Sea otters are my spirit animal. So, when tasked with picking a dataset to analyze, it was only natural that I would look for a way to promote the conservation of California’s beloved Southern sea otter. I found the data online via the Western Ecological Research Center’s website and was surprised at just how much data there was! Sea otter populations have been tracked in California since 1982, and the results of the Annual Sea Otter Census assist researchers and conservationists alike in their efforts to protect and revitalize the species.

There are many ways Californians today can assist in these efforts. Check out the stats in my dashboard and links at the bottom for how you can help!