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Environmental Defense Center
updated: Nov 13, 2010, 8:45 AM
The Environmental Defense Center (EDC) is a non-profit, public-interest law firm
dedicated to the protection and conservation of the natural resources of
California's Central Coast, especially in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis
Obispo Counties. Founded in 1977, the EDC is the only non-profit environmental
law firm between Los Angeles and San Francisco where EDC has become a primary
source of environmental education, advocacy and, when necessary, legal action.
EDC's staff includes five lawyers, two biologists and a professional planner.
A Call to Action
The 1969 Santa Barbara Oil Spill focused the nation's attention on the
risks of natural resource exploitation and made Santa Barbara the birthplace of the environmental movement. Legislation was developed to empower citizens to assure consideration and reduction of the adverse environmental consequences of public policy decisions. EDC's expertise is in the use of these laws and related regulations and policies for conservation of natural resources. We enable our clients and supporters to use all available tools to defend the
public health and the quality of our local and global environment.
Education about environmental concerns is central to EDC's mission.
In addition to holding public forums and teaching in local schools and
universities, EDC staff provides advice, analysis and professional support to
grassroots and community organizations, and actively works with governmental
agencies. Through these efforts, the EDC has saved thousands of acres of open
space from development, protected dozens of threatened or endangered species
from extinction, improved local air and water quality, and educated our
community about means for advancing human health, safety and environmental
quality.
Coast and Ocean Protection
Protecting our region's extraordinary marine environment is among our
highest priorities. EDC works to advance conservation initiatives and to
counter emerging threats to our coast and ocean, like oil and gas development,
land development that's restrict public access to the coast, or
industrialization that adversely impacts the multitude of living species of this
region.
Human and Environmental Health
EDC's work reduces toxic pesticide use in parks, farms and schools and fosters
sustainable agriculture and local food production by building collaborative
partnerships with farmers and other stakeholders and increasing public awareness
about these issues.
Open Space and Wildlife Conservation
For over 33 years, EDC has secured protection and public access for vital and
prominent open spaces. EDC's lawyers and analysts are this region's leading
experts on land conservation, and played a critical role in saving local
treasures like the Douglas Family Preserve, Ellwood Mesa, Carpentaria Bluffs,
Hearst Ranch, San Marcos Foothills and Sedgwick Preserve, among a long list of
other saved spaces. EDC continues to be actively involved in preventing
development at Naples and the entire Gaviota Coast among many other conservation
initiatives.
For more information on these and other topics, or to donate or become a member,
please visit EDC's website at www.EnvironmentalDefenseCenter.org or call us at
(805) 963-1622.
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