About Us

ECOSLO is a local, non-profit membership organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the natural environment through community-based action, advocacy, and education. Since 1971, our organization has relied on the support of its members to accomplish our mission. If you're not already a member, please join us today.

Vision

ECOSLO envisions a conscious community that understands and values the essential interdependencies of natural systems, human health, and the local economy, and that actively takes responsibility for a healthy environment focused on quality of all life in San Luis Obispo County.

Mission Statement

ECOSLO strives to support and create resilient, healthy natural systems and life styles in San Luis Obispo County. We are committed to a sustainable future while working to improve our quality of life and economic vitality in our communities. Through education, advocacy, and community building, ECOSLO acts to protect the natural environment and environmental health on the Central Coast. It also supports renewable energy, energy conservation and efficiency, sustainable agriculture, green building and the local economy to promote sustainable economic development, protection of agricultural lands and open space, social equity, environmental justice and protection of our natural environment.

Contact Info

Phone: (805) 544-1777
Fax: (805) 544-1871
E-mail: info@ecoslo.org

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 1014
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

Feel free to stop by our downtown environmental center!
1204 Nipomo Street (map)
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Areas of Focus

Environmental Education

ECOSLO assists the public with a range of technical and educational services, such as public speaking engagements, organized workshops, tree plantings, outreach and networking support, and community advocacy consultation. With a downtown SLO walk-in Environmental Center, ECOSLO offers information on current issues, county wide environmental services, plus a lending library of books, tapes, and videos.

Solutions to Health Hazards

ECOSLO collaborates with local organizations and agencies seeking to bring awareness to the community regarding use of pesticides and household chemicals.  ECOSLO works to educate the public on alternatives to pesticides and other chemicals in homes and local parks, as well as educating farm workers to minimize the risks of pesticide exposure.  Our new Environmental Health Education Program educates and advocates practices that minimize these environmental health risks.

Habitat Restoration and Conservation

In partnership with the City of SLO, ECOSLO's stewardship programs Natural San Luis and SLO Stewards provide advisory and support services to the city on issues such as protection of San Luis Obispo Creek, establishment of a Greenbelt around the city, annexations, trail maintenance, and habitat restoration.  SLO Stewards hosts weekly volunteer trail renovation projects to prevent erosion, restore creek beds, and protect the native habitat.

Community Sustainability

ECOSLO has joined in efforts to promote safe bike lanes, ride-share programs, and improved public transportation, including partnering with other organizations to help complete the "missing link", a bike trail that would connect Cal Poly to downtown.  ECOSLO also focuses on responsible land use planning, pollution cleanup, and sustainable development in SLO County and the Central Coast region. ECOSLO pioneered progressive recycling practices in SLO County by establishing the county's first recycling center; publishing recycled product guides and conducting school outreach programs.

Protection of Coastlines

ECOSLO was instrumental in creating the SLO Coast Alliance, and continues to play a key role. The SLO Coast Alliance is a grassroots coalition of 45 organizations dedicated to protecting the county's spectacular coast against excessive development proposals. Campaigns of this sort safeguard the Central Coast from offshore oil production activities, ensure cleanup of oil spills, and promote long-term coastal protection initiatives.  ECOSLO also coordinates California Coastal Cleanup Day in San Luis Obispo County as part of a worldwide volunteer effort to keep our waterways, beached, and oceans clean.  The mission of CCD is to remove debris from the coast, identify the source of debris, and ultimately change the behaviors that cause pollution.