SUBJECT: Stand Firm on Climate and Equity Commitments
TO: tford@santamonicabay.org, tracy@egoscuelaw.com, cperkins@energycoalition.org, mediafranh2o@gmail.com, jklocke@pacpark.com
Dear Members of the Board,
I am writing to you as a deeply concerned member of the community who values the critical work of the Santa Monica Bay Foundation. Your mission—to protect and restore the ecological health of our cherished coastal waters—is more vital than ever in the face of escalating climate change and environmental injustices. However, recent reports that the Foundation has quietly removed references to climate change and equity from its materials and work plan are deeply troubling.
The decision to preemptively strip references to climate change, environmental justice, and equity from the Foundation’s work appears to be a reaction to political pressure rather than a reflection of science or the values this organization has long upheld. While I understand the challenges posed by federal funding uncertainties under the Trump administration, capitulating to unconstitutional and unenforceable executive threats sets a dangerous precedent—one that erodes not just the integrity of the Bay Foundation but also the broader movement for environmental protection.
We know that the January 27th White House memo ordering a freeze on climate and DEI-related spending is being challenged in federal court. Furthermore, the Clean Water Act (Section 320) provides substantial local discretion in managing National Estuary Program (NEP) grants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cannot unilaterally deny funding unless a work plan is inconsistent with the law, which is not the case here. In other words, there is no legal justification for the Foundation’s recent changes—only fear of political reprisal.
As Jon Christensen of UCLA noted in the Los Angeles Times, removing this language does not merely change optics; it weakens the substantive work being done. If the Foundation demonstrates that it is willing to erase climate change and equity from its priorities, what will stop the administration from demanding further rollbacks on clean water protections, habitat restoration, or other essential initiatives?
I urge the Board to take immediate steps to correct this course:
1. Restore the language on climate change, environmental justice, and equity to Foundation materials, including the website and the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Plan.
2. Provide a transparent, written explanation for the initial deletions so the public understands the decision-making process.
3. Commit to resisting further political pressure that undermines the Foundation’s mission, and explore legal avenues to challenge any improper federal funding denials.
4. Seize this moment to strengthen partnerships with environmental and climate organizations, building a unified front against political interference in conservation efforts.
The Santa Monica Bay Foundation has built trust over the years by standing for science, environmental stewardship, and equity. Now is the time to reinforce that trust—not to surrender it. California has long been a leader in climate action, and we look to you to uphold that legacy.
Please do not let short-term fear dictate long-term policy. This is a moment for leadership and integrity—your community relies on you to stand firm in defense of our environment and shared future. The health of Santa Monica Bay, the integrity of this organization, and the future of our environment depend on it.
Please pass this email along to any other Bay Foundation Board members we may have missed.
Sincerely,
