Protecting and sustaining the unique lands,
waters, and biodiversity of West Marin

The Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC) is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit centrally located in Point Reyes Station, California, the gateway town to the only national seashore on the West Coast.

Since 1971, EAC has remained engaged in the protection of West Marin’s unique lands, waters and biodiversity through advocacy, engagement and education. Located just an hour from San Francisco, our work focuses on large scale environmental threats (i.e. land-use, coastal protections, and climate change) facing the unincorporated coastal communities of West Marin from Dillon to Muir beaches. West Marin is the largest rural region of Marin County, California, and is home to approximately 16,000 people, or about 6.5% of the population of Marin County, and receives over 2+ million visitors a year in search of respite, relaxation, and recreation. 

As one of the only local environmental nonprofits taking on multi-year, and sometimes decade-long campaigns to address environmental threats, we provide an essential voice on behalf of West Marin’s priceless natural resources. We accomplish our work by bringing people, science and policy together to protect vital ecosystems, defend critical legislation, enforce accountability of our leaders and legislators, and rally our members to become stewards of their community. Often our efforts are not fought overnight, so your long-term support and generosity is critical to our ongoing efforts to ensure environmental protection measures are in place and lasting, especially as we mitigate and adapt to climate crisis.

Mission

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.

Guiding Principles

Strategic Objectives 

We work to safeguard vital ecosystems, defend environmental laws, support legislation, advocate for statewide policies, hold leaders accountable, and inspire collective action. Committed to our mission, we pursue the following strategic objectives:

Long-Term Objectives

1. ADVOCATE AND LEAD ON STATEWIDE LEGISLATION AND POLICY 

We shape, uphold, and influence environmental policies at the local, state, and national levels to combat large-scale development, pollutants, and climate change, including: 

• Working collaboratively in defending the California Coastal Act and the California Environmental Quality Act; 

• Supporting legislation to end dependence on fossil fuels and plastics and adopt smart climate solutions; and 

• Advocating for statewide environmental policies that protect Tomales Bay, Drakes Estero, and other vital local habitats.

2. INSPIRE COMMUNITY ACTION & STEWARDSHIP 

Deepening our network of members, volunteers, and stewards in our community to strengthen the voice for conservation through:  

• Marin Marine Protected Area (MPA) Watch: Engaging over 300 volunteers to collect community science data on how people use protected spaces and coastal ecosystems to better inform enforcement;

• Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival: Fostering environmental stewardship and celebrating coastal Marin and the Pacific Flyway’s rich biodiversity;

• Duxbury Reef Docent Program: Training over 30 volunteers to inspire and educate visitors on protecting fragile marine life;

• Internships & Leadership Development: Empowering the next generation of environmental advocates and policymakers through internships, including over 60 interns since 2015, and field trips and educational and art exhibits; and 

• Litter Bugs Me & Coastal Clean-up Day: Hosting bi-annual cleanups to keep our coasts and oceans plastic-free.

3. SAFEGUARD OUR COAST & OCEAN 

We work to preserve and protect coastal habitats, promoting the survival of threatened species by:

• Protecting Tomales Bay and Tomales Dunes from development and habitat destruction;

• Advocating for stronger and expanded MPAs; 

• Ensuring coastal resilience by promoting strong local and regional policy and nature-based solutions like blue carbon sequestration, wetland and dune restoration; and 

• Opposing policies that allow harmful industrial practices, such as offshore oil drilling and unsustainable aquaculture expansion, thereby safeguarding eelgrass, shorebirds, and marine mammals.

4. PROTECT PUBLIC LANDS & VITAL HABITATS 

We advocate for strong environmental regulations, public access, and the restoration of essential ecosystems across coastal Marin by: 

• Monitoring water quality in Point Reyes National Seashore to identify pollutants and develop solutions; 

• Advocating for protecting and restoring habitats like wetlands and grasslands to increase biodiversity; 

• Monitoring management changes and participating in public processes to ensure the protection of public access and biodiversity; and 

• Strengthening protections for Drakes Estero, the only marine wilderness on the West Coast south of Alaska.

5. ENSURE DEVELOPMENT IS SUSTAINABLE

• Tracking local projects to ensure environmental compliance and sustainable development while supporting 100% affordable housing.

Focus Areas

To achieve these long-term objectives, our current program and organizational priorities include:

• Building and maintaining coalitions with diverse stakeholders, including agencies, NGOs, local government, and the community;

• Opposing poorly sited aquaculture lease proposals like San Andreas Shellfish Co. in Tomales Bay using science, coalition building, advocacy, and policy efforts to conserve intact habitats;

• Advocating for stronger protections at Duxbury Reef State Marine Conservation Area to support 30x30, the effort to preserve 30% of the state’s land and water by 2030, and marine conservation;

• Tracking local development proposals and opposing them where they are not in alignment with environmental laws and sustainable community planning;

• Advocating for improved water quality and monitoring around Tomales Bay and Point Reyes National Seashore, responsible land management, restoration, public access, and coastal resource protection, including through public planning processes.