Honoring Mike Rotkin’s Legacy

What does it mean to truly serve your community? Mike Rotkin’s lifetime of activism and service inspires us all, through his five terms as Santa Cruz mayor, a transformative decade on CWC’s board, and his leadership and action as a political organizer, union negotiator, university lecturer and more. In the weeks that have followed Mike Rotkin’s passing, so many stories have emerged about the incredible impact of his efforts, including here at the Coastal Watershed Council. 

Mike first joined CWC’s board in 2013. Over the next ten years, he helped steer this organization with his wisdom and experience, to build the political will needed to re-embrace the San Lorenzo riverfront, and connect community members young and old and from all walks of life to our river. Mike was a leader who walked the walk as much as he talked the talk.  

With his decades of Santa Cruz governing history, Mike regularly expounded on the deep context behind any decision in front of CWC’s governing body. Board member Stuart White who served alongside Mike shared that you learned something new every time you spoke to him. Others noted how welcoming Mike was when they joined the board. “I really admired him,” said Board Chair Eva Salas. Current board members reflected on how Mike loved the San Lorenzo River so much. “He’s part of the spirit here,” they concluded. When CWC staff would visit Mike’s UCSC classroom as guest speakers, we saw firsthand how he would also inspire the next generation of university students who, with Mike’s guidance, would navigate the complex systems and structures governing natural resource management and other civic topics.  

When CWC moved our office from the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor to the San Lorenzo River, Mike would show up, tool box in hand, to help set up the team to thrive in our new space. Mike was the first to volunteer to pick up the phone to help get something done, to sign up to monitor water quality at Snapshot Day, or lead a walking tour at the Riverwalk. In brief, whatever needed doing, Mike would do, and would do so with a smile on his face and a story to tell. We will miss him so deeply. 

Family and friends have organized a Go Fund Me to raise funds for a memorial bench along West Cliff Drive and tribute picnic tables in Santa Cruz State Parks in honor of Mike.  Our hearts go out to his wife Madelyn and the Rotkin family. May we all continue the important work that Mike so tirelessly championed.