Santa Monica Baykeeper

The famed Jack Johnson gave the Santa Monica Baykeeper, as well as other non-profit organizations, the opportunity to reach out to his fans at the final show of his 2008 world tour at UCLA on August 31st. Jack Johnson has been a long time supporter of environmental organizations both finacially and through his time. In addition to giving us this unique opportunity to talk about current Baykeeper activities, Jack Johnson himself came around to learn more about all the organizations.  As a long time fan, Stacie Fejtek, Marine Ecologist said “meeting Jack Johnson was unbelievable in and of its self, but his three hour set that followed was fitting of a tour finale”.

Santa Monica Baykeeper is currently restoring Stone Canyon Creek on the UCLA Campus and this was a great event to reach out to volunteers. Restorations dates are set for Saturdays 10am-1pm, September 27, October 18th and November 15th. We will meet behind the Anderson School of Business Charles Young Drive and Westwood Plaza(off Sunset Blvd. Parking lot 4).

 

On September 1st, SMBK in partnership with LightHawk started aerial boat surveys along southern Califonia’s coast line from Point Conception to the Mexican Border.  Since 1979, LightHawk has been the largest and oldest volunteer based environmental aviation organization in America. The surveys record the types of boats and their activity in state coastal waters. The data collected over the duration of the project, will inform the design of MPA’s (Marine Protected Areas) under the California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. MPA’s are areas of coastal ocean set aside to protect ocean life and habitat. They are located within 3 miles from shore (Californa State Water’s) and offer protection from fishing and other uses. MPA’s provide places where fish can feed, breed and thrive with minimal human impact. As a result, marine life living within MPA’s grows more diverse, abundant and larger in size.  MPA’s are a part of a holistic approach to ensure a healthy and sustainable coast for all Californian’s.  We would like to thank LightHawk for donating their plane and providing us with our fantastic volunteer pilot Brian Williams.

Building the artificial reef off of San Onofre State Beach. Santa Monica Baykeeper/Lighthawk