We’re Flowering With Earth Month Events
Mar. 22, 2016 — Every month is Earth Month here at Heal the Bay, but April is extra special. Join us for some exciting volunteer opportunities and events happening at the beach, our Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, and all over greater Los Angeles. With so much going on this month, where will you be healin’?
Nothin’ But Sand Beach Cleanup festivities
Last April, 1,400 volunteers picked up over 320 lbs. of trash that would have otherwise entered our ocean. Think we can do better this year? Become part of the Heal the Bay cleanup crew and find out! Bonus: Participants earn same-day free admission to our Aquarium!
When: Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Santa Monica Beach just north of the Pier, near Lifeguard Tower 1550, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Check out what else is happening at our special Earth Month edition of Nothin’ But Sand:
- 8:30-9:30 a.m.: FREE YOGA! Sponsored by our friends at CorePower Yoga. Some mats will be available, but you should bring your own just in case. Meet by Lifeguard Tower 1550, just north of the Pier.
- 9 a.m.-noon: FREE SURF LESSONS for Heal the Bay members! Sponsored by our friends at AquaSurf. First come, first served: Sign up at their tent near Lifeguard Tower 1550, just north of the Pier. Not a Heal the Bay member? Become one today or on the morning of the cleanup for just $25!
- 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.: SANDCASTLE COMPETITION Witness architecture-in-the-making as celebrated engineering and design firms create magnificent sand creations and vie for one of three grand prizes! Not a pro? There’s still space for you and your friends. Want to compete?
Earth Day Celebration at Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
After participating at our beach cleanup, head over to our Santa Monica Pier Aquarium for an afternoon chock-full of free activities. Featuring hands-on activities and demonstrations, it’s a great way for the whole family to conclude their morning of volunteering.
When: Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (under the Pier carousel)
1:00-4:00pm – Wildlife Observation Station (West End of Pier – next to Harbor Patrol)
1:00pm – “Who Pollutes” Presentation
2:00pm – Story Time and live animal presentation
3:00pm – “Who Pollutes” Presentation (repeat)
Blitz the Bay
Don’t have a Ph.D in a science field? You don’t need one to join other citizen scientists gathering valuable data right here in Los Angeles as part of our BioBlitzes!
Join us at Malibu Lagoon for our “Blitz the Bay” BioBlitz to record the biodiversity of this newly restored wetland habitat. We’ll have experts on hand to help you explore the tidepools, observe birds through binoculars, and learn about the plants and animals of our coastal wetlands. Be sure to download iNaturalist on your smartphone before heading out to the BioBlitz.
When: Saturday, April 30; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Malibu Lagoon State Beach, 23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
Visit Heal the Bay throughout L.A.
Heal the Bay is invited to many community events throughout the greater Los Angeles area, which allows our ambassadors to educate thousdands of coastal and inland community members. With the help of amazing volunteers, we are able to spread our message all throughout the county.
Click here for a map listing outreach events, tablings, lectures, and talks Heal the Bay will be participating in.
OTHER WAYS TO START HEALIN’
Californians use more than 19 billion plastic bags each year, or roughly 552 bags per person – that’s enough bags to stretch around the globe over 250 times!
Go plastic-free this month (and hopefully every month after) by pledging to:
- Use reusable shopping bags. Might we recommend a Heal the Bay canvas tote bag, perhaps?
- Buy reusable water bottles and food containers. U-Konserve offers a great selection of waste-free lunch kits, stainless steel containers, and other reusable lunch-packing solutions for the whole family.
- Avoid one-time use plastic utensils and straws. Check out these fun, hip metal straws and bamboo utensils found at Life Without Plastic – the one-stop shop for safe, high quality, Earth-friendly alternatives to plastic products.
- Shop in bulk and avoid buying single-serve items packaged in plastic. Does plastic really need to be wrapped around more plastic? ‘Nuff said.
- Support your local plastic bag ban. Email banthebag@healthebay.org to get involved with Heal the Bay’s plastic bag movement.
- Vote in the November election to keep the statewide bag ban in place!
