Greetings Friend,

I hope you are enjoying the holidays and you and your family are all safe and well during these increasingly difficult times. The Winter Solstice is on Monday the 21st, welcoming winter, celebrations, rebirth, and hopefully new possibilities for 2021.

We just wrapped up a few busy weeks leading up to this update -- all good things that are keeping us busy as we work to advance EAC’s mission. This month’s update is full of program updates we were not able to include in the November e-news or in our print newsletter (that is coming to mailboxes this week).

Despite the challenges of working remotely for so many months – and having to close our office this month due to the new shelter-at-home orders – our office continues to be really busy!

Last week, we juggled multiple agency meetings impacting coastal West Marin. Our team submitted written and spoken comments to support the Marin County Climate Action Plan, raised our concerns with the California Coastal Commission on the Seashore’s General Management Plan, and supported California’s network of Marine Protected Areas or MPAs!

Earlier this month, we held our annual Winter Gathering. This year, like everything else, our celebration took place online. We had a wonderful time seeing so many of the people we miss dearly. I was able to share updates on EAC’s work, we gave away some prizes, and heard from Armando Quintero, Director of California State Parks. 

As this year comes to a close, if you are not a member or have not renewed your membership, please consider making a gift today. Our Board of Directors is currently matching up to $20,000 in total gifts through the end of the year. You can double your impact with a gift today! 

As a grassroots environmental organization, our success and ability to advocate on behalf of the places we love in coastal West Marin are made possible by the generous support of our community. Thank you to everyone who makes our work possible with your support and contributions.

In good health,

MISSION

To protect and sustain the unique lands, waters, and biodiversity of West Marin. 
We achieve this goal through advocacy, education and engagement opportunities.

VISION

Our work strives to provide long-term protection and conservation of the unique ecosystems and rural communities of West Marin, and serves as a foundation of environmental protection for future generations.

The Advocate Coming To Mailboxes Now!

Keep your eyes peeled for the winter edition of our printed newsletter, with programs updates, ways to get engagement and more. 

Join the Monarch Movement!

We are excited to announce that our report on Marin's Monarch Movement will be released on December 18th! This report is an analysis on the current work happening in Marin County to support the western monarch population of butterflies. Learn more about this collaborative project and sign up for the release on Friday. 

We are disappointed (but not surprised) that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service failed to list the monarch as a threatened species. They agreed monarchs are threatened with extinction, but failed to provide the protection they need to recover.

The Xerces Society noted in response to the decision, "With over 95% of the data from the Xerces Society’s Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count in from volunteers this year, the western population has hit an unprecedented low, with a projected final count of less than 2,000 monarchs. This is a significant decline from the record low numbers of the last two years, where the total monarch population hovered just under 30,000 monarchs—and far below the millions of monarchs that clustered in coastal California in the 1980s."  

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Determination
Read Xerces Society Press Release

Seashore's Ranching Plan Slated for Coastal Commission Review

The Point Reyes National Seashore's General Management Amendment (GMPA) Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) is set for review by the California Coastal Commission (Commission) for a federal consistency determination on January 14, 2021.

The Commission makes a consistency determination when a federal agency activity affects the coastal zone. The federal agency submits a project description and analysis of the activity's coastal zone effects based on the policies of Chapter 3 of the Coastal Act that is reviewed by Commission staff and Commissioners.

Leading up to the Commission consistency determination, EAC is currently fully engaging in this process including the submittal of a letter and public testimony last week at the Commission meeting.

We expect the Commission’s staff report to be released Friday, December 18, 2020. We will be sending out an action alert to our members with suggestions and applicable Chapter 3 Coastal Act policies that NPS failed to address in future emails.

Learn More

Marin's Climate Action Plan

This fall, Marin County introduced a draft Climate Action Plan (CAP), which includes a plan to cut emissions from both existing and new development in the unincorporated areas of Marin County. It contains regulatory, incentive-based and voluntary strategies -- some that build on existing County programs and others that provide new opportunities to address climate change, including strategies developed through the Drawdown: Marin project, which EAC continues to participate in. The county accepted public comments and held a public meeting in October, which EAC’s Executive Director participated in.

Last week, the Marin County Board of Supervisors approved Marin County’s final CAP Update on December 8th. EAC attended this meeting and provided comments. 

EAC looks forward to continuing our engagement with Marin County and Drawdown: Marin, which is becoming a stand-alone nonprofit, to advance creative climate solutions.

Learn More

Coastal NGOs Support MPAs!

On December 9th, the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) received their annual update on the state of California’s marine protected areas (MPAs). Following the update and presentation provided by the Fish and Wildlife Department, there was a strong turnout in support of the state MPA program. Several coastal organizations and stakeholders from up and down the state provided updates on individual programs and challenges from 2020, including increased poaching, visitation, and enforcement.

EAC has been working with the state agencies to increase education and enforcement at our state and local MPAs including Duxbury Reef. As the pandemic continues, we will remain vigilant in providing education about how to enjoy these amazing places responsibly. While we are thrilled so many people are enjoying our coastal resources, we must take care when we visit them.

EAC looks forward to future partnerships to provide public education and outreach on MPAs in our community to protect sensitive resources. We are lucky to have 16% of our coastline protected as MPAs. 

Learn More

Ocean Protection Council

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) met in September on several interesting topics including the advancement of a statewide sea-level rise communications strategy, a statewide aquaculture action plan, updates to the California Eelgrass Mitigation Policy (CEMP), and plastic pollution. The OPC’s mission is to “ensure that California maintains healthy, resilient, and productive ocean and coastal ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations.”

EAC provided testimony supporting a number of items that relate closely to our work including: funding of the statewide sea-level rise communications strategy, general support for the OPC aquaculture action plan, the resolution supporting updates to the CEMP, and work on our plastics crisis.

The OPC unanimously approved all of the agenda items. The next OPC meeting will be in 2021.

Learn More

EAC Online Store

Give a gift with purpose and support the mission with a local gift from our online store. Shop wildlife notecards, prints, or our West Marin Wild reusable cups and utensils. Shop Now

West Marin Wild Tees & Hoodie Sale Through Dec 17th

Go Wild for West Marin with a purchase of our trademarked West Marin Wild tees and hoodies.
All sales are handled through our partners at Bonfire, and will be shipped directly to you. These are perfect gifts for your loved ones that give directly back to our mission.
Learn More & Shop Now