Protecting Marin’s Coast
for Over Five Decades

In 2026, California celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the California Coastal Act, the landmark law that has protected our coastlines, wildlife, and public access for half a century. At EAC, we’re celebrating 55 years of coastal advocacy — five decades of grassroots action that continues to keep its promises alive today.

Fifty years of the Coastal Act remind us what’s possible when citizens demand lasting protection for the public good. Fifty-five years of EAC show what it takes to keep that promise alive. Together, they are a call to action:

Your Membership Powers
This Legacy Forward

Become a member — or upgrade today — to keep California’s coast thriving for the next fifty years.

As we mark these dual anniversaries, your membership isn’t just a renewal — it’s a recommitment to California’s coastal legacy. Since our founding following the Standard Oil Spill of 1971, we have defended public lands, vital habitats, and our coastlines against legislative rollbacks, offshore drilling, and more, while protecting public lands and access. EAC has been there every step of the way — as the community’s coastal watchdog and a voice for future generations. Our legacy of ocean protection is long — but our strength comes from you. This fight will require everyone, and we need your help to stay active.

We’re in this for the long haul — protecting Marin’s coast and wildlands requires persistence and passion. Your membership helps us push for long-term environmental protections and mobilize the community for lasting impact. View how members have contributed to real, measurable protection for nearly 55 years.

When you join or upgrade your membership, you directly support:

Defending the Coastal Act from new legislative attacks
Protecting marine life and water quality through Marine Protected Areas stewardship and monitoring in places like Duxbury Reef and Tomales Bay
Opposing offshore oil drilling and harmful, ill-sited aquaculture proposals
Collaborating on park restoration and expanded trail systems for all to enjoy
Advancing climate action and 30x30 conservation goals
Training the next generation through our internships, fellowships, and educational youth field trips
Coastal Marin’s wealth of ecological diversity, home to thousands of species of plants and animals, including more than 50 threatened or endangered species. From the rolling dunes and grasslands overlooking Tomales Bay to the preserved waters of Drakes Estero, not to mention the forest and wetland habitats, these ecosystems support biodiversity, mitigate climate change, and provide irreplaceable beauty and resources for local communities and species.

Why Your Annual Membership Matters

Whether you give as an individual or through your business, your annual charitable gift to support our mission of protecting the coast provides a steady foundation for our advocacy and conservation efforts.

Our shared natural treasures are under constant threat. Rising sea levels, extreme weather, habitat destruction, limited funding, and weakening environmental protections jeopardize the future of the coast. As the late Peter Douglas, former Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission, once said: “The coast is never saved. It’s always being saved.”

Advocacy work doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, persistence, and expertise—countless hours spent reviewing legislation, drafting public comments, meeting with local and state officials, and standing up for our coast every step of the way. Over half of our annual revenue comes from direct contributions from individuals like you—making your support essential to everything we do. Learn more about our history of success.

Ready to make a difference? Let’s get started on building a sustainable future together! Join or renew today, or learn more about gift memberships and tributes, how to give a gift of stock, or through your charitable IRA or donor-advised fund.

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**Annual Membership Benefits**
**Priority Access**: Early bird registration one week before the public + waived non-member registration fees.
**Voting rights** in EAC Board elections.
**Exclusive Events**: Access to the annual member meeting, picnic, and appreciation hike. Plus, invitations to annual stewardship and appreciation events with other dedicated members, including Capstone Conversations, Litter Bugs Me and Coastal Cleanup Day, Piper on the Ridge, and the Winter Gathering.
**Discounts**: 10% off in our Advocate Store at Point Reyes Station!
**Stay Informed**: Get our **Advocate e-newsletter**, full of updates, stories, and highlights of our community’s impact.
**Guardian Circle ($1k+) Benefits:** Include all of the above, plus exclusive invites to special events throughout the year, quarterly director updates, and more!

EAC in Action

2025 Major Wins & Milestones

Your charitable support was vital to our mission and success this past year. Thanks to your generosity, we continue to provide a critical voice for coastal Marin’s lands, waters, and biodiversity, and we were able to:

Champion the passage of SB 484, a groundbreaking alliance between housing, environmental justice, and coastal advocates—delivering affordable housing solutions that protect California’s coast for everyone.
Release the Community Water Guide, empowering everyday Californians to become passionate water advocates and protectors of their local watersheds.
Secure statewide climate bond funding despite significant political and economic hurdles—ensuring California’s climate resilience stays on track.
Advance ecosystem restoration with $2.7 million dedicated to vital planning in the Point Reyes National Seashore, safeguarding this iconic landscape for generations to come.
Defend local waterways by successfully halting the Nicasio Spillway Modification Project and advancing innovative, eco-friendly alternatives like fish passages and water conservation.
Protect watershed health through ongoing water quality testing across the Seashore and advocating for consistent, Seashore-wide regulatory standards.
Launch engaging educational signage at Duxbury Reef and train a new team of inspiring docents to connect visitors with the magic of our coastal ecosystems.
Piloted a first-of-its-kind survey to better understand how people experience and enjoy Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), informing future stewardship.
Adopted a landmark 5-year partnership with the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito Vector Control District to dramatically reduce harmful pesticide use in West Marin.
Mobilized over 300 community volunteers for hands-on coastal stewardship, education, and conservation action.
Led a multi-agency summit on tidepool best practices, uniting local partners under shared protocols to protect delicate intertidal habitats.
Kept our watersheds clean, preventing nearly 1,000 lbs. of trash and 100+ lbs. of recyclables from polluting creeks and shorelines with the help of 180+ dedicated volunteers.
Trained six passionate interns, equipping the next generation of environmental leaders with hands-on fieldwork experience and mentorship.

Looking Ahead: Our 2026 Initiatives

As we plan for the year ahead, we’re focusing on bold, urgent initiatives that protect our coast, inspire our communities, and secure a thriving future for both people and nature:

Protecting Public Lands & Vital Habitats at Point Reyes National Seashore
We’re advocating for meaningful rewilding and continued water quality monitoring to ensure restoration efforts are both successful and transparent—preserving this beloved landscape for generations to come.
Safeguarding Our Coast & Ocean
We’re taking a stand against dirty offshore oil, expanding protections for local Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and celebrating 50 years of the California Coastal Act, a legacy of coastal protection that continues to inspire.
Ensuring a Healthy Tomales Bay
We’re actively participating in the Ocean Protection Council’s aquaculture action plan to shape a sustainable future for our bay, opposing poorly sited lease proposals that threaten eelgrass, shorebirds, and marine mammals, and fighting the unchecked federal expansion of offshore aquaculture.
Ensuring Sustainable Development
We’re working to ensure affordable housing and coastal protection go hand in hand; championing policies that make our coastal communities both livable and resilient for people and wildlife alike.
Inspiring Community Action & Stewardship
We’re growing our Duxbury Docent Program to engage more visitors in the wonders of Duxbury Reef—one of the smallest MPAs on the California coast and home to one of North America’s largest shale reefs, teeming with over 200 tidepool species.
Fostering the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders
We’re providing transformative outdoor experiences for underserved youth through field trips to tidepools and forests, while supporting college and graduate internships focused on advocacy, stewardship, and the protection of Marin’s extraordinary ecosystems.