Kira Redmond
Kira Redmond has served as Channelkeeper’s leader since 2004. Kira has more than 25 years of experience in the environmental policy arena and has succeeded in securing significant improvements in water quality and marine habitat protection policies at the local and state levels. Prior to taking up residence as the Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, she worked with Bluewater Network in San Francisco managing an advocacy campaign to combat pollution from commercial vessels, particularly cruise ships, and succeeded in getting legislation passed to prohibit cruise ship dumping in California waters. She also worked as a consultant for Energy Independence Now on alternative vehicles and fuels, for Redefining Progress on environmental tax reform, and for the Earth Island Institute on transportation and global warming policies, including California’s landmark legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles. She spent three years writing and editing for the International Institute for Sustainable Development’s “Earth Negotiations Bulletin,” reporting on United Nations environmental treaty negotiations around the world. She also worked as a research associate for the Worldwatch Institute. Kira holds a Masters in International Affairs and Environmental Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, and a Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Resource Management from the University of California Berkeley.