Clean beaches, clear skies: SMC assists coastal cleanup
Heal the Bay held its 42nd annual coastal cleanup day on Sept. 19 at Santa Monica Beach. Heal the Bay was first founded in 1985 to stop unsafe wastewater dumping from a sewage treatment plant into Santa Monica Beach and has tested for unclean waters since.
While monthly beach cleanings have been ongoing for decades, Heal the Bay puts special focus on making their annual coastal cleanup day the biggest event.
Ferris Kuwar, Director of Sustainability at SMC, who led this year's event, said he’s been involved in organizing the coastal cleanup for eleven years, each year instructing participants to clean the coast and the importance of engaging in environmental justice.
Kawar said it is important for students to engage in cleanups because “learning to give back, and be part of your community means cleaning it up.” he said. “People come down here all summer long and use the beach, love it and enjoy it but then go home and don't think about the impact it has.”
Bay Street Beach has historically been referred to as “Inkwell Beach” by the community. According to Kawar, due to its Jim Crow-era history, the beach was one of the few places African Americans could access without harassment.
Gabe Babner, who has participated in beach cleanups since high school and is a member of SMC’s Ecological Action Club, said he was very happy about how the day panned out. “It was a great time, and we managed to do something good for the environment along the way,” Babner said.
SMC Alpha Gamma Sigma members also participated in the cleanup. AGS is an honors society at California community colleges, founded in 1923, promoting scholarship, service to the community, and leadership.
Brianna Velasco of AGS said she appreciated how community oriented the event was. “I think it’s a great way to connect to the community and other students at Santa Monica College,” she said.
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Tau Tau Omega chapter also participated in this year’s event. According to its website, for over 33 years, the Tau Tau Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has proudly served the Santa Monica, CA, and surrounding communities. Talking about students and members who attended the cleanup, Tau Tau Omega Chapter president Myumi Nakamura Coleston said, “They are the future. If we don’t have a world with healthy water and clean air, it’s not going to be good for anyone.”
According to the California Coastal Commission website, the annual event aims to “help protect people and wildlife by eliminating plastic pollution before it can cause any more harm.” Fish and birds consume the trash, which prevents them from getting nutrients and infects them with toxins, putting humans, who may consume these animals, at risk as well.