Environmental Defense Center board president Judy Pirkowitsch, left, honoree Abe Powell and state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson gather at the EDC’s Green & Blue: A Coastal Celebration. 
EDC Executive Director Owen Bailey, center, with EDC supporters Carolyn Cogan and Jules Zimmer. 
Santa Barbara Mayor Cathy Murrillo, center, with Bard and Susan Salcido, Santa Barbara County superintendent of schools. 
Supporters Peter Schuyler and June Socel. 
Longtime supporters Richard and Carol Nash. 
Board member Vijaya Jamalammadaka, center, with guests Louis Andaloro and Mark Holmgren. 
Gail Rappaport and Peter Easton. 
EDC staff attorney Tara Messing, left, joins volunteers Kendall Post and James Harrison to pour wines from The Ojai Vineyard. 
The celebration was held at Rancho La Patera & Stow House in Goleta.
On a cloudy Sunday afternoon, the Environmental Defense Center honored John Abraham “Abe” Powell at its annual Green & Blue: A Coastal Celebration held outdoors at Rancho La Patera & Stow House in Goleta.
Powell received EDC’s Environmental Hero Award, which previously has been bestowed on other local and national leaders, including Jane Fonda, Yvon Chouinard, Jack Johnson, Jean-Michel Cousteau and Jackson Browne.
“Abe is a true leader, and EDC is proud to recognize his lifetime of service as an environmental leader,” EDC Executive Director Owen Bailey said. “In this changing climate, we are grateful to Abe, who has spent his entire career at the forefront of community and environmental safety.”
Powell told Noozhawk, “I am so surprised and honored to receive this award.”
A Santa Barbara resident since 1976, Powell served as board president to longtime EDC partner Get Oil Out! (GOO!). He also founded SOLFORCE, a local solar energy company, served for six years as director of the Montecito Fire Protection District and is executive director of the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade, a nonprofit organization that he and his wife, Jessica, created in response to the devastating January 2018 debris flows in Montecito.
The Bucket Brigade has logged more than 3,000 volunteers who helped restore the Montecito community by digging out homes, restoring landscapes and public trails, and rescuing hundreds of threatened oak trees from the mud and debris.
Before the award presentation and live auction, there was a social hour and robust silent auction. EDC staff attorney Tara Messing joined volunteers to pour wine from The Ojai Vineyard and beer from Rincon Brewery. Passed hors d’oeuvres and desserts were offered by Duo Catering. Guitarist Bruce Goldish provided lovely background music.
The celebration was coordinated by the Green & Blue event committee, which included Owen Bailey, Melissa Bower, Alexandra Eisinger, Lee Heller, Chloe McConnell, Kaleen Quarles, Connie Townsend and Betsy Weber as well as the leadership of board president Judy Pirkowitsch and board members.
Top sponsors included the Emmett family, Susan Harris, Diane Heller, Lee Heller, The Ojai Vineyard, Santa Ynez Vacation Rentals, Judy and Jack Staplemann, Suzanne and John Steed, Paul and Richard Whited, Advanced Veterinary Specialists, Amy and Glenn Bacheller, Deckers Outdoor Corp., the Goleta Valley Historical Society, Helena and Gary Hill, MarBorg Industries, Patagonia and many others.
EDC’s Green & Blue celebration is one of the largest environmental fundraising events in the area. Each year, more than 600 people come together to celebrate environmental victories and to raise funds to support EDC’s work protecting and enhancing the local environment through education, advocacy and legal action.
Established in 1977, the Environmental Defense Center is a nonprofit law firm that protects and enhances the local environment through education, advocacy and legal action and works primarily within Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties. Program areas include climate and energy, and protecting clean water, the Santa Barbara Channel, and open space and wildlife.
Click here for more information about the Environmental Defense Center, or contact Bailey at 805.963.1622 or edc@environmentaldefensecenter.org.
— Noozhawk contributing writer Rochelle Rose can be reached at rrose@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkSociety, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Become a fan of Noozhawk on Facebook.