Co-founded by Krystle Moody Wood and Carolynn Box, the Textile x Ocean Connector Sail is designed to inspire connection, facilitate intellectual exchange, and spark creativity and collaboration.
The 4-hour experiential learning program takes place annually on San Francisco Bay and is curated as an off-conference convening for senior professionals and emerging leaders at the intersection of sustainable textiles and ocean health.
Every year, we bring together researchers, practitioners, systems designers, creatives, educators, and decision-makers for structured dialogue in a distinctive maritime setting.
By getting out of the conference room and out on the water, we take the doom and gloom out of sustainability and foster creativity and fun into discussions around impacts and solutions.
This is not a panel or networking event. It is a curated intellectual experience with a defined learning arc, facilitated discussion, and deliberately high caliber cohort.
The Textile x Ocean Connector Sail deepens connections between cross sector attendees and topics that are typically addressed separately. These topics include textile-derived ocean pollution (i.e. microfiber aka fiber fragmentation), climate change, waste, green chemistry, materials innovation, environmental justice, and more.
Our Track Record:
3 completed Textile x Ocean Connector Sails (2022-2024) plus 4 custom sail programs with mission-aligned partners
Over 150 senior professionals convened
Endorsement by UN Ocean Decade Program in 2024
Cross-sector participation spanning science, industry, education, design, non-profit, and government
Demonstrated outcomes including new collaborations, project, and ongoing initiatives
Significant in-kind investment to establish & grow program
THANK YOU to all of the participants, partners, and contributors who helped make our 2026 sail such a meaningful experience!
This year's program is supported by an incredible 2026 Stewardship Support Crew.
Pacific Northwest Consortium on Microplastics || Oregon State University Fibershed || Italia A Collection || Sorci Family Foundation || Laguna Textiles || Ciclo Reformation || The Nature Conservancy || National Marine Sanctuary Foundation National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program
2026 SAIL SUMMARY
This year's sail brought together leaders from across the textile, apparel, ocean conservation, research, and innovation sectors to explore one critical question:
HOW CAN WE BETTER CONNECT TEXTILE SYSTEMS AND OCEAN HEALTH TO DRIVE MEANINGFUL, SCALABLE CHANGE?
A few key themes emerged from our conversations:
IMPLEMENTATION MATTERS - Brands and solution providers are looking for more real-world case studies that demonstrate successful approaches to pollution reduction, textile recovery and reuse, and microfiber mitigation.
COLLABORATION CAN’T BE LIMITED TO ONCE A YEAR - Participants expressed a strong desire for ongoing information exchange and cross-sector dialogue to share best practices, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate progress.
SCALING SOLUTIONS REQUIRES STRONGER BUSINESS AND POLICY SUPPORT-Stakeholders highlighted the need for deeper cost-benefit analysis, expanded funding opportunities, and supportive policy frameworks—including California's Responsible Textile Recovery Act (SB 707)—to help advance sustainable and ocean-positive textile systems.
The discussions also raised important questions about the relationship between microfiber pollution, biodiversity, and climate resilience, pointing to opportunities for future research and collaboration.
The insights captured in this report demonstrate the value of bringing diverse perspectives together to tackle shared challenges.
Read about our past programming here!
OUR ALUMNI
Fibershed
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UC Santa Barbara BREN
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San Francisco Estuary Institute
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Mango Materials
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Natural Fiber Welding
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Taylor Stitch
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Intrinsic Textiles
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Marmot
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Marine Layer
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Boardriders
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Fabletics
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Dsphere / Dhana
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Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
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Surfrider Foundation
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UC Santa Cruz
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Plastic Pollution Coalition
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California College of Arts
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National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
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Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution
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The 5 Gyres Institute
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University of Oregon
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Coyuchi
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California Product Stewardship Council
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Bolt Threads
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Bilio
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California Cloth Foundry
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Allbirds
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Levi's
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Old Navy
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Zero Discharge for Hazardous Chemistry (ZDHC)
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Torus Circularity
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Everlane
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Seelie Studio
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Fibershed • UC Santa Barbara BREN • San Francisco Estuary Institute • Mango Materials • Natural Fiber Welding • Taylor Stitch • Intrinsic Textiles • Marmot • Marine Layer • Boardriders • Fabletics • Dsphere / Dhana • Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) • Surfrider Foundation • UC Santa Cruz • Plastic Pollution Coalition • California College of Arts • National Marine Sanctuary Foundation • Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution • The 5 Gyres Institute • University of Oregon • Coyuchi • California Product Stewardship Council • Google • Bolt Threads • Bilio • California Cloth Foundry • Allbirds • Levi's • Old Navy • Zero Discharge for Hazardous Chemistry (ZDHC) • Torus Circularity • Everlane • Seelie Studio •
ALL ABOARD!
All sailing photography on the Textile x Ocean Connector Sail webpage is credited to Paige Green at Paige Green Photography.