Martin Feinberg, Realtor, has learned that the Ballona Creek Renaissance team is searching for volunteers to help clean up part of the Ballona Creek area.  The clean up, which will focus on the area where the inland water and incoming tide meet, will take place on Saturday June 8 from 9 a.m. to noon.  Volunteers of all ages are welcome.  Those interested should meet at the corner of Centinela Avenue and Milton Street, within the Culver City Real Estate area.

According to the Ballona Creek website, “Ballona Creek is a nine-mile-long flood control channel. It drains the Ballona Creek watershed, which covers approximately 130 square miles: from the Santa Monica mountains on the north to the Baldwin Hills on the south, and from the Harbor Freeway (110) on the east to eastern edge of Santa Monica. During dry weather the creek flows with urban runoff; the water level and speed increase dramatically during storms. That runoff contains all sorts of pollutants from our air, yards, businesses, schools, and streets – trash, animal waste, oil and grease, pesticides and fertilizers, industrial chemicals. One often finds large items, such as shopping carts, which have been dumped in the creek. Algae accumulate in some places and graffiti in others.  About four miles of the creek lie within the City of Culver City. The rest of it is in the City of Los Angeles and, near the coast, the County of Los Angeles.”

While Ballona Creek is a place of water, fish, birds, and plants, it is also a source of ocean-bound trash and plastic. The Clean up is an opportunity to remove some of that pollution before it reaches open water.  It’s also a great way for students to earn community service credits.

Local listing agent Martin Feinberg notes that the Ballona Creek Renaissance team recommends that volunteers wear sunscreen, hats, and close-toed shoes (water-resistant would be best).  Volunteers should also bring their own water in a reusable container and gloves. Water and gloves also will be available at the event however for those that don’t bring them, along with bags, grabbers, buckets, rakes, and educational displays.

Volunteers under 18 must have a waiver form signed by their parent or guardian. These are available either on-site or on website, http://ballonacreek.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cleanupwaiversfor-minors2015.pdf

Adult volunteers will be asked to sign waivers at the event.