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Heal the Bay Blog

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Protect what you love! Volunteer with Heal the Bay.

Take the first step in protecting our oceans, coastal waters, and watersheds with Heal the Bay! Join us for our Volunteer Orientation and discover how you can get directly involved in Heal the Bay’s work. Learn about our volunteer programs, meet like-minded environmental advocates, and be the first to hear about upcoming events and opportunities.

๐Ÿ“… Date: September 10th
๐Ÿ•’ Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
๐Ÿ“ Location: Heal the Bay Aquarium โ€“ 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401

REGISTER NOW

Why Volunteer with Heal the Bay?

  • Connect with a passionate community tackling environmental issues in Los Angeles.
  • Develop valuable personal and professional skills.
  • Gain the confidence to advocate for a healthier planet.
  • Enjoy exclusive volunteer events and opportunities.

By completing this Volunteer Orientation, youโ€™ll unlock opportunities to:

  • Monitor marine protected areas with MPA Watch
  • Lead beach cleanups as a Beach Captain
  • Participate in Aquarium Volunteer Training
  • Join us for exclusive volunteer events

Parking Information:
The closest parking is at Lot 1 North and Lot 1 South in Santa Monica.

The City of Santa Monica has begun construction at the Santa Monica Pier. Due to this, our loading and unloading zone is currently unavailable. Guests may still park in Lot 1 North, but should be aware of potential construction-related blockages. Lot 1 South remains fully open and available for parking. ย 

What to Bring:
No materials are needed. Just bring your enthusiasm and be ready to meet fellow ocean lovers!

๐ŸŒŠ Ready to make a difference?
Register now to start your journey with Heal the Bay and help protect our local coastal waters.



Protect what you love! Volunteer with Heal the Bay.

Take the first step in protecting our oceans, coastal waters, and watersheds with Heal the Bay! Join us for our Volunteer Orientation and discover how you can get directly involved in Heal the Bay’s work. Learn about our volunteer programs, meet like-minded environmental advocates, and be the first to hear about upcoming events and opportunities.

๐Ÿ“… Date: Thursday, August 13th
๐Ÿ•’ Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
๐Ÿ“ Location: Heal the Bay Aquarium โ€“ 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401

REGISTER NOW

Why Volunteer with Heal the Bay?

  • Connect with a passionate community tackling environmental issues in Los Angeles.
  • Develop valuable personal and professional skills.
  • Gain the confidence to advocate for a healthier planet.
  • Enjoy exclusive volunteer events and opportunities.

By completing this Volunteer Orientation, youโ€™ll unlock opportunities to:

  • Monitor marine protected areas with MPA Watch
  • Lead beach cleanups as a Beach Captain
  • Participate in Aquarium Volunteer Training
  • Join us for exclusive volunteer events

Parking Information:
The closest parking is at Lot 1 North and Lot 1 South in Santa Monica.

The City of Santa Monica has begun construction at the Santa Monica Pier. Due to this, our loading and unloading zone is currently unavailable. Guests may still park in Lot 1 North, but should be aware of potential construction-related blockages. Lot 1 South remains fully open and available for parking. ย 

What to Bring:
No materials are needed. Just bring your enthusiasm and be ready to meet fellow ocean lovers!

๐ŸŒŠ Ready to make a difference?
Register now to start your journey with Heal the Bay and help protect our local coastal waters.



Protect what you love! Volunteer with Heal the Bay.

Take the first step in protecting our oceans, coastal waters, and watersheds with Heal the Bay! Join us for our Volunteer Orientation and discover how you can get directly involved in Heal the Bay’s work. Learn about our volunteer programs, meet like-minded environmental advocates, and be the first to hear about upcoming events and opportunities.

๐Ÿ“… Date: Thursday, July 16
๐Ÿ•’ Time: 6:00 PM โ€“ 7:30 PM
๐Ÿ“ Location: Heal the Bay Aquarium โ€“ 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401

REGISTER NOW

Why Volunteer with Heal the Bay?

  • Connect with a passionate community tackling environmental issues in Los Angeles.
  • Develop valuable personal and professional skills.
  • Gain the confidence to advocate for a healthier planet.
  • Enjoy exclusive volunteer events and opportunities.

By completing this Volunteer Orientation, youโ€™ll unlock opportunities to:

  • Monitor marine protected areas with MPA Watch
  • Lead beach cleanups as a Beach Captain
  • Participate in Aquarium Volunteer Training
  • Join us for exclusive volunteer events

Parking Information:
The closest parking is at Lot 1 North and Lot 1 South in Santa Monica.

The City of Santa Monica has begun construction at the Santa Monica Pier. Due to this, our loading and unloading zone is currently unavailable. Guests may still park in Lot 1 North, but should be aware of potential construction-related blockages. Lot 1 South remains fully open and available for parking. ย 

What to Bring:
No materials are needed. Just bring your enthusiasm and be ready to meet fellow ocean lovers!

๐ŸŒŠ Ready to make a difference?
Register now to start your journey with Heal the Bay and help protect our local coastal waters.



Thisย Earth Month at Heal the Bay served as a reminder of something simple but powerful: changeย doesnโ€™tย start somewhereย else,ย it starts where we are.ย 

From science to education to volunteering, actions both big and small added up to create real impact.ย 

This month, we said โ€œno moreโ€ to the single-use plastic problem.ย 

Weย uncoveredย the truth about plastic pollution with theย In-Disposableย webinar. Heal the Bayโ€™s Senior Marine Scientist Emily Parker dove into the origins of plastic pollution, tracing how it became so deeply embedded in daily life and what it takes to turn the tide.ย 

Watch the webinar.

That momentumย was carriedย into policy and everyday action. The Reusable LA coalition launched the all-newย Hold the Plastic guide, giving Angelenosย an easy wayย to take plastic reduction into their own hands and look up the latest local laws for restaurants and businesses across the city.ย Search up the laws that apply to you and your favoriteย restaurants andย discover tools to help businesses reduce single-use plastic waste.

Find your local plasticsย laws.

Volunteerย action took over Santa Monica Pier Beachย 

At the April Nothinโ€™ But Sand Beach Cleanup, more than 800 participants gathered at Santa Monica Pier Beach, one of LAโ€™s most iconic (and most polluted) beaches, and removed over 220 pounds of trash. Each piece collected represents one less threat to marine life and a step toward a healthier coastline. Thereโ€™s a reason why thousands of people across the region have joined Heal the Bayโ€™s clean ups: theyโ€™re as impactful as they are fun.

Join us for our next clean up: Heal the Bayโ€™s annual Nothinโ€™ But Nature inland clean up at Whittier Narrows! Register now.ย 

Butย clean upsย aloneย canโ€™tย tackle every pollution problem.ย ย 

At the Santa Monica Pier, Heal the Bayโ€™s science team has been hard at work testing ocean water forย fecal indicatorย bacteria,ย monitoringย aย seriousย issueย that continues toย impactย one of Los Angelesโ€™ most visited beaches.ย 

This location regularly earns an F on the Beach Report Card and has appeared on the Beach Bummerโ€™s list year after year due to consistently high bacteria levels, making it unsafe for swimming.ย 

In response, Heal the Bay has partnered with the City of Santa Monica to launch a dedicated Task Force focused onย identifyingย pollution sources and advancing real, long-term solutions.ย 

As testing continues, updates will be shared asย new informationย becomes available.ย 

Stay informed about the water quality of your favorite beach at beachreportcard.org or through the Beach Report Card app. Plus, stay tuned for the reveal of Heal the Bayโ€™s annual Beach and River Report Cards, a comprehensive report of your local watershed and coastal health, coming May 21!ย 

A closer look at local ecosystems revealed opportunities for impact.

Two sold-out BioBlitz events at the Manhattan Beach Dunes and Temescal Canyon Park brought community scientists outdoors to document biodiversity and restore a habitat impacted by the Palisades Fire.

Our Heal the Bay community remained at the center of it all.ย 

During the Earth Month Open House, supporters came together to celebrate, connect, and support Heal the Bay Aquarium following recent flooding.ย With live performances, dancing, and interactive experiences, the event highlighted how joy and environmental action can exist side by side.

 

And beneath theย waves, there is still hope.ย 

Inย The Comeback: Saving the Sunflower Sea Star From Extinction webinar, the spotlight turned to a critically endangered species and its vital role in ocean health. Our expert aquarists explored how the decline of the sunflower sea star has harmed local marine ecosystems and how Heal the Bay Aquarium is helping lead efforts to support its recovery.ย 

Watch the webinar.

Earth Monthย 2026ย may beย coming to a close, but the work continues.ย 

โ€œStart Where You Areโ€ is more than a saying,ย itโ€™sย a mindset.ย Because when action begins where we are, meaningful change becomes possible.ย 

Startย Here:ย 

  • Start with a donation: Support Heal the Bayโ€™s work to protect coastal waters and advance a healthier, more resilient future for our ocean and communities.
    โ€ขย Start with the health of your favorite beach: Stay tuned for the launch of the Annual Beach and River Report Card on May 21, live on Instagram.
    โ€ขย Start by getting involved:ย Attend an upcoming volunteer orientation to deepen your knowledge and discover new ways to make an impact.ย 
    โ€ขย Start with an email you actually look forward to: Subscribe to the newsletter for ongoing updates, advocacy, and ways to take action from anywhere.ย 


Protect what you love! Volunteer with Heal the Bay.

Take the first step in protecting our oceans, coastal waters, and watersheds with Heal the Bay! Join us for our Volunteer Orientation and discover how you can get directly involved in Heal the Bay’s work. Learn about our volunteer programs, meet like-minded environmental advocates, and be the first to hear about upcoming events and opportunities.

๐Ÿ“… Date: Thursday, May 14
๐Ÿ•’ Time: 6:30 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM
๐Ÿ“ Location: Heal the Bay Aquarium โ€“ 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401

REGISTER NOW

Why Volunteer with Heal the Bay?

  • Connect with a passionate community tackling environmental issues in Los Angeles.
  • Develop valuable personal and professional skills.
  • Gain the confidence to advocate for a healthier planet.
  • Enjoy exclusive volunteer events and opportunities.

By completing this Volunteer Orientation, youโ€™ll unlock opportunities to:

  • Monitor marine protected areas with MPA Watch
  • Lead beach cleanups as a Beach Captain
  • Participate in Aquarium Volunteer Training
  • Join us for exclusive volunteer events

Parking Information:
The closest parking is at Lot 1 North and Lot 1 South in Santa Monica.

The City of Santa Monica has begun construction at the Santa Monica Pier. Due to this, our loading and unloading zone is currently unavailable. Guests may still park in Lot 1 North, but should be aware of potential construction-related blockages. Lot 1 South remains fully open and available for parking. ย 

What to Bring:
No materials are needed. Just bring your enthusiasm and be ready to meet fellow ocean lovers!

๐ŸŒŠ Ready to make a difference?
Register now to start your journey with Heal the Bay and help protect our local coastal waters.



Protect what you love! Volunteer with Heal the Bay.

Take the first step in protecting our oceans, coastal waters, and watersheds with Heal the Bay! Join us for our Volunteer Orientation and discover how you can get directly involved in Heal the Bay’s work. Learn about our volunteer programs, meet like-minded environmental advocates, and be the first to hear about upcoming events and opportunities.

๐Ÿ“… Date: Thursday, April 9
๐Ÿ•’ Time: 6:30 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM
๐Ÿ“ Location: Heal the Bay HQ โ€“ 1444 9th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

REGISTER NOW

Why Volunteer with Heal the Bay?

  • Connect with a passionate community tackling environmental issues in Los Angeles.
  • Develop valuable personal and professional skills.
  • Gain the confidence to advocate for a healthier planet.
  • Enjoy exclusive volunteer events and opportunities.

By completing this Volunteer Orientation, youโ€™ll unlock opportunities to:

  • Monitor marine protected areas with MPA Watch
  • Lead beach cleanups as a Beach Captain
  • Participate in Aquarium Volunteer Training
  • Join us for exclusive volunteer events

What to Bring:
No materials are needed. Just bring your enthusiasm and be ready to meet fellow ocean lovers!

๐ŸŒŠ Ready to make a difference?
Register now to start your journey with Heal the Bay and help protect our local coastal waters.



Protect what you love! Volunteer with Heal the Bay.

Take the first step in protecting our oceans, coastal waters, and watersheds with Heal the Bay! Join us for our Volunteer Orientation and discover how you can get directly involved in Heal the Bay’s work. Learn about our volunteer programs, meet like-minded environmental advocates, and be the first to hear about upcoming events and opportunities.

๐Ÿ“… Date: Thursday, March 12
๐Ÿ•’ Time: 6:30 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM
๐Ÿ“ Location: Heal the Bay Aquarium โ€“ 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401

REGISTER NOW

Why Volunteer with Heal the Bay?

  • Connect with a passionate community tackling environmental issues in Los Angeles.
  • Develop valuable personal and professional skills.
  • Gain the confidence to advocate for a healthier planet.
  • Enjoy exclusive volunteer events and opportunities.

By completing this Volunteer Orientation, youโ€™ll unlock opportunities to:

  • Monitor marine protected areas with MPA Watch
  • Lead beach cleanups as a Beach Captain
  • Participate in Aquarium Volunteer Training
  • Join us for exclusive volunteer events

Parking Information:
The closest parking is at Lot 1 North and Lot 1 South in Santa Monica.

The City of Santa Monica has begun construction at the Santa Monica Pier. Due to this, our loading and unloading zone is currently unavailable. Guests may still park in Lot 1 North, but should be aware of potential construction-related blockages. Lot 1 South remains fully open and available for parking. ย 

What to Bring:
No materials are needed. Just bring your enthusiasm and be ready to meet fellow ocean lovers!

๐ŸŒŠ Ready to make a difference?
Register now to start your journey with Heal the Bay and help protect our local coastal waters.



Protect what you love! Volunteer with Heal the Bay.

Take the first step in protecting our oceans, coastal waters, and watersheds with Heal the Bay! Join us for our Volunteer Orientation and discover how you can get directly involved in Heal the Bay’s work. Learn about our volunteer programs, meet like-minded environmental advocates, and be the first to hear about upcoming events and opportunities.

๐Ÿ“… Date: Thursday, February 12
๐Ÿ•’ Time: 6:30 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM
๐Ÿ“ Location: Heal the Bay Aquarium โ€“ 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401

REGISTER NOW

Why Volunteer with Heal the Bay?

  • Connect with a passionate community tackling environmental issues in Los Angeles.
  • Develop valuable personal and professional skills.
  • Gain the confidence to advocate for a healthier planet.
  • Enjoy exclusive volunteer events and opportunities.

By completing this Volunteer Orientation, youโ€™ll unlock opportunities to:

  • Monitor marine protected areas with MPA Watch
  • Lead beach cleanups as a Beach Captain
  • Participate in Aquarium Volunteer Training
  • Join us for exclusive volunteer events

Parking Information:
The closest parking is at Lot 1 North and Lot 1 South in Santa Monica.

The City of Santa Monica has begun construction at the Santa Monica Pier. Due to this, our loading and unloading zone is currently unavailable. Guests may still park in Lot 1 North, but should be aware of potential construction-related blockages. Lot 1 South remains fully open and available for parking. ย 

What to Bring:
No materials are needed. Just bring your enthusiasm and be ready to meet fellow ocean lovers!

๐ŸŒŠ Ready to make a difference?
Register now to start your journey with Heal the Bay and help protect our local coastal waters.



Start the new year as a Heal the Bay Volunteer!

Take the first step in protecting our oceans, coastal waters, and watersheds with Heal the Bay! Join us for our Volunteer Orientation and discover how you can get directly involved in Heal the Bay’s work. Learn about our volunteer programs, meet like-minded environmental advocates, and be the first to hear about upcoming events and opportunities.

๐Ÿ“… Date: Thursday, January 15
๐Ÿ•’ Time: 6:30 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM
๐Ÿ“ Location: Heal the Bay Aquarium โ€“ 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401

REGISTER NOW

Why Volunteer with Heal the Bay?

  • Connect with a passionate community tackling environmental issues in Los Angeles.
  • Develop valuable personal and professional skills.
  • Gain the confidence to advocate for a healthier planet.
  • Enjoy exclusive volunteer events and opportunities.

By completing this Volunteer Orientation, youโ€™ll unlock opportunities to:

  • Monitor marine protected areas with MPA Watch
  • Lead beach cleanups as a Beach Captain
  • Participate in Aquarium Volunteer Training
  • Join us for exclusive volunteer events

Parking Information:
The closest parking is at Lot 1 North and Lot 1 South in Santa Monica.

The City of Santa Monica has begun construction at the Santa Monica Pier. Due to this, our loading and unloading zone is currently unavailable. Guests may still park in Lot 1 North, but should be aware of potential construction-related blockages. Lot 1 South remains fully open and available for parking. ย 

What to Bring:
No materials are needed. Just bring your enthusiasm and be ready to meet fellow ocean lovers!

๐ŸŒŠ Ready to make a difference?
Register now to start your journey with Heal the Bay and help protect our local coastal waters.



Protect what you love! Volunteer with Heal the Bay!

Take the first step in protecting our oceans, coastal waters, and watersheds with Heal the Bay! Join us for our Volunteer Orientation and discover how you can get directly involved in Heal the Bay’s work. Learn about our volunteer programs, meet like-minded environmental advocates, and be the first to hear about upcoming events and opportunities.

๐Ÿ“… Date: November 14
๐Ÿ•’ Time: 6:30 PM โ€“ 8:00 PM
๐Ÿ“ Location: Heal the Bay Aquarium โ€“ 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401

REGISTER NOW

Why Volunteer with Heal the Bay?

  • Connect with a passionate community tackling environmental issues in Los Angeles.
  • Develop valuable personal and professional skills.
  • Gain the confidence to advocate for a healthier planet.
  • Enjoy exclusive volunteer events and opportunities.

By completing this Volunteer Orientation, youโ€™ll unlock opportunities to:

  • Monitor marine protected areas with MPA Watch.
  • Lead beach cleanups as a Beach Captain.
  • Participate in Aquarium Volunteer Training.
  • Educate others by joining the Speakerโ€™s Bureau.

Please note: Orientation is not required for participation in Nothinโ€™ But Sand monthly beach cleanups.

Parking Information:
The closest parking is at Lot 1 North and Lot 1 South in Santa Monica.

What to Bring:
No materials are neededโ€”just bring your enthusiasm and be ready to meet fellow ocean lovers!

๐ŸŒŠ Ready to make a difference?
Register now to start your journey with Heal the Bay and help protect our local coastal waters.