Following an extensive search, the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin (EAC)’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashley Eagle-Gibbs as the new Executive Director of the 53-year-old organization. Ashley succeeds Morgan Patton, who resigned in September. 

Ashley is uniquely qualified to take the reins as EAC’s newest director in the organization’s long history. A licensed environmental attorney, Ashley has dedicated her career to nonprofit and public interest work. While an Associate Attorney at the public interest firm Lawyers for Clean Water, Inc., she fought for clean water and represented nonprofits like California Coastkeeper Alliance. At the Natural Resources Defense Council, she helped develop unique climate change policies adopted by India that are still used today. She also interned with the Center for Biological Diversity and Golden Gate’s Environmental Law and Justice Clinic.

A critical member of EAC’s leadership team over the past seven years, Ashley managed EAC’s policy and advocacy work, establishing a solid record of successful advocacy concerning land use, coastal protection, and biodiversity policies in Marin County and throughout California. She has a venerable reputation for building strong coalitions with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on protecting the coast. Ashley has proven to be a tenacious advocate dedicated to environmental policy who has achieved strong results throughout her career. 

During her tenure at EAC, Ashley successfully: 

• Initiated and led a California NGO aquaculture coalition advocating for the California Fish and Game Commission’s adoption of first-of-its-kind public interest aquaculture guidance. These new guidelines ensure that agencies evaluate factors like impacts on sensitive coastal environment, eelgrass habitat, recreation, and navigation when leases are sited;

• Fought for a local ordinance limiting offshore oil and gas activities along Marin's coastline, which requires voter approval for any onshore oil and gas infrastructure; 

• Led coastal legislative advocacy to protect the sanctity of bedrock environmental laws including the California Coastal Act, thereby preserving public access to the coast; and  

• Initiated a legal and policy internship program, which has now trained 21 interns.

On behalf of the entire board and staff, the EAC Board of Directors warmly welcomes Ashley. 

Learn more about Ashley and our strong team here.