About EarthSpotter
Our Mission
EarthSpotter is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in San Diego, CA, committed to harnessing public data and community involvement to monitor and reduce environmental pollution. Our mission is to increase public awareness of pollution, educate citizens on actionable steps, and empower individuals to report and document evidence of non-compliance.
What We Do
Data Collection and Analysis
We aggregate public data and provide a citizen reporting platform to track environmental violations and pollution sources.
Education and Outreach
We create informative content to empower communities with knowledge about environmental protection.
Advocacy and Enforcement Support
We advocate for conservation of natural resources and environmental pollution prevention laws. We enforce existing laws to ensure that our natural resources and community health receive the greatest amount of environmental protection possible.
Environmental Journalism
We investigate environmental pollution and write articles to inform the public.
Our Vision
EarthSpotter aims to make a significant impact on environmental protection:
- Develop a user-friendly platform for reporting environmental violations
- Create educational resources to empower citizens with environmental knowledge
- Enforce environmental and natural resource protection laws
- Advocate for sound environmental policies.
Join Us
There are several ways to support EarthSpotter's mission:
Donate
Support our mission with a tax-deductible donation to fund our programs and initiatives.
Spread the Word
Follow us on social media and share our message with your network.
Join EarthSpotter Today
Sign up for free and become part of a community dedicated to environmental protection.
We respect your privacy. We will never spam you or sell your information. Privacy Policy for details.
Our Team
Natalie Marcin
CEO and Board President
Natalie Marcin serves as the CEO and President of the Board for EarthSpotter, where she leverages her extensive background in environmental law and science to advance the organization's mission of protecting natural resources.
Professionally, Natalie has significant experience in both legal and scientific fields. At Coast Law Group LLP, she practices environmental law under state and federal statutes. Her internships at the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency allowed her to engage with a suite of federal environmental laws, including NEPA, ESA, and CWA.
Before her legal career, Natalie worked as a biologist, where she designed wetland compliance and restoration reports and conducted essential fieldwork for laboratory analysis. Her hands-on experience in environmental science enhances her ability to navigate complex environmental regulations effectively.
Natalie holds a J.D. and M.S. in Environmental and Ocean Sciences, both from the University of San Diego. Her thesis researched anthropogenic impacts that led to plant biodiversity losses in a fragile coastal dune ecosystem. Natalie's academic endeavors demonstrate a deep understanding of the intricate relationships between ecosystems and laws.
Her combination of legal expertise, scientific insight, and unwavering passion for environmental conservation positions Natalie as a dynamic leader for EarthSpotter, guiding the organization toward a more sustainable future.
Christy Dresch
CFO and Board Director
Christy brings a wealth of legal expertise and a passion for environmental advocacy as the CFO and Board Director of EarthSpotter. Currently serving as a Staff Attorney in the Public Benefits Practice Group at Inland Counties Legal Services, Christy specializes in providing legal support to underserved communities. Previously, Christy honed her skills as a law clerk and intern at the City of Newport Beach, where she gained experience with environmental compliance.
Christy has been actively involved in initiatives that bridge legal advocacy and community service. As co-chair of the Law Students for Cross Racial Understanding, Christy demonstrated a commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue and understanding across diverse communities.
Christy's earlier experiences also include supporting tenants' rights and assisting clients with complex legal challenges, providing her with a deep understanding of the intersection between law and social justice. Her educational background includes a J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law and a B.A. in Business Administration from Azusa Pacific University.
Dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and environmental justice, Christy is excited to collaborate with fellow board members and the community to advance EarthSpotter's mission of protecting our planet and natural resources for future generations.
Mariane Gantino
Secretary and Board Director
Mariane is a dedicated legal advocate currently serving as a Staff Attorney in the Health Law Practice Group at Inland Counties Legal Services. With a strong commitment to social justice and advocacy, Mariane brings valuable experience and insight as the Secretary and a Board Director to EarthSpotter.
Mariane's journey in the legal field began with diverse internships, including roles at the Office of the City Attorney in San Diego, where she gained experience in both the Criminal and Civil Divisions. Mariane further developed her skills at Legal Aid at Work, focusing on workers' rights, and completed a summer internship with Riverside County Counsel, providing legal support in various capacities.
In addition to her extensive experience in health law and workers' rights, Mariane interned with OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, where she engaged in advocacy work that highlighted the intersection of legal issues and community needs. Mariane's educational background includes a J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.
With a background in law that spans multiple sectors, Mariane is passionate about using her legal expertise to promote environmental justice and sustainable practices. She is excited to collaborate with fellow board members to advance the mission of EarthSpotter and make a meaningful impact on our planet and communities.
Hayley Zech Hughes
Board Director
Hayley joins the Board with extensive knowledge of, and passion for, environmental law and justice. Believing our environmental future is not just shaped by personal choices, but also choices we allow corporations to make, she found her way to law school. Hayley received her Bachelor's degree in Public Policy and Management from the University of Arizona and her Juris Doctorate with a concentration in Environmental and Energy Law from the University of San Diego.
During her time in law school, she valued theoretical and political debate of environmental and energy law and policy, serving as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Climate and Energy Law. She continued her studies in environmental and energy law through internships at the Department of Energy, California Department of Transportation, and the Department of the Interior.
Prior to law school, Hayley gained experience working at a military non-profit, a start-up, and a large-scale corporation. In addition to her pre-law experience, Hayley brings experience in corporate law, environmental law, energy law, and real estate law to the Board.