"THIS PARTICULAR INSTANT OF TIME, THAT IS MINE."

RACHEL CARSON

Citizen Power
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Almost all who have fought for the coast remember an experience that lifted them out of loneliness into a sense of belonging to a larger community within a natural place.

THE MODERN HISTORY OF THIS GREAT COAST can be written as the story of people who fought for its protection, usually close to home. With amazing energy, ingenuity, and endless patience they defended places they loved against destruction and gathered the support required to save them for everyone’s benefit and enjoyment.

These are not necessarily extraordinary people, but they extended themselves beyond ordinary limits. What moved them to do so? Why did they act when others felt helpless? What kept them going until they prevailed?

The theme of this issue of Coast & Ocean is Citizen Power, and it focuses on a few such citizens and their accomplishments.

Each has a different history, goal, and strategy. All have learned from others and will be models for others. Their success has been possible because so many people in their communities and in natural resource agencies are grateful for their work and glad to have a chance to help save the California coast. —Rasa Gustaitis

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