Or mail-in a donation postmarked December 31st made out to EAC at PO Box 609, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956.
Greetings Friend,
Thank you for supporting the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) through your charitable giving, attending our events, volunteering, or joining us in our advocacy for coastal Marin.
As the year closes and I mark my first year as Executive Director, I am reflecting on the year to come and how we will be redoubling our efforts to protect and sustain the unique lands, waters, and biodiversity of West Marin.
Now, more than ever, we must defend public lands, our coastlines, clean air and water, and critical habitats against threats, including federal funding cuts and shifting priorities that put vital agencies like the California Coastal Commission and Environmental Protection Agency—and bedrock laws like the California Coastal Act and federal Endangered Species Act—at risk. With these challenges, our work becomes even more urgent.
We have faced adversity before, but in the new year, we will mobilize with renewed strength and expanded resources, including hiring a new policy associate to bolster our advocacy efforts. Our unique, community-driven approach brings together diverse stakeholders across many jurisdictions, strengthening environmental protections locally and statewide.
It is support from people like you that fuels our work and amplifies our impact.We are strong because of supporters like you. Your charitable contributions represent over 50% of our annual budget and are the lifeblood of our advocacy and outreach. Founded in 1971, we have achieved significant victories, including securing the only Marine Wilderness on the West Coast outside of Alaska, preventing offshore oil drilling in Marin, and establishing statewide public interest criteria for aquaculture to name a few. Each success owes itself to your generosity and commitment to our cause. Please scroll down for more successes, ways to take action, and event news.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful and warm winter season.
In gratitude,
P.S. Shop with Purpose at the Advocate Store!
Visit our online Advocate Store to pick up hoodies or tees in over five designs and various colors and have them delivered straight to your home. Every purchase helps fund our mission to protect and preserve West Marin. Shop Online
~ Good News ~
Victory for Drakes Estero!
Our petition to turn Drakes Estero into a full marine reserve was approved unanimously at the California Fish and Game Commission meeting in Sacramento on December 11th. The decision is being touted as a strong example of effective collaboration.
What Does This Mean for Public Access? The proposed change will not impact public access at all. You will still be able to enjoy the Estero by paddle or foot.
What Will Change?
Once the regulation is changed, recreational clamming will no longer be allowed at this location, further protecting the marine biodiversity.
The next steps include two meetings related to the formal rulemaking, as well as exploring naming options for the reserve with tribal guidance.
CA Climate Bond Passed! While federal climate action will likely slow under the new administration, not in California! We're thrilled that California voters have approved making critical investments to prevent wildfires, provide clean and safe drinking water, and protect our future. With the growing threats of climate change, safeguarding our communities by building climate resilience has never been more urgent. We were thrilled to work alongside a long list of partnerslike Environment California, Latino Outdoors, Audubon, and Trust for Public Land to support the bill's successful passage.
Elk Fence is Coming Down!
We have been advocating for the removal of the elk fence in the Point Reyes National Seashore to protect biodiversity for nearly a decade. This December, the Seashore issued a press release for the final decision on the Tomales Point Area Plan which includes removal of the tule elk fence and temporary water systems.
It also includes future opportunities to improve recreational uses and the visitor experience at historic Pierce Ranch, new approaches to preserve and maintain wilderness character, and methods to better protect natural and cultural resources.
The decision is being challenged legally, but part of the fence has already been taken down. Stay tuned as we continue to monitor this key development at the Seashore.
Designated in 2024, Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary is America’s 17th national marine sanctuary, the sixth off the U.S. West Coast, and is one of the largest in the National Marine Sanctuary System. Our team was especially proud to collaborate with this tribal-led effort joining partners like the Environmental Defense Center, Surfrider, Audubon, and Sierra Club to support the new designation, which is a monumental protection effort for California's coast. 100,000 signees sent comments.
The sanctuary encompasses 4,543 square miles of Central California’s beautiful coastal and ocean waters, providing protection to nationally significant natural, cultural, and historical resources while bringing new opportunities for research, community engagement, and education and outreach activities.
To everyone who joined us for theWinter Gathering, thank you for your incredible energy and support! It was a joy to connect with our amazing community and celebrate the season together over delicious food, drinks, and music by Desi & The Mish.
A special shout-out to our generous sponsors, whose support helped make this event possible:
Cowgirl Creamery, Good Earth Natural Foods Fairfax, Inverness Park Market, Lagunitas Brewing Company, La Prenda Winery, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, Pond Farm Brewing Company, The Lodge at Marconi, The Palace Market, Rustic Bakery, Trader Joe's Petaluma, and the Wild Pear Co. Plus, special thanks to our Board of Directors, especially Patty Neubacher, our volunteer team John Dulger-Sheikin, Ellen Thomas, and Patty Wimpfheimer, and to Tom Baty for his handcrafted tuna and mushroom appetizers, and Nancy Jensvold for supplying and arranging the flowers.
Your contributions are deeply appreciated and play a vital role in supporting the work we do in coastal Marin. For those who couldn’t make it—or if you’d like to relive the memories—view our slideshowand save the date for 2025.
Thank you for being part of the EAC family!
Join the Duxbury Docents!
Are you passionate about nature, conservation, and education? Here's your chance to make a difference! We are seeking enthusiastic and responsible individuals to join our team of Duxbury Docents.
Docents help to protect the Duxbury Reef’s sensitive intertidal habitat and marine life by educating visitors about the wonders they discover on the reef, protective tidepooling practices, and California’s marine protected areas (MPAs).
Why Become a Docent?
Share your love for the environment with others.
Gain hands-on experience in educating the public about the wonders of Duxbury Reef and West Marin's unique ecosystem.
Join a community of like-minded people dedicated to preserving our planet.
You're invited to experience the magic of the 16th annual Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival with us! This exciting event will take place from April 25th to 27th, 2025, primarily in Marin and Sonoma counties, but also around the Bay Area.
Celebrate spring migrations along the Pacific Flyway with over 50 guided field events focused on birds, wildlife, plants, and marine life, plus activities like kayaking, photography, and art workshops. The festival is family-friendly, with special (FREE) Sunday activities for kids aged 3 and up. Whether you're a novice or an expert, there's something for everyone. Look for our guide lineup and updates under Friends of the Festival.
This festival is not just about fun—it's also a fundraiser supporting our work to protect and sustain the unique biodiversity of West Marin. By participating, you'll be contributing to the conservation of our coast and the incredible habitats where over 54% of North America's bird species have been recorded!
The schedule at a glance and full descriptions of events will be available in late January 2025. In the meantime, join our member community with a tax-deductible contribution to receive early bird registration a week before the public.
Comment Period Open to Safeguard California's Ocean
The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is seeking early public feedback to inform their forthcoming 2026-2030 Strategic Plan that will build on their current 2020-2025 Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Coast and Ocean. This new plan will guide OPC’s mission through 2030. OPC is charged with safeguarding coastal and ocean ecosystems for the benefit of all Californians.
Please share your priorities to inform this draft Strategic Plan by 11:59 pm Monday, February 17, 2025.
In addition, they will hold in-person listening sessions across the State, including in San Francisco on February 12 from 10 am - 12 pm.
Marin County is finally updating the environmental hazards sections of its Local Coastal Program (LCP). The current policies are from 1981! These rules govern land use in Marin County’s coastal zone.
Marin County held a community webinar so that you can learn more about how this impacts your local community. Watch it back.
EAC has been engaged on LCP updates since they were first proposed 10+ years ago and will be commenting on the LCP updates.
You can review the updates and submit comments through the end of the month. Staff will then incorporate feedback and introduce the amendments during public workshops and hearings.
Marin’s LCP is the key document used by the County to manage conservation, beach access, and development in West Marin’s coastal zone and dictates what landowners can do with their property. The amendment process is a response to changes in circumstances over the years including sea-level rise. Amendments must be approved by the Marin County Board of Supervisors and the California Coastal Commission.
This December, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed a listing of the North American migratory monarch butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Act is the strongest conservation law in the United States. Under this act, plants or animals can be listed as either “threatened” or “endangered.” When a species is listed, it can help provide resources and even legal action to protect them
North America’s monarch butterfly has been in rapid decline for the last few decadesdue to habitat loss and fragmentation, excessive pesticide use, and climate change. If the decline continues, the extraordinary monarch migration across the continent could cease altogether. Join EAC in supporting this listing using the links below. There are public meetings on January 14-15th.
We endeavor to keep our website up to date with the latest information on our campaigns and included some quick links in case the topic you're most interested in isn't featured in this month's e-news! Some links to campaigns are below or click on the images to view those pages directly.
Did you know you can set up a recurring gift online?
Whether you choose to set up an annual recurring giftor spread out your giving monthlyor quarterly, a recurring gift is a great way to help provide consistent donations, so we can focus on protecting what you love in West Marin.
To protect and sustain the unique lands, waters, and biodiversity of West Marin. We achieve this goal through advocacy, science, education, and engagement.
VISION
Protected resilient ecosystems in West Marin’s coastal communities for current and future generations.
EQUITY & JUSTICE
We apply an equity lens to our guiding principles and work. We acknowledge how systemic, historical, and current social structures impact human relationships with our natural environment. We recognize that inequities and racism, past and present, result in reduced access to resources and increased environmental vulnerability. We are committed to evolving on an organizational level, expanding our program outreach, and broadening the voices and perspectives that drive our vision and policy work. The health of our environment thrives on ecological diversity, and the movement to protect it must be diverse and inclusive, which has not always been the case.
Contact Us
Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) PO Box 609 | 65 Third Street, Suite 12 Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 (415) 663.9312 | info@eacmarin.org
