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Heal the Bay Blog

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River Report Card Summer 2020 Recap

12.02.2020 |

CaliforniaClimate ChangeL.A. RiverLos AngelesRiver Report CardWater Quality

Luke Ginger, Water Quality Scientist at Heal the Bay, recaps a tough summer for water quality monitoring at LA County’s freshwater recreation areas, and outlines the urgent need for equitable, climate-resilient communities in the face of a health pandemic, extreme heat, unprecedented wildfires, and beyond.

Heal the Bay concludes another summer of freshwater sampling and monitoring with the River Report Card. Over the course of the summer of 2020, we provided inland water-goers with water quality grades for 27 freshwater recreation sites across Los Angeles County, California. This included 5 sites in Malibu Creek State Park and the LA River, where Heal the Bay staff collected water quality samples. We updated grades on a weekly basis and posted them online to be viewed by the public. 

Summer 2020 was filled with many challenges that impacted our program. Due to COVID-19, Heal the Bay was unable to hire local college students to monitor water quality at recreation sites and storm drains like in previous years. Instead, Heal the Bay’s permanent staff carried out water sampling. This was a major blow to our program because one of our main goals has always been to provide knowledge, skills, and career training to emerging professionals. Additionally, without a full crew, we sampled fewer recreation sites and storm drains, leaving the public with less information on how to stay safe.

We also had to take extra precautions while sampling – wearing masks at all times, driving in separate vehicles, and sporting extra protective gear (face shields and extra-long gloves) to reduce exposure to potentially contaminated water. These were necessary precautions because the research on the risk of contracting COVID-19 from recreational waters is still ongoing. 


Photo by Alice Dison

There were also major changes in accessibility and use this summer at the sites Heal the Bay monitored. Malibu Creek State Park was open all summer, but the swimming holes (Rock Pool and Las Virgenes Creek) remained closed due to concerns over the ability to maintain proper physical distancing. However, this closure was not clearly enforced as we saw many swimmers throughout the summer. The official LA River recreation zones were open from Memorial Day until the end of September, but kayaking was not allowed due to safety concerns around COVID-19.   

Monitoring efforts by LA Sanitation, Council for Watershed Health, and San Gabriel Regional Watershed Monitoring Program were impacted this summer as well. There were weeks where certain recreation sites in the Upper LA River Watershed and San Gabriel River Watershed were not monitored due to park closures or overcrowding concerns. According to LA Sanitation officials, Hermit Falls was not monitored this summer because it is a particularly crowded area that posed a health risk to the water quality monitors. Worker safety is incredibly important, as is the health of all Angelenos and visitors. Unfortunately, these tough decisions resulted in critical water quality information not being available at a very popular location all summer. LA Sanitation instead sampled the Vogel Flats picnic area, which is a new addition to the River Report Card. Toward the end of the summer, monitoring in the San Gabriel River Watershed and some of the Upper LA River Watershed was cut short due to the Bobcat Fire and the subsequent closure of Angeles National Forest. 

This summer, the pandemic, a record setting wildfire season, and extreme heat culminated into one even larger public health crisis. The pandemic forced people to stay local and opt for close-by areas to take a swim. Because of this, as well as the reduced risk of contracting COVID-19 outdoors, people flocked in unusually high numbers to ocean beaches and freshwater recreation sites to stay active and cool. Unfortunately, if outdoor crowds become too big and dense, there is an increased risk of COVID-19 spread. The fact that so many people sought respite outside made clear the importance of open space for physical and mental health. But, the benefits of open space are not equally experienced by all. Black and Latinx communities have been systemically denied access to parks and nature, and there is a lot of work to do to provide justice for these communities. LA City and County must work hard to meet their target of 65% of Angelenos living within half a mile of a park or open space by 2025 (and 75% by 2035). 


Photo by Alice Dison

The summer’s extreme heat waves coincided with the largest wildfires in California’s history, which created harmful air quality across the entire west coast. Many people endured hazardous outdoor air quality in order to cool off at rivers, streams, and beaches. Tragically, exposure to wildfire-induced poor air quality exacerbates the harmful health effects of COVID-19. So for low-income households without air conditioning, it was impossible to escape harm; people were either subject to extreme heat at home or subject to harmful air quality outside. We must acknowledge that in the United States, the communities facing the brunt of climate change impacts like extreme heat and wildfire are disproportionately Indigenous, Black, Hispanic, and Asian people.

Summer 2020 was a tough time for many, and it underscores the need for immediate and equitable action to address the climate crisis and environmental justice.

Looking forward, Heal the Bay will continue to advocate for water quality improvements across LA County, so everyone is protected from waterborne illness. And, we will continue to push for nature-based policies that stem the impacts of climate change and make our communities climate resilient.

Summer 2020 Results

Here are the water quality results from the sites Heal the Bay monitored during summer 2020.

Malibu Creek State Park

Rock Pool – did slightly better than last year

  • 64% Green
  • 35% Yellow
  • 0% Red

Las Virgenes Creek – worse than last year

  • 0% Green
  • 93% Yellow
  • 7% Red

Los Angeles River

Sepulveda Basin at Burbank Ave. – slightly better than last year

  • 31% Green
  • 69% Yellow
  • 0% Red

Rattlesnake Park – worse than last year

  • 15% Green
  • 33% Yellow
  • 51% Red

Steelhead Park – same as last year

  • 64% Green
  • 33% Yellow
  • 3% Red

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Get a Glimpse of the Future: King Tides 2020

11.13.2020 |

California CoastClimate Change

Surfrider Beach Third Point, Malibu. Photo by The California Coastal Commission 

On November 15-16 and December 13-15, 2020, head to the beach during the King Tides to catch a glimpse of what our future coast will look like with sea level rise.

King Tides occur when the Moon aligns with the Sun, and is also at its closest position relative to the Earth. This exerts cumulative gravitational pulls on Earth, resulting in the most extreme high and low tides of the year. In California, experts say that King Tides today are what we can expect our daily high tide to look like in the next few decades under climate change and sea level rise predictions.

For many people, it’s hard to see everyday impacts of climate change locally and difficult to understand real-life impacts that are here or coming. King Tides give us the opportunity to visualize firsthand what a higher sea level will be like, and it’s impact on California cities. This is also an opportunity to get involved as a community scientist and document the #KingTides through photos. These photos can be used by scientists, government agencies, and decision makers to understand, plan for, and educate about climate change impacts.

As sea levels rise, flooding and erosion along the coast will increase, putting people’s homes, freshwater aquifers, and critical infrastructure (like roads, bridges, wastewater treatment plants) at risk. Sea level rise is also predicted to result in the loss of 31-67% of SoCal’s beaches. However, the impact of sea level rise does not stop at the coast. As ocean water flows farther inland, it displaces groundwater, pushing it closer to the surface. Eventually, that groundwater can break the surface and damage roads and homes, and release toxins and pollution that would otherwise remain trapped in the soil.

There are actions that we can take today to minimize and prepare for coming climate change impacts. For instance, individuals can reduce their carbon footprint by driving less, adopting a plant-based diet, and demanding action from elected officials. Individuals and agencies can support and advocate for restoration of coastal wetlands, such as the Ballona Wetlands, which sequester carbon and buffer communities from sea level rise and storm surges. Governments can update their Local Coastal Programs (a planning document to guide development) for sea level rise and climate change adaptation.

You can take part in community science and take photos for the Coastal Commission’s Project and USC Sea Grant’s Urban Tides Program.

Want to learn more about climate change? Request a speaker from Heal the Bay to give a virtual climate change presentation to your school, club, or group.

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Mother's Beach, Marina del Rey 2019. Photo by The California Coastal Commission

Helpful resources for King Tides:

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DDT Dumping near Catalina: Q&A with Shelley Luce

11.11.2020 |

Angler Outreach ProgramCalifornia CoastPalos Verdes PeninsulaWater Quality

DDT Dumping near Catalina

Heal the Bay’s Communications team sat down with Shelley Luce, Heal the Bay CEO and discussed her reaction to the in-depth story in the Los Angeles Times uncovering DDT dumping near Catalina that happened more than three decades ago.

What is your reaction to the recent LA Times article on DDT pollution in the Bay? 

I am shocked. We know about the superfund site off of Palos Verdes. We worked on the scientific and legal investigations in the 1980s and 1990s. We supported U.S. and state agencies in their lawsuit against Montrose Chemical Corporation and three other companies, which was finally settled in 2001. Heal the Bay helped create the Angler Outreach Program to inform local subsistence anglers about the toxic waste that contaminates the fish they are catching to feed their families. 

But these thousands of barrels of DDT dumped near Catalina were not part of the discussion.  

It took years to negotiate the cleanup requirements for the Palos Verdes site. It’s just unfathomable the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the State Water Board all knew about the additional contamination and did not make that part of the cleanup and mitigation requirements.  

The impacts of half a million barrels of leaking DDT are far-reaching.  

DDT is an especially devastating chemical because it never goes away. It gets into ocean animals and concentrates as it moves up the food chain. It harms untold numbers of fish, marine mammals, and birds, as well as people in especially vulnerable communities – people fishing to feed their families.  

And in this time of climate change, this DDT dumped in the waters off Catalina is yet another blow to our ocean. Oceans are already stressed from warming and acidification, as well as overfishing and pollution from products like plastics, that never biodegrade or leave the environment.  

How can we hold polluters accountable? 

It’s so hard. Sometimes as nonprofits we have to fight unethical corporations and our own governments. Today we’re talking about DDT from Montrose Chemical Corporation. Last month we saw Exide Technologies, Inc. was allowed to walk away from the toxic lead and arsenic mess they created for three decades near 110,000+ residents in East LA, Boyle Heights, Commerce, Bell Gardens, Vernon, Cudahy, Maywood, Bell, and Huntington. 1 Support East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice in the fight to hold Exide accountable.

Corporations can leave. Government officials can leave. But our communities stay. 

This DDT was dumped decades ago and a settlement for a portion of the pollution was already reached. Now we will fight again to hold these polluters accountable. We will start by asking the EPA, DOJ, Coastal Commission, and the State Water Board what jurisdiction they have to bring further claims against the parties responsible for the DDT dumping, and by collaborating with agencies who show they want to fix this problem. We demand solutions and will take action to reach them.      

What more needs to be done to protect communities and habitats? 

In addition to legal action, here are three things we must do:   

  1. We need a lot more education for people who rely on fish they catch to feed their families. Heal the Bay’s Angler Outreach Program is the model: we reach the most vulnerable people, in their own languages, and in places where they feel comfortable receiving this information. 
  2. We need more frequent and extensive monitoring of sediment and fish, to track contamination that can harm animals and the people who eat them. Every five years is not enough; we need detailed assessments to understand what is happening to the DDT that is out there.
  3. We must find a way to clean up the DDT and PCBs in our ocean. We know the pilot project to cap the Palos Verdes site was not a success, but that does not mean we walk away. The EPA, NOAA, and other agencies must convene the experts who can come up with the next step and the next, until we find a way to deal with this toxic legacy.   

 Tell us what you think should be done. Contact Us.

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1 East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice

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Learning About LA’s Vibrant Community of Anglers

10.29.2020 |

Angler Outreach ProgramCalifornia Coast

Heal the Bay’s Angler Outreach Program, through the EPA’s Fish Contamination Education Collaborative (FCEC), has been visiting eight Los Angeles County and Orange County piers throughout the last 17 years, talking to anglers about fish contamination and how to stay safe and healthy. Many anglers come to the coast to catch fish to eat for themselves and their families. Our previous research indicates that 78% of pier anglers fish for subsistence. 

To better understand the local angler community, our outreach team collects zip code information from individuals fishing on piers and along the coast. We recently analyzed this survey data from 2018 and 2019. Our findings help us understand where anglers are located and how to better serve them. 

In 2019, we talked to 8,488 anglers and collected zip codes from 3,052 of those anglers. We collect zip codes only from anglers who are surveyed for the first time. Most of the zip codes (3,001) were from California. The rest were likely tourists and visitors. We even talked with some anglers from as far away as Alaska — fishing in Alaska is surely different than LA!

In both 2018 and 2019, one location had the highest density of anglers surveyed: Hawthorne (90250), a city in the South Bay in southwestern LA County bordered by the 105 freeway on the north and the 405 freeway on the west. According to the LA Times and census data, Hawthorne is a diverse area in the South Bay and LA County with a 44.2% Hispanic, 32.4% Black, 12.9% White, and 7.6% Asian population.  

In both 2018 and 2019, a few areas showed up in the top five zip codes of anglers: Compton and Willowbrook (90222), Long Beach (90805), and South El Monte (91733).  

In both years, many anglers hailed from areas in the San Gabriel Valley, including South El Monte and Rosemead. The demographics of these two areas differ greatly: South El Monte has a predominantly Hispanic (86.2%) population; Rosemead has an Asian (48.6%) and Hispanic (41%) population. 

It has been widely shown that People of Color are disproportionately impacted by pollution. This environmental injustice includes air pollution, water pollution, waste dumping, oil drilling and refining, fish contamination, and more. Many communities where anglers live have high pollution burdens on CalEnviroScreen, a tool that compiles environmental, health, and socioeconomic information to produce a score showing which communities are most affected by and most vulnerable to pollution. 

It is imperative that our Angler Outreach Program reaches people effectively in order to protect public health. In example, if anglers speak Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese as their first language, warning signage and other resources about fish contamination that are written in English may not be effective. Our Angler Outreach Program has employed multilingual team members who directly engage local anglers about fish contamination and how to stay safe. We have produced educational materials and resources in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese. 

Using the results of our zip code survey, we created a heat map of where anglers are located in Los Angeles County, and through it we see many opportunities for additional outreach in specific areas. Ensuring there is accessible and relevant information across Heal the Bay’s programs, especially in top angler zip codes, can increase the number of people we reach and maximize impact. 

It is interesting to also use our zip code survey analysis to gauge how effective other Heal the Bay programs are at reaching angler communities. Heal the Bay Aquarium hosted 24 field trips for 1,217 students from schools in the top angler zip codes* in 2017. Heal the Bay’s Speakers Bureau Program gives free talks (previously in-person and now virtually) throughout LA County, and we gave 39 talks to 2,985 people in the top angler zip codes* in 2017. While Heal the Bay conducts outreach and provides education in many of the communities where anglers are located, there is ample room for growth and a lot more to be done! We are excited to continue our analysis and find new ways to engage anglers and their families with helpful information. 

 *Zip codes with 31-80 anglers in 2018 and 2019. 

 

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Aprendiendo sobre la vibrante comunidad de pescadores de Los Angeles

10.29.2020 |

¿Qué Onda?Angler Outreach ProgramCalifornia Coast

El Programa Educacional Pesquero de Heal the Bay, a través del Grupo Educacional sobre Contaminación de Peces (FCEC, por sus siglas en inglés) de la EPA, ha estado visitando ocho muelles en los condados de Los Ángeles y Orange durante los últimos 17 años, hablando con pescadores sobre la contaminación de peces y cómo mantenerse seguro y saludable. Muchos pescadores vienen a la costa para pescar y alimentar a sus familias. Nuestra investigación anterior indica que el 78% de los pescadores de muelles pescan para subsistir.

Para comprender mejor a la comunidad de pescadores locales, nuestro equipo educacional recopila información de los códigos postales de las personas que pescan en los muelles y a lo largo de la costa. Recientemente analizamos los datos de estas encuesta del 2018 y 2019. Nuestros hallazgos nos ayudarán a comprender major de donde vienen los pescadores y cómo servirlos mejor.

En 2019, hablamos con 8.488 pescadores y recopilamos códigos postales de 3.052 de ellos. Recopilamos códigos postales solo de pescadores que fueron encuestados por primera vez. La mayoría de estos códigos postales (3.001) eran de California. El resto probablemente fueron de turistas y visitantes. Incluso hablamos con algunos de ellos que provenían de lugares tan lejanos como Alaska. ¡Pescar en Alaska es seguramente diferente a LA!

Tanto en el 2018 como en el 2019, una ubicación tuvo la mayor densidad de encuestados: Hawthorne (90250), una ciudad en South Bay en el suroeste del condado de Los Ángeles que limita con la autopista 105 al norte y la autopista 405 al oeste. Según el LA Times y datos de censo, Hawthorne es un área diversa en South Bay y en el condado de Los Ángeles, con una población que consta de 44,2% latinos, 32,4% negros, 12,9% blancos y 7,6% asiáticos.

Tanto en el 2018 como en el 2019, tres códigos postales aparecieron en los cinco principales códigos postales de los pescadores y fueron: Compton y Willowbrook (90222), Long Beach (90805) y South El Monte (91733).

En ambos años, muchos pescadores vinieron de áreas del Valle de San Gabriel, incluyendo South El Monte y Rosemead. La demografía de estas dos áreas es bastante diferente: el South El Monte tiene una población predominantemente latina (86,2%), Rosemead tiene una división más pareja entre las poblaciones asiáticas (48,6%) y latina (41%).

Se ha demostrado ampliamente que las personas de color se ven afectadas de manera desproporcionada por la contaminación. Esta injusticia ambiental incluye la contaminación del aire, agua, vertimiento de desechos, extracción y refinación de petróleo, contaminación de peces y otras. Muchas de las comunidades de donde provienen los pescadores tienen altas cargas de contaminación. En CalEnviroScreen, una herramienta que recopila información ambiental, de salud y socioeconómica para producir un puntaje que muestra las comunidades son más afectadas y las más vulnerables a la contaminación.

Es imperativo que nuestro Programa Educacional Pesquero eduque y llegue a las personas de manera efectiva para proteger la salud pública. Por ejemplo, si los pescadores hablan español, chino y vietnamita como primer idioma, es posible que las señales de advertencia y otros recursos sobre la contaminación de peces no sean efectivos si solo están escritos en inglés.

Nuestro Programa Educacional Pesquero ha empleado a un equipo multilingüe que involucra directamente a los pescadores locales sobre la contaminación de peces y cómo mantenerse a salvo. Hemos producido materiales y recursos educativos en inglés, español, chino y vietnamita.

Utilizando los resultados de nuestra encuesta sobre el código postal, pudimos crear un mapa para saber de dónde vienen los pescadores en el condado de Los Ángeles, y a través de él hemos visto muchas oportunidades de llegar con programas adicionales en áreas específicas. Asegurarse que haya información accesible y relevante en todos los programas de Heal the Bay, podría aumentar la cantidad de personas a las que llegamos y poder maximizar el impacto de nuestro trabajo, especialmente en las áreas de códigos postales de donde provienen la mayor cantidad de pescadores.

Es interesante también poder utilizar nuestro análisis de encuestas de código postal para evaluar la eficacia de otros programas de Heal the Bay y poder llegar a las comunidades de donde provienen los pescadores. En el año 2017, el Acuario de Heal the Bay organizó 24 excursiones para 1,217 estudiantes de escuelas que estuvieron ubicadas en los principales códigos postales de donde provienen los pescadores. En ese mismo año, el programa Speakers Bureau de Heal the Bay ofreció charlas gratuitas (anteriormente en persona y ahora virtualmente) en todo el condado de Los Ángeles, y dimos 39 charlas a 2,985 personas con códigos postales de donde provienen los pescadores. Si bien Heal the Bay lleva a cabo actividades de divulgación y brinda educación en muchas de las comunidades donde se encuentran los pescadores, hay mucho espacio para el crecimiento y mucho más por hacer. Estamos emocionados de continuar nuestro análisis y encontrar nuevas formas de involucrar a los pescadores y sus familias con información útil.

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Gotitas Del Saber – Online Educational Series en Español

10.13.2020 |

CaliforniaLos Angeles

El reciente cierre de las escuelas significa que gran parte de los estudiantes no reciban la educación diaria necesaria. En estos momentos en los que todos debemos practicar el distanciamiento físico es necesario hacer buen uso de toda nuestra energía y capacidad cerebral e innovar para darle a nuestros estudiantes más oportunidades para seguir aprendiendo de manera remota.

Heal the Bay está respondiendo a esta situación con una nueva serie interactiva de educación científica llamada “Gotas de conocimiento” o Knowledge Drops por su nombre en inglés, donde nuestro grupo de científicos, expertos y defensores exploran el mundo acuático y ofrecen divertidas lecciones acerca del entorno marino. Cada lección tiene una duración aproximada de una hora e incluye una presentación en vivo, una sección de preguntas y respuestas, encuestas y videos. Nuestra nueva serie web está pensada para estudiantes del 3° al 8° grado pero ¡personas de todas las edades son bien recibidas y están invitadas a participar!

Recent school closures mean many students are not getting the daily education they need. While we all should be practicing physical distancing at this time, we also need to put our brainpower and creative energy to good use and innovate to give students more opportunities to keep learning remotely.

Gotitas del Saber is Heal the Bay’s new interactive science education series, where our team of scientists, experts, and advocates explores the water world and offers fun lessons about the marine environment. Each session is about 1-hour long and includes a live presentation, Q&A, polls, and videos. Activities are generally geared for 3rd – 8th grade students, but all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Click to visit our English language “Knowledge Drop” series.

See all recorded Knowledge Drops.

Gotitas del Saber:

 

PAST EVENTS (LINK TO VIDEOS BELOW)

4/22 – LA HISTORIA DEL DIA DE LA TIERRA 🌍
5/6 – CONOCE EL FLUJO 💦
5/13 – DESAGUES PLUVIALES 🌧
5/20 – PLASTICOS 🥤
5/27 – PESCADO CONTIMINADOS 🎣
6/10 – VIRUS Y CALIDAD DEL AGUA ❓
6/17 –  SITIO SUPERFUND 🆘
6/24 – ACUARIO Y LIMPIEZA COSTERA 🐙
7/1 – ÁREAS MARINAS PROTEGIDAS (MPAs)🛡
7/15 – TOXICIDAD ACUÁTICA ❌
7/22 – LOS CABALLITOS DE MAR Y GARIBALDI 🐴
7/29 – SHARKS AND RAYS / TIBURONES Y MANTARRAYAS 🦈
9/9 – MES DE LA LIMPIEZA COSTERA: ARROYOS DE LAS MONTAÑAS DE SANTA MÓNICA 🌄
9/16 – MES DE LA LIMPIEZA COSTERA: HEAL THE BAY’S CALIFICACIONES DEL RÍO🚣🏾‍♀️
9/24 – MES DE LA LIMPIEZA COSTERA: MUELLES DE PESCA VISITADOS POR EL EQUIPO DE ANGLER OUTREACH PROGRAM DE HEAL THE BAY 🐟
10/28 – PESCADO ESCALOFRIANTE DE LA BAHÍA DE SANTA MÓNICA 👻
11/10 – DE DONDE SON LOS PESCADORES? 🗺
12/15 – CONTAMINACIÓN POR DDT EN LA COSTA DE LOS ANGELES ⚠️

If you are a teacher with a topic suggestion, please contact us with your idea.

Resources and Videos/Recursos:

All previously-recorded Gotitas Del Saber webinar videos are posted here as an ongoing marine science education repository for you to access. (To view the webinar recordings please visit the ‘gotowebinar’ links below and enter in your contact information. We will only use your email address to update you about upcoming “Gotitas Del Saber” and you can opt out at any time.)

Todas las grabaciones anteriores de “Gotas de conocimiento” (Knowledge Drops) son publicadas aquí de manera continua para tu consulta a modo de archivo para la educación de las ciencias marinas. (Para ver las grabaciones en la página web por favor visita los enlaces “gotowebinar” ubicados más abajo e ingresa tu información. Usaremos tu dirección de correo electrónico para mantenerte informado de las nuevas “Gotas de conocimiento” (Knowledge Drops) y podrás salir cuando lo desees.)

 

Gotitas del Saber: La historia del Día de la Tierra

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/4446715700219695361

Más información:

 

Gotitas del Saber: Conoce el Flujo

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/2622740259256834566

Más información:

 

Gotitas del Saber: Desagues Pluviales

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/6033268098610078222

Más información:

 

Gotitas del Saber: Plasticos

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/3195564926916837132

Más información:

 

Gotitas del Saber: Pescados Contaminados

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/848989410095476225

Más información:

 

Gotitas del Saber: Virus y Calidad del Agua

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/9161552403089257478

Más información:

 

Gotitas del Saber: Aquatic Toxicity: Sources and Solutions

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/4000079784492577294

Más información:

 

Gotitas del Saber: Sitio Superfund

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/3636684594553388047

Más información:

 

Gotitas del Saber: Aquario y Limpieza Costera

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/5657488010514034189

Más información:

 

Gotitas del Saber: Áreas Marinas Protegidas (MPAS)

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/6766161868839098128

Más información:

 

Gotitas del Saber: Crustaceans

Webinar grabado:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/1116456609554810369

Más información:

 

Gotitas del Saber: MicroSafari

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/6461401435030243855

 

Gotitas del Saber: Toxicidad Acuática

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/5609503124519119873

 

Gotitas del Saber: Los Caballitos De Mar Y Garibaldi

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/3450783567349679107

 

Gotitas del Saber: Tiburones y Mantarrayas 

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/1511927852828490255

 

Gotitas del Saber: Mes de la Limpieza Costera: Arroyos de las Montañas de Santa Mónica

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/8526730675111592195

Más información:

Gotitas del Saber: Mes de la Limpieza Costera: Heal the Bay’s Calificaciones del Río

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/8003309264375293707

Más información:

Gotitas del Saber: Mes de la Limpieza Costera: Muelles de pesca visitados por el equipo de Angler Outreach Program de Heal the Bay

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/7620905717459421708

Más información:

 

Gotitas del Saber: Pescado escalofriante de la bahía de Santa Mónica

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/6799468277701159171

 

Gotitas del Saber: De Donde son los Pescadores?

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/1136506206896807938

 

Gotitas del Saber: Contaminación por DDT en la costa de Los Angeles

Webinar grabado: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/8309988348119216130

 

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Si quieres hacer olas, tienes que meterte en el agua

10.09.2020 |

¿Qué Onda?CaliforniaLos Angeles

a votar california los angeles county

Si quieres hacer olas, tienes que meterte en el agua. Con la temporada de votaciones sobre nosotros, utilice estos prácticos recursos para crear su océano de cambio.

La votación anticipada se lleva a cabo del 5 de octubre al 2 de noviembre. Si vota por correo, el USPS recomienda que lo haga a más tardar el 27 de octubre.

La misión de Heal the Bay, hacer que nuestras aguas y cuencas hidrográficas de la costa de California sean seguras, saludables y limpias, se ve afectada por cuestiones de injusticia ambiental.

Solo podemos mantener limpios y accesibles nuestros ríos y océanos cuando apoyamos e invertamos en todas nuestras comunidades. Es por eso que estamos recomendando votos a favor en iniciativas que promulguen reformas que apoyen a las comunidades más afectadas por las injusticias ambientales. La justicia ambiental está indisolublemente ligada a la justicia social, y mejorar la equidad mejora la salud y el medio ambiente en nuestras comunidades.

Guía de votantes de Heal the Bay:

El equipo de Heal the Bay creó esta breve guía para votantes para las elecciones del 3 de noviembre de 2020 en el condado de Los Ángeles.

SÍ a la Proposición 16: Acción afirmativa / Estado de California
SÍ a las Props 17 y 18: Aumento del acceso a la votación / Estado de California
SÍ a la Medida J: Reformar el condado de Los Ángeles / Condado de Los Ángeles
SÍ a la Medida RR: Bono de $ 7B para LAUSD / Ciudad de Los Ángeles

Proposición 16: Un voto para permitir la consideración de raza, sexo, color, etnia u origen nacional para abordar la diversidad en el empleo público, la contratación y la educación. 

Propuestas 17 y 18: Votos para incrementar el acceso al voto.

Medida J (Condado de Los Ángeles): Un voto para desmantelar el racismo sistémico mediante la inversión en salud, vivienda y empleos.

Medida RR (Los Ángeles): Un voto para mejorar las escuelas del LAUSD y aumentar la seguridad escolar

 

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PAGADO POR HEAL THE BAY

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From Summit to Sea, Together We Made Coastal Cleanup Month a Huge Success

10.07.2020 | and

CaliforniaCalifornia Bag BanCoastal Cleanup DayEventsLos AngelesPlastic PollutionPolystyreneTake Action

As the sun sets on Coastal Cleanup Month, we are looking back with gratitude and appreciation for everyone who participated in a cleanup, helped us spread the word, raised funds, and joined a virtual event over the course of the month. At a time when it’s easy to feel isolated from one another, it is inspiring to see how we came together across the County, from summit to sea, to protect what we love.

A New Take on 2020

Heal the Bay has been the LA County coordinator for Coastal Cleanup Day for more than 30 years, and 2020 proved to be a completely different cleanup effort than years past. In an effort to prioritize the health and safety of the community, the re-imagined concept was expanded to become an entire month of individualized cleanups close to home and virtual programming to educate about the impacts of trash and pollution and how we can work together towards solutions. Our Heal the Bay Aquarium education team engaged 437 LAUSD students with virtual programming about protecting our watersheds. This was also the first year that we asked for volunteer fundraisers to support our clean water mission. Fundraising teams and individuals raised close to $2,000, and we are grateful for their support.

Each week of Coastal Cleanup Month focused on a different region, starting at the top of our mountains, working through our neighborhoods & waterways, and culminating at our wetlands & beaches. The weekly programming featured a series of panels, webinars, and Instagram Lives with partner organizations that explored the various community and environmental issues facing Los Angeles County. 

None of this would have been possible without our Coastal Cleanup Month sponsors, and we would like to thank Water for LA, Blue Shield, K-Swiss, Ford, and West Basin Municipal Water District for their support.

2020 Impact

This year, we set a goal of collecting 31,000 pieces of trash throughout the month of September. Thanks to our dedicated Regional Ambassadors and 2,334 registered cleanup volunteers, we surpassed this goal with a total of 40,101 pieces of trash collected!

The top 10 items found across Los Angeles County in the month of September were:

Download our full Coastal Cleanup Month Wrap-Up Book for 2020

The Effects of PPE and the Pandemic on Our Environment

Coastal Cleanup Month was the first initiative of this scale to track the impact of the improper disposal of single-use personal protective equipment (PPE) in LA County. In the first year of tracking this item, PPE was one of the top 10 items found by our volunteers, surpassing common items like glass bottles. 

Through our data, we can clearly see the effects of the pandemic on our waste stream. Another observation is that people are relying more than ever on takeout, delivery, and outdoor dining at beaches, parks, and other public spaces. Disposable foodware accessories like utensils, straws, and takeout containers were some of the most common items found during cleanups.

The Plastic Problem

Looking at the data collected throughout Coastal Cleanup Month, it’s obvious that single-use plastic is the top offender. From utensils and straws to takeout containers and grocery bags, our lives are filled with plastic – and so is our environment. Unfortunately, the effects of COVID-19 have worsened these single-use habits and curbed a lot of progress that we’ve seen in Los Angeles over the last several years. 

Plastic grocery bags were a common item found during cleanups until California became the first state in the nation to impose a statewide bag ban in 2014. Before the pandemic hit, we were making great strides in reducing our single-use plastic waste. We could bring our reusable bags to the grocery store and refill our reusable coffee cups at Starbucks, and our environment and community were all the better for it. Now, plastic producers are using the pandemic to push disposable plastics as a safer option, a position that has no scientific merit. They were able to undo the work of the state bag ban, and grocery stores statewide have not only reintroduced single-use plastic bags, but many have banned reusable bags from entering stores. This year, we saw plastic grocery bags, cups, and lids in the top 10 items found by our volunteers during Coastal Cleanup Month.  

We also found that other than cigarette butts and PPE, the top 10 items are all food and drink-related. With the increasing reliance on takeout and delivery, plastic cutlery and other accessories are becoming a bigger and bigger issue. Restaurants often throw these items in takeout bags regardless of whether the customer needs them or not. To put this in perspective, 40 billion plastic utensils are thrown away each year in the United States. Plastic foodware items, like straws, utensils, and condiment packets cannot be recycled, so they are destined to end up in a landfill, incinerator, or polluting our oceans and communities.

How Can You Help?

Plastic pollution may seem like something that is out of your control. However, there are easy ways you can help make waves of change, from using reusable products when you can to supporting environmental legislation. Here are 3 easy ways to make a change:

  • Go reusable!

From grocery bags and utensils to water bottles and coffee cups, there are reusable replacements for almost all single-use plastics. Check out our Heal the Bay Shop for some ideas! If you’re ordering takeout or delivery, make sure to tell the restaurant “no plastic, please!” and use your own utensils instead. Check out Reusable LA and Habits of Waste for easy ways to help combat this issue, like sending an email to third party delivery companies asking them to make plastic cutlery and accessories optional rather than the default. If you’re unsure where to start, conduct a home waste audit to evaluate your daily habits and see where you can replace single-use items with reusables.

  • Pack it out. 

As a result of limited staff and the increased need to sanitize the bathrooms as a result of COVID-19, Los Angeles County Beaches & Harbors only has the capacity to empty the public trash cans once a day. Combined with the surge of beachgoers picnicking on the sand, this has led to an overwhelming problem of overflowing trash cans and increased beach litter. Similar issues have been observed throughout the County, so if you are enjoying our public spaces, make sure that all trash gets disposed of properly, and pack it out if trash cans are full.

  • Use your voice. 

Every single person has power! You influence the people close to you by voicing your opinion, you influence companies with the purchases you choose to make, and you can influence policy and legislation with your vote. The California bag ban is a good example of local change leading the charge and turning into statewide change, so don’t underestimate the power of advocating at your local City Council or with the County Board of Supervisors. At its core, plastic pollution is not a consumer problem; it’s a producer problem, and you can use your voice to support plastic policies that make plastic producers responsible for the waste they create.

Get Involved with Heal the Bay

We are excited with the results of Coastal Cleanup Month, but protecting our watersheds and coastline is an everyday effort. There are ways you can continue to stay involved and support our clean water mission year-round with different programs like Adopt-a-Beach, Club Heal the Bay, and MPA Watch. If you’re ready for more action to protect our oceans, join our virtual Volunteer Orientation on October 12. And don’t forget to save the date in September 2021 for next year’s Coastal Cleanup efforts!

 

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Spotlight on Venice Pier, a Favorite Fishing Location in Santa Monica Bay

09.30.2020 |

Angler Outreach ProgramSanta Monica BayVenice Beach

Heal the Bay’s Angler Outreach Program Manager, Frankie Orrala, highlights the history and significance of Venice Pier.

The Santa Monica Bay, spanning from Point Dume in Malibu to the Palos Verdes Peninsula, offers spectacular beaches and fabulous scenic views, as well as fishing piers. Several piers stretch out into the bay, in Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach. Because fishing licenses are not required on piers, they are some of the most popular spots for recreational and subsistence (those who are fishing for food for their family/relatives) anglers.

Venice Pier is one of the oldest, most active piers when it comes to Southern California fishing. Venice Pier, built in 1965, was closed for more than a decade starting in 1986 due to damage and disrepair, but was triumphantly re-opened to the public in 1997 thanks to the vocal advocacy of local residents. The restored pier is fully accessible, with lights, benches, and fish cleaning stations. The surface of the pier is made of concrete and has designated areas for wheelchair accessibility. The pier is managed by the City of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation and is open to the public from 6 a.m. until midnight.

Fishing at the Venice Pier is relaxing and many anglers enjoy this place for its tranquility, for the occasional presence of sea lions, dolphins, a variety of seabirds, and because there are no shops or restaurants that disturb the serious anglers’ focus. Over the years, I have observed a number of different species caught off of this pier, including mackerel, sardines, topsmelt, jacksmelt, corbina, white croakers, surfperch, opaleye, rays, and certain types of sharks.

The Venice Fishing Pier attracts a wide diversity of anglers, and you will often hear a variety of languages ​​such as Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Russian, among others spoken by the fishermen. Heal the Bay has worked on this pier for 17 years through the Angler Outreach Program (AOP), educating anglers about fish contamination in all 5 of these languages, particularly to help educate them about the dangers of consuming fish which contain high levels of contaminants.

If you’ve been to the Venice Pier, you may have noticed that it, as well as other piers in Santa Monica Bay, has signs posted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to inform anglers about the risks of consuming contaminated fish. Venice is within the red zone established by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), which indicates a higher level of health risk from consuming certain fish in these areas. However, many anglers are still unaware that there are certain fish that should not be consumed due to their high levels of DDT, PCBs, and Mercury. One of the goals of the Angler Outreach Program is to educate anglers about the riskiest fish, which are white croaker, topsmelt, barred sand bass, black croaker, and barracuda. Due to high concentrations of contaminants, these fish should not be consumed.

Heal the Bay’s Angler Outreach Team aims to educate pier anglers about the dangers of consuming high-risk fish species, and make recommendations about the consumption of other fish within the red zone. Any other fish that is not on the list of the most contaminated should be consumed according to the regulations established by the health authorities. The safest way to prepare the fish is to only eat the fillet, discarding head, skin, and innards.

While Heal the Bay’s Angler Outreach Program is observing safety measures due to COVID-19, we are still educating folks about the issue through our blog posts, social media, and educational presentations in English and Spanish— and we are eagerly looking forward to a time when we can get back out and talk directly to anglers.

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El muelle de Venice, un lugar de pesca favorito en la bahía de Santa Monica

09.30.2020 |

¿Qué Onda?Angler Outreach ProgramVenice Beach

La bahía de Santa Mónica, que se extiende desde Point Dume en Malibú hasta la península de Palos Verdes, ofrece playas espectaculares y fabulosas vistas panorámicas, así como muelles de pesca que las convierten en destinos deseables para quienes disfrutan de la pesca. Varios muelles se extienden a lo largo de la bahía, en Malibú, Santa Mónica, Venice, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach y Redondo Beach. Debido a que no se requieren licencias de pesca en los muelles, estos son algunos de los lugares más populares para los pescadores recreativos y de subsistencia (aquellos que pescan para alimentar a sus familias).

Venice Pier es uno de los muelles más antiguos y activos en lo que respecta a la pesca en el sur de California. Venice Pier, construido en 1965, estuvo cerrado durante más de una década a partir de 1986 debido a daños y desperfectos, pero fue reabierto triunfalmente al público en 1997 gracias al apoyo de sus residentes locales. El muelle restaurado es totalmente accesible, tiene luces, bancas y estaciones de limpieza para los pescados. La superficie del muelle está hecha de concreto y tiene áreas designadas para personas en sillas de ruedas. El muelle es administrado por el Departamento de Parques y Recreación de la Ciudad de Los Ángeles y está abierto al público desde las 6 a.m. hasta la medianoche.

La pesca en el muelle de Venice es relajante y muchos pescadores disfrutan de este lugar por su tranquilidad, por la presencia ocasional de lobos marinos, delfines, una variedad de aves marinas, y porque no hay tiendas ni restaurantes que perturben la actividad pesquera. A lo largo de los años, he observado varias especies diferentes capturadas en este muelle, incluyendo macarelas, sardinas, topsmelt, jacksmelt, corbina, corvineta blanca, mojarras, opaleye, rayas y ciertos tipos de tiburones.

El muelle de pesca de Venice atrae a una amplia diversidad de pescadores, y a menudo se puede escuchar una variedad de idiomas como español, tagalo, vietnamita, chino y ruso, entre otros que hablan los pescadores. Heal the Bay ha trabajado en este muelle durante 17 años a través del Programa Educaional Pesquero (AOP), por sus siglas en inglés), educando a los pescadores sobre la contaminación de peces en 5 diferentes idiomas, particularmente para ayudarlos a educar sobre los peligros de consumir peces que tienen altos niveles de contaminantes.

Si has estado en el muelle de Venice, es posible que hayas notado que, al igual que otros muelles en la bahía de Santa Mónica, tienen señales colocadas por la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de EE. UU. para informar a los pescadores sobre los riesgos de consumir peces contaminados. Venice se encuentra dentro de la zona roja establecida por la Oficina de Evaluación de Peligros para la Salud Ambiental de California (OEHHA, por sus siglas en inglés), lo que indica un mayor nivel de riesgo para la salud por consumir ciertos peces dentro de esta área. Sin embargo, muchos pescadores desconocen que hay ciertos pescados que no se deben consumir debido a sus altos niveles de DDT, PCB y mercurio. Uno de los objetivos del programa AOP es educar a los pescadores sobre los peces más riesgosos, como son la corvineta blanca, pejerrey, cabrilla, corvineta negra y barracuda. Debido a las altas concentraciones de contaminantes, estos peces no se deben consumir.

El equipo educational de Heal the Bay tiene como objetivo educar a los pescadores de muelles sobre los peligros de consumir especies de peces de alto riesgo y dar recomendaciones sobre el consumo de otros peces dentro de la zona roja. Cualquier otro pez que no esté en la lista de los más contaminados debe consumirse de acuerdo a las normas establecida por las autoridades sanitarias. La forma más segura de preparar el pescado es comer solo el filete, descartando la cabeza, piel y las visceras.

Si bien el Programa Educacional Pesquero de Heal the Bay está observando todo tipo de medida de seguridad debido al COVID-19, todavía continuamos educando a la gente sobre el tema a través de nuestro blog, redes sociales y presentaciones educativas en inglés y español, y esperamos ansiosamente el momento cuando podamos salir y hablar directamente con los pescadores.

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See all of our Angler Outreach Program blogs. 

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