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Special Thanks
POD (Protect our Dolphins) of Santa Barbara has many people to thank for their generous support of our all-volunteer work for the dolphins ...

Mr. Craig McCaw, whose generosity has been pivotal to POD, enabling students, interns, researchers, and volunteers, to be on the water to conduct the most important part of our work ... we would be stranded on land without you! ~

We must express our most sincere & heartfelt gratitude to the inimitable MS. HIROKO BENKO, who has been the most beneficent and beautiful force-of-nature to POD. Ms. Benko and her - and our - many friends and associates (including the Condor Express, Cindy & Craig Makella, the most exquisite Morello Wines, and the scrumptious Berryman Inc. produce) ... created the most incredible fundraiser for POD! Please stay tuned for an entire page dedicated to this event which not only received wonderful media, but support that sustains POD daily in our mission. We will now be able to create educational brochures & other important materials for students and the community!
Without you, Ms. Hiroko Benko, we would not have been able to create an entire educational science & conservation department that will soon extend throughout the community and beyond to further protect our extended dolphin & oceanic community!


Advisory Board Members, Captain Fred Benko and Hiroko Benko, and their crew of the whale-friendly vessel, the Condor Express for extensive knowledge and generous support ... true collaborative whale watching and dolphin protection

Advisory Board Member, James "Bud" Bottoms of Dolphin Family Studios, sculptor extraordinaire of the Santa Barbara Dolphin Friendship Fountain, for creating our logo and jewelry (coming soon!) for POD based on this iconic fountain and landmark ~

The fabulous Santa Barbara Maritime Museum for generously hosting our debut event on January 30th, 2010 and to Executive Director, Greg Gorda, and Event Coordinator, Cody Makella for their expert and invaluable support ~

Cindy & Craig Makela of the Santa Barbara Olive Company for their creativity, great generosity, and ardent love of the ocean ~

Samy's Camera
who has provided much-needed discounts and invaluable rentals to us .... Unique support, great prices, and exceptional services in a camera shop that any city would envy ~

Lynn Adams at the wonderful Santa Barbara Arts in La Arcada Plaza ~ a non-profit store that is beautifully and truly dedicated to art & wildlife protection ~

The inimitable creativity, skill, and passion for people and dolphins extended by Merryl Brown of www.MerrylBrownEvents.com in the creation of our first POD event.  Merryl is pure magic in every aspect of creating an event ... having the ability to manifest dreams and visions into ecologically sensitive events that make a real difference in the world ~

Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro in Santa Barbara for providing a most wonderful fundraiser for POD!

Stacey & Ron Pulice for their generous support ~

Don Ollis with A Room With A VU recording studio!

Chef Harold Welch and World Cuisine Express for providing the sublime vegetarian hors d’oeuvres for our debut event and donating an entire dinner for eight lucky donors!

Advisory Board Member, Anne Neubauer for her inimitable creative direction, vision, and dedication to the marine environment ~

Advisory Board Member Ann Smith for her invaluable wisdom, guidance, and commitment to wildlife preservation on both an international and a community level ~

Captain Jim Klein of Santa Barbara Sea Charters for sharing his vast skill and beautiful boat, Finaddict, with POD for our dolphin research!

Legendary Jean-Michel Cousteau and his wonderful staff at Ocean Futures Society for their warm welcome into the community ~

Thekla & Richard Sanford of Alma Rosa Winery and Vineyards for their generosity in donating their magnificent and environmentally-sensitive regional wine for our event (our favorite!) ~

Lindsey Eltinge of Lindsey Eltinge Photography for her gracious and beautiful photography ~

Phoebe and Harry Linden
of Santa Barbara Bird Farm for continued support and encouragement  ~

Last, but by no means least, the inimitable Robin Lindsey, of Robin Lindsey Photography, whose photos are a constant source of inspiration, education, and brilliance. 

We're not done ... we are grateful to so many of you whom we could not name here. To see more supporters to whom we are grateful, please visit TerraMar Research, the 501(c)(3)organization, which houses POD as a project. If we have forgotten anyone ... please let us know.





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