The LA Stormwater Blog

First Flush: Meet the Storm’s Unsung Scientists

Each year, Los Angeles waits for its first major rainfall. Though smaller storms and showers can hit throughout the year, the “first flush” is the rainfall that really gets things going and triggers SoCal’s rainy season. The first flush sweeps away any trash, automotive fluids, dog waste, or other pollutants lingering on our streets, gutters, […]

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Get Ready For A Rainy Day

While we Angelenos love to brag about our beautiful SoCal weather, LA does receive, on average, about 15 inches of rain every year. With October 1 being the official start of LA’s rainy season, here’s a simple checklist that you can use to make sure that you are ready for those wet days ahead: For […]

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Conjuring Up A Sustainably Spooky Halloween

This time of year, many of us are tempted to adorn our homes with all sorts of scary, silly, and adorable Halloween-themed decorations. But many of these faux-cobwebs, window-cling bats, and ghostly garlands aren’t exactly the most environmentally friendly. Many of these decorations will eventually find their way into the landfill—or, depending on the timing […]

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Ghoulishly Good Gardening Tips

Autumn is upon us: crisp mornings, changing leaves (even in LA!), and pumpkin-spiced everything. But as we embrace cozy sweaters and golden foliage, it’s also a great time to refresh our garden habits for the cooler season while protecting our local environment. Below are several fall-friendly practices to adopt in your garden, plus a cautionary […]

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Falling for Fall: What to Plant this Autumn

Happy First Day of Fall! Though Los Angeles is still set for at least a few more weeks of summer-style high temperatures, the calendar doesn’t lie: we’ve officially entered autumn. Gardeners know that each season brings its own special batch of floral and culinary delights. Even though many in the Northern Hemisphere equate “fall” with […]

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Plan a School Cleanup Day

Teachers, students, class parents, and all the other community-minded all-stars out there: have you ever wanted to take part in, or even help plan, a clean-up day?  The California Coastal Commission’s 36th Annual Coastal Cleanup Day is right around the corner on September 20th, 2025. This incredible event will include over 70 cleanup sites located […]

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Reading Green: How to Teach Children About the Environment

Books are a perfect opportunity to introduce your child to environmental topics. Want to ensure the eco-reading time with your child is impactful? Here are some tips to enhance your child’s reading comprehension: What to Read, What to Read… If you’re having difficulty talking about these complex issues with your child, pick up a book […]

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Tails and Trails: Dog-Friendly Hikes Around LA

Every dog deserves a good adventure from time to time! In Los Angeles, we have no shortage of trails where our four-legged hiking buddies can join us out in nature. Spending time on the trail is an excellent bonding activity, not to mention the type of full-body exercise that’s sure to boost your mood (and […]

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Pups Rule the Park

Summer is the perfect time to let your furry friend enjoy the outdoors with total freedom and meet some new friends along the way. LA has a number of fantastic off-leash dog parks where your pups can run free, socialize, and play their hearts out. We’re going to share with you a few of our […]

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It’s Summer Vacay Time For You And Your Home

Suitcases packed? Check! Travel plans confirmed? Check! Family excited about going on vacation? Check and check! Home prepped and ready for its own vacay? Ummm… Planning one last getaway before school starts in August? Perhaps it’s a quick weekend camping trip or maybe a road trip to visit the grandparents.  It’s time to give your […]

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