Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore. Photo © Carlos Porrata
When Bay Area counties are ranked by the acres they have permanently protected in parks, wildlife refuges, and open space preserves, Marin County comes in first with nearly 56% of its land protected. This unique land conservation legacy benefits wildlife, plant life, and human enjoyment and recreation. West Marin is shaped by tectonic plates, divided by the San Andreas Fault, and set along the Pacific Flyway and Pacific Ocean resulting in an extremely biologically diverse environment. However, the area continues to face environmental threats, including development pressure, pollution, tourism, and climate change, all of which pose a unique set of challenges.
Since 1971, EAC has been advocating for land preservation in the villages and outlying areas from Dillon to Muir beaches. Our prior successes have included opposing the Marin County-Wide plan that would have constructed a six-lane highway from the Golden Gate Bridge to Point Reyes (creating suburbs and subdivided agricultural lands), supporting the Point Reyes National Seashore, supporting environmentally responsible agriculture, stopping the West Marin landfill expansion, and protecting the Drakes Estero Wilderness. Our current lands campaigns center around Protecting Public Lands, Parks for Everyone, and Advocating for Environmentally Sustainable Coastal Communities.
To accomplish our mission, we actively engage in the public processes of our local, regional, and federal agencies to ensure that modifications to the West Marin environment and watersheds are environmentally sustainable and compliant with applicable policies and regulations.
We work diligently to protect West Marin's lands by supporting our public lands, monitoring land-use policies, proposed development activities, and planning for climate change adaptation.
Visit some of the links below to learn more about our specific past and current program work.
Our Work
PROTECTING
PUBLIC LANDS
Roys Redwoods, Marin County Open Space. Photo © EAC
Land managers have an enormous impact in shaping the natural environment. We engage in the public processes of federal, state, and county public lands in West Marin on behalf of irreplaceable habitats and biodiversity.
PROGRAM AREAS:
• Point Reyes National Seashore, General Management Plan
• National Park Service, Electronic Bike Policy
• Trust for Public Land, San Geronimo Valley Property Acquisition
• Point Reyes National Seashore, Ranch Management Plan, (2014-2015)
• Point Reyes National Seashore, Drakes Estero Wilderness, (2005-2012)
• Point Reyes National Seashore, Giacomini Wetlands (1972-2007 external website) EAC advocated for the restoration and preservation of these wetlands.
ADVOCATING FOR SUSTAINABLE
COASTAL COMMUNITIES
Bolinas, CA. Photo © EAC
Community development and land-use planning shape both our communities and the land for generations. We engage in these processes and advocate for environmentally sustainable policies to protect habitat and our rural community values.
PROGRAM AREAS:
• Sustainable Communities: Planning for our Future
• Marin County, Tomales Dunes (Honor Thy Dunes)
• Marin County, Local Coastal Program Amendments
• Marin County, Coastal Communities Working Group
• Marin County, Community Marin Development Code Updates, (2013, 2018)
Community Engagement
Our staff engages in community working and planning groups to advance our mission.
Advisory Committee
Our Advisory Committee (board, staff, and other stakeholders) provides expertise and advice on the complicated issues facing our lands, waters, and biodiversity in coastal Marin. Their feedback and recommendations help broaden our view and scope when making decisions involving land-use and planning, public lands (federal, state, and county), and impacts of climate change on West Marin’s lands.
