I am touched by the natural beauty of this planet. I've studied and have had many a close encounter with the creatures and creations on this amazing Earth. And because I am conscious of the various threats to these very things that I love, I am compelled to take action to protect and preserve these animals and places that are so dear to me.

As an artist, I am involved with local organizations in various capacities, as well as having participated in &/or organized benefit art exhibitions for these causes. I have been a supporter of the Marine Mammal (Rescue & Rehabilitation) Center of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, The Desert Protective Council, the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County, The Urban Creeks Council of Santa Barbara, The Carpinteria Creeks Committee, Santa Barbara Channel Keeper, Heal The Ocean, and the Environmental Defense Center of Santa Barbara. I have also been an Advisory Board Member of the Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs and Gallery Curator for the Friends of the Carpinteria Library.

For over 25 years, I have dedicated most of my time as an activist to protecting cetaceans (dolphins and whales) and to bring commercial whaling to a halt. (For further information, please click on "A Personal Message" at left column; or on the link directly below.). Since it was conceived in 2004, I have been coordinating the Origami Whales Project, which, through large-scale public environmental art projects, continues to empower children of all ages while raising awareness on the issue of whaling and more. I hope you will visit the official site of theI hope you will visit the official site of the Origami Whales Project to learn more about my efforts and the "Exciting News!" for 2010.

I hope that you will visit some of these links, and see what a difference we can make together. Thank you for taking the time to read this statement.

Whales are being threatened with the worldwide resumption of commercial whaling. Between Japan and Norway, over 1,000 whales are being killed annually.

[Please click here for more information & action you can take to help save whales.]

please click here
Some suggested links to visit:

Heal the Ocean is a non-profit public action group that will swiftly deal with the critical issue of ocean pollution that closes Santa Barbara beaches.
If you find wildlife in need of help, this organization will rescue and rehabilitate them. This very informative site also provides a directory for other counties. 

"Sea Otter"

(Painting by Peggy Oki)

  		  "California sea otters key to coastline ecosystem" The mission of The Otter Project is to facilitate the recovery of the southern sea otter and to promote the sea otter as an indicator species for the health of the nearshore ecosystem through education of the general public and scientific research.
Citizens for the Bluffs 
The Carpinteria Bluffs is one of the last few remaining coastal open spaces in Santa Barbara County. It is visited by the White-Tailed Kite (a threatened species). A breeding colony of Harbor Seals is located on the adjoining beach below the bluffs. Because the Bluffs was under the threat of development for a number of years, a local organization, Citizens for the Bluffs formed with efforts to preserve the land as an open space. They have since been successful in raising funds to purchase a large portion of the land. The Citizens group remains dedicated to its original mission of acquiring the entire Bluffs property. It will launch a subsequent fundraising campaign toward that goal if and when the landowners of the remaining 29 acres of Bluffs property are willing to sell the property to the community at a fair market price..."  
 
 
Website Design by Peggy Oki / Oki Design

Learn how you can help whales though
the Origami Whales Project
Please visit
"My Bulletin Board"
(Key Words: Skateboarding, Whales, Tigers, The Dalai Lama, Food, "Good News"...)
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ACTION LINK at the Natural Resources Defense Council
The Santa Barbara Channel Keeper is dedicated to protecting and restoring the ecological health of the Santa Barbara Channel, its watersheds and habitat.
• • • Click here for a link to the activist site for the enchanting recording artist: "Ocean" • • •
 
 
 
updated Winter 2010