Coastwalk Director (interim) Emily De Falla takes helm to lead nonprofit organization in promotion of California Coastal Trail.

The California coastal advocacy organization Coastwalk announced recently that Emily De Falla became director of the statewide organization focusing on local and statewide programs as an advocate for the California Coastal Trail. Working with the organization for appox. 20 years, De Falla replaced Michael Lee as Interim Executive Director. The at-large board member has volunteered as Board President, Development Director and Treasurer.  Being a part of a grassroots organization that has sought for nearly 25 years to create public access to the California coast, the attorney has acted as an advocate for the organization with a special skill in creating partnerships between for-profit and non-profit agencies.

"We are the embodiment of the powerful love Californians have for the coast and of the value we all place on having access to it,” says De Falla.

Coastwalk recently received government approval of a new insignia for the California Coastal Trail (CCT) and expanded coastal adventure programs. Political advocacy on behalf of coastal access will include efforts to install CCT insignia statewide—focusing public attention on the public’s right to be on the coast. Working with the California Coastal Conservancy and State Parks, an expanded Coastal Clean-Up, Trail Maintenance and Day Hike programs, as well planning for 2008 Summer of Action—a 25th anniversary celebration and re-creation of the original “Coastwalk,” of 1983 are ambitious programs for the future.

For more information on Coastwalk’s many programs, visit  coastwalk.org.