Isla Vista Surfrider

This week’s water quality results are in and all local spots are clean!

Have you ever thought about how the food you throw away affects the environment? Learn what food waste is and how you can reduce your environmental impact through efficient food management! Food waste occurs in all levels of food production including in harvest, preparation, shipment, grocery stores, restaurants, and in our own homes. When good food is thrown out, not only is the food itself wasted, but all of the resources utilized to produce it. By limiting our food production and participating in effective uses of food and composting, we can help mediate the massive impact caused by irresponsible food management.

WARNING: This week’s water quality results from Blue Water Task Force show high levels of enterococcus bacteria in five out of the six local sites tested. The heavy rain we experienced over these past few days and today’s test results are signifiers of the troubling runoff we experience in Isla Vista. Campus Point had the highest level of enterococcus with a reading of 10X the level of bacteria deemed safe. Be sure to stay out of the water for 72 hours following heavy rain to allow things to clear up!

EASY plastic-free home swaps for the kitchen and bathroom! Decreasing plastic usage in your home space can actually be easier than you might think. Use a wooden dish-washing brush and toothbrush instead of plastic ones, and swap out your plastic soap containers for soap bars. Living a more sustainable lifestyle happens one step at a time, and it doesn’t have to feel daunting or unattainable in any way!

With the recent increase in beach recreation and the warm weather we’ve been having, now is a great time to participate in a solo beach cleanup! Check out this successful cleanup done by one of our members @claire_e_a, as well as a sample data sheet which can be accessed through the link in our bio. Make sure to be mindful of all solo beach cleanup safety guidelines, and have fun while you’re doing it!

Water quality testing resumes! We are so excited to begin a partnership with Explore Ecology this upcoming January. Our Blue Water Task Force team will use the Wetlab at the Watershed Resource Center at Arroyo Burro Beach to analyze water samples from five beaches in Isla Vista. We’ll check bacteria levels to determine the health and safety of the ocean water and see how pollution from land is affecting water quality at our local beaches. Thank you @exploreecology for your support while we prepare to resume testing in the new year! Photo by Cali Brannan

This week’s water quality results from SB County are in and all local spots are clean. Have a lovely weekend and be on the lookout for meteor showers!

@JoeBiden must take bold action to address the plastic pollution crisis. That’s why 550+ groups and over 250,000 businesses represented by @ASBCouncil support the executive agenda he can take up to be a #PlasticFreePresident. Sign the petition here: tinyurl.com/petitionplasticfree

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, single-use Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) has been polluting local beaches and waterways. Single-use PPE is made from plastic and therefore causes long-term damage on local coastal and marine ecosystems. These microplastics will end up in our food, water, and air systems. Reusable face coverings are an easy and stylish alternative to single-use PPE. Reusable gloves are also a more sustainable option than single-use rubber gloves, which will likely end up floating in our oceans or buried in a landfill. Make sure to regularly sanitize your reusable Personal Protection Equipment with hot water and soap. Express yourself through a stylish reusable mask and help keep our beaches and waterways clean by choosing reusable over single-use!

This week’s water quality results from SB County are in and all local spots are clean! : @keilanisnyder