currently his favorite enrichment

item was the oval ice balls that the staff makes from balloons.

We moved along in our tour to visit Quint–he is a young otter and Kayla

informed us he certainly exhibits the youngster attitude! Maybe he learned

some of his mischievous attitude during his pup days in California. See,

Quint is Monterey Bay Aquarium’s sea otter pup rescue #572. He was

taught well during his time with surrogate mom, Joy; and has since

learned to devour capelin, his favorite food! He must have outgrown the

shrimp he’s partaking of in this photo!

To read more on Quint’s early days at the Monterey Bay Aquarium:

http://otter-news.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-monterey-bay-aquarium-saving-sea.html

SOFT brings sea otter fun & education to classrooms & event venues in Colorado

At one point, Colorado had two sea otters*–housed at Ocean Journey (n.k.a. Downtown Aquarium). For those that re-member the sea otters of Ocean Journey, it is enjoyable to have an organization teaching about their importance once again. For others, especially children, it is fun to learn about these endearing animals and what can be done to make a difference for their ocean habitat, even from a land-locked state, 1200 miles inland!

*Maggie, now residing at

Georgia Aquarium &

Tyler, now residing at

UCSC: Long Marine

Laboratory

SOFT’s 1st Funding Grant We are proud, excited & honored to issue our 1st round of supportive grants in late 2015 for funding distribution in early January 2016.

SOFT will announce specific guidelines & issue a Request for Proposal in Summer 2015. Who should consider applying?

Sea otter biologists with an affiliated University or College

AZA certified Zoological Facilities

Conservation organizations, 501(c)(3)

Education organizations, 501(c)(3)

K-12 schools

Not sure? Contact us to see if you qualify—we are happy to discuss your conservation initiative as it relates to the sea otter.

Don’t miss the RFP, sign up to receive our e-mails—www.SeaOtterFoundationTrust.org or e-mail info@SeaOtterFoundationTrust.org to request the RFP.

Thank you to our donors & in-kind supporters

Individual donors: Anonymous RJ Banat Steve & Chris Clifford Walt & Barbara Clifford Melany Barber Fred Barmwater Ann Beauvais Joyce Booze Erin Brumleve Rich Busch Chrissie Butz Lindsay Carpenter Colleen Carter Jennifer Cassella Lisa & Jim Christhilf Lisa Corbin Janice & Scott Craig Chris Crary Bill Elkjer Pat Farrell Risa Friskey Alice Hosseini Sherry Hosseini Andrew Johnson & Elin Kelsey Robert Juszynski

Frank Lastoczy Phil & Martha Lechuga Brittany Leis Kesley Low Elizabeth Lynch Cathy McGuire David Meidinger & Jessica Black Amy Metz Elizabeth Micallef & Michael Long Michael Murphy Steve Norris Diane Rose Scott Shields Rachel Simpson Maialen Stroisch Kathy Sullivan Candis Townsend Diane & David Tomecek Lillian & Doug Tomecek Stephen & Kristen Tomecek Barry Walker Bev & Eric Weaver Kathy Wickett Sandra Wong

Corporate Donors: Babajoons BARELaser LLC Community Auction Services Copper Kettle Brewing Co. DaveCo Liquor Warehouse Designs by Debbie Form & Fitness Physical Therapy Goodsearch LLC Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery King Soopers Kokopelli Beer Company Mile High Pipeline Inspectors LLC Quaker Steak & Lube The Rose House Fund Sprouts Supercuts –Westminster Whole Foods Yacht Club Salon Salon Partners— Recycling Program: Salon Republic Supercuts–Westminster Supercuts–Denver Yacht Club Salon Partners in Recycling: Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center

Contact Information

Sea Otter Foundation & Trust

PO Box 351946

Westminster, CO 80035

(303) 475-1805

info@SeaOtterFoundationTrust.org

Our website:

www.SeaOtterFoundationTrust.org

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Sea Otter Foundation & Trust—

SOFT

Donations can be mailed to the above

address or made via our website:

www.SeaOtterFoundationTrust.org/support

-us/

Sea Otter Foundation & Trust

PO Box 351946

Westminster, CO 80035-1946

www.SeaOtterFoundationTrust.org

Be Inspired—Help SOFT—Donate today and make your impact

for sea otters! Your gift will make a difference to sea otter biolo-

gists, conservation and education organizations….and ultimately,

we all will work together ensuring the survival and recovery of sea

otters!