How Far Will the Plastic Industry Go?
Blocking Bag Bans Impedes Efforts to Clean our Waterways
Why are cities across America considering plastic bag taxes and bans and why are plastic interest groups fighting them so vociferously? California's beaches are covered in plastic. This year on Coastal Clean Up Day, plastic bags and food containers were the two largest categories of trash found on beaches after cigarette butts. Caltrans alone spends $60 million annually just to clean up our roads and highways. This litter travels through storm drains, creeks and rivers, eventually making it to the bay and ocean. There it kills marine life and spreads invasive species and toxic pollutants.
Down in the Dumps
Pinole Creek is a Stark Reminder of How Carelessness Impacts Our Environment
Pinole Creek has been trashed. If you looked over the tallies from Coastal Cleanup Day 2009, this poor little creek probably caught your eye. In just one morning, fifty-five volunteers hauled four and a half tons of trash from a short section of the creek, which flows through northwest Contra Costa County into the San Pablo Bay. Among the mass of debris were refrigerators, tires, rolls of barbed wire, an entire engine block, oil drums, and a mountain of scrap metal.
What's in Your Watershed?
The Flashy Anna's Hummingbird
Fall is an exciting time to gaze out your window. The sun is shining brightly, the leaves are changing, and if you're as lucky as we've been here at The Watershed Project, the beautiful Anna's hummingbird could be putting on a lively show in right front of your eyes, almost close enough to touch.
An Evening of Champagne and Oysters
Join Us This Month for a Special Event
Champagne, jazz, local celebs, awards, dancing, and, of course, oysters--all in one night! I'm excited to extend a personal invitation to you for this very special benefit to support The Watershed Project's Native Oyster Restoration Program. Join us on October 22nd, 6-8pm at the stunning Craneway Pavilion.
