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Heal the Bay

www.healthebay.org

Organization Type:
Non-Profit

Mission:
Heal the Bay is a non-profit environmental organization working to make Southern California Coastal Waters and watersheds, including the Santa Monica Bay, safe, healthy and clean for people and marine life.

Contact:
Heal the Bay
1444 9th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: (800) HEAL-BAY or (310) 451-1500
Fax: (310) 496-1902

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
1600 Ocean Front Walk
Santa Monica CA, 90401
Phone: 310-393-6149 x 114
Fax: 310-396-4839

info@healthebay.org

Geographical Focus:
Local

Counties Served:
Los Angeles and surrounding areas

Activities:
Research, Education, Advocacy, Policy, Restoration, Regulation, Water Monitoring, Water Pollution Prevention

Topic:
Marine Debris, Wetlands, Open Ocean/Oceanography, Beaches, Watersheds/Hydrology, Habitat Restoration, Water Quality/Storm Water Runoff, Bay & Estuary Habitats

Educational Resources:
Curriculum, Outreach Programs, On-Site Programs, Field Trips, Brochures, Website

Speaker/Lecture Series:
Speakers Bureau Program participants speak to schools, businesses, etc. regarding a variety of topics including urban runoff, sewage treatment, and pollution prevention.

Education Programs:

  • Santa Monica Pier Aquarium: Lasting two hours in length during the school year (September - June) and one hour for summer sessions (July - August), field trips to the aquarium include a naturalist-led presentation inside the aquarium. School-year field trips also include an additional naturalist-led presentation on the beach just outside the aquarium doors. Whether learning about the wonders of the kelp forest, the animals of the tidepools, pollution issues, or a host of other topics, a field trip to the aquarium enhances students' understanding of the ocean and encourages conservation through stewardship.
  • Key to the Sea: A marine environmental education program designed for elementary school children in Los Angeles County. This program involves teacher professional development training during which participants receive a 75-page curriculum guide and totebag full of supplies.
  • Marine Education Outreach: Heal the Bay visits schools to teach about such topics as ocean pollution, marine biology, and conservation.

Target Audiences:
K-12, General Public, Teachers, Non-Formal Educators

Other Languages:
Educational fact sheets in Spanish as well as staff members who deliver speeches in Spanish and are involved in outreach to L.A.'s Spanish-speaking community.

In-Service Training:
Teachers, Naturalists, Students/Interns, Docents/Volunteers
Training takes place for several programs including Speakers Bureau, Key to the Sea, Beach Emergency Response Team, Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, etc. (See website for further details about individual programs.)

Volunteer Opportunities

 

Program:
Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

  Description:
Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium provides an innovative educational experience for school children, families and anyone interested in life under the sea. Focusing on the Santa Monica Bay and its coastal tidelands, our vision is to inspire understanding and conservation of the Santa Monica Bay and our watersheds through hands-on education, stewardship and discovery. Experience sea life in touch tanks, aquaria and under microscopes as well as by visiting our Kids’ Corner. The Kids’ Corner is full of books, puzzles, a puppet theater and games for families to enjoy in a comfortable, relaxed environment.
•   Education Volunteers assist our staff with educational field trips for school and camp groups Monday through Friday, 9:00am – 2:00pm.
•   Public Programs Volunteers assist our staff with programs for the general public, including birthday parties and public visiting hours, Tuesday through Sunday.
•   Internships are available for highly motivated students and career changers who are of college age and above. Please see the website for more information: www.healthebay.org/smpa/internships.
  Qualifications:
All volunteers must be at least 15 years old.
  Commitment Required:
All volunteers must:
1. Complete an in-person application/interview.
2. Attend the six-class training course held in the evenings.
3. Be able to volunteer at least 10 hours/month for a period of at least one year.
  Application/Training:
Interview and Training sessions take place over three times throughout the year. Please visit www.healthebay.org/aquarium to get the exact dates and times.
  Community Service Documentation:
Yes
  Contact:
Wyatt Miller
(310) 393-6149 x114


 

Program:
Speakers Bureau

  Description:
Passion and enthusiasm are contagious—share yours with your community as a member of Heal the Bay's Speakers Bureau! Give presentations that raise awareness about the causes and consequences of ocean pollution and inspire people to take action. We speak to a variety of audiences, including schools, businesses and community groups, educating thousands of people each year.
  Qualifications:
No prior experience is necessary, but an aptitude for public speaking is helpful and a love of the environment is a must.
  Application/Training:
Training sessions take place over four non-consecutive evenings in February and August. Please visit www.healthebay.org/speakers to get the exact dates and times.
  Community Service Documentation:
Yes
  Contact:
Melissa Aguayo
(800) HEAL-BAY, x146


 

Program:
HtB Ambassadors

  Description:
Informing the public about ocean pollution and habitat issues is a vital part of making our beaches safe for people and marine life. Become part of the solution as a Heal the Bay repersentative at festivals, community events and our very own Bay Days festival. Volunteers are needed to staff booths, set up displays, distribute materials and educate the public.
  Community Service Documentation:
Yes
  Contact:
Saira Gandhi
(800) HEAL-BAY, x145


 

Program:
Beach Cleanup Captains

  Description:
Roll up your sleeves and lead cleanups as a Beach Cleanup Captain. Captains coordinate the logistics of a cleanup, talk with participants about the causes and consequences of ocean pollution and provide them with supplies and instructions. Volunteer captains are needed regularly for the Adopt-A-Beach and Beach ERT programs as well as Coastal Cleanup Day - one of the largest volunteer efforts on the planet!
  Community Service Documentation:
Yes
  Contact:
Eveline Bravo
(800) HEAL-BAY, x148


 

Program:
Office Support

  Description:
Only free for a few hours, but still want to help? Come to the Heal the Bay office and support the staff in the daily efforts of environmental education, research and advocacy. Help is needed with mailings, data entry, and general office duties.
  Community Service Documentation:
Yes
  Contact:
Saira Gandhi
(800) HEAL-BAY, x145


Internship Opportunities

  Description:
Please first go to: www.healthebay.org/internships to see the open internships at any one time.
  When Needed:
Throughout the year
  Qualifications:
Internships are offerred to college students and career changers.
  Application:
Download from www.healthebay.org/internships
  Housing Provided:
No
  Paid:
No
  Credit:
Yes
  Contact Name:
(800) HEAL-BAY, x145



This Resource Directory is a product of the California Coastal Commission's Public Education Program

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