Plant a Million Trees, LA!

I’ve lived in Los Angeles for most of my life and one thing I wouldn’t necessarily attribute to this great city is “green”. No, I’m not talking about our eco-consciousness because I really believe that our city is one of the “leaders” in this new revolution. I mean, the greenness that comes from an abundance of a cities’ natural beauty: the vegetation, plants and, most important, the trees!

Trees are not just an aesthetic need, they are so important to the existence and well-being of the environment. Not only do they improve the quality of the air that we breathe by “sucking in” airborne particles, reducing heat, and absorbing pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.  Tree shade also acts as a natural “air conditioner” during those hot summer months and an eco-friendly “heater” during the chilly winter times.  Read more

Coastal Cleanup Day 2008

Coastal Cleanup Day is September 20th, 2008!!

Every year, the state of California relies on volunteers to help clean up the coasts along the entire state. Coastal cleanup day in California is easily one of the largest volunteer events in Southern California.

This year, the coastal cleanup day will be September 20th. In 2007, there were more than 60,000 volunteers who moved trash from all of the beaches and lakes in the state. This huge undertaking helped to remove nearly 1 million pounds of trash; this is an astounding number that is unfortunately too common. While there are thousands of volunteers, there are millions of people who trash the coast and do not understand the importance of keeping it clean.

Why Clean Up our Coast?

There are two major reasons to clean up the coast; the humans, and the wildlife. Those who do not have a large soft spot for Mother Nature can still appreciate a clean coast. No one wants to walk onto a coast and beach only to find cigarette buts and wrappers. All of this trash can be incredibly distracting, and downright disgusting, for those who are attempting to enjoy a day at the beach. This is also incredibly unsanitary, as junk on the beach is not necessarily a healthy haven.

The animals are an entirely different story. While many people have heard of animals who have a hard time on the coasts with trash, the may not understand how wide spread the problem is. Many people have heard of birds or fish that have been stuck in the pop can plastic connecters. People generally do not hear of the birds and other animals that eat cigarette butts, and the animals who cut themselves on sharp trash. All of this trash can easily find it’s way to the coasts. If no one cleans this u, the animals will remain in danger.

How to Register and Volunteer

Registering and volunteering for the coastal cleanup day in California is incredibly easy. First, you need to figure out where you would like to clean up; there are local coordinators for all of the different areas on the coast. Once you reach the local coordinator, you can receive directions and instructions for the day of the cleaning. You can also do so online, and can actually set up a site of your own if none exist.

On the day of the actually clean up you will check in at your location and will receive most of the things that you need. While you need to bring your own shoes, hats, and gloves, you will be given trash bags and the information you need to track the trash you pick up. Volunteering for the coastal cleanup day is really this easy. Searching California’s government website will easily lead you to the database for the coastal cleanup day so that you can find your area and be well on your way to making a difference on California’s coasts.