|
Welcome to the first issue of the City of Manhattan Beach's quarterly Sustainable MB newsletter!
Every quarter we will update the community on sustainable programs, projects, events, and news in the City of Manhattan Beach.
|
|
|
Manhattan Beach’s Environmental Sustainability Division strives to create a healthy, sustainable, and resilient city while furthering the City’s long history of environmental leadership, policy, and stewardship.
|
|
 Environmental Programs Administrator
Britny Coker-Moen joined the City of Manhattan Beach as the new Environmental Programs Administrator in September 2024. She is passionate about sustainability and climate action, and is thrilled to join the City of Manhattan Beach.
Prior to her position with Manhattan Beach, Britny worked for the City of Long Beach on waste reduction initiatives, community programs, and public education. Britny has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Environmental Science and Policy from California State University Long Beach.
|
 Environmental Programs Intern
Ali Zahori is a graduate student at UCLA pursuing a Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences. Ali was born in Hayward, CA and was raised in Union City, CA. He lived most of his life up in the San Francisco Bay Area until 2023 when he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his masters.
Before working for the City of Manhattan Beach, Ali worked for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as an undergraduate researcher. Apart from work Ali spends his free time hiking, cooking, and learning different languages.
|
|
Did You Know?
In January 2022, The Bay Foundation began the implementation of restoring approximately three acres of beach dunes along the north Manhattan Beach coastline, from 36th Street to 23rd Street.
The restoration project involved the removal of non-native vegetation, seeding and planting of native vegetation, installation of temporary sand fencing as vegetation establishes, installation of symbolic fencing on existing pathways, and installation of educational features like interpretive signage.
The City is currently working with The Bay Foundation to begin implementation of phase two of the Beach Dune Restoration Project, which will expand the dunes farther along the Manhattan Beach coast.
|
|
El Segundo Blue Butterfly Returns
In June 2024, hundreds of the federally endangered El Segundo blue butterfly, euphilotes battoides allyni, were seen within the restoration site among their host plant the sea cliff buckwheat, eriogonum parvifolium.
|
|
|
The El Segundo blue lives as an adult butterfly for only one to two weeks in July and August, during which it lays its eggs on sea cliff buckwheat flowers. Larvae emerge after about one week and will feed on the flowers for another few weeks before making their way into the sand at the base of the sea cliff buckwheat where they transform into pupae and spend the winter. After approximately 10 months, the pupae emerge and a new generation of adult butterflies takes flight.
Read more about the Manhattan Beach Dune Restoration Project.
|
|
|
Help restore Manhattan Beach's coastal dunes. Volunteers will help remove non-native iceplant and plant and seed native dune species as an approach to increase coastal resiliency.
Tools and gloves will be provided. Wear close-toed shoes and bring water and sun protection.
Saturday, November 16, 2024, 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Near The Strand and 27th Street, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Celebrate International World Volunteer Day with The Bay Foundation at the December Dune Restoration Volunteer Event:
Saturday, December 7, 2024, 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Near The Strand and 27th Street, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
|
|
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
We invite you to share your sustainability priorities and what you would like to see the City of Manhattan Beach do to help combat climate change. Click below to take a quick survey.
|
|
Manhattan Beach has been recognizing local businesses for their sustainable practices and efforts to advance environmental stewardship in the community through the Green Business Program since 2012. Certified Green Businesses benefit from a healthier workplace, significant cost savings and access to financial incentives/rebates, and local recognition.
The Green Business Program is free to all Manhattan Beach businesses. Whether your business has a storefront or you're operating an online business from your home - all are eligible.
Since 2012, the Manhattan Beach Green Business Program has certified 100 businesses.
|
|
Pages: A Book Store
In 2012, Pages was the first Manhattan Beach business to become a Certified Green Business.
"We are proud of our long-standing commitment to the environment."
Learn more about Pages.
|
|
|
The City of Manhattan Beach is committed to safeguarding our oceans by undertaking comprehensive and meticulously planned stormwater and urban runoff initiatives to address pollutants of concern such as bacteria and trash and to manage stormwater resources in a more sustainable way.
|
|
Ocean Protection Initiatives
 |
|
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Trash Capture Project
Throughout Southern California, significant amounts of trash and debris accumulate in roads, parking lots, and urban areas during dry seasons. During rain events, this material is often picked up by stormwater and transported to local waterways. To combat this issue and adhere to regulatory requirements, the City is implementing the Santa Monica Bay TMDL High Flow Capacity Trash Treatment Control Devices Project this fall.
|
|
Construction for the project is expected to last approximately six months. The planned work consists of installing stormwater treatment devices in catch basins at various locations throughout the City. In addition, three larger, end-of-pipe stormwater treatment systems will be installed underground near 14th Street & Ocean Drive, 24th Street & Ocean Drive, and 39th Street & the El Porto beach parking lot.
Construction has begun at 24th Street & Ocean Ave and is expected to take two months. El Porto parking lot at 39th Street will be the next location.
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
28th Street Stormwater Infiltration Project
Later this year, the City of Manhattan Beach will begin construction on an underground infiltration system at the 26th Street Parking Facility and Bruce’s Beach Park to capture and treat stormwater diverted from an existing storm drain beneath 28th Street, which collects stormwater from approximately 60% of the City's area.
|
|
|
Ocean Protection Video Series
Journey with the City of Manhattan Beach through this seven-part educational video series on the importance of ocean protection.
|
|
|
|
This fall, leave the leaves! There are many benefits to leaving the leaves where they fall, or raking them off to the side and leaving them there over the winter.
- Free mulch! Fallen leaves create a natural mulch that can help suppress weeds.
- Free fertilizer! Fallen leaves left on your lawn and in your garden will break down and return nutrients to the soil.
- Fallen leaves create habitat and shelter for wildlife including lizards, birds, and insects that overwinter in the fallen leaves. Many pollinators lay their eggs in fallen leaves; their pupae stay warm and insulated within the leaves during the winter, then emerge and take flight in the spring.
- Using leaf blowers, whether gas or electric, creates air and noise pollution, and the use of mechanical leaf blowers is prohibited in Manhattan Beach.
|
|
 Plugged-in devices can HAUNT your energy bill.
They use power, even when turned off!
|
 Unplug unused electronics
Turn off unused lights
Use power saving modes
Use appliance timers
Use energy-efficient power strips
|
|
|
Spooky season might be over, but don’t let those plugged-in devices continue to give you a fright when your energy bill arrives!
Follow LARC on Facebook, Instagram, and X for more tips to promote a greener, brighter future this fall, and learn more about the Clean Energy Campaign. #CleanPowerLA
|
|
|
|
|
