Free Malibu Public Beach Safaris start next week

Don't be fooled by the "private street" signs; many Malibu beaches are publicly owned, as urban nature activist Jenny Price often points out. If you're afraid to venture alone into the notoriously public-unfriendly city -- which by the way is also trying to restrict people from camping in public parks -- The Los Angeles Urban Rangers can help.

The Rangers -- a collective of artists, writers, architects and urban designers who explore L.A. and work to help others do likewise -- are back with the Summer 2008 Malibu Public Beaches Safaris -- free educational tours that will show you exactly what beaches are there for your surfing, swimming and sunbathing pleasure -- and how to find, park, walk, picnic and play there.

When: Pick from one of five safaris in west and east Malibu:

East Malibu: Sat., June 14, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sun., July 27, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Sun., Aug 3, 3 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
West Malibu: Sun., June 15, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sat., Aug 2, 3 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Cost: Free with RSVP by e-mailing info@laurbanrangers.org with tour date, name and number of people.

Can't make time for a Safari? You can still explore Malibu beaches on your own with this handy Malibu Public Beaches guide (PDF) provided by the Rangers. Enjoy the beaches that belong to you!

Photo and image courtesy of LAUR

Jun 7, 2008 11:40:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

L.A. beaches get cleaner -- due to drought

The good news: Our beaches are cleaner and healthier! The bad news: They're cleaner and healthier because we're in a drought! That means less rain -- which means less urban runoff and less ocean pollution.

That's the latest news from enviro-nonprofit Heal the Bay's 18th Annual Beach Report Card released earlier today. The Report Card monitors the water quality from more than 375 California locations year-round (517 locations in dry weather from April to October) -- then grades them on an A to F scale based on the risk of adverse health effects to beachgoers.

Los Angeles County still has the lowest beach water quality in the state -- for the third year in a row. However, our water quality still improved considerably from last year. Plus, our stats are a little skewed by the fact that we collect our samples directly in front of flowing storm drains and creeks, where water tends to be dirtier. Most other counties haven't made the switch to this more accurate sampling method -- something Heal the Bay is pushing to change in the future.

In any case, only five L.A. County beaches are named and shamed on Heal the Bay's "Top 10 Beach Bummers" this year, down from seven last year. Yippee! Here's the list:

1. Avalon Harbor Beach on Catalina Island (Los Angeles County)
2. Santa Monica Municipal Pier (Los Angeles County)
3. Poche Beach (Orange County)
4. North Beach Doheny (Orange County)
5. Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach (Los Angeles County)
6. Cabrillo Beach harborside (Los Angeles County)
7. City of Long Beach -- multiple locations (Los Angeles County)
8. Campbell Cove State Park Beach (Sonoma County)
9. Clam Beach County Park near Strawberry Creek (Humboldt County)
10. Pismo Beach Pier (San Luis Obispo County)

Read the full report here (PDF). Happy surfing...

May 21, 2008 3:53:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Malibu bans plastic and bio-plastic bags

Malibu says bye-bye to plastic bags! On Monday, the City Council voted to banish single-use plastic bags AND plastic-like compostable bags at all retail stores big and small. And to encourage the use of reusable bags, the Malibu City Council also directed its staff to research fees for paper bags.

In six months, grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies and city facilities will have to comply or face a fine of up to $1,000. Smaller vendors will have up to a year. Smaller retailers will get a year to de-plastic-bag their stores.

Since the ban refers to plastic bags given out at point-of-sale, it appears that the flimsier plastic bags available at produce sections of grocery stores will still be permitted.

By passing the ordinance, Malibu beat out the City of Santa Monica, which is also poised to ban plastic bags soon. The Santa Monica City Council directed its staff to draft an ordinance to ban plastic bags back in February, but has yet to actually pass the ordinance.

According to the City of Malibu's website, both plastic and compostable one-use bags were banned "since there are no Southern California facilities that can recycle the compostable types." Santa Monica, too, plans to ban compostable bags, citing both the lack of recycling facilities and the potential harm to marine life. In contrast, San Francisco's bag ban applies only to plastic bags; NoCal does have some industrial composting facilities that can break down compostable one-use bags.

Earlier: Bring Your Own Bag

Photo courtesy of envirowoman

May 14, 2008 11:51:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

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As a teenager, Siel sped past Paramount Studios on the 10 Metro bus to get to Fairfax High School. Now she cuts through the concrete jungle of Los Angeles on her pink Townie bike to shop at local farmers' markets and socialize in pre-loved Prada heels. A contributing editor to BlogHer, Siel also keeps a personal blog, green LA girl. Send your burning green questions to greenlagirl@gmail.com.

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