There are simple ways we can help the planet out with planning and thoughtfulness. Think of all the harmful items we put into our ocean that could be easily avoided whether we meant them ending up in the ocean or not. What ways can we be more conscious of our actions? Not contaminating our groundwater with chemicals, such as improperly disposed of oil or antifreeze that is dripping from your junker car, is something that you can tangibly imagine being a bad thing. Whereas, on the other end of the spectrum, flicking your cigarette into the street and leaving it behind doesn't seem so harmful in your mind. With a large portion of our global food source coming from the ocean, which makes total sense, since it is 70% of the planet, do you really want to poison and contaminate your food source. Maybe you're indifference is that you don't eat fish... Well do you like breathing oxygen? In my enlightening session last night by Maria Moyer at West Elm she talked about how one of the smallest organisms in the ocean, plankton, create half of the oxygen we breath!!! It seems weird to say when you pollute the water you take away the air you breath but it is all connected and all important. Unfortunately, some people either don't have the knowledge or foresight to keep things nice first without messing things up. This is why we should all do our part (and then some!) and help cleanup & restore our natural wonders so that generations to come can enjoy them.
While looking for some opportunities for volunteering I checked out the ED2012 site short for Earth Day 2012 - of course a Cali website would have an abbreviation like ED2012! Super dope site that is jam packed with amazing meetup spots all along the coast of California. Big River is the northernmost city and it spreads down the coast all the way down south to San Diego!!! Pretty exciting! it has opportunities for the whole weekend so you can go on Saturday too which is going to be a gorgeous beach day :)
TODAY at the Whole Foods in Santa Monica (Friday, April 20th from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm)
Store/community cleanup
2201 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
20 volunteers needed
For more information, contact Laura Martino at laura.martino@wholefoods.com
Los Angeles - Heal the Bay Earth Day Cleanup
April 21st from 10AM-12PM
Registration required. Visit Heal the Bay's website for more information
Cabrillo Beach
April 21st from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Beach cleanup. Visit the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium as well!
3720 Stephen M White Drive, San Pedro, CA 90731
60 volunteers needed
For more information, contact Franklin High School (J. Villamil) at jxv0362@lausd.net
For extra locations and more details check out the link here for Save Our Beach.
Here is a page with some other opportunities for volunteering in Los Angeles to check out.
More details and dates for days other than Earth Day 2012 that you can help our beaches after the jump.
LA Opportunities All Year:
West L.A./Malibu {Organized by West L.A./Malibu Surfrider}
Monthly
1st Saturday of each month
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Email for locations
Provided: free parking passes, bags, gloves, and community service certificates
Email for more info:
bcu@surfriderwlam.org
Santa Monica Opportunities All Year:
Santa Monica Beaches {Organized by Heal The Bay}
3rd Saturday (Except December)
10:00am -12:00pm
All are welcome to participate in the cleanups, but each participant must sign a liability waiver (available at the cleanup). There is no minimum age, however, those under the age of 18 must have their waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Those participants under 18 who will not have a parent or guardian present at the event must print the waiver form beforehand, have it signed and bring it with them to the cleanup. Go to www.healthebay.org to print out form.
Provided: parking is reduced to $1, bags, gloves and community service certificates provided.
Event may be canceled if raining.
If you need more information, email ebrav o@healthebay.org
San Pedro Opportunities All Year:
San Pedro {Organized by the Cabrillo Beach Aquarium}
Monthly
1st Saturday of each month
8 to 10 a.m.
rsvp required
(310) 548-7562 x207
3720 Stephen M White Dr., San Pedro
Long Beach, Junipero Avenue {Organized by Surfrider - Long Beach Chapter}
2nd Saturday of each month 1 Junipero Avenue, Long Beach from 10 to 11 a.m. Free grilled cheese sandwich and drink at Pike's after cleanup!
Also, it is a ways away from September but mark your calendar for Heal the Bay's LARGEST VOLUNTEER DAY ON THE PLANET 9/15/12!! Each year, thousands of people around the world come together on the 3rd Saturday in September to clean local beaches, parks, schools, riverbanks and neighborhoods. It’s the largest volunteer day on the planet, and we hope you’ll be there for the next Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 15, 2012, 9 am until 12 noon. For more details check it out here.
Best part of beach clean up? You are at the freakin' beach all day!!! Just imagine all those people who are far from the beach and would pick up trash for days to get to go enjoy one...
XOXO, KC
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