march to save the sea!
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CO-FOUNDERS - march to save the sea
Ashley Oelsen
Ashley is a passionate advocate for environmental justice, sustainability, and community well-being. With a background in earth and environmental science from the University of Pennsylvania, she has dedicated her career to protecting biodiversity, promoting responsible conservation policies, and fighting for ethical governance. Her fieldwork has taken her across the globe, studying chimpanzees in Tanzania, orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra, and orcas in Iceland.
A longtime Santa Monica resident, Ashley has served as the Chair of the City of Santa Monica Clean Oceans and Beaches Measure V Oversight Committee and is currently a commissioner on the Environmental Justice, Sustainability, and Environment Commission, where she advises on policies that shape the city's future.
She has also worked with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, lobbied Congress on environmental policy, and was a Directorate Fellow for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Veronica Velasquez
Veronica is a seasoned designer, surfer, and activist hailing from Colombia, now residing in Venice, California. As the founder of RadCraftDesign.com, she dedicates her time to software design while passionately engaging in surfing and outdoor activities. A committed community organizer, Veronica leveraged her skills in process optimization and usability to launch the VeniceHelpingHub, a grassroots initiative that provided essential supplies to victims of the devastating 2025 wildfires. This volunteer-run supply center was the first of its kind on the west side and operated for over three weeks, delivering aid to fire evacuees throughout Los Angeles. Her efforts as a community organizer include spearheading information campaigns, creating voter guides, and advocating for social reform. Veronica's artistic work often reflects her commitment to themes surrounding the female experience, the significance of diversity, and environmental protection. With over fifteen years of experience in the creative field, she skillfully merges her digital expertise with her passion for cultural awareness and the pursuit of human rights. Through her knowledge and dedication, Veronica aims to educate and inspire others to take positive action, offering a fresh perspective on the experiences of Hispanic women in America and the importance of conservation.
Elizabeth Kahn Baum
Elizabeth is a strategic communications professional and leads public relations and digital marketing for nonprofits, brands, and environmental media entities. Her passion for personal and planetary health started while she was an undergraduate student studying advertising and environmental systems & society at Syracuse University.
Over the last decade, Elizabeth has worked on the most pressing issues facing our planet as well as some of the most promising solutions to them including regenerative agriculture, conservation genomics, geothermal energy, and carbon dioxide removal. She is committed to decarbonizing the built environment, regenerating ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring Indigenous science & knowledge is respected and deployed as the world faces a biodiversity and climate crisis.
Elizabeth grew up in the San Fernando Valley, and currently resides in Santa Monica with her husband and dog. The lack of recognition of the disaster unfolding on the beaches by elected officials compelled her to join other locals taking action. In her volunteer capacity with California Coastal Alliance, she hopes to empower others to want to use their voice to demand action from their state and federally elected officials to prioritize the health of the Santa Monica Bay ecosystem and greater Pacific Ocean.
As a music enthusiast, she hopes to collaborate with her favorite musicians with the intention of uniting people and deepening their commitment to being stewards of this previous blue planet we all call home through the power of music. Learn more about her background here.
Historical Examples of Wildfire Contamination
2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire (Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay)
2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire (Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay)
Red Tide and Toxic Runoff:
Fire debris and runoff from the Santa Cruz Mountains flowed into Monterey Bay, increasing nutrient loads and potentially contributing to a harmful algal bloom (red tide).
Scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) found elevated nutrients and organic pollutants in nearshore waters.
Impact on Kelp Forests and Fisheries: Ash deposits coated kelp forests and intertidal zones, affecting photosynthesis and smothering marine organisms.
Some commercial fisheries temporarily halted shellfish harvesting due to concerns about contamination from wildfire-related toxins.
2018 Woolsey Fire – Malibu & Ventura County)
2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire (Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay)
Debris Flow into the Ocean: After heavy rains, toxic ash and debris from the Woolsey Fire washed into the Pacific Ocean, affecting beaches from Malibu to Ventura.
Reports found high levels of heavy metals, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and other toxins in runoff reaching the ocean.
Surfers and swimmers were advised to stay out of the water for weeks due to high bacterial levels and contamination risks.
Impact on Marine Life: Studies detected hydrocarbons and toxic compounds in coastal waters, which can harm fish and shellfish populations.
The Santa Monica Baykeeper and Heal the Bay raised concerns about long-term contamination of marine food webs.
2018 Camp Fire (Paradise, California)
2017 Thomas Fire (Santa Barbara & Ventura County)
Toxic Ash and Debris: The Camp Fire, which destroyed nearly the entire town of Paradise, left behind hazardous ash and debris containing heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury), asbestos, and toxic compounds from burned homes, vehicles, and industrial sites.
Public Health Concerns: Residents and cleanup crews were warned about inhaling particulate matter and exposure to toxic debris. Testing revealed elevated levels of arsenic and lead in some areas.
Water Contamination: The fire melted underground plastic pipes, leading to benzene contamination in the town’s water supply. It took years and extensive remediation to restore safe drinking water.
2017 Thomas Fire (Santa Barbara & Ventura County)
2017 Thomas Fire (Santa Barbara & Ventura County)
Massive Debris Flows into the Santa Barbara Channel: Heavy post-fire rains triggered massive debris flows (mudslides) in Montecito, dumping tons of burned debris and sediment into the Santa Barbara Channel.
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary reported ash and sediment deposits smothering rocky reefs, potentially affecting biodiversity.
Airborne Toxic Particles: Fire-related air pollution settled over the ocean, raising concerns about PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and dioxins entering marine food webs.
2015 Valley Fire (Lake County, CA)
2017 Tubbs Fire (Santa Rosa, California)
Hazardous Debris Management: The fire destroyed thousands of structures, leading to massive amounts of toxic debris. FEMA and the EPA had to coordinate large-scale hazardous waste cleanup efforts to prevent public exposure.
Wildlife Impact: Testing showed elevated heavy metals in nearby lakes and rivers, affecting fish populations and potentially posing risks to humans who consumed them.
2017 Tubbs Fire (Santa Rosa, California)
2017 Tubbs Fire (Santa Rosa, California)
Airborne Asbestos and Lead: Burned structures, particularly older homes, released asbestos and lead-based paint particles into the air and soil. Cleanup efforts had to follow strict hazardous waste protocols.
Water System Damage: Like Paradise, the fire melted PVC pipes, releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the water supply. Some areas had water contamination for over a year.
2007 Witch Creek Fire (San Diego County, CA)
2009 Station Fire (Los Angeles County – Affecting Beaches near LA)
2009 Station Fire (Los Angeles County – Affecting Beaches near LA)
Soil and Waterway Contamination: The fire burned through land containing industrial and agricultural sites, leading to the release of pesticides, heavy metals, and other pollutants into the soil and waterways.
Health Effects on First Responders: Firefighters and cleanup workers experienced respiratory issues due to prolonged exposure to toxic ash and airborne contaminants.
2009 Station Fire (Los Angeles County – Affecting Beaches near LA)
2009 Station Fire (Los Angeles County – Affecting Beaches near LA)
2009 Station Fire (Los Angeles County – Affecting Beaches near LA)
Toxic Stormwater Runoff into Santa Monica Bay: The fire burned large areas in the San Gabriel Mountains, and later rains washed toxic ash, debris, and charred vegetation into the LA River and storm drains.
This led to a surge in contaminants reaching Santa Monica Bay, raising bacteria and heavy metal levelsbeyond safe swimming thresholds.
2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire (Santa Cruz Mountains, CA)
2009 Station Fire (Los Angeles County – Affecting Beaches near LA)
2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire (Santa Cruz Mountains, CA)
Threats to Drinking Water: Post-fire rains caused ash and debris to wash into reservoirs and watersheds, increasing turbidity and introducing harmful chemicals.
Heavy Metal Contamination: Tests found lead, arsenic, and other metals in burned vehicle and building debris, prompting state officials to issue strict disposal guidelines.
Media
Santa Monica Daily Press
Over the past few days, it’s been impossible to avoid seeing the tell tale signs of wildfire ash and debris accumulating along the coastline of Santa Monica. At low tide in particular, endless thick lines of ash particles are easily visible against the golden sands that form our big, beautiful beaches.
Santa Monica Mirror
Protesters marched against the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan to use the Will Rogers State Beach parking lot as a hazardous waste processing site for debris from the Palisades Fire on Sunday.
Westside Current
Westside Current
Over a hundred demonstrators gathered at Will Rogers State Beach on Sunday morning to protest the Environmental Protection Agency’s controversial decision to use the area as a toxic waste sorting site to process debris from the Palisades Fire.
CBS News
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
about us
Founder, Ashley Oelsen
Ashley founded the Coastal Alliance in response to the condition of the coastal areas following the Palisades Fire.
Beyond conservation, Ashley is deeply committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness in local governance with science-driven, and community-first approach to policymaking.
Ashley believes that true progress comes from informed activism, ethical leadership, and a relentless commitment to protecting both people and the planet.
Alliance
Protect Calabasas
Venice Surfing Association (VSA)
Protect Calabasas
Protect Topanga
Venice Surfing Association (VSA)
Protect Calabasas
Venice Surfing Association (VSA)
Venice Surfing Association (VSA)
Venice Surfing Association (VSA)
Venice Helping Hub
Venice Surfing Association (VSA)
Venice Surfing Association (VSA)
Santa Monica Surfing Association (SMSA)
Santa Monica Surfing Association (SMSA)
Santa Monica Surfing Association (SMSA)
Santa Monica Helping Hub
Santa Monica Surfing Association (SMSA)
Santa Monica Surfing Association (SMSA)