Acknowledgements & About Us

We’d like to thank the people who helped us turn this dream into a reality: Our families who have always supported us; our incredible children Grace & Ross Borden and Mateo & Leo Becerra, who inspire us to leave the world a better place than we found it; Jeff Corwin, for not only believing in this project but for his lifetime commitment to wildlife; Lane Bullard, our talented graphic designer, who tolerated far too many rounds of edits; the photographers whose magical images made this book come to life and be tangible heritage for the next generation; and last but not least, to the Indigenous Peoples of California who nourished these beautiful lands and who truly know what it means to be in balance with nature and all living things. Finally, we dedicate this book to P-54, the majestic mountain lion mother who was struck by a vehicle and killed during the making of this book. One of her kittens is featured on the very first page.

Kristin borden

@rinstragram or website here Kristin is the owner and CEO of PV Publications. She has published two coffee table books and over 100 magazine issues. Her passion for printing began over 25 years ago and it has evolved into what it is today, a multimedia print and digital platform, the PV Magazine brand-which includes a monthly printed publication and hub for the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and a book publishing business. Her objective has been to create a print and digital platform based on positive and thoughtfully intentioned publications and books with the purpose of doing good and supporting others. Kristin believes that media done right is the best form of unspoken language and the relationships she has developed through her magazines and books are what keeps her in love with the publishing business. Her first published book, Palos Verdes, The Great Peninsula, was a collaboration with a lifelong Palos Verdes photographer, Erik Jay. This ignited her love for beautiful photography and the realization of how powerful images can stir emotions. She knew immediately this was her calling and she saw an opportunity to use the platform to make a difference, connect and collaborate with like-minded individuals. Kristin hopes you will enjoy the compelling images in this book and support the spotlighted organizations in it, knowing that we are all part of a much bigger purpose on this planet and what that purpose is will be up to you.

Amber becerrA

@respectthewildlife Amber’s first love was a starving stray puppy she named “Lucky” who showed up on the front porch of her childhood home when she was 5. Ever since then, injured or lost animals would have a way of finding her wherever she went. What seemed like a coincidence would later become her life path. While studying law at Berkeley, Amber became an animal rights and environmental activist. She was a Board Member for the Ecology Law Quarterly and Programs Director of the Environmental Law group. These studies would later land her the role as President/CEO at the Marine Mammal Care Center where she has spent the last three years of her career turning around an organization that was on the verge of closure when she joined the Board in 2019. Amber founded her own nonprofit in 2021 called the Wildlife Protection Alliance, an organization dedicated to creating a world where humans and animals peacefully and ethically coexist. Her passion for animals extends beyond the professional, into her home sanctuary in Palos Verdes where her family has 11 animals including a rescue pig named Nirvana and a rescue ball python named Bowie. When Amber is not trying to save the world she’s out there enjoying it—traveling, scuba diving, snowboarding, and meditating her way around the globe.

This book will take you on a photographic journey across the California coast, providing an insider’s view of the local wildlife and the heroes working to care for it. Coastal California, The Wild Life captures the essence of California—from its stunning ocean landscapes “ and breathtaking wilderness, to its unusual variety of flora and fauna unique to the geography and climate of this dynamic state. It is a celebration of the many wildlife organizations whose incredible conservation work is featured. —Amber beCerrA “

ISBN 978-1-7372192-1-7

9 0 0 0 0 >

9 781737 219217