Erica Fernandez accepting her award at The MY HERO International Film Festival 2011

Erica emigrated with her family to the farming community of Oxnard from Mexico when she was 12 years old. She soon developed a strong bond with the community based on common experiences and relationships with groups and individuals in Oxnard. After learning that the wealthiest mining corporation in the world planned to develop an LNG pipeline from 13 miles offshore to the mainland, she became concerned. When Erica learned that the companyís planó based on the politics of wealthier surrounding communities óinvolved the construction of a major pipeline through Oxnard, she knew she had to act.