Mission Statement

The Wishtoyo Foundation protects and preserves the culture and history of coastal communities and fosters responsibility to our waters, marine habitats and watersheds through research, education, community action and where necessary, citizen enforcement. We aim to utilize traditional Chumash beliefs, practices, songs, stories and dances to create self-respect and a greater awareness of our connection with, and dependence upon, the natural Environment.

Wishtoyo Staff     - Click on names for bios

Mati Waiya - Founder & Executive Director   

Jason Weiner - Ventura Coastkeeper Associate Director & 
  Staff Attorney   

Luhui Isha - Cultural Resource & Education Director

Lin Myerson - Operations & Grants Manager

Anthony Lesny - Field Staff

2010 Summer Legal Clerks - Click to view

Board of Directors

Charlie Cooke - Chairman - Hereditary Chief, Chumash Nation

Terry Tamminen - Director - Cullman Senior Fellow, New 

American Foundation; former Secretary of the California EPA, and

co-founder of Wishtoyo Foundation 

Beau Bridges - Director - Actor & Filmmaker

Carole Goldberg - Secretary - Professor, UCLA School of Law

Deborah Sanchez - Director - Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court

Max Gail - Director - Actor & Director, LAP Foundation

John Murdock - Director - Environmental Attorney, Santa Monica

Les Lo Baugh - Director - Attorney, Environmental Issues; Co-wrote Endangered Species Act