Representative Levin Announces Constituent of the Month for May
San Juan Capistrano, CA – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) announced that Evan Marks, Founder and Executive Director of The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano, is his Constituent of the Month for May. At The Ecology Center, Evan and his team turned a vacant lot into an educational space, featuring a vibrant farm, kitchen, and artisan goods store where they teach community members about the importance of sustainable living practices.
“Evan’s work is imperative as we confront the dangerous impact that climate change is having on our planet. Just this week, the United Nations released a landmark report that found the health of the planet’s ecosystems deteriorating rapidly, with over one million species of plants and animals on the path toward extinction due to human actions,” said Representative Levin. “I am proud to represent a community that recognizes the impact we have on our environment and knows we are all responsible for combatting climate change.”
Earlier this year, Representative Levin launched a Constituent of the Month program to highlight outstanding North County San Diego and South Orange County residents who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors, give back to their community, and make the country stronger. Levin’s first Constituent of the Month was Shelby Jacobs, of Oceanside. His second Constituents of the Month were two San Juan Capistrano brothers, David and Eric Groos.
See below for Representative Levin’s full statement in the Congressional Record recognizing Evan Marks:
Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize yet another exemplary citizen, Evan Marks, as my Constituent of the Month for May. Each month, it’s my pleasure to recognize residents of the 49th District who have gone above and beyond to make our community stronger, and Evan has done just that as the Executive Director of The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano.
At The Ecology Center, Evan and his team turned a vacant lot into an educational space, featuring a vibrant farm, kitchen, and artisan goods store where they teach community members about the importance of sustainable living practices. With roughly 70,000 visitors per year, The Ecology Center is a critical resource for our community that shows people how to save water, grow healthy food, and produce goods with a minimal impact on our environment.
Evan’s work is imperative as we confront the dangerous impact that climate change is having on our planet. Just this week, the United Nations released a landmark report that found the health of the planet’s ecosystems deteriorating rapidly, with over one million species of plants and animals on the path toward extinction due to human actions. However, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Chair, Sir Robert Watson, highlighted that “it is not too late to make a difference, but only if we start now at every level from local to global.” That is exactly what Evan and The Ecology Center inspire us to do, to take action at the local level that will help protect our planet for future generations.
I am proud to represent a community that recognizes the impact we have on our environment and knows we are all responsible for combatting climate change. Evan and all of the dedicated staff at The Ecology Center have led by example and made an extraordinarily positive impact on the region. I am honored to recognize him as my Constituent of the Month for May.
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