Our Impact

For 34 years, we’ve been the Southland’s strongest advocate for the ocean. But a healthy Bay requires a healthy L.A. Envisioning thriving oceans, healthy watersheds and smart water, we’re working toward a greener, bluer Los Angeles County for everyone.

Thriving
Oceans

Our local waters should be teeming with wildlife, not trash and bacteria. Here’s how we’re bringing the Bay back to life:

Healthy
Watersheds

Science-based solutions revitalize neighborhoods, rivers, streams and creeks. Here’s how we’re making waves, inland:

  • Advocating for a sensible restoration of the threatened Ballona Wetlands
  • Empowering local communities to become advocates for their watersheds
  • Inspiring guests at our Aquarium to take action in defense of the natural world

Smart
Water

Los Angeles imports over 80% of its water—a number that’s far too high. Here’s how we’re reshaping L.A.’s flow:

Our Victories

Bagging the bag

Our staff catalyzed the grassroots campaign for Prop 67, which upheld the statewide ban on harmful single-use plastic bags.

Keeping Big Oil out of the Bay

We successfully campaigned against Measure O, squashing a dangerous plan to drill for oil under the Hermosa Beach seafloor.

Holding Hyperion accountable

We spurred change at L.A.’s largest sewage treatment plant after a sickening discharge of syringes, tampons, and condoms closed South Bay beaches for days.

Something fishy

Heal the Bay Aquarium welcomed its 1 millionth guest in 2016, inspiring a new wave of ocean guardians.

Getting trashed

We picked up our 2 millionth pound of debris from local beaches in 2016. The most common item? Cigarette butts.

Catching waves, not bugs

Collaborating with Stanford and UCLA, we launched a forecasting tool to predict when beaches should be closed because of bacterial pollution.

Replumbing greater L.A.

We helped secure passage of Measure W in 2018, which will help capture and reuse billions of gallons of stormwater each year instead of polluting the sea.

No straw, thank you

Our staff led a grassroots campaign for Straws-On-Request, which went into effect within the City of Los Angeles on Earth Day in 2019.

Take Part

We all have a role to play in protecting Santa Monica Bay – whether it’s donating money, volunteering time, speaking up, or educating others.

How will you heal your Bay?

Take Part