By Sam Skopp
As part of their Nothin’ But Sand beach cleanups held on beaches throughout the westside of Los Angeles, Heal the Bay volunteers picked up trash Saturday, July 16, from Marina del Rey’s Toes Beach, adjacent to the Ballona Wetlands, as part of a larger effort by Heal the Bay and Friends of Ballona Wetlands to restore the area.
The event saw volunteers pick up trash from the beach, which was then measured and cataloged. The data has been used to pass pro-environmental legislation in the past, including Santa Monica’s ban on styrofoam to-go containers.
At the end of the morning, according to Heal the Bay’s programs coordinator, 425 volunteers collected 134 pounds of trash in total. The volunteers who stuck around then got to participate in a raffle.
Esmerelda VillaLobos, one of the volunteers, decided to participate in the beach cleanup as part of an effort by Southern California Edison, which has its own environmental sustainability program.
“It’s also a lovely day to clean up the beach,” VillaLobos said.
Jenn Swart, who is Heal the Bay’s Programs Associate, explained that the wetlands are connected to storm drains that run as far inland as Griffith Park, meaning that trash from there and other inland areas are brought onto the beach through the wetland’s creeks.
“95 percent of America’s wetlands have been developed on or impaired,” explained Swart. This is why Heal the Bay has made protecting the wetlands, as well as removing refuse from them and surrounding areas, a priority.
The rest of the day included tours of the wetlands, a mini “festival” with children’s activities and informational talks about the importance of the wetlands, a creek cleanup, and a beginners birding tour.
Co-sponsors of the event included Friends of Ballona Wetlands, LA Waterkeeper, Surfrider South Bay and The Bay Foundation. For more information about Heal the Bay, visit healthebay.org.
