Austin Gent
Legal and Policy Intern | May - August 2024

Austin is a student at UC Law San Francisco pursuing a degree in environmental law, particularly land management and conservation law. He is interested in safeguarding native ecosystems from harmful land management practices and unsustainable human development in light of climate change. Before law school, Austin received a B.A. in literature and religious studies from Bard College in Upstate New York. His passion and interest in environmental law stems from the time he spent backpacking as a kid in the Sierra Nevadas, wherein he became astounded by the sanctity of the natural world. In his free time, Austin enjoys backpacking, hiking, and reading and writing poetry.

“Growing up backpacking, I developed a strong love for nature early on. Witnessing the manipulation of the natural environment through climate change and human activity, I have also grown up feeling a personal responsibility to act to protect and preserve it as much as possible. That is why I am beyond excited to serve as a Legal & Policy Intern for EAC, as doing so will help further provide me with the tools necessary to fulfill my sense of personal responsibility. I am proud to be part of EAC's advocacy team, and I look forward to the opportunities to protect West Marin's unique and biodiverse ecosystems through the lenses of law and policy.”

Program Area: Legislative and Water
Advisor: Ashley Eagle-Gibbs, Executive Director

Capstone Project Summary: Wildfire Resiliency in Marin County
This project evaluates Measure C which was passed in 2020 concerning the potential for wildfire resiliency in Marin County. Measure C presents several amendments to ensure the cost-effectiveness of wildfire management projects under the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority, along with the necessary steps to be taken to guarantee that Marin's biodiverse lands will be protected. The project attempts to find a balance between effective wildfire prevention and preparedness efforts and maintaining the ecological integrity of the natural environment.

Amina Khribeche
Legal and Policy Intern | May - August 2024

Amina is a student at Golden Gate University School of Law. She plans to graduate law school with a specialization certificate in environmental law and hopes to eventually practice in this area of law. Before law school, Amina graduated from Mills College with a B.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She studied endangered wildflowers on the Tiburon Peninsula as an undergraduate research assistant. She learned about the history of the area and explored protected areas throughout the county through her work as a research assistant. She is excited to learn more about conservation initiatives throughout Marin during her time at EAC. In her free time, Amina enjoys watching nature documentaries, running, and yoga.

“As a summer legal and policy intern with EAC, I have the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience working in environmental policy, law, and advocacy. EAC works on a variety of issues that are focused on West Marin but have a far-reaching impact on global conservation. I admire the approach that EAC takes to environmental protection through a balance of advocacy, engagement, and education. I am excited to learn from the talented team here!”

Program Area: Biodiversity, Land, and Water
Advisor: Ashley Eagle-Gibbs, Executive Director

Capstone Project Summary: Point Reyes National Seashore Tomales Point Area Plan Environmental Assessment
Over the summer, Amina advocated for conservation at the Point Reyes National Seashore. The National Parks Service is updating the existing management plan for the Tomales Point Area of the Point Reyes National Seashore. With Amina’s help, EAC expressed general support for Alternative B, the NPS-preferred alternative. The National Parks Service is expected to release the final plan this summer.

Nathaniel Burroughs
Coastal Advocate | May - August 2024

Nathaniel is a rising junior at the University of Pennsylvania, studying Environmental Policy and Application, and Communications. Nathaniel hopes to pursue a career in environmental policy, sustainable business, or climate change communication. Growing up exploring West Marin's natural beauty has inspired Nathaniel's passion for the environment as a whole, as well as for West Marin's nature in particular.

“I grew up spending most of my free time at places like Bolinas-Fairfax Ridge, Stinson Beach, and Point Reyes; West Marin's nature has been and always will be special to me, and the opportunity to contribute to the conservation and protection of these incredible places is one that I knew I couldn't pass up.”

Program Area: Coastal Community Science & Stewardship
Advisor: Leslie Adler-Ivanbrook, Program Director

Capstone Project Summary: EAC’s Marin Marine Protected Area Watch Mid-Year Report and Monitoring Program
My capstone project goes into two projects that I completed: the first project is a mid-year report analyzing usage of Marin County’s Marine Protected Areas in the first half of 2024, while the second project is an action plan for implementing a local high school partnership program to increase the volunteer base for EAC’s MPA Watch program.

Kate Loomans
Communications Intern | June 2024 - present

Kate is a rising sophomore at Stanford University, currently studying English and Communications. She hopes to channel her creativity and interest in storytelling into environmental advocacy and education with the EAC. Having spent her childhood exploring the Northern California coast and West Marin, Kate is passionate about protecting these local ecosystems. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, cartooning, and photography.

“Having grown up hiking Mt. Tam, exploring the Point Reyes tide pools, and kayaking in the Bolinas Lagoon, I am so excited to contribute to EAC's mission of protecting this nature near to my heart. I look forward to educating others on the wonderful biodiversity of West Marin through my work as a Communications Intern!”

Program Area: Digital and Print Communication
Advisor: Grace Milstein, Communications Manager

Capstone Project Summary: Marine Protected Area Education Graphics Toolkit
An important part of EAC’s mission is advocating for California’s Marine Protected Areas, which have been designated as such to preserve wildlife, prevent environmental degradation, and safeguard these ecosystems. For her capstone project, Kate created a social media and educational toolkit, which includes a series of graphics and comics, about the importance of MPAs. The hand-drawn designs include topics such as the ecological importance of these areas, our local Marin MPAs, and special programs like EAC’s Marin MPA Watch partnership and the Duxbury Docent program. The graphics are intended for use on social media and other communication channels to help educate about MPAs in an accessible and engaging manner.

Christopher Mouawad
Legal & Policy Intern | May 2023 - 2024

Christopher is a student at UC Davis School of Law. He would like to pursue a career in environmental law, specifically water law. He is interested in exploring how environmental protection can co-exist with development. Prior to law school, Christopher received a B.A. Political Science-Public Service and History at UC Davis, where he developed an appreciation for Northern California's mountains and coasts. He enjoys swimming, road trips, and hiking.

“Being part of EAC's advocacy as a Legal & Policy intern is exciting because I would like to pursue a career in environmental law where I can help protect California's unique, biodiverse ecosystem for the health and enjoyment of all Californians. My hope is to gain experience analyzing legislation and being able to advocate for legislative action in both a formal setting and a community setting.”

Program Area: Lands, Biodiversity, and Climate Work
Advisor: Ashley Eagle-Gibbs, Executive Director

Capstone Project Summary
Chris has been advancing our mission through work on a community advocacy water guide, which will be made publicly available and serve the general public to advocate about their water quality and coastal concerns, and as a tool to provide a better understanding of environmental laws, their rights, and how to take action.

Ben Hodgeson
Coastal Advocate Intern | May - September 2023

Ben is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of California Davis, majoring in Environmental Policy Analysis and planning. Growing up in the North Bay, Ben spent his early years enjoying the forests and beaches of West Marin. Now with the EAC team, he looks forward to advocating for the natural spaces where he spent his childhood. In his free time, Ben likes to hike, do nature photography, and kayak!

“It was such a pleasure to work with EAC as a Coastal Advocate intern this summer. I loved being able to contribute to the protection of the lands and waters that I enjoyed growing up in. West Marin holds a special place in my heart, and I’m glad there are great people at EAC advocating for the environment. This internship showed me the positive impact an engaged, grassroots non-profit can have in the community.”

Program Area: Coastal Community Science & Stewardship
Advisor: Leslie Adler-Ivanbrook, Program Director

Capstone Project Summary
Marin County processes weekly bay, ocean, and creek water samples from April through October for recreational users. Ben’s project focused on mapping Marin County’s recreational water quality sampling sites and evaluating E.Coli, Enterococcus, and Total Coliform data to reveal trends and highlight poor water quality hotspots in West Marin. Ben’s project provided general information resources on Marin County’s water sampling program with photos, graphs, and an interactive map of the water bodies where samples are taken. By compiling data, Ben was able to highlight the sites with bacteria levels that exceed the standards so that the public can make informed decisions on where and when to visit.

Catelyn Olrich
Coastal Advocate Intern | May - August 2023

Cate is a rising senior at Gonzaga University, majoring in Environmental Studies, with minors in sustainable business, sociology, and public relations. This area of interest was inspired by growing up amidst the beauty of Marin, especially along the coastal environments of West Marin. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, and engaging with her community.

“During my time as a Coastal Advocate Intern, I was given endless opportunities, and was able to make the most of it. I was able to collaborate on many projects, work with everyone across the organization, meet valuable stakeholders, and become inspired by environmental work every day. That is the beauty of interning at a small, but mighty nonprofit.”

Program Area: Coastal Community Science & Stewardship
Advisor: Leslie Adler-Ivanbrook, Program Director

Capstone Project Summary
For her capstone project, Cate’s drafted a series of educational lawn-style signs that could be placed temporarily during docent shifts along the trail to the reef to increase public education at Duxbury Reef State Marin Conservation Area in Bolinas, CA. Duxbury Reef is one of 124 California MPAs and offers an incredible opportunity to observe a diverse array of rocky intertidal marine life, yet the habitat and species are vulnerable to impacts from visitation. A new docent program initiated by EAC helps educate visitors on marine life, MPAs, and how to protect the reef while they explore by adhering to tidepool etiquette guidelines. However, additional informative signs are needed to help reduce negative impacts on the habitat. The next stage of this project includes having the signage reviewed by community stakeholders before they can be printed and used in the field.

Carston Haffner
Legal & Policy Intern | May - August 2024

Carston is a third-year law student at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings). His interest in environmental law and policy was sparked while earning his undergraduate degree in biology. He is passionate about finding solutions to the problems human activity may pose to our natural environments. The great outdoors has always been a source of joy and inspiration for Carston, and he enjoys exploring nature while hiking or backpacking.

“What drove me to attend law school was a desire to have a role in protecting our natural environment. Being able to have a hand in EAC's work is a great way for me to achieve my own goals while also furthering the mission of EAC.”

Program Area: Lands, Biodiversity, and Climate Work
Advisor: Ashley Eagle-Gibbs, Executive Director

Capstone Project Summary
Carston did extensive research on the impacts of aquaculture which we provided to the California Ocean Protection Council for the development of the statewide Aquaculture Action Plan, which is forthcoming. This statewide policy document will inform how aquaculture (like cultivating shellfish on Tomales Bay) is regulated, and it is important that environmental impacts are fully analyzed as this industry grows and expands.

Jessie Kamman
Coastal Advocate Intern | May 2023 - Present

Jessie is a sophomore at the University of Hawaii Manoa pursuing a B.S. in Marine Biology. She wants to pursue a career in research and conservation of large fish, sharks, and ray species. Her passion for the environment and ocean stems from her time exploring, hiking, and spending time in West Marin.

“This internship was an amazing experience that connected me to the West Marin community in a truly meaningful and responsible way. The support I was offered allowed me to pursue my interests while supporting the EAC’s mission and goals. It was a professional experience in the field of not only advocacy but also policy, networking, research, and public outreach and communications. I loved being able to spend time in the field, meet passionate board and staff members and volunteers, and have my voice and opinion on environmental issues not only heard, but projected by the nonprofit. I felt I could be truly involved with the EAC’s work while focusing on the MPA Watch and marine aspects that interest me the most.  It was a great experience and I came out of it feeling grounded in my community and my ability to be the change I want to see.”

Program Area: Coastal Community Science & Stewardship
Advisor: Leslie Adler-Ivanbrook, Program Director

Capstone Project Summary
Jessie’s project focused on advocating for expanding the Duxbury Reef and Agate Beach State Marine Conservation Area and northwards up to the Double Point special closure. Her work involves gathering supplemental data and perspectives to gather more information on the environmental and personal value of the MPAs, which she hopes will help EAC build a case for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to consider the MPA designation and boundary changes.