Heal the Bay

I (Lydia) recently read some literature on Heal the Bay thanks to the call from my favorite ocean loving family of eco-fighters the Sloan's. Max Sloan is organizing donations for the annuale "Bring Back the Beach" dinner and auction and my food company Apples & Onions is donating a Farmer's Market cooking class to the auction help raise money for the wonderful cause of keeping the Santa Monica Bay from being a dumping ground for trash.

The health and safety of our oceans is paramount to the cause against climate change and even if you don't live close to an ocean you can practice these tips below to help preserve your local water sources like the lakes, reservoirs and rivers in your area.

Heal The Bay- Easy Tips to keep the Ocean clean

Even if you live miles from the beach, there are many ways that you can help. Check out these top 10 suggestions and start healing the Bay today!

1. Keep your Litter out of the Gutter!
   Keep trash, yard trimmings, and other litter off the street and out of the storm drains so they don’t end up in the ocean. Clean up after your dog, cat, or horse to keep the waste out of the storm drain and away from your favorite beach. Report full catch basins to the Dept. of Public Works: LA City: (800) 974- 9794 LA County: (800) 303- 0003
2. Don’t Be a Drip
   Overwatering is wasteful and moves trash and toxins to the ocean. Conserving water also helps the sewage treatment plant do a better job. Turn off the faucet when you don’t need it. Fix leaky pipes and install low- flow shower heads and toilets
3. Hold on to Your Balloons
   Released helium balloons eventually pop and fall back to land, ending up in the ocean where animals mistake them for food. Always pop balloons and put them in the trash.
4. Beware of Six- Pack Rings
   Avoid burying them, or cut them up before you throw them out. Marine animals choke on garbage and get tangled in trash. Unlike people, birds and fish don’t have hands to remove items caught around their necks.
5. Go Non-Toxic!
   Avoid buying products like liquid drain openers. Use pesticides as little as possible and look for non- toxic alternatives. Use compost instead of chemical fertilizers. If you must use harsh chemical products, bring them to authorized household hazardous waste drop-off centers. For locations near you, call (800) CLEAN-UP.
6. Sack the Plastic Bags
   Instead of taking plastic bags at the grocery store, bring your own bag. Plastic bags create loads of unnecessary litter; they are easily blown by the wind, and they often end up in the ocean. Plastic takes hundreds of years to biodegrade, and creates hazards for marine life and other wildlife.
7. Make a Clean Sweep
   Use a broom, not a hose, to clean sidewalks and driveways. Watering the driveway won’t make it grow! Sweep trash into a dustpan, not the gutter, and use the garden clippings as mulch to fertilize your yard.
8. Recycle Used Motor Oil
   You can recycle your used motor oil at gas stations, auto parts stores, and garages. Never pour it down the drain, in the gutter, or on the ground. Motor oil is extremely toxic.
9. Go to a Car Wash
   Most car washes recycle their water. If you clean your car at home, wash it on the lawn. Use a bucket to conserve water and use biodegradable soap.
10. Become a part of Heal the Bay
    By volunteering or becoming a member, you’ll help us continue to protect the Santa Monica Bay and all of California’s coastal waters.
    
    • Donate
    • Become a member
    • Volunteer - Join a beach or community cleanup, or help out at our offices or at our events
    • Educate - Help spread the word through our education programs
    • Buy and wear cool Heal the Bay stuff!

And our favorite advice from Heal the Bay.... got to the car wash, it's good for the environment and your manicure!
If you would like to attend the dinner or donate to the auction click here!