WEAVE KNOWLEDGE & MAKE WAVES TOGETHER

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Timed to align with SF Climate Week, this 4-hour experiential learning sail on San Francisco Bay is designed as an off-conference convening for senior professionals and emerging leaders at the intersection of sustainable textiles and ocean health.

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

2026 STEWARDSHIP SUPPORT CREW

​This year's program is supported by an incredible 2026 Stewardship Support Crew who are providing advance underwriting funds and are helping us sustain the integrity and momentum of this catalytic convening. We are excited to share more about this motley crew of brand, textile manufacturing, non-profit, individual, and academia soon.

APPLY FOR A FELLOW SEAT.

Thanks to our Stewardship Support Crew, we are excited to offer limited Fellow Seats on the 2026 Textile x Ocean Connector Sail. Fellow Seats are reserved for emerging leaders and practitioners whose work advances science, industry, and triple bottom line benefit.

  • Fellows are curated based on relevance and contribution.

  • Selection is mission- and merit- driven, and focuses on removing key barriers to entry.

  • Fellows participate fully and equally in all aspects of the convening.

Applicants for Fellow Seats will be notified starting in late March through April 10th if they have been selected to receive an invitation to join. Fellows must respond and register within two business days with signed MOU.

APPLY HERE

EXPERT SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED SOON!

EXPERT SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED SOON!

GET YOUR EARLY BIRD TICKET BEFORE MARCH 25TH!

  • “When you're on board a ship, the conversations are just better -- more concise, more personal, more sincere, and more numerous. The tasting sessions were one of my most valuable aspects of the sail because I enjoyed the intimacy and group conversation that highlighted similar questions among participants. The intro and closing were critical because really the spirit of the day was informed by Krystle and Carolynn's enthusiasm, sparkle, wisdom, and expertise.”

  • "Connecting with scientists and research institutes was highly valuable as they presented "just the facts". So often this industry is biased towards the story they need to tell for their products to be successful. Hearing from unbiased scientists is one the most powerful ways to consider all challenges. I also believe the event invited very open and honest discussions beyond the tasting topics. There was a general mindset that no one solution is perfect."

  • "Great experience! Loved the enthusiasm of the organizers, learning so many new things, and connecting with amazing people."

  • “I loved the mix of science, policy and industry professionals who attended. I was able to interact with people both in my field and in science that I would never get to talk with in person otherwise.”

  • “There are some really innovative technologies and companies working to address textile impacts on oceans, and the people involved are deeply committed.”

Read about our past programming here!

2024 REPORT
2022 REPORT
2023 REPORT

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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Google

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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.