LOS ANGELES WORLD AIRPORTS CO-SPONSORS “OCEAN DAY”
(Los Angeles, California -- May 21, 2001) In honor and support of "Ocean Day" and its commitment to the environment, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is co-sponsoring the Eighth Annual Adopt-a-Beach event, Tuesday, May 22, 2001, beginning at 10 a.m. at Dockweiler Beach adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Nearly 3,000 students from 26 elementary schools are expected to help pick up trash and debris. Once their clean-up mission is completed, they will form a human chain and spell out "CLEAN H2O NOW" for an aerial photograph.
During the "Ocean Day" event, students receive hands-on instruction and learn how the debris found on the beach affect marine life. Additionally, students learn how pollution from run-off from the Los Angeles storm-drain system affects beaches and the ocean.
"Los Angeles World Airports and the Malibu Foundation share a commitment to implementing effective student programs that improve the quality of life for their communities and the environment overall," said Roger Johnson, LAWA deputy executive director for environmental affairs. He added, "Students are often surprised to see first-hand how much trash and debris beach-goers leave behind. This trash often ends up in our ocean or is blown onto our El Segundo Blue Butterfly endangered species preserve or against the LAX perimeter fence along Vista del Mar, requiring twice weekly clean-ups by LAX maintenance crews. It is a
real joy for us to see thousands of students learn the importance of protecting our coastal areas and the ocean."
Michael Klubock, director of the Malibu Foundation and creator of the annual event, said, "The Malibu Foundation for Environmental Education appreciates the partnership and commitment LAWA has shown to water quality and other environmental issues. LAWA’s support and generous donation of recyclable sipper cups reinforces reuse, which is part of the recycling message. Most of the trash found on the beach comes from discarded bottles, cans and cups."
Klubock, a veteran environmentalist, conducts a traveling environmental show where students participate in an Adopt-A-Beach Assembly program aimed at Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego schools.
Participating schools receive free presentations in an Adopt-a-Beach School assembly, which includes a 45-minute presentation and slide show. Students see first-hand how the increasing amount of plastic and debris in oceans around the world entangle and kill birds, dolphins, turtles, and fish.
Like LAWA’s award-winning reuse and recycling program, Adopt-a-Beach encourages students to make recycling a part of their lifestyle by taking an active role in their environment. During the school assemblies, students bring hundreds of thousands of washed and crushed aluminum cans, which are redeemed for money to help pay for buses to transport the students to the "Ocean Day" event.
