Dive into Earth Month at Heal the Bay Aquarium! Fun, educational exhibits & live demonstrations await ocean enthusiasts of all ages. Explore the wonders of Santa Monica Bay & meet the fantastic local animals that call it home.
Exciting advancements are happening right now when it comes to tackling the climate crisis. Global action continues to move forward with the Paris Climate Accord, as the US re-enters this agreement with a renewed focus on climate justice. California continues to push climate progress with legislation like SB467, which would ban the most dangerous types of oil drilling and fracking and introduce health and safety setbacks across the state. And right here in Southern California, the City of LA is finalizing plans to achieve 100% Clean Energy by 2035. But in each of these cases, the question remains: Are we doing enough?
While we are excited about the progress that is being made globally and locally, we can still step back and question if our goals are robust enough to actually achieve climate resiliency and justice, if decision makers are doing what is necessary to achieve those goals, and if big industries (oil, gas, plastics, etc.) are being held accountable.
Worldwide, we are spewing 152 million tons of human-made global warming pollution like CO2 into the thin shell of our atmosphere every day, causing average temperatures to rise and throwing natural processes off track.
CO2 levels passed 420 parts per million (PPM) for the first time in April 2021. This unfortunate milestone means we’re halfway toward doubling pre-industrial CO2 levels. And, we are rapidly approaching the 1.5°C climate tipping point that makes it more difficult to sustain healthy natural systems. If we continue “business as usual” we are on a fast-track to double our CO2 levels by 2060, and the world will be 3°C warmer on average, which would mean significant food shortages, more intense droughts and wildfires, and more frequent deadly urban heat waves.
Oceans have helped to buffer this steady pollution stream by absorbing ¼ of our CO2 emissions, but this has wreaked havoc on our marine ecosystems with sea temperature rise and ocean acidification.
Tackling the climate crisis is a massive undertaking that may leave many of us with climate anxiety, wondering what one single person can do.
But the truth is that we are not alone. Together, our actions can make huge waves. Whether you are starting with small changes at home, or playing your part in critical systemic change by signing petitions or calling political representatives, your actions play an essential role in this transformative time!
Take the Climate Challenge
As we continue our struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges of life in general, it is a privilege to have the time, energy, and financial resources to make environmentally conscious choices and take action against climate change. Yet for many communities the decision to take climate action now or later can mean the difference between life and death.
So let’s do our best to get creative and be intentional with our actions and resources. Whether you have money, time, creativity, passion, or something else entirely your own, we all have a unique contribution to make in the fight against climate change.
Start by picking one action you can take today.
Don’t stop there! Consider the skills, experiences, and resources you have to offer and create a personal list of climate actions. And because Every Day is Earth Day, take this list with you throughout the year, and do what you can when you can with what you have.
Here are some ideas to choose from to get you started with your personalized climate challenge…
Turn off lights, unplug unused electronics, and swap out old lights with LEDs (once the bulbs burn out)
Bring in a professional to insulate your home, or find simple swaps around the house like adding thick curtains around your windows
Set your thermostat for maximum energy (and cost) savings, or regulate temperature without a thermostat by opening/closing windows and using those thick curtains
Wash clothes in cold water, and hang dry rather than using the dryer
Our Advancement Special Events Manager, Ines Ware, shares some handy sustainable shopping tips for this Earth Day.
Earth Day is around the corner (literally, it’s tomorrow) and what better way to celebrate than by implementing sustainable shopping practices into your daily life. One person may not be able to do everything but everyone can do something. Small, conscious decisions are like little acts of activism.
Not only does Heal the Bay work tirelessly to keep LA’s waterways clean and safe, protect public health, and educate our community, we are also excited to provide you with ideas to practice sustainability in your everyday life.
Speaking of grocery shopping, we all have to eat, right? If you are out and about for lunch, instead of using single-use plastics to eat your delicious to-go order, try bringing reusable bamboo utensils. Heal the Bay offers bamboo utensils that are easily cleaned and come in a neat carrying case. There are also great stainless steel straws that easily replace plastic straws.
Then, there’s the pesky bottled water with its own set of problems. Did you know that water bottles produce about 1.5 million tons of plastic waste each year? Most water bottles end up in the landfill or the ocean. Have no fear, get your paws on a reusable water bottle for when you need to hydrate on the go.
Like what you see? Use the Earth Month or Earth Day discount code at checkout for great savings!
For every purchase from Heal the Bay Shop, a percentage of proceeds benefits Heal the Bay’s mission to protect our coastline, restore waterways, and speak out for smart water policy.
In honor of Earth Day, we break down the three biggest challenges our seas are facing and outline practical steps you can take to help turn the tide.
Sip smarter
Here’s a troubling thought: It’s estimated that there will be more plastic by mass than fish in the world’s oceans by 2050. In the last 30 years, our volunteers have removed more than 2 million pounds of trash from our shores – that’s the weight of two fully loaded 747 passenger jets! Drink related trash forms the bulk of man-made debris found at Heal the Bay cleanups, accounting for 36% of all items found on L.A. County beaches.
This summer, Heal the Bay is launching its “Rethink the Drink” campaign, but you can get started today by saying “No thanks” to single-use straws, plastic water bottles, coffee lids and beverage cups. And do your part by signing up for one of our monthly beach cleanups.
Change the climate
Here’s another disturbing thought: L.A. County could lose more than half of its beaches by 2100 due to coastal erosion related to warming seas, according to a just-released study from the U.S. Geological Survey. Reducing our carbon footprint is a complicated endeavor involving multi-national agreements, but there are easy steps you can take in your daily life to reduce your impact on the sea. Transportation and food choices are an obvious place to start as a consumer. If you own a car, try taking public transit once a week. If you aren’t a vegetarian, think about skipping meat one day a week.
Heal the Bay also encourages you to speak out against proposed federal budget cuts that would drastically slash the Environmental Protection Agency’s climate research. Read more about how essential the EPA is to our work and sign our petition.
Exposed bedrock on the beach, below the University of California, Santa Barbara. (Credit: Daniel Hoover, U.S. Geological Survey.)
Fishing for answers
Approximately 90% of fish stocks of large predatory fish like tuna have disappeared globally, and more than half of all fish stocks have been maximized. That means we should all opt for sustainable seafood and eat lower down on the ocean food chain. There is much more to fine sea-dining than tuna, salmon and halibut! Widen your palate and the ocean will thank you. Check out Monterey Bay Aquarium’s seafood guide so you can make ocean-friendly choices when eating from the sea. And visit the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium to learn more about our local marine animals and habitats.
If you really want to get your activist on this Earth Day, please join staff and supporters Saturday morning in downtown L.A. for the national March for Science.
Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium saw more than 1500 people over the weekend. Visitors bounced between beach cleanups, the BlueGreen festival, and our expo of sustainable innovation held on the Pier deck and the Aquarium — here face painting, scavenger hunts and engaging presentations kept kids happily entertained – not to mention the 100+ species of marine species on exhibit. And some quenched their thirst in Pier establishments serving Golden Road Brewing’s Heal the Bay India Pale Ale (IPA) Some highlights:
Public Educator Wyatt Miller had all ages in the palm of his hand as he mugged his way through a program called “Who Pollutes?”
Volunteer Dr. Rene Bombien, put on a lab coat on his day off to play veterinarian with young visitors in the Aquarium’s science lab, where pint-sized vets recorded the “vitals” of various stuffed animal marine sea creatures: oil-slicked birds, sea lions with plastic six-pack rings around their necks and a plastic bag-choked pelican.
Curby, Santa Monica’s recycling robot, spent Saturday afternoon next to the Aquarium, telling kids about the importance of recycling. A full-sized recycling truck was nearby, where visitors tried their skill at maneuvering the truck’s mechanical arms used to pick up the big blue recycling bins.
The BlueGreen Festival along the Pier deck’s Central Plaza, was bustling with folks checking out the ocean-inspired art of Heal the Bay partner Erik Abel.
Sazzi Toe Motion brought their new take on the flip-flop: a sandal (made of 100% recyclable materials) that has multiple toe posts, allowing for better grip for water sports.
Santa Monica Farmers’ Market volunteers were dishing out delectable organic, in-season fruits and veggies and including recipe cards as a bonus.
The Aquarium’s Nick Fash and Philip Soza of Golden Road Brewing used their charms to sell eco-mugs made of bamboo — perfect for the debut of Golden Road’s latest brew: Heal the Bay IPA!
Heal the Bay celebrates each Earth Day in a big way — by turning it into a whole month. For the entire month of April, we ensure that “Earth Day is every day.” Our month is chock-full of great events for all ages — cleanups, tablings and more. We welcome volunteers to join us in April to get their hands dirty, meet a few new friends in the community and learn all about the Santa Monica Bay at our Aquarium.
Where: Heal the Bay Main Office, Large Conference Room, 1444 9th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Get started by attending one of our monthly Volunteer Orientations. Learn more about Heal the Bay, our mission, and the many ways that you can get involved. Orientation is an important first step (and required for some volunteer programs).
Where: Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401 ($5 admission/$3 minimum suggested donation, children 12 & under free)
Enjoy special Earth Day activities and family fun and free admission to everyone who cleans the beach that weekend.
Where: Broadway Art Space 929 Broadway Santa Monica, CA 90402
WIP FLASH is a MOPLA (Month of Photography L.A) event featuring Women In Photography.
The WIP FLASH exhibition “First Nature” is in Santa Monica for one night only. The exhibition will start at 6 p.m. for Heal the Bay members with a private, VIP reception. The exhibition will open to the public at 7 p.m.
Enjoy complimentary drinks and cocktails. Valet service available.
WIP FLASH will donate 20% of photography sales proceeds to benefit Heal the Bay.
Heal the Bay celebrates each Earth Day in a big way — by turning it into a whole month. For the entire month of April, we embody the catch phrase “Earth Day is every day.” Our month is choc-full of great events for all ages, cleanups, tablings and more. We welcome volunteers to join us in April to get their hands dirty, meet a few new friends in your community and learn all about the Santa Monica Bay at our Aquarium.
Volunteer for beach cleanups at one of two locations 10am to Noon
• WILL ROGERS STATE BEACH 17700 Pacific coast Highway at Temescal Canyon ($1 parking) • TORRANCE BEACH 201 Paseo de la Playa, Torrance, CA 90501 ($6 parking)
April 16-17
santa monica pier aquarium earth Month celebration
Enjoy special Earth Day activities and family fun 11am to 6pm both days
• SANTA MONICA PIER AQUARIUM 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401 ($3 admission/$5 suggested donation, children 12 & under free)
April 30
the great L.A. River cleanup/la gran limpieza
Join Heal the Bay and PAVA to help FoLAR win the Urban River Challenge 9am to Noon
• RIO DE LOS ANGELES STATE PARK 1555 N. San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, 90065
Celebrate Earth Month and all things reusable with Heal the Bay!
Join our “Reusable is Beautiful” Earth Month activities to help you ditch single-use plastic and keep our oceans healthy.
Every year, billions of pounds of single-use plastic flood our oceans, threatening the health of our planet. This month and every month, Heal the Bay is committed to raising awareness about choosing reusable options over single-use plastic and keeping our waterways clean, safe, and beautiful for everyone.
Fun, inspiring activations are happening all month for everyone – individuals, families, schools, and more! Grab your reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and friends for climate action fun near you!
Heal the Bay Earth Month 2024 Calendar of Special Events
👇👇👇SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF EVENTS and get involved this Earth Month with #ReusableIsBeautiful events and activities from Heal the Bay and our partners! 👇👇👇
Get Safety Talk Certified for Earth Month -FREE
Monday, March 25, 2024: VIRTUAL or IN PERSON
Become a Heal the Bay Safety Talk Speaker!
Our fun, impactful Nothin’ But Sand cleanups rely on fantastic volunteers like you! As a Safety Talk Speaker, you’ll educate beachgoers about Heal the Bay’s mission, impact, and safety practices. This is your chance to:
Educate thousands of volunteers about Heal the Bay’s work. (e.g., 20,000+ lbs of trash removed in 2023!)
Lead confidently by learning best practices for beach cleanups and authentic land acknowledgments.
Make a real difference for our coastlines and wildlife.
Gain public speaking skills to connect everyone from elementary school kids to the CEO’s of some of the region’s most prominent local brands and the science and policy that fuels Heal the Bay’s impact.
Two-Step Training:
Virtual Safety Talk Certification: March 25, 6:00 PM
In-Person Beach Captain Training: April 20, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Santa Monica Beach, Tower 1550)
Join our Aquarium experts and LACC for an extra special touch tank on the Santa Monica Pier next to the Heal the Bay Welcome Center! Get close to some incredible aquarium animals and learn all about the fascinating creatures that call our oceans home.
Plastic Pollution Advocacy Training (VIRTUAL) -FREE
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 6 PM – 7 PM
Calling All Environmental Warriors!
Join Heal the Bay and 5 Gyres for a FREE virtual advocacy training to combat plastic pollution in California. Learn the power of grassroots activism and how to lead impactful campaigns targeting local and state plastic reduction efforts at our VIRTUAL training.
Master the tools to make a difference:
Understand key plastic pollution policies.
Craft persuasive messages for decision-makers.
Make impactful calls to representatives.
Submit compelling written comments on legislation.
Become a voice for change:
Gain essential advocacy skills and join the movement for a plastic-free future. Let’s make our voices heard and pave the way for a healthier planet!
Help Heal the Bay 5 Gyres depose the disposables!
Join our plastic policy workshop with Heal the Bay’s Coastal and Marine Scientist, Emily Parker and 5 Gyres’ Policy & Programs Director, Alison Waliszewski. Gain insights on the plastic bag ban, LA’s 2023 plastic laws, Heal Bay’s anti-plastic bills, and why 2024 might be a game-changer for plastic reduction in LA!
Saturday, April 20, 10 AM – 12 PM @ Santa Monica Pier
Earth Month Beach Cleanup Leveled Up!
Join Heal the Bay’s Nothin’ But Sand at Santa Monica Beach on April 20, 2024 (10 am-12 pm). Fun awaits! Enjoy spin-the-wheel games, trash relay races, and a marine science exploration station, and win #ResusableisBeautiful raffle prizes! All attendees gain FREE ACCESS TO HEAL THE BAY AQUARIUM for the day! Help clean & celebrate a healthier planet with 1000+ other volunteers at LA’s biggest Earth Month cleanup of 2024!
Dive into Earth Month at Heal the Bay Aquarium! Fun, educational exhibits & live demonstrations await ocean enthusiasts of all ages. Explore the wonders of Santa Monica Bay & meet the fantastic local animals that call it home.
Heal the Bay’s Safe Clean Water Program returns with an Earth Month BioBlitz! Heal the Bay staff will host two events with the 2024 LA City Nature Challenge, sponsored by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences. Join us on Saturday, April 27th, at Bixby Marshland or Fern Dell in Griffith Park for an afternoon of ecological exploration!
Join the DAYBREAKER Peace Tour to the Santa Monica Pier! Rise and shine to help protect what you love. Some proceeds will support Heal the Bay programs that keep our coastal waters and watershed clean and healthy for all.
Rising Tides Discussion Panel @ Hermosa Beach Community Center -FREE
Sunday, April 28, 2024, 3 PM
Our coastline is shrinking. But what can Los Angeles do about it?
Attend the discussion panel of the year at Hermosa Beach Community Center, “Rising Tides: Exploring LA’s Readiness for Sea Level Rise,” to find out.
Join three leading experts on climate change, environmental policy, and community resilience as they sit down to unpack the challenges facing LA’s coast and explore solutions for a more sustainable future:
Discover how fossil fuels impact the Pacific shore and delve into equitable approaches to protecting our communities. RSVP now to reserve your FREE seat!
Stüssy x Heal the Bay returns with a limited-edition capsule collection launch! 100% of the proceeds from this collaboration will be donated to Heal the Bay to support our marine and coastal watershed protection work!
This exclusive collection of Stüssy x Heal the Bay retail will be available at Stussy.com.
Get your shopping cart ready and mark your calendar for the 2024 collection drop on May 3, 2024. Last year’s collection sold out in 15 minutes, raising over $75,000 to protect our coastal waters and watershed.
Did you miss out on Earth Day fun? Enjoy these Heal the Bay activations all month long!
FREE Beach Wheelchair Rentals @ Heal the Bay Aquarium
April 2024, 9:30 AM – 11 AM
Need a beach wheelchair to enjoy some fun in the sun? Everyone should be able to enjoy a day at the beach, so come to Heal the Bay Aquarium to access our manual beach wheelchairs, which are available for FREE public rentals.
Heal the Bay’s Beach Wheelchair rental program helps provide accessibility to one of nature’s most inspiring and critically essential resources and was made possible thanks to funding from The Coastal Conservancy. Learn more about our Beach Wheelchair Rental Program: https://healthebay.org/beach-wheelchairs-santa-monica-pier.
Earth Month: Battle of the Babies @ Heal the Bay Aquarium
Join Our Self-guided Beach Cleanup Competition – All Month Long
Are you feeling competitive this Earth Month? Are you ready to defeat the trash on Santa Monica Beach? Then join the Battle of the Babies all month long at Heal the Bay Aquarium!
Lead your team in a self-guided cleanup of Santa Monica Beach, choose which animal you would like to support, and at the end of the month, we’ll tally the total pounds collected by each fandom to see which baby will emerge triumphant!
Stop by Heal the Bay Aquarium to grab a FREE bucket and support your favorite fishy friend: the adorable swell shark pup or the darling California skate baby. This Earth Month, let’s see who emerges victorious in the battle against beach pollution!
Enter for a chance to win Heal the Bay Swag in this social media challenge
Calling all eco-warriors and selfie champions! Help your favorite restaurant ditch plastic for a chance to win awesome Heal the Bay gear .
Here’s the deal:
1) Ask your fave restaurant to “Hold the plastic, please!”
2)Snap a selfie with your HTPP card♻️
3)Post it to social media using #ReuableisBeautiful and tag @healthebay
Win epic Heal the Bay swag for showing your support!
Need a reminder card? Grab one at our #ResuableisBeautiful station, Heal the Bay Aquarium on the Santa Monica Pier, or download a digital one to flash at your next meal.
PSA to Restaurants! LA’s new plastic laws mean less waste and more savings for you! Confused about utensils, takeout containers, or the bag ban? We’ve got all the info on our website.
Let’s make #EarthMonth plastic-free and selfie-worthy!
Protect What You Love with a Heal the Bay Member”Ship”
Join our crew! Climb aboard the SS Heal the Bay Membership!
Our Member“Ship” is full of passionate and dedicated Heal the Bay supporters working to ensure that coastal waters and watersheds in Southern California are safe, healthy, and clean for generations to come. Thanks to the generous annual support of our Member“Ship” Crew, we can further our efforts through science, education, community action, and advocacy.Become a member and join our Crew!
Member“Ship” OPTIONS & BENEFITS
$55: Membership for one adult* $95: Membership for two adults*
$95: Family Membership for two adults + up to 2 children*
Member” Ship” Includes:
Free admission to Heal the Bay Aquarium for one year
25% discount on guest admission tickets
10% discount on retail purchases at the Heal the Bay Aquarium Gift Shop
Nothing says #ReuseableIsBeautiful this Earth Day like swag from Heal the Bay! Shop comfy appeal, unique gifts, and reusable goods, all for a great cause!
Check out our list of Earth Month events hosted by some of our favorite social, environmental, and partner organizations across Los Angeles. Stop by Heal the Bay’s Outreach table while you’re enjoying Earth Month fun around Los Angeles County this April.
You are cordially invited to our Bring Back the Beach Gala on May 16, 2024.
As a fundraising benefit for Heal the Bay, this exclusive West Coast event welcomes hundreds of business, political, entertainment, and environmental leaders. Reserve your tickets to our biggest event of the year!
Our 2024 GALA is SINGLE-USE PLASTIC-FREE because at Heal the Bay, we believe #ReusableIsBeautiful! Help keep single-use plastic out of our watershed when you “BRING BACK THE BEACH” this May.
Become a Site Captain or Co-Captain and host a Heal the Bay cleanup site in LA County for Coastal Cleanup Day 2024!
LA’s biggest volunteer event returns!
Join Heal the Bay’s Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept 21st, 2024.
In 2023, over 7,000 Heal the Bay volunteers removed over 16,000 lbs. of trash and 400 lbs. of recycling from 97 miles of beach, river, underwater, and trail cleanup sites! Help us make an even more significant impact in 2024.
Want to lead a cleanup site? Sign up for Site Captain training on Thursday, 5/30/2024, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. More Site Captain training dates to come.
+The deadline to sign up to be a CCD Site Captain is 7/31/2024.
We provide the supplies, all you need to do is register, sign a waiver*, and show up! (ONLY individuals under 18 bring a signed waiver*) Please note: Heal the Bay guarantees cleanup supplies for the first 300 people who are registered.
Each volunteer registers individually unless they are with a group or family
Individuals under 18: reserve a ticket and bring a signed waiver formto the cleanup
Families: Reserve a ticket and write in the names of partner/children
Groups: Reserve a ticket and write in the names of group members
Sold out? We will host another Nothin’ But Sand cleanup next month. Please stay tuned for more details.
Sign a Waiver
Individuals over 18 and Families sign a virtual waiver through Eventbrite (when reserving a ticket)
Group and Individuals Under 18 must bring a signed waiver formto the cleanup.
Service hour forms will be signed by a beach captain at the end of the cleanup. Please request a service hour forms the day of the cleanup as we cannot verify service hours after the event
Show up
Help us make Nothin’ But Sand a zero-waste event by bringing your own buckets, garden gloves, and a reusable mask and water bottle
Be prepared to be outside for 2-3 hours. Beach weather can be unpredictable, so we recommend dressing in layers. Water is available at all cleanups.
We would like to acknowledge that this cleanup will take place on the traditional lands of the Tongva and Chumash People, and we pay respect to elders both past and present.
Holiday shopping doesn’t need to be stressful (or unsustainable!). The staff at Heal the Bay are here to help you find unique, sustainable, & local gift ideas for everyone on your list. Check out the guide below, curated by members of the Heal the Bay team!
*The items and brands on this list are not endorsed by Heal the Bay.
NEED LAST MINUTE GIFTS YOU DON’T NEED TO WRAP: Give the Gift of Experience
Not every great gift needs a bow. Heal the Bay has no-wrapping-required gift options for you!
For the future marine scientist in your life: Gift Heal the Bay Aquarium Winter Science Camp, perfect for kids from kindergarten to 5th grade, our Winter Sessions are open from January 2 to January 5, 2024.
For the impossible-to-shop-for Secret Santa Recipient: Give a Heal the Bay Gift card, good to use on all items in the shop, at Heal the Bay ticket events, and visits to the Heal the Bay Aquarium.
For the Animal Activist on your Gift List: Gift a Heal the Bay Aquarium Membership which includes unlimited free visits, exclusive member benefits, and valuable discounts.
Our coastline is shrinking, but what can Los Angeles do about it?
Knowledge is power. Attend the discussion panel of the year at Hermosa Beach Community Center, “Rising Tides: Exploring LA’s Readiness for Sea Level Rise,” to find out.
Sazzi Toe Motion brought their new take on the flip-flop: a sandal (made of 100% recyclable materials) that has multiple toe posts, allowing for better grip for water sports. 
Stüssy x Heal the Bay returns with a limited-edition capsule collection launch! 100% of the proceeds from this collaboration will be donated to Heal the Bay to support our marine and coastal watershed protection work!
Need a beach wheelchair to enjoy some fun in the sun? Everyone should be able to enjoy a day at the beach, so come to Heal the Bay Aquarium to access our manual beach wheelchairs, which are available for FREE public rentals.
Calling all eco-warriors and selfie champions! Help your favorite restaurant ditch plastic for a chance to win awesome Heal the Bay gear .
