History & Purpose
In 1969 Unocal's oil spill in the Santa Barbara Channel focused the nation's attention on the inherent dangers of irresponsible natural resource exploitation, and made Santa Barbara the birthplace of the modern environmental movement. By 1977, an increasingly bureaucratic web of regulations, coupled with a growing polluter sophistication, made necessary the creation of the Environmental Defense Center (EDC) as a public interest law firm, dedicated to defending the health of the public and the environment.

For 25 years, EDC has provided legal, advocacy, organizing, and public education services to community groups dedicated to environmental quality and health, regardless of their ability to pay. EDC's staff assists other non-profit environmental groups to ensure that existing environmental laws are enforced. As the only public interest environmental law firm between Los Angeles and San Francisco, EDC focuses its efforts on water quality, biodiversity and endangered species, watershed protection, environmental health and justice, offshore oil and gas development, and access to public lands.

EDC is organized as a §501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation serving Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties.