It took many partners and several years to develop the Sanctuary’s Agriculture and Rural Lands Plan. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary was designated in 1992 and established the Water Quality Protection Program two years later. The Sanctuary initiated the regional effort to develop a strategic plan to reduce agricultural runoff, and the Agriculture and Rural Lands Plan was released in 1999. The many groups and individuals now involved in carrying out this plan are collectively referred to as the Agriculture Water Quality Alliance (AWQA).

Timeline:

• 1992 – Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary initiated a regional effort to develop a strategic plan to reduce agricultural runoff. Federal, state and local agencies agreed that they would work together to develop a water quality protection plan for the Monterey Bay Region.
  
  
• 1994 – Sanctuary’s Water Quality Protection Program established.
  
  
• 1999 – Plan entitled “Agriculture and Rural Lands Action Plan” released.
  
  
• 2002 – AWQA (Agriculture Water Quality Alliance) name given to on-going efforts to implement the “Agriculture and Rural Lands Action Plan”.
  

• 2004 - AWQA releases Land - Sea Partnerships, a five year summary report describing the successful work of farmers, ranchers and AWQA since the release of the Agriculture and Rural Lands Plan.
  

• 2005 - AWQA receives the prestigious Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award.

• 2006 - AWQA completes strategic planning process, releasing a 2007-2012 Strategic Plan.

• 2007 - AWQA presents the first "AWQA Conservation Awards" to growers and ranchers in six categories for environmental stewardship, community leadership, and exemplary actions to protect water quality. Award winners were recognized at the first "Sip of the Sanctuary" special wine tasting event.