Heroes of the Coast ne of California's most significant geographical features is its 1,100 mile long coastline. The California coast is itself a cultural icon, seen worldwide in advertising, movies and still photography. It inspires many aspects of California's culture, from painting and photography to popular music, plus innovation in apparel and recreational products.  More than 30 years ago, a small number of activists drafted and campaigned for successful passage of an initiative that established the California Coastal Commission and the California Coastal Act. These institutions continue to protect the rights of Californians and tourists to access the beach and enjoy ocean views, rather than finding them hidden behind homes and hotels that only a few can afford. Coastal activists are a community of shared experience. As an activist, each was made, not born and each can tell a story of the event or circumstances that was what caused them to become actively engaged. We want to capture these stories while these activists are still alive and able to personally share them with us. We propose to preserve the shared experience of these and/or other senior California coastal activists through a series of public access TV interviews that began with an interview of Ellen Stern Harris, the "Mother of the Coastal Act" who also served four years on the Coastal Commission. Ellen became an activist over a problem with tree-trimming on her street. On the occasion of her recent 75th birthday, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said, "if there were 10 more people in the county like Ellen, this would be a different place." On January 3, 2006, Ellen Stern Harris succumbed to cancer. Earth Alert is proud to have preserved a video record of her contribution to the coast through its 'Heroes of the Coast' program, which she inspired. Thank you, Ellen, for everything you accomplished.     [about us][our mission][projects][articles][photos][contact us][links][home]