Our Story
2014
Founded in 2013 as Ventura County’s first and only oil & gas watchdog organization and received nonprofit status in 2014.
2015
Conducted research in Upper Ojai to detect leaking oil wells, highlighting risk to public health.
2016
Won a lawsuit against Ventura County for approving an incomplete environmental review of a drilling permit, setting a precedent that the county could no longer short-change the law.
2017
Successfully advocated before the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to commit to the Paris Agreement, distinguishing the County as a local leader in the face of federal retreat in climate action.
2018
Began the County’s first community air monitoring network to fill regulatory and public health gaps in West Ventura and Oxnard.
2019
Blocked the expansion of 90+ health-harming oil wells near homes and schools in South Oxnard.
2020
Stopped risky cyclic steam injection in the Oxnard Tar Sands, ultimately resulting in revocation of a significant lease permit.
2021
Trained the first cohort of Environmental Voices Academy student, equipping local youth with the tools to be effective climate leaders. Since then, we’ve meaningfully engaged 70+ young activists.
2022
Released a first-of-its-kind report on poorly abandoned oil and gas wells and helped begin the statewide conversation on legacy oil wells.
2023
Established an innovative offshore wind technician training program with local union pre-apprentices, exhibiting an unprecedented partnership between environment and local organized labor.
2024
After expanding our advocacy to the state level, helped secure new laws that speed up plugging of inactive wells and protect local communities by safeguarding the power of local governments to regulate oil and gas pollution.