There is an Owen Bailey–sized hole in our community.
Owen, the Environmental Defense Center’s executive director for nine years, died June 24 at his home in Goleta after a long battle with cancer. He left behind a community that loved him and a planet he was working desperately to protect.
On June 5, 2022, Owen stood before the crowd at EDC’s annual Green & Blue celebration, face alight, voice hoarse but strong. Days before, his breathing had become more labored from years of cancer treatments. But he found the strength to speak with clarity and conviction, offering gratitude for EDC’s work and one last impassioned plea for more.