San Luis Obispo COASTKEEPER®, a program of Environment in the Public Interest, is the only grassroots environmental watchdog dedicated solely to enforcement of water quality on and watershed protection in, southern Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and northern Santa Barbara Counties. This part of the central coast often referred to as California's "Middle Kingdom," contains some of the most spectacular coastline, wild areas, streams and wetlands in the world.

Our mission is to protect this special place and since 2002 SLO Coastkeeper has been a consistent voice for environmental change taking the necessary action to protect the coast and waterways throughout the region. Our work has encompassed nearly the entire central coast partnering with neighborhood groups and environmental organizations responding to environmental issues from Santa Cruz to the Santa Ynez River watershed. Successful efforts have included serving as the SLO County environmental representative on DFG's Central Coast Regional Stakeholders Group resulting in the establishment of the Central Coast Network of Marine Protected Areas, as well as protection and improvement of water quality through participation in the Municipal Storm Water Management Permit process and current proceedings to set Agricultural Waste Discharge Requirements on the Central Coast region.

Stories of climate calamities are ubiquitous this year – such as the extreme and deadly heat waves boiling Russia and the fl ood that has devastated Pakistan and taken more than 2,000 lives. Here in the United States, the summer of 2010 turned out to be the hottest on record in New York City. Climate change is a natural subject for Waterkeeper magazine, because, as the planet gets warmer, we easily can see the damaging effects of climate change through our relationship with water.

This issue presents the stories of everyday heroes who are on the front lines protecting their communities. Waterkeepers’ activities in the realm of climate change range from temperature-monitoring to citizen awareness to litigation against carbon-spewing industries. Each day, they engage in the herculean task of tackling some of the greatest threats our communities have ever faced. Can we count on our elected leaders to do the same?