Wishtoyo Appeals U.S. Wildlife Agency’s Refusal to Consider California Condor’s Significance to Tribal Groups. Conservation and tribal groups today appealed a recent court ruling that the California condor doesn’t qualify as a traditional Native American cultural property under federal law. - February 2, 2021
Wishtoyo’s Appellate Court Victory Secures Critical Steelhead Protections on California’s Santa Clara River. Court of Appeals affirms Judge Carter’s 2018 decision (1) that United Water Conservation District violated the Endangered Species Act by jeopardizing the survival and recovery of Southern California Steelhead as a result of its inadequate fish ladder and diversion of river flows at the Vern Freeman Dam, and (2) ordering United to release sufficient water and to timely implement a steelhead passage solution at the Dam needed for steelhead survival and recovery - February 26, 2020
Click Here for SCV News Article
Click Here for 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Decision
Wishtoyo Files Lawsuit Over Tejon Ranch Condor Approvals. Lawsuit against U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Aims to protect the California Condor, and the Chumash Peoples’ and other Tribes’ Cultural, Ceremonial, and Religious Practices that are Dependent on the Condor’s Presence - April 25, 2019
Wishtoyo Prevails in Endangered Species Act Lawsuit Against United Water Conservation District to Protect and Restore Southern California Steelhead to the Santa Clara River and Their Historic Range. Landmark Victory is Critical for the Survival of the Species, Chumash Lifeways and Cultural Practices, and the Wellbeing of the Santa Clara River’s Communities - September 25, 2018
Click Here for Judge Carter’s Decision & Order
Click Here for Permanent Injunction & Judgment
Click Here for VC Reporter Article
Click Here for VC Star Article
Click Here for Lexis Legal News Documenting Trial
Wishtoyo Defeats Major Proposed Gas Plant Project on Sacred Santa Clara (Utom) River Lands - that Would Irrevocably Harm the Watershed’s Environment and its Natural Cultural Resources - March 25, 2018
Click Here for Don’t Trade This Wild River for a Dirty Power Plant, by Mati Waiya
Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration's Failure to Protect Pacific Humpback Whales Threatened by Fishing Gear, Ship Strikes, Oil Spills - March 15, 2018
Wishtoyo Halts Polluted Stormwater Discharges from Arcturus Manufacturing Corporation’s Facility, Protecting the Ormond Beach Wetlands, Mugu Lagoon, and the Pacific Ocean. Settlement Includes Closure Plan To Clean Up the Facility - February 20, 2018
Wishtoyo Files Lawsuit to Protect Chumash Cultural Resources, Marine Life, and California's Coast In and Along the Santa Barbara Channel From Offshore Fracking - November 15, 2016
Click Here for Press Release with co-plaintiffs Center for Biological Diversity
Goleta Rally to Oppose Offshore Oil Drilling in California Sanctuary - October 18, 2016
Activists Gather Ahead of State Lands Commission Hearing
Wishtoyo Responds to Call to Action to Halt Construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline Threatening Critical Water Resources, Native Sovereignty, and Protection of Sacred Sites - September 7, 2016
Wishtoyo Foundation, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, Chumash Community, and Intertribal Allies Send Contingency of Representatives to Support Standing Rock Sioux Nation
Click Here for Press Release
Over 29,000 Gallons of Toxic Crude Oil Spill From Crimson Pipeline into Ventura Inland Waters - June 23, 2016
Click Here for Press Release and Statements from Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program
Click Here for the Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program Oil Spill Fact Sheet
Click Here for Photos of the Spill and its Impacts Taken by Our Investigators
Click Here for the Los Angeles Times Article Covering the Spill
Wishtoyo, our Ventura Coastkeeper Program, and Partner Public Interest Organizations Secure the Most Protective Agricultural Regulations in California for Ventura & Los Angeles County Inland and Coastal Waters. - June 15, 2016
Click Here for the Coalition Agricultural Waiver ("AG Waiver") Press Release
Click Here For the VC Reporter Article
Click Here for KCSB 91.9 FM NPR Radio Coverage and Interview
Wishtoyo, our Ventura Coastkeeper Program, and Center for Biological Diversity file an Endangered Species Act Lawsuit Against United Water Conservation District to protect and restore steelhead and endangered birds on the Santa Clara River from United's Vern Freeman Dam and Diversion. - June 2, 2016
Click Here for our Complaint Filed in Federal District Court
United's Vern Freeman Diversion Dam AT River Mile 10.5
Wishtoyo, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, and Center for Biological Diversity initiate an Endangered Species Act action against United Water Conservation District for its operation of the Vern Freeman Diversion Dam and diversion of river water at the Dam that harms the Santa Clara River’s native and endangered species - February 17, 2016
Action aims to prevent the extinction and enable the recovery of the Southern California Steelhead, Least Bells Vireo, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, and Western Yellow Billed Cuckoo; to improve the well being of Santa Clara River communities; and to restore Chumash Native American cultural resources.
Wishtoyo Files Lawsuit over Oxnard GREAT and Other Approvals to Mandate the State Ensures Recycled Water is Used and Managed Reasonably and to Protect Impaired Streams – December 10, 2015
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo, our Ventura Coastkeeper Program, and Plaintiff Coalition Prevail in California Supreme Court in Newhall Ranch Case Against California Department of Fish and Wildlife to Protect the Santa Clara River, Protect Endangered Species, and to Curb Global Warming - November 30, 2015
Click Here for our Press Release
Click Here for the KCLU NPR Radio Coverage of the Victory!
Click Here for VC Reporter Coverage of the Victory!
Click Here for the Supreme Court Decision
Wishtoyo's Restoration Feasibility and Design Study Completed Planning the Future of the Santa Clara River Estuary and McGrath State Beach - November 11, 2015
Click Here for KCLU NPR Radio Coverage
Click Here for VC Star Editorial
Click Here for VC Reporter Article
Click Here for VC Star Article
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo files Petition with State Water Board to Mandate that Oxnard GREAT Recycled Water is Used Reasonably – August 13, 2015
Click Here for VC Star Article
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, File Unreasonable Use and Waste Complaint Against Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency to Balance Water Use in the Oxnard Plain with Ensuring Future Water Supplies and Serving the Needs of Communities and Wildlife along the Santa Clara River. - April 2, 2015
Click Here for VC Reporter Article
Click Here for VC Star Article
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo Foundation, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, Friends of the Santa Clara River, and LA Watekeeper Reach Settlement with Six Flags Magic Mountain to protect the Santa Clara River and Pacific Ocean from stormwater discharges of amusement park trash and toxic metals. - March 16, 2015
Click Here for KCLU NPR Radio Piece Covering the Settlement and Lawsuit
Click Here for VC Reporter Article
Wishtoyo Foundation and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program Reach Settlement with Waste Management Subsidiary G.I. Industries to Protect Arroyo Simi, Mugu Lagoon, and the Pacific Ocean from Polluted Stormwater Discharges – December 29, 2014
G.I. Industries Agrees to Implement Pollution Prevention and Treatment Controls from its Simi Valley Waste Transfer Station to Protect Waterways from E.Coli, Trash, and Toxic Metals
Click Here for VC Reporter Article
Click Here for Press Release
Partnership Formed to Plan the Future of McGrath State Beach and the Santa Clara River Estuary - December 4, 2014
Wishtoyo Foundation and Government Entities Commence Campground Relocation Feasibility Study
Click Here for VC Reporter Cover Story
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo Benefit Dinner to be held on Oct. 26, 2014 at Chumash Discover Village!
Click Here for details and registration information
California Supreme Court Grants Wishtoyo Foundation’s and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program’s, Center for Biological Diversity’s, Friends of the Santa Clara River’s, SCOPE’s, and California Native Plant Society’s Petition for Review in the Newhall California Department of Fish and Wildlife Case - July 9, 2014
Supreme Court to review Court of Appeal Opinion that would: limit meaningful participation for California Native Americans and the General Public in the CEQA process; overturn California’s fully protected species laws that disallows permits for “take” of the state’s most imperiled wildlife; and that would provide an inaccurate CEQA methodology for calculating existing greenhouse gas emissions for global warming impacts analysis.
Click Here for CA Supreme Ct. Grant of Review
Click Here for Facebook article with photos
Click Here for LA Times article
Click Here for VC Star article
Click Here for Petition for Review
Click Here for Petition for Rehearing
Wishtoyo, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, and a Coalition of Public Interest Groups sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over Newhall Ranch Development Approvals - March 6, 2014
Lawsuit aims to protect Chumash Native American heritage, the Southern California Steelhead, and the downstream communities that depend on the Santa Clara River from the Newhall Development that would create a new city of over 60,000 residents.
Click Here for LA Times article
Click Here for VC Reporter article
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo Foundation’s and the Chumash Community’s Victory Before the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) Thwarts Channel Islands Telephone Company’s attempt to install unneeded telecommunications infrastructure on the Channel Islands that would harm Chumash Heritage and the Environment - February 27, 2014
Wishtoyo Foundation’s Protest filed with the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) on September 3, 2013 resulted in an important victory to preserve Chumash heritage, and all those who cherish a pristine Channel Islands with flourishing wildlife. Please read the Press Release for more information:
Click Here for Press Release
Click Here for Ventura County Star article
Governor Brown Declares Drought State of Emergency - Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program call on Ventura County water agencies to enact mandatory urban and agricultural water conservation, efficiency, and reclamation measures - January 17, 2014
Click Here for Ventura County Star Article
Click Here for KCLU Coverage
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program issue Waste Management and its G.I. Industries subsidiary a
60 Day Clean Water Act Notice of Intent to Sue to halt toxic e. coli, fecal coliform, trash and metals discharges into Arroyo Simi, the Arroyo Simi Greenway, Arroyo Las Posas, Calleguas Creek, Mugu Lagoon, and the Pacific Ocean – January 13, 2014
Click Here for Ventura County Star Article
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, CAUSE, and Center for Biological Diversity, File a Public Trust, Unreasonable Method of Diversion, and Unreasonable Use Complaint with the State Water Board to Protect and Restore the Santa Clara River and its Public Uses.
Complaint aims to improve the social, economic, and environmental wellbeing of the communities along the Santa Clara, while allowing United Water Conservation District to maintain its average annual historic withdrawals at the Vern Freeman Diversion.- Nov. 12, 2013
Click here for Complaint
Click here for Press Release
Click here for VC Star Op-Ed
Click here for VC Reporter article
Click here for Ventura County Star article
Court Rejects Magic Mountain’s Attempt to Deprive Santa Clara River Of Its Day in Court - Magic Mountain's motion to dismiss Wishtoyo's and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program's, LA Waterkeeper's, and Friends of the Santa Clara River's Clean Water Act Lawsuit Fails. - September 12, 2013
Click here for Press Release and Litigation Update
Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program welcome three public interest summer law clerks to protect Ventura County’s inland and coastal waterbodies and Chumash cultural resources. – May 28, 2013
Click here for bios
Wishtoyo, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, The Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment, AIR, and El Comité sue the U.S. EPA under the Clean Air Act over inadequate Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) air pollution regulations.
In Ventura County, the EPA’s Regulations violate the civil rights of Latino school children by allowing them to be exposed to unhealthy levels of methyl bromide, a highly toxic fumigant, and other toxic VOC emitting agritoxins applied to agricultural fields, and fail to ensure that the legally mandated reductions in pesticide air pollution from 1990 levels are enforceable. - December 21 2012
Click Here for Press Release
Click Here for VC Star Article
Click Here for Health Impacts of VOCs From Agritoxins Emissions in Ventura County
Wishtoyo Winter Solstice 2012 at the Chumash Village!
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo, our Ventura Coastkeeper Program, and Plaintiff Coalition Prevail in California Supreme Court in Newhall Ranch Case Against California Department of Fish and Wildlife to Protect the Santa Clara River, Protect Endangered Species, and to Curb Global Warming - November 30, 2015
Click Here for the KCLU NPR Radio Coverage of the Victory!
Click Here for VC Reporter Coverage of the Victory!
Click Here for the Supreme Court Decision
Wishtoyo’s Restoration Feasibility and Design Study Completed Planning the Future of the Santa Clara River Estuary and McGrath State Beach – November 11, 2015
Click Here for KCLU NPR Radio Coverage
Click Here for VC Star Editorial
Click Here for VC Reporter Article
Click Here for VC Star Article
Click Here for Press Release
Come Join Wishtoyo on Sept 21 for the Fall Equinox Sunset Ceremony!
Click Here for details
Wishtoyo files Petition with State Water Board to Mandate that Oxnard GREAT Recycled Water is Used Reasonably – August 13, 2015
Click Here for VC Star Article
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program File Unreasonable Use and Waste Complaint Against Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency to Balance Water Use in the Oxnard Plain with Ensuring Future Water Supplies and Serving the Needs of Communities and Wildlife along the Santa Clara River - April 2, 2015
Click Here for Press Release
Click Here for VC Star Article
Wishtoyo Foundation, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, Friends of the Santa Clara River, and LA Watekeeper Reach Settlement with Six Flags Magic Mountain to protect the Santa Clara River and Pacific Ocean from stormwater discharges of amusement park trash and toxic metals. - March 16, 2015
Click Here for KCLU NPR Radio Piece Covering the Settlement
Wishtoyo Foundation and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program Reach Settlement with Waste Management Subsidiary G.I. Industries to Protect Arroyo Simi, Mugu Lagoon, and the Pacific Ocean from Polluted Stormwater Discharges – December 29, 2014
G.I. Industries Agrees to Implement Pollution Prevention and Treatment Controls from its Simi Valley Waste Transfer Station to Protect Waterways from E.Coli, Trash, and Toxic Metals
Click Here for Press Release
Partnership Formed to Plan the Future of McGrath State Beach and the Santa Clara River Estuary – December 4, 2014
Wishtoyo Foundation and Government Entities Commence Campground Relocation Feasibility Study
Click Here for VC Reporter Cover Story
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo Benefit Dinner to be held Oct. 26, 2014 at the Malibu Chumash Discovery Village!
Click Here for details and registration information
California Supreme Court Grants Wishtoyo Foundation’s and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program’s, Center for Biological Diversity’s, Friends of the Santa Clara River’s, SCOPE’s, and California Native Plant Society’s Petition for Review in the Newhall California Department of Fish and Wildlife Case - July 9, 2014
Supreme Court to review Court of Appeal Opinion that would: limit meaningful participation for California Native Americans and the General Public in the CEQA process; overturn California’s fully protected species laws that disallows permits for “take” of the state’s most imperiled wildlife; and that would provide an inaccurate CEQA methodology for calculating existing greenhouse gas emissions for global warming impacts analysis.
Click Here for CA Supreme Ct. Grant of Review
Click Here for Facebook article with photos
Click Here for LA Times article
Click Here for VC Star article
Click Here for Petition for Review
Click Here for Petition for Rehearing
Wishtoyo, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, and a Coalition of Public Interest Groups sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over Newhall Ranch Development Approvals - March 6, 2014
Lawsuit aims to protect Chumash Native American heritage, the Southern California Steelhead, and the downstream communities that depend on the Santa Clara River from the Newhall Development that would create a new city of over 60,000 residents.
Click Here for LA Times article
Click Here for VC Reporter article
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo Foundation’s and the Chumash Community’s Victory Before the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) Thwarts Channel Islands Telephone Company’s attempt to install unneeded telecommunications infrastructure on the Channel Islands that would harm Chumash Heritage and the Environment - February 27, 2014
Wishtoyo Foundation’s Protest filed with the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) on September 3, 2013 resulted in an important victory to preserve Chumash heritage, and all those who cherish a pristine Channel Islands with flourishing wildlife. Please read the Press Release for more information:
Click Here for Press Release
Click Here for Ventura County Star article
Governor Brown Declares Drought State of Emergency - Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program call on Ventura County water agencies to enact mandatory urban and agricultural water conservation, efficiency, and reclamation measures - January 17, 2014
Click Here for Ventura County Star Article
Click Here for KCLU Coverage
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program issue Waste Management and its G.I. Industries subsidiary a
60 Day Clean Water Act Notice of Intent to Sue to halt toxic e. coli, fecal coliform, trash and metals discharges into Arroyo Simi, the Arroyo Simi Greenway, Arroyo Las Posas, Calleguas Creek, Mugu Lagoon, and the Pacific Ocean – January 13, 2014
Click Here for Ventura County Star Article
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, CAUSE, and Center for Biological Diversity, File a Public Trust, Unreasonable Method of Diversion, and Unreasonable Use Complaint with the State Water Board to Protect and Restore the Santa Clara River and its Public Uses.
Complaint aims to improve the social, economic, and environmental wellbeing of the communities along the Santa Clara, while allowing United Water Conservation District to maintain its average annual historic withdrawals at the Vern Freeman Diversion.- Nov. 12, 2013
Click here for Complaint
Click here for Press Release
Click here for VC Star Op-Ed
Click here for VC Reporter article
Click here for Ventura County Star article
Court Rejects Magic Mountain’s Attempt to Deprive Santa Clara River Of Its Day in Court - Magic Mountain's motion to dismiss Wishtoyo's and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program's, LA Waterkeeper's, and Friends of the Santa Clara River's Clean Water Act Lawsuit Fails. - September 12, 2013
Click here for Press Release and Litigation Update
Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program welcome three public interest summer law clerks to protect Ventura County’s inland and coastal waterbodies and Chumash cultural resources. – May 28, 2013
Click here for bios
Wishtoyo, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, The Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment, AIR, and El Comité sue the U.S. EPA under the Clean Air Act over inadequate Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) air pollution regulations.
In Ventura County, the EPA’s Regulations violate the civil rights of Latino school children by allowing them to be exposed to unhealthy levels of methyl bromide, a highly toxic fumigant, and other toxic VOC emitting agritoxins applied to agricultural fields, and fail to ensure that the legally mandated reductions in pesticide air pollution from 1990 levels are enforceable. - December 21 2012
Click Here for Press Release
Click Here for VC Star Article
Click Here for Health Impacts of VOCs From Agritoxins Emissions in Ventura County
Wishtoyo Winter Solstice 2012 at the Chumash Village!
Wishtoyo's Mati Waiya Helps Thwart Pacific Gas & Electric Company's High Energy Seismic Testing Off Traditional Chumash Waters along the Morro Bay Coast that would have Resulted in the Mortality of Thousands of Marine Mammals and Fish. - November 14, 2012
Click Here for Free Venice Beachhead article
Court Judgment Protects Santa Clara River, Steelhead, a Plethora of Other Native Species, and Chumash Cultural Resources from Massive Newhall Ranch Project
Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Santa Clara River, SCOPE, and CNPS succeed in legal challenges to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s regulatory approvals and environmental review for the Newhall Ranch Project that would impart devastating impacts to natural and cultural resources along the Santa Clara River in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. - October 18, 2012
Click here for Coalition Press Release
Click here for Statement from Chumash Ceremonial Elder Mati Waiya
Click here for Case Summary Regarding Significance of Native American Cultural Holding
Click here for Case Summary Regarding Significance of Steelhead Holding
Click here for L.A. Times Article
Click here for Court’s Judgment and Statement of Decision
Wishtoyo Foundation and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program Issue GenOn’s Ormond Beach Generating Station a Clean Water Act 60 Day Notice of Intent to Sue to halt the facility’s polluted storm water discharges containing toxic concentrations of iron into the Ormond Beach Wetlands, Mugu Lagoon, and the Pacific Ocean - August 22, 2012
Click here for Press Release
Click here for Notice of Intent to File Suit
Our Blue Canoe: Trailer 2: The Journey Continues
- Pacific Voyagers trailer available on YouTube
Our Blue Canoe, Trailer 2: The Journey Continues, is available online. The trailer depicts the the Pacific Voyagers' journey, highlighting the plight of the Pacific Ocean and spreading the message of hope. Wishtoyo welcomed the Pacific Voyagers upon their arrival in Malibu in 2011.
Click here for Youtube video
Summer Sunset Solstice Ceremony at Wishtoyo's Chumash Village
A large group of visitors participated in Wishtoyo's recent Solstice event, welcoming the new season with the traditional Chumash blessings.
Click here for Malibu Times photos and article
Wishtoyo, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, and a Coalition of Public Interest Groups file a lawsuit on the Second Massive Newhall Ranch Village - June 13, 2012
Archaic development in floodplain would devastate wildlife habitat, hurt cultural resources.
Click here for Coalition Press Release
Wishtoyo Hosts Chumash Restoration Project with 39 volunteers
A native plants restoration was completed on June 10th, with 90 native plants (generously donated by CalTrout), carefully planted throughout Wishtoyo's Chumash Village and Stream Restoration site at Nicholas Canyon in Malibu. The project, which also included removal of invasive ice plant and Village trial maintenance was led and organized by Breanna Chandler and Kristen Gangl, Americorps Watershed Stewards working with Wishtoyo Foundation, its Ventura Coastkeeper program, and CalTrout.
Volunteers helped plant 90 native plants, donated by CalTrout, at the
Chumash Village , in a project organized by Breanna Chandler (seated center,
in blue), and Kristen Gangl (seated center row, in black). - June 10, 2012
Volunteers helped plant 90 native plants, donated by CalTrout, at the
Chumash Village , in a project organized by Breanna Chandler (seated center,
in blue), and Kristen Gangl (seated center row, in black). - June 10, 2012
Mati Waiya performs blessing for the Malibu Lagoon Restoration Project – June 2, 2012
Click here for Los Angeles Times article
Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program welcome two public interest summer law clerks to protect Ventura County’s inland and coastal waterbodies and Chumash cultural resources. – June 1, 2012
Click here for Bios
Thomas Ryan of California State University Channel Islands ("CSUCI") becomes Ventura Coastkeeper’s first Watershed Monitoring Program Associate; collaborative partnership between CSUCI and Wishtoyo's Ventura Coastkeeper Program grows - May 17, 2012
Click here for Joint CSUCI / VCK Press Release
Wishtoyo Foundation's Ventura Coastkeeper Program, Santa Monica Baykeeper, and Friends of the Santa Clara River issue Clean Water Act Notice to halt Magic Mountain's discharges of trash and toxic metals into the Santa Clara River and Ventura's coastal waters - April 26, 2012
Click Here for Los Angeles Times article
Click Here for CBS Newscast
Click Here for Ventura County Star article
Click Here for Global Post article
Click Here for Press Release
Click Here for Notice of Intent to File Suit
Wishtoyo Foundation hosted a Spring Sunset Ceremony at the Malibu Chumash Village on Saturday, March 24th. Visitors enjoyed the Pre-Columbian sounds of Luis Perez, our Special Guest, and Chumash Dolphin Dancers.
Click here for the Malibu Surfside News article (see p. 13)
Wishtoyo Foundation, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, and a coalition of public interest groups file lawsuit against LA County for its approval of the Newhall Ranch - Landmark Village subdivision. Floodplain development would impair the ecological integrity of the Santa Clara River and harm Native American cultural resources. - Mar. 22, 2012
Click here for the Signal Article
Click here for the Ventura County Star article
Click here for Coalition Press Release - March 22, 2012
Help support Wishtoyo Foundation by purchasing Terry Tamminen’s latest
book Watercolors: How JJ the Whale Saved Us. For each book purchased, $5.00 will be donated Wishtoyo!
Click here for details and be sure to
choose our organization from the drop
down menu! - Dec. 22, 2011
Wishtoyo's Ventura Coastkeeper Program and project partner California Trout welcome two full-time Americorps Watershed Stewards for 10 months to work on projects vital to the restoration of the Santa Clara River - Dec 15, 2011
Click here for Steward bios
Click here for Ventura County Star article
Wishtoyo & its Ventura Coastkeeper Program Reach Storm Water Settlement Agreement with E.J. Harrison & Sons to Protect the Santa Clara River and Ventura’s Coastal Waters - Nov 3, 2011
The consent decree filed in Federal Court provides for E.J. Harrison & Sons to construct additional storm water treatment infrastructure to protect the ecological, recreational, and cultural uses of the Santa Clara River and Ventura’s Coastal waters.
Click here for Ventura County Star article
Click here for Joint Press Release Announcing Settlement
Click here for Notice of Intent to Sue
Wishtoyo Foundation hosts the Pacific Voyagers who arrived in Malibu on their Native Vaka's from across the Pacific - August 19, 2011
Hundreds came to Paradise Cove in Malibu to welcome the Pacific Voyagers, who sailed on vakas (canoes) to honor their seafaring ancestors and bring awareness to the plight of our oceans' health and importance. The six outriggers were crewed by Pacific Islanders of various nations who launched their voyage from New Zealand. Wishtoyo Foundation hosted an open, free dinner at their Malibu Chumash Village, attended by 300 visitors.
Click here for Malibu Surfside News publication covering the event
Click here to view YouTube video
Pacifixc Voyagers' Vakas Arrival Welcome
by Wishtoyo's Mati Waiya and Luhui Isha Waiya
- Photo courtesy of The Deltacs - We Share the Same Ocean
Pacifixc Voyagers' Vakas Arrival Welcome
by Wishtoyo's Mati Waiya and Luhui Isha Waiya
- Photo courtesy of The Deltacs - We Share the Same Ocean
Wishtoyo, its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, and Heal the Bay enter into settlement with the City of Ventura to protect the Santa Clara River Estuary and to reclaim tertiary treated effluent. - August 17, 2011
Settlement provides for diverting a minimum of 50% and up to 100% of Ventura’s tertiary treated effluent from discharge to the Santa Clara River Estuary to reclaimed water uses, for only allowing effluent discharge to the estuary if needed for the estuary’s species, and for sending all tertiary treated effluent, if any, needed for the estuary’s species through a treatment wetland engineered to further treat the effluent and to reduce its nitrate concentrations to less than 4 mg/l.
Click here for Ventura County Star Article
Click here for Spouting Off Article
Click here for Joint Press Release with Q&A
Wishtoyo Experts review environmental impact of Ventura’s Tertiary Treated Sewage Discharge into the Santa Clara River Estuary: Study Released - June 14, 2011
Study conducted by Dr. Richard Ambrose and Dr. Sean Anderson, and commissioned by Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program, provides an independent expert review both of the environmental effects of the City of Ventura’s water reclamation facility discharge to the Santa Clara River Estuary and of Ventura’s Estuary Subwatershed Study.
Click here for Santa Clara River Estuary Independent Expert Review
Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program welcome two public interest summer law clerks to protect Ventura County’s inland and coastal waterbodies and Chumash cultural resources. – May 25, 2011
Click here for bios
Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program take action against nine companies to stop illegal discharges of pollutants from 37 acres of automobile dismantling and scrap metal facilities - April 20, 2011
The move under the Clean Water Act aims to halt the illegal discharge of pollutants from 9 neighboring companies into the Santa Clara River and groundwater to protect the public from Proposition 65 listed carcinogens & reproductive toxins, and to protect the ecological integrity, cultural resources, and Southern California Steelhead of the Santa Clara River Watershed and Ventura’s coastal waters.
Click here for Press Release
Click here for Ventura County Star Article
Wishtoyo Board Member Carole Goldberg appointed to Vice Chancellor post - Apr. 19, 2011
Wishtoyo Foundation's long time Board Member and active supporter Carole Goldberg, UCLA Law Professor, has been appointed UCLA Vice Chancellor - Academic Personnel.
Click Here for more information!
Ventura Coastkeeper Honors Erick Burres of the State Water Resources Control Board's Clean Water Team with its 2009-2010 Sacred Waters Award - Feb. 16, 2011
The award honors Mr. Burres' important role in protecting the water quality and ecological integrity of Ventura County’s and California’s inland and coastal waterbodies.
Click Here for Ventura County Star Article
Click Here for Press Release
Mati Waiya awards Erick Burres at Patagonia, as
Jason Weiner looks on
Wishtoyo's Board Member Terry Tamminen nominated for Zayed Future Energy Prize at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi - Feb. 14, 2011
Click Here for Article on finalists and how the award was divided
Also, Terry has just released his new book: "Cracking The Carbon Code - The Key To Sustainable Profits In The New Economy"
Click Here for more information and to Order!
Wishtoyo files appeal with CBD and a coalition of public interest groups to protect the Native American Cultural Resources and California Condor habitat on Tejon Ranch from a luxury mega development -Feb. 9, 2011
Click Here for The Mountain Enterprise News Article
Click Here for Press Release
Wishtoyo Board Member Carole Goldberg Appointed by President Obama to Indian Law and Order Commission -Jan. 18, 2011
Click Here for News Article
Wishtoyo Foundation, Ventura Coastkeeper, and a coalition of public interest groups file suit against the DFG over Santa Clara River Newhall Ranch Development
- Jan. 3, 2011
Lawsuit opposes wildlife agency's approval of massive Newhall Ranch Project; Development would devastate wildlife habitat, Native American Cultural Resources along Santa Clara River
Click Here for Ventura County Star article
Click Here for Ventura County Reporter article
Click Here for Press Release
Click Here for AP news article
Wishtoyo's Ventura Coastkeeper Program and Scrap Metal Company Standard Industries Reach Storm Water Settlement Aggreement; Standard Industries Funds CSUCI Santa Clara River Estuary Emerging Contaminants and Toxicity Study - Dec. 28, 2010
Settlement Agreement provides for Standard Industries’ storm water discharge to comply with the Clean Water Act and to protect the Southern California Steelhead, and for Standard Industries to fund Cal State University Channel Islands' Santa Clara River Estuary Toxicity and Emerging Contaminants Study.
Click Here for Press Release
Click Here for Ventura County Star Article
Wishtoyo's Mati Waiya performs blessing for first Surf Preserve at Malibu's Surfrider Beach - Oct. 31, 2010
Save the Waves held the dedication of the first-ever world surf preserve, in Malibu, on October 9th. After scouring the globe in search of the perfect wave, Malibu's Surfrider Beach was honored with this distinction, which may lead to future environmental and cultural protection. Wishtoyo's Executive Director, Mati Waiya, was invited to perform the blessing ceremony.
Click Here for video of Surf Preserve blessing
Wishtoyo's Women's Elders Council
Wishtoyo's Chumash Women's Elders Council held its first gathering on Oct. 16th, 2010. These women are the seed of our cultural preservation and provide the traditional governance for the Village. - Oct. 16, 2010.
Click Here for Women's Elders Council announcement
Wishtoyo's Mati Waiya appears in the new book, Sea Voices, Working Towards a Sea Change, featuring prominent scientists, environmentalists, oceanographers, artists, celebrities and filmmakers worldwide, who care about our environment and are working to help protect our oceans! - Sept. 26, 2010
Click Here to view the Sea Voices interview with Mati Waiya
Click Here to order the book!
VCK to Appear on Heal the Bay's KTLA Channel 5 Annual TV Special to Discuss Trash Pollution in Oxnard's OID
Wishtoyo Foundation’s Ventura Coastkeeper Program (“VCK”) is appearing on Heal the Bay’s KTLA Channel 5 Annual TV Special on Sunday September 19th from 2-3 pm to discuss trash pollution in the Oxnard Industrial Drain as it impacts wildlife and water quality in the Ormond Beach Wetlands and Pacific Ocean. - Sept. 18, 2010
Wishtoyo Foundation’s Cultural Resource & Education Director, Luhui Isha, has been appointed to serve on the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council -Sept 1, 2010
Click on Picture for larger view:
200 Junior Lifeguards Visit Wishtoyo's Chumash Village! - August 4, 2010
Click on Picture for Larger View:
CSU Channel Islands and Wishtoyo's Ventura Coastkeeper Program Form Collaborative Environmental Stewardship, Research, and Education Partnership
Partnership will provide students with enhanced hands-on professional and educational experiences, research opportunities, and internship positions, while providing VCK’s Watershed Monitoring Program with an on-campus laboratory and an increased capacity to monitor and protect Ventura County’s waterbodies. - July 6, 2010
Click Here for Ventura County Star Article
Click Here for CSUCI Press Release
Wishtoyo Holds Summer Solstice Sunset Ceremony and Open House on June 26th - Malibu Chumash Village
Wishtoyo Board Member and Šmuwič language teacher, Deborah Sanchez, gets into the spirit of the dance at the Summer Solstice Ceremony, as she's moved to get out of her chair and dance around the sil’i’yik, joining Matt Ward, and growls like a mama bear.
David Paul Dominguez entertains onlookers as he tells the story of how the owl, Muhu, came to look like an owl.
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Wishtoyo Hosts 1,100+ at Chumash Village WORLD OCEAN DAY Event for Schools
Star ECO Station, Wishtoyo Foundation and others hosted a World Ocean Day event for students from 42 classrooms from the Los Angeles Unified School District at Wishtoyo's Chumash Village. Students learned about marine ecosystems and conservcation, and our interdependent relationship with the ocean and its species. - June 17, 2010
Click Here for Malibu Surfside News Article (see p. 13)
Above: Mati Waiya leads group in World Ocean
Day Commemoration
Jason Weiner, Wishtoyo's Ventura Coastkeeper Program Associate Director and Staff Attorney, teaches about water quality at World Ocean Day Event
Wishtoyo Announces Opening of Smuwich Language School - Spring 2010 - June 3, 2010
Click for Language School infomation
Language Teachers Deborah Sanchez
and Johnny Moreno
Group protests proposal to lift 1986 commercial whaling moratorium
On Sunday, May 23rd, Mati Waiya, Wishtoyo Foundation's Executive Director and Chumash cermonial elder, performed the opening ceremony and prayed for the whales during a demonstration attended by 120 people on the Santa Monica Pier.
Click to view L.A. Times article - May 24, 2010
Fishable, Swimmable, Drinkable?
California Coastkeeper Alliance and Ventura Coastkeeper Train Local Community Members and Activists to Take the Clean Water Act into Their Own Hands at Patagonia's Headquarters Click here for article - May 11, 2010
Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program Welcome Three Public Interest Summer Legal Clerks to Protect the ecological integrity and water quality of Ventura County’s Inland and Coastal Waterbodies and Chumash Cultural Resources. Click here for bios - May 5, 2010
Wishtoyo's Chumash Discovery Village Featured in the Spring 2010 Edition of News from Native California -
Please Click Here to see photos and coverage of the Malibu Chumash Village! - April 1, 2010
Wishtoyo's Ventura Coastkeeper Program issues a 60 day notice of intent to sue scrap metal giant Standard Industries to halt its toxic stormwater discharge into the Santa Clara River - March 25, 2010
Move marks the Launch of its Industrial Stormwater Campaign and Aims to Protect the Ecological Integrity, Water Quality, Endangered Steelhead Populations, and Cultural Resources of One of America’s Most Endangered Rivers by Demanding Compliance with the Clean Water Act.
Click Here for VCK's Press Release
Click Here for Ventura County Star article
Click Here for American Metals Market article
The Wishtoyo Foundation’s Ventura Coastkeeper Program Files A Notice of Intent to Sue the City of Ventura To Abate its Illegal Discharges of Toxic Sewage Into the Santa Clara River Estuary and Ventura’s Coastal Waters – January 5, 2010
Move Aims to Protect Public Health; the Southern California Steelhead; and the Ecological Integrity, Water Quality, and Cultural Resources of the Santa Clara River Estuary, Santa Clara River Ecosystem, and Ventura’s Coastal Marine Waters
Click Here for VCK's Press Release
Click Here for VCK's Notice of Intent to Sue & Exhibits Detailing Ventura's CWA Violations
With an Eye on Developments at the Vern Freeman Diversion Dam, Wishtoyo provides input to improve the Southern California Steelhead Recovery Plan to Save and Restore the “Isha’ kowoch” (Southern California Steelhead). – November 25, 2009
Following its notice of intent to sue United Water Conservation District that helped result in United’s then rapid settlement with Cal Trout promising to provide fish passage around the Vern Freeman Diversion Dam, Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program submit comments to improve the Southern California Steelhead Recovery Plan. Along with policy, implementation, and science based recommendations, Wishtoyo’s Recovery Plan comments call for the involvement of and assistance from Chumash Native Americans to enhance the Plan's likelihood of success and to recognize the steelhead as a cultural resource.
Click to view Wishtoyo’s Steelhead Recovery Plan Comments
Click to view Ventura County Reporter’s “Isha’kowoch” article
Click to view Wishtoyo’s Notice of Intent to Sue Press Release
68 Oxnard Community Members Volunteer with the Wishtoyo Foundation's Ventura Coastkeeper Program to Remove 3,989 Pieces of Trash from the J-Street Drain. - November 22, 2009
Efforts enhance the environmental health and well being of surrounding neighborhoods, and prevent the degradation and contamination of the Ormond Beach Wetlands and Ventura County's Beaches from the trash deposition which would occur following the next rain event which would sweep the trash down the drain. The 53 bags of trash weighing roughly 400 pounds contained approximately 2,255 pieces of plastic.
Click to view Trash Pickup Data Card
Click to view Ventura County Star Article
Wishtoyo and Public Interest Groups File Tejon Mountain Village Suit - November 12, 2009
The Wishtoyo Foundation files a lawsuit to overturn Kern County’s approval of the Tejon Mountain Village resort development to prevent it from jeopardizing the California Condor; displacing and destroying Native American sacred grounds, Native American burial sites, and Chumash cultural resources; and from harming our environment.
Click here for Joint Press Release
Click here for TMV DEIR Comment Letter
Click here for DHCP & DEIS Comment Letter
Click here for Wishtoyo's Comment Letter Press Release
Wishtoyo's Ventura Coastkeeper Announces the Launch of its New Ventura County Watershed Monitoring Program - with Six Stream Team routes and 35 sampling sites! - October 18, 2009
Through monthly monitoring at 35 sites in the Calleguas Creek, Santa Clara River, Ventura River, and Ormond Beach Watershed, and in storm drains that discharge into Ventura County’s Coastal Waters, Ventura Coastkeeper is gathering water quality data that will enable VCK and the pubic to: identify impaired waterbodies and pollution sources; enforce the Ventura County Stormwater (MS4) Permit; inform and enable policy that abates pollution; find the most effective solutions to improve water quality; prosecute polluters; and enforce water laws that our government is unable to enforce.
Click here for VCK Article with a Map of Monitoring Locations
Click here for Ventura County Star Article
Click here to inquire about volunteering with a VCK Stream Team near you
Wishtoyo's Ventura Coastkeeper’s Stormwater Campaign leads by example with its J-Street Drain Trash Clean Up Event - October 10, 2009
Efforts are not enough though, as at least 1,375 pounds of trash are swept into Ormond Beach and Oxnard’s Coastal Waters following the first storm event of the rainy season! 23 Ventura Coastkeeper volunteers worked hard to clean up 35 bags of trash from J-Street Drain and to prevent it from impairing the Ormond Beach Wetlands and Oxnard’s coastal waters.
Please Click Here for Press Release
Click here for Hueneme Pilot article
Click here for J-Street Trash Clean Up Data Card
Wishtoyo's Ventura Coastkeeper Program advocates to protect the water quality and ecological integrity of the Santa Clara River and Ventura County’s coastal waters from the proposed Newhall Development. - August 25, 2009
Click Here to read VCK's press release
Click Here for VCK's joint Press Release with Friends of the Santa Clara River and SCOPE
Wishtoyo and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program file a notice of intent to sue the California government to make Ventura County’s air safe to breathe. - August 18, 2009
Wishtoyo's and its Ventura Coastkeeper program's move to reduce Volatile Organic Compounds (“VOC”) emissions from pesticide emissions to help eliminate smog and PM2.5 pollution, aims to improve the health of Ventura County residents and pesticide applicators.
Click here for Press Release
Click here for Ventura County Star article
Wishtoyo & VCK advocate for Protection of Critical Marine Ecosystems and California’s first Native American Co-Managed Marine Protected Area - August 13, 2009
Click Here for Malibu Surfside News article about Wishtoyo Foundation's efforts in support of Marine Protected Areas. (Please scroll down news page to view article.)
The efforts of Wishtoyo's Ventura Coastkeeper Stream Team land six river reaches of Calleguas Creek on California's 303(d) impaired waterbody list for trash pollution. - July 22, 2009
Click Here to see Ventura County Star article
Click Here to see Press Release
Wishtoyo / Ventura Coastkeeper Issue Notice of Intent to Sue to Restore and Protect Steelhead on the Santa Clara River - May 12, 2009
Wishtoyo Foundation and its Ventura Coastkeeper Program have issued a notice of intent to sue United Water Conservation District and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, whose operation of the Vern Freeman Dam and its dysfunctional fish ladder on the Santa Clara River is jeopardizing the continued existence of the endangered “Isha’kowoch” (Chumash name for Southern California Steelhead).
Wishtoyo’s move to save and restore the “Isha’kowoch” and the ecological integrity of the Santa Clara River, aims to protect Chumash Native American cultural resources and the health and natural resources of our communities.
Click to view Ventura County Reporter article
Click to view Press Release
"AGRITOXINS: Ventura County's Toxic Time Bomb"
- Wishtoyo Pesticides Study
Wishtoyo Foundation's Agritoxins study quantifies the hazardous effects of agricultural pesticide use on the habitants and environment of Ventura County.
To view a pdf version of the paper, please click here: Agritoxins: Ventura County's Toxic Time Bomb (Please note, it may take a moment for it to appear on your screen.)
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