LA Stormwater Is Waving Thanks!
Nov 23rd
November is always a nice break from wagging our fingers, telling people not to do things, and start putting our hands together for all the amazing work that our followers, partners and volunteers have done to assist and promote the efforts of LA Stormwater.
First of all, we’d like to say, to all of our fans on Facebook, “you like us, you really like us.” Well, we like you too, and we are very thankful for the support through your comments, likes and shares so that others can stay up to date on local volunteer opportunities, gardening and water-related events, clean water tips, relevant news for eco-minded fans, fun contests and more! You’ve all really helped build a strong and active Clean Water community! Share our page with your friends and help us continue to grow!
We also want to say thanks to our partners for joining the Clean Water Team Effort—to name just a few: TreePeople, Green LA Coalition, Santa Monica Baykeeper, Mar Vista Green Garden Council, Keen for Green, the LA Conservation Corps, Heal the Bay, LA Creek Freak, Friends of the LA River, Friends of the Ballona Wetlands and My Plastic Free Life. All your support and the contributions of your sustainable visions have not More >
Paddle The LA River Interview With Patrick Caneday
Nov 15th
Patrick Caneday is an author, essayist and columnist for several LA area newspapers, as well as one of a few lucky community members to experience the “Paddle the LA River” pilot program this last August. His new book, “Crooked Little Birdhouse: Random Thoughts on Being Human” includes a section entitled “Rivers,” inspired by his meditations along the LA River. We in turn were so inspired by his experience that we just had to keep the conversation going:
LA Stormwater (LAS): Had you experienced the LA River much before your “Paddle the LA River” adventure?
Patrick Caneday (PC): I have a deeply emotional attachment to the LA River. As a child growing up in Glendale in the 70’s, I recall driving up the 5 Freeway straining to see the flood drains painted as cats. And as an adult, the LA River became asanctuary for me in times of difficulty. I’d often leave the bike and walking paths along the river and venture down along the concrete banks marveling at the forest islands that run through the Glendale Narrows. It is, and always will be, a place of solace, meditation and healing for me.
LAS: Is there any juxtaposition of the River and the City that particularly More >
It Takes A Team Effort To Celebrate Clean Water
Nov 8th
We have a little mantra we like to repeat here at LA Stormwater and we can’t say it enough: Clean Water is a Team Effort! In other words, we are all in this thing together.
Fortunately, we have a great array of organizations and volunteers here in Los Angeles that help to build community and improve our local environment. We appreciate the hard work these organizations do and highlight a bit of their Clean Water efforts in the following appreciation video.
Thanks again to Heal the Bay, North East Trees, TreePeople, LA Conservation Corps, UMASS Amherst Alumni Club, LA Dodgers, Kids Ocean Day volunteers, Santa Monica Baykeeper and all the other groups that support Clean Water in the LA area.
Want to join in the fun? Visit our monthly list of community events to find an event near you and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date on our videos!
Thanks In Advance For Giving This November!
Nov 1st
It’s that time of year again. Sure, it is getting dark earlier, the weather is cooling off and the leaves are falling to the ground. But that doesn’t mean it’s too late to give a little back in 2011 to the City we all love and call home. Below is a list of some of the great upcoming eco-events in the area that we recommend checking out!
> Gardens sure do rock. Transition LA will be hosting a Community Garden Work Day on Friday, November 4th, where your hard work can help provide fresh produce for local food pantries.
> TreePeople will be adding beauty to the Pacoima Park by planting 14 trees on Saturday, November 5th and they are looking for volunteers.
> Take a tour of the majestic Cabrillo Marine Aquarium on Sunday, November 6th. Starting at the aquarium courtyard, you’ll visit the native garden, salt marsh, beaches and tidepools.
> Irrigation is a complex topic. That’s why we are thankful that the Theodore Payne Foundation is going to break it down for us on Saturday, November 12th at their Irrigation 101 seminar in Sun Valley.
> Want to learn how to reduce your waste, get rid of chemicals and reuse water? We thought so. On Thursday, November 17th, Sustainable Works will be holding a More >
Bicycle The LA River: A Photo Guide To Your Next Adventure
Oct 24th
The LA River is an integral part of our City. It’s one of our lifelines of sorts as it reduces flooding and carries runoff to the ocean. Yet, most of us have never actually seen the river other than driving over it on an overpass. That can now change, as a bikeway follows the majority of the river from Griffith Park to its outlet in Long Beach. Don’t believe us? Check out the cool photos and little factoids below and make the Los Angeles River Bikeway your next adventure!
Los Angeles River Bikeway on Prezi
Solar Trash Compactor Hits The Streets of LA
Oct 18th
It may sound like an eco-giant with a huge appetite. In fact, maybe it is. The BigBelly Solar trashcan is hungry for trash and powered by, you guessed it, the sun!
Developed by entrepreneur James Poss, the BigBelly Solar trash compactor can hold four times as much trash as a normal trashcan. Recently, two BigBelly trash compactors were purchased with funds allocated to the Echo Park’s Trash Abatement Project (TAP) by the City Office of Community Beautification and Keep Los Angeles Beautiful.
The LA Stormwater Program donated the time and produced the graphics that appear on the BigBelly trash devices. We are proud to be a part of this little piece of LA eco-history! On September 14th, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in Echo Park to unveil the first functioning BigBelly Solar trash compactor in Los Angeles. City Councilman Eric Garcetti and other City employees were in attendance for the “green” carpet event.
“These units will not only reduce the amount of trash drifting on pavements and streets, but will also address the long term health of Echo Park Lake and improving water quality in the LA River and ocean as well,” Ida Talalla of TAP wrote in a blog post for LA Stormwater last May. “A More >
Plant Trees In The South LA Wetlands Park!
Oct 14th
On Saturday, October 15, 2011 the Water Environment Federation (WEF) in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles, will be planting 40 trees near the South LA Wetlands Park and volunteers are needed!
This project is part of the Million Trees LA program and compliments the nearly completed South LA Wetlands Park, which aids in reducing the area’s stormwater pollution.
Where: 5314 South Avalon Avenue, Los AngelesWhen: Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 a.m. Service project begins - 2:00 p.m. Culmination program begins - 3:00 p.m. Event concludes
Following the event, Los Angeles City Council President Pro Tempore Jan Perry and WEF President Jeanette Brown will be sharing their vision for local environmental protection and community service with those in attendance.
Coastal Interceptor Relief Sewer Project Update, October 12, 2011
Oct 12th
The City of Los Angeles has been working on the Central Interceptor Relief Sewer (CIRS) to provide additional capacity to handle the increased flows of stormwater from the eight completed Low Flow Diversion (LFDs) structures. The completed CIRS will assist the City in complying with the Santa Monica Bay Beaches Dry Weather Bacteria TMDL requirement, making our beaches and bay waters safer and healthier while meeting Environmental Protection Agency and federal Clean Water Act regulations. Below is an update on the latest information about the CIRS. Stay tuned to our blog for the latest updates regarding the CIRS and more!
Between Chautauqua and Temescal Canyon: Work within the Will Rogers Beach Parking Lots 1 and 2 continues through May 2012. The K-Rail along PCH has been removed, except for a small portion necessary for the installation of a new maintenance hole. This work will continue through the end of October, and the K-Rail will be removed thereafter.
Between the Annenberg Beach House and Chautauqua: Night work from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. will continue on both of sides of PCH, requiring lane closures. However, at least one lane in each direction will be open at all times. All lanes will be open during the day from More >
Sit, Stay & Smile For Our Spooktacular Photo Contest!
Oct 10th
Trick or dog treat? We have a paw-tastic treat for you this Halloween! To celebrate Halloween, we are hosting a Spooktacular Photo Contest through November 8th!
Submit a photo of your furry friends dressed in their favorite costumes, and you could win a $100 gift card towards a photo shoot at a pet boutique or towards a private photo session at your home or local park, courtesy of Paw Prints Pet Portraiture! To everyone who submits a photo, we will treat you to a free LA Stormwater container of doggie waste bags.
To enter the contest: 1. Dress your furry friend in their favorite costume. 2. Snap a photo of your pet. 3. Upload your photo (max file size 20mb) by filling out the form below or by posting your photo on our Facebook page. 4. Submit your photo along with your pet’s name.
* Like us on Facebook and check out the Spooktacular photo album to view the photo entries.
*Photo courtesy of DogTrainging.com
Your Name (required)
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Photo Description
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Paula Daniels Leaves Board of Public Works to Rally New Sustainable Food System For Los Angeles
Oct 7th
By Tonya E. Durrell
When I sat down with Paula Daniels, Senior Advisor to Mayor Villaraigosa, to talk about her new role in jumpstarting a sustainable regional food system in the City, it was clear that she would approach the challenge with the same savvy and vigor she brought to the Board of Public Works for six years.
Daniels was instrumental in directing the City onto greener paths with an innovative infrastructure initiative to clean up stormwater pollution. As a Board of Public Works commissioner, she championed the first standard plans for Green Streets in the United States, drought tolerant planting guidelines, and a green street retrofit pilot project on Riverdale Avenue in Los Angeles. She also led the strategic planning and early development of the million tree campaign of Mayor Villaraigosa, now known as Million Trees LA.
This past September, she saw her work on the City’s landmark Low Impact Development Ordinance come to fruition–as the City Council unanimously adopted the measure that calls for development and redevelopment projects to mitigate runoff by capturing rainwater at its source utilizing natural resources.
Daniels has been affiliated with Heal the Bay since 1989, and currently serves as an honorary member on the Board of Governors More >
Go Green This Halloween For A T-Shirt Treat
Oct 6th
In the spirit of Halloween, we’d like to give you the opportunity to win a LA Stormwater t-shirt! Simply stop by one of the following events where the Trash Monster will be present*: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Autumn Sea Fair on Sunday, October 16th. Community Health and Safety Fair at the Japanese Garden on Saturday, October 29th.
Snap a photo with our not-so-spooky Trash Monster at one of these events. Then, post the photo to the LA Stormwater Facebook page along with a statement telling us one thing you’ve done to improve water quality. It’s that easy. No tricks, just treats for our fans!
Also, be on the lookout for LA Stormwater Program materials at the following events during the month of October:
Mar Vista Fall Festival on Saturday, October 15th.
First Unitarian Church Community Resource and Energy Conservation Fair on Saturday, October 15th. Franklin High School Community and Resource Fair on Saturday, October 22nd. Race for the Rescues at the Rose Bowl on Sunday, October 23rd. South LA Pit Bull Day at the Los Angeles Sports Arena on Sunday, October 30th.
And if you can’t make it to one of the above events, there are plenty more happenings to choose from with a little taste of a few below.
> Every More >
