For Immediate Release: January 21, 2021
Randi Feilich Selected to Receive
2020 Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award
Calabasas, CA — Calabasas resident and Project Coyote Southern California Representative Randi Feilich has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious 2020 Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award. The Award, which will be presented during the upcoming February 2 Calabasas Environmental Commission meeting, is a symbol of commitment to California’s environment. Factors taken into consideration for this award include “Model achievements,” “Demonstrating a solid commitment to protecting the environment,” and “Showing a commitment to the public’s best interests”—all of which Randi exhibits daily in the way she lives her life.
A stalwart defender of wildlife, Randi played a major role in last year’s investigation into the illegal trapping of a coyote pup in Valley Village, CA, that led to the filing of felony animal cruelty charges against the trapper. She was also a vocal and effective proponent of California’s passage last year of AB 1788, which placed a moratorium on the use of second-generation rodenticides.
In her home community of Calabasas where Ms. Feilich and her husband Brad Hirsch reside, Randi—together with the City Manager, the Department of Environmental Services, and Project Coyote—helped establish a non-lethal approach to living with coyotes and demonstrated that indiscriminately trapping and killing coyotes was not effective or ethically defensible. Instead, the city adopted a long-term coyote management plan that emphasizes proactive public education and consistent response protocols. “I am proud that Calabasas has become a model community demonstrating that we can coexist with coyotes humanely—using sound science and public education and outreach,” said Feilich.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this prestigious award than Randi Feilich,” said Camilla Fox, Project Coyote Founder and Executive Director. “Randi’s compassion, passion, dedication and commitment to animals is reflected in her selfless acts on behalf of those who do not have a voice—from helping individual animals in her community to actively lobbying on behalf of wildlife at the state legislature. We are proud to have her in our Project Coyote pack and thrilled to share this news of her well-deserved award from the City of Calabasas.”
In addition to volunteering for Project Coyote, Randi serves as a District Leader Volunteer for The Humane Society of the United States.
WHAT: City of Calabasas Environmental Commission Meeting – Presentation of 2020 Carl Gibbs Environmental Excellence Award
WHERE: Calabasas City Hall, 100 Civic Center Way, Calabasas, CA (Live on CTV)
WHEN: February 2, 2021, 7pm PT
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Project Coyote, a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Northern California, is a North American coalition of wildlife educators, scientists, ranchers, and community leaders promoting coexistence between people and wildlife, and compassionate conservation through education, science, and advocacy. For more information, visit ProjectCoyote.org