Business Details
49 Years
experience
Your Partner in Environmental Advocacy and Legal Action
Founded in 1977, the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) has dedicated over four decades to protecting California's Central Coast through legal advocacy and community engagement. Our mission emerged in response to the 1969 Santa Barbara Oil Spill, recognizing the urgent need for environmental stewardship. We specialize in leveraging legal frameworks to combat threats to clean water, open spaces, and endangered species, while advancing climate justice. Our team of attorneys, scientists, and advocates works tirelessly to hold corporations and governments accountable for environmental violations.With a track record of landmark victories, including halting offshore oil drilling and protecting critical habitats, we empower communities to defend their natural resources. Our expertise in environmental law, combined with grassroots mobilization, ensures lasting protections for ecosystems and public health. EDC's commitment to scientific integrity and policy reform positions us as a trusted leader in regional and statewide environmental advocacy.
Services
Environmental Advocacy
Legal Representation
Community Education
Policy Reform
Climate Justice Initiatives
Details
- Year established: 1977
Highlights and features
- 45+ years of environmental legal advocacy experience
- Specialized expertise in California coastal and marine protection
- Proven track record of landmark environmental litigation victories
- Community-driven approach prioritizing local stakeholder engagement
- Multidisciplinary team of attorneys and environmental scientists
Services
Environmental Advocacy
We provide strategic legal advocacy to protect coastal ecosystems and combat environmental threats. Our team specializes in Clean Water Act enforcement, endangered species protection, and challenging harmful industrial projects. Through decades of experience, we've secured critical safeguards for marine habitats and public lands while advancing climate resilience policies.
Legal Representation
Our attorneys offer expert legal representation in environmental litigation and regulatory compliance. We represent community groups and organizations in cases involving oil spill remediation, land use disputes, and environmental justice issues. Our approach combines courtroom expertise with proactive policy engagement to achieve lasting environmental protections.
Community Education
We empower local communities through educational programs about environmental rights and stewardship. Our initiatives include workshops on climate policy, oil industry risks, and conservation strategies. By providing accessible information and resources, we help residents effectively participate in environmental decision-making processes that affect their health and ecosystems.
Policy Reform
We drive systemic environmental change through policy development and legislative advocacy. Our efforts focus on strengthening coastal protections, banning harmful extraction methods, and advancing renewable energy solutions. By collaborating with lawmakers and regulatory agencies, we shape policies that balance ecological health with community needs across California's Central Coast.
Climate Justice Initiatives
Our climate programs address environmental inequities while promoting sustainable solutions. We work to prevent fossil fuel infrastructure expansion, advocate for clean energy transitions, and ensure vulnerable communities have a voice in climate policy. Our approach integrates social justice principles with ecological protection to create equitable, resilient coastal communities.
People
Linda Krop
Chief Counsel
Linda Krop leads EDC's legal strategy with over 30 years of environmental law experience. She has successfully litigated landmark cases protecting California's coast and marine ecosystems, including critical victories against offshore oil drilling and harmful extraction practices in Santa Barbara County.
Tara Messing
Climate Program Director
Tara Messing directs EDC's climate initiatives, focusing on offshore wind development and fossil fuel transition policies. With expertise in energy regulation and environmental justice, she advocates for sustainable solutions that balance ecological protection with community needs across California's Central Coast.
Jessica Dias
Development Coordinator
Jessica Dias manages EDC's donor relations and fundraising initiatives. She educates supporters about strategic giving options while ensuring donor engagement aligns with the organization's mission to protect coastal environments through legal advocacy and community empowerment.
Owen Bailey
Founding Attorney
Owen Bailey, one of EDC's original attorneys, has dedicated his career to environmental protection since the organization's founding in 1977. His work establishing legal precedents for coastal conservation continues to shape EDC's approach to defending natural resources against industrial threats.
Nicole Schmidt
Marine Program Director
Nicole Schmidt oversees EDC's marine conservation efforts, specializing in ocean habitat protection and oil spill remediation. She leads initiatives to establish marine sanctuaries and enforce regulations preventing offshore drilling, drawing on scientific expertise to inform legal strategies.
Questions
What is the Environmental Defense Center's primary mission?
We protect California's Central Coast environment through legal advocacy, defending natural resources, and advancing climate justice initiatives since 1977.
How does EDC address oil industry threats?
We challenge harmful oil projects through litigation, advocate for stronger regulations, and educate communities about fossil fuel risks and alternatives.
What geographic areas do you serve?
Our primary focus is Santa Barbara County and California's Central Coast, though our policy work impacts statewide environmental protections.
How can I support EDC's work?
Support through donations, volunteering, or advocacy helps us continue protecting coastal ecosystems and challenging environmental threats.
What legal tools do you use?
We employ Clean Water Act enforcement, Endangered Species Act litigation, and public trust doctrine arguments to hold polluters accountable.
How do you engage local communities?
We provide educational resources, organize public forums, and collaborate with grassroots groups to empower community participation in environmental decision-making.
