The Environmental Defense Center (EDC works to protect the local environment through education, advocacy, and legal action. Since 1977 EDC has empowered community-based organizations to advance environmental protection. Program areas include climate and energy, protecting open space and wildlife, clean water and the Santa Barbara Channel. EDC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation and provides legal counsel to other nonprofit organizations. It is the ,,Central Coast's only such public interest law firm and depends upon the support of community members.,