That candy wrapper floating down the sidewalk in the breeze may seem like a fairly local problem, one that could be solved here and now. But, when that same little piece of plastic makes its way to the LA River and flows into the Pacific Ocean it can be carried to distant parts of the world. The local candy wrapper is now a global issue. 

 

So, by cleaning up our own corner of the world we can contribute towards a cleaner world. It’s very easy to see the issues that surround us every day, but it’s more difficult to see how our actions are connected to issues on the other side of the globe. If we could follow every single piece of trash that flows through our local streams we would see some flow to South America, some would be carried away by a migratory bird, and some would deposit on our shores. Whether it sticks around or makes an epic journey around the world, our local actions have global impacts. So, one of the greatest things that we can do is get involved with our local clean-up organizations. 

Seven Places To Get Involved

  1. Volunteers Cleaning Communities – Volunteer cleaning up local areas of Los Angeles or adopt a city block to continually clean and maintain. Also, don’t miss the Environmental Awareness Day celebration on November 20th. It’s a great family-friendly event to learn more about how you can get involved with the clean-up effort.
  2. Empower LA – This conglomerate of neighborhood councils, devoted to empowering neighborhoods to make positive change is a great resource for finding neighborhood-specific clean-up events. Whatever neighborhood you’re in, there are plenty of opportunities near you.
  3. LA Waterkeeper – Focusing on aquatic systems such as creeks and the Pacific Ocean, LA Waterkeeper organizes volunteers to get out on the water and remove litter from more than just our city streets.
  4. Friends of the LA River – Honing in on the LA River, which flows directly through town, Friends of the LA River (FOLAR) coordinate frequent clean-up events ranging from hiking along the shores to kayaking down the river to collect as much trash as possible.
  5. Heal The Bay – Whether you’re looking to join an existing clean-up event or host your own, Heal The Bay has what you’re looking for. Feel free to join them at a number of scenic locations, or use their resources to help lead your own effort.
  6. Surfrider – Surfers know the beach and they know how polluted beaches have become over the years. Surfrider is a great resource for beach clean-ups, so make your next beach day a productive one with Surfrider.
  7. Ocean Conservancy – The Ocean Conservancy is one of the largest and most well-known environmental organizations. With a mission to protect our oceans, they are at the heart of reducing pollution in the Pacific Ocean. Don’t miss the chance to get involved with a clean-up or by attending a virtual lecture to learn more about Earth’s largest biomes.

Coastal Clean-Up Month

Each year, the entire international community comes together for one month to collectively clean our coasts. The month of September is Coastal Clean-Up Month. And while we’re coming to the close of coastal clean-up month, it’s important to continue this momentum – especially as we enter the rainy season. Get involved either by participating in a clean-up with one of the many clean-up organizations listed above or take part in your own self-guided event. For those who are leaning more towards a self-guided clean-up, check out the CleanSwell App to log your activities. Don’t miss out on the chance to join tens of thousands of other volunteers in helping to keep our coastline clean and beautiful.  

 

In 2019, over 74,000 volunteers picked up more than 900,000 pounds of trash from local beaches and waterways. So, come on out and help us make the world a better, cleaner place for humans and wildlife.

 

As always, if you have any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to reach us at lastormwater@lacity.org.