CIMWI

Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine mammals along the southern California coast. Founded in 2006 by marine mammal veterinarian Dr. Sam Dover and his wife Ruth Dover, CIMWI operates primarily in the Santa Barbara region and surrounding Channel Islands, a Marine Protected Area renowned for its ecological richness and as a model of successful ocean conservation with measurable spillover benefits to nearby waters.

CIMWI’s operations are based out of a repurposed school campus near Gaviota Pass, which has been transformed into a fully equipped marine mammal hospital. The organization responds to reports of stranded or injured seals and sea lions, providing critical veterinary care and rehabilitation services. In addition to pinnipeds, CIMWI also assists with stranded cetaceans, including dolphins and small whales, coordinating with federal and regional partners when needed.

Beyond rescue work, CIMWI engages the public through education and outreach programs, raising awareness about marine wildlife, ocean health, and the human impacts on coastal ecosystems. Their efforts contribute to both local conservation and broader scientific understanding of marine mammal populations in the Pacific.