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A digital tool that enables the public to view Southern California environmental and climate data on everything from pollution and food security to habitats and coastal vulnerability will launch this spring with the support of a $100,000 gift from The Eileen and Harold Brown Foundation. Harold Brown is a member of the Board of Trustees of ��������. This is the second gift the Browns have given in support of the Conservancy.

The gift was used to complete the Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability’s Dashboard Project, which is viewable at socalearth.org. The new data tool—titled “So Cal Earth”—offers an online interactive approach to raising public awareness about the importance of climate-first and community-first decision-making in the region.

“We’re not just giving people access to the data, we’re giving them a taste of what a liberal arts college can do in terms of thinking and situating data in real-world ways that matter to everyone.”

–Redford Conservancy Director Susan A. Phillips

The dashboard features several mapping and data visualization entry points as well as an “Interactivities” section. Stories, illustrations, and data vividly bring to life the plight and power of many plant and animal species in a format accessible for non-scientists.

As lifelong supporters of environmental awareness efforts, the Browns saw an opportunity to become involved with the Conservancy’s work through this project, which encourages users to think more deeply about their surrounding environment.

For Director Susan A. Phillips, the completion of this project with the Browns’ support marks an exciting new development for the Conservancy’s educational outreach strategy.

“Having this tool is really exciting,” Phillips said. “We have an incredible data set to share with all of Southern California. We’re not just giving people access to the data, we’re giving them a taste of what a liberal arts college can do in terms of thinking and situating data in real-world ways that matter to everyone.”