January 13, 2004

CONTACT:

Cameron Benson (EDC) 963-1622
Claudia Armann (SB Fdn.) 963-1873

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE CENTER RECEIVES MAJOR GRANT AWARD FROM THE SANTA BARBARA FOUNDATION

The Environmental Defense Center announced today that it received a major grant award from the Santa Barbara Foundation. The generous one-year program grant will provide funding for EDC’s new Executive Director position.

EDC recently hired local environmental attorney Cameron Benson as Executive Director. A UCSB graduate with broad expertise in environmental law and policy, Benson has been an active member of our community for twenty years. He has taught environmental education classes to local students, practiced non-profit environmental law with the EDC, served as Assemblymember Hannah-Beth Jackson’s District Director, and provided consulting services for local and national environmental organizations. Throughout his career, Cameron Benson has proven to be a strong and effective advocate for environmental protection. He began as EDC’s Executive Director last week. EDC’s former Executive Director, Linda Krop, will remain as Chief Counsel.

“Words cannot describe the gratitude we feel for the Santa Barbara Foundation’s Board of Directors and staff for this generous grant,” exclaimed Benson on behalf of the EDC and its supporters, “We are honored by, and thrilled with, the Foundation’s strong support.” “The grant will ensure EDC’s short term fiscal health and lay the foundation for long term organizational prosperity,” Benson continued, noting that EDC is completely funded through private donations and receives no government assistance. EDC’s staff and Board of Directors will remain focused on protecting and enhancing our quality of life by improving local air and water quality, preserving our remaining open spaces, and striving for an environment free of toxic chemicals and pesticides.

“We wish Cameron Benson well as he takes the helm at the Environmental Defense Center," says Chuck Slosser, President and CEO of the Santa Barbara Foundation. "We are glad to assist the agency with this grant for fund development work. We have also previously funded other EDC projects, such as the Environmental Health Project for farmworkers." Founded in 1928, the Santa Barbara Foundation is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the United States. Over the years, the Santa Barbara Foundation has consistently addressed the most pressing issues in Santa Barbara County, returning over $75 million to the community in the form of grants to non-profit organizations and student aid since its creation. Last year alone, more than $5 million was invested in Santa Barbara County in the areas of education and personal development, health and human services, environment and community enhancement, and culture and recreation.

Since 1977, EDC has been serving California’s Central Coast as the only non-profit environmental law firm between Los Angeles and San Francisco, assisting other environmental and community groups with their efforts to protect our cherished quality of life.

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