Putting their money where their mouth is, Harris and the crew at the Coast Film and Music Festival are deeply committed to a number of environmental movements. A proud member of 1% For the Planet, portions of their proceeds from their events go straight to environmental causes around the world.
Having worked for iconic brands like Billabong, Harris comes from a surfing background, while his partner, Ben Warner, comes from the ski world. Combining their passions, Coast also supports the Surfrider Foundation and Protect Our Winters.
Headquartered just down P.C.H. in San Clemente, the Surfrider Foundation dedicates its efforts to protecting coastlines, beaches and surf spots around the United States. Founded by surfers in Malibu in 1984, the organization is largely driven by volunteers around the country. They tackle issues ranging from plastic pollution, to climate change, to clean water.
Protect Our Winters was founded in 2007 by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones. Their overarching priority is to push for legislation on climate change and “turn outdoor enthusiasts into climate advocates.”
On a more local level, Harris and Warner are committed to the Laguna Canyon Foundation. The group “is dedicated to preserving, protecting, enhancing and promoting the 22,000-acre South Coast Wilderness.”
Their efforts date back to 1989 and the March to Save Laguna Canyon. Rallying the community, the group was able to push through a twenty-million-dollar bond measure in 1990, which led to the formation of the Laguna Canyon Foundation. Created to facilitate the acquisition of open space, they partnered with Orange County Parks and the City of Laguna Beach to purchase the land from the Irvine Company and ensure it remained in public hands in perpetuity.
History is fluid. It’s alive. Always evolving. The lively, colorful history of Laguna Beach is no exception. From the original Kizh/Gabrieleño people, to the early European settlers, to the 20th century art and counterculture movements and today’s modern spin on environmental radicalism, they’re all layers of paint on one big canvas. Together they’ve created one amazing, giant piece of living art with deep connections to the land and sea.
“Don't forget you’re alive,” famously said Joe Strummer, frontman for legendary punk band The Clash. “We don’t know what the next second will bring and what a fantastic thing this is … Don't forget you're alive. We're not dead, you know. This is the greatest thing.”