Volunteers cleaning the Compton Creek Bike Path, one of the cleanup locations targeted for Earth Month 2007. Photo: Heal the Bay
An Educator acquaints a young audience with touch tank inhabitants during last year's Earth Day Celebration at the Aquarium. Photo: Chris Ulrich

Over 35 years ago, April 22nd was designated as Earth Day. Since then, annual Earth Day events around the world have celebrated and renewed our connection with the planet and reminded us all how to be good stewards of our Mother Earth.

At Heal the Bay, we take this notion of one day to celebrate the planet and expand it to Earth Month — a series of events throughout April that provides the public the opportunity to preserve and improve our global home and, in particular, the amazing resources of Southern California's coastal waters, rivers and creeks.

So take a moment this April to celebrate the wonder of life on our planet and to do your part by joining us for one of our Earth Month events. You’ll be glad you did…and so will the Earth!

“Nothin' But Sand” Beach Cleanup
If you are interested in heading to the beach this Earth Day, join us April 21st at the Santa Monica Pier from 10:00am - noon where our Nothin’ but Sand crew will lead this beach cleanup. Volunteers can park for free in the lot just north of the pier. Meet in the sand and look for the Heal the Bay flag just north of the pier. See the "Cleanup Information" sidebar at right for waiver forms and information about safety, what to wear, and how to clean a beach.

Compton Creek Bike Path & Equestrian Trail Cleanup
Down in the South Bay on April 21st from 9am-12noon, we’ll spend the morning sprucing up the Compton Creek bike path and equestrian trail. We want to prevent the winter’s trash from making its way into Compton Creek and the Los Angeles River and out to the ocean through Long Beach. This cleanup is one of the most satisfying we do each year! See the "Cleanup Information" sidebar at right for waiver forms and information about safety and what to wear.

Panorama City Cleanup
Here's a great cleanup event in the San Fernando Valley! The San Fernando Valley Filipino—American Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring this cleanup which takes place on Saturday, April 21, 2007 from 10am-noon in Panorama City.

Aquarium Earth Day Celebration
The staff and volunteers at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium will be busy as usual over Earth Day weekend, April 21st and 22nd from 12:30pm-6pm, with a special Earth Day Celebration. Visitors can participate in Earth Day arts and crafts projects, lectures about pollution, Aquarium tours, face painting, Earth Day themed stories and movies and beach cleanups.  These interactive activities will keep visitors of all ages entertained and educated about the marine life in the bay and will help them explore the human connection to the fragile ocean ecosystem.

Malibu Creek State Park Restoration
For you North Bay folks on April 28th we have a special restoration project from 9:00am-1:00pm in Malibu Creek State Park. You can do your part to keep the largest natural creek draining into the Santa Monica Bay clean and healthy. Join Mark Abramson and his Stream Team crew as they continue the battle against the ever invasive hemlock and pepper weed.  From PCH, turn east on Malibu Canyon Road. The park is about 5.5 miles up Malibu Canyon Road on your left (after the Tapia Water Reclamation Facility). It is approximately 1.5 miles past Piuma Rd. Meet in front of the restrooms in the lower parking lot.