With the support of 12,000 members and 25,000 active volunteers, Heal the Bay is one of the most effective environmental nonprofits in greater Los Angeles. Driven by consensus thinking, we advocate for practical solutions to often complex problems. Using science-based advocacy, we fight for thriving oceans, healthy watersheds and smart-water management.
We conduct hundreds of beach and community cleanups each year, informing people about the root causes of pollution along the shorelines and in their neighborhoods. We advocate for strict water-quality regulations that protect the health of both humans and the animals that call local creeks, rivers and the Santa Monica Bay home. We operate an award-winning aquarium underneath the Santa Monica Pier, inspiring visitors to protect the region’s most important natural resource. We also educate and inspire the next generation of stewards, with more than 100,000 students joining us each year for science-based field trips, classroom presentations and community events.
1444 9th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 • (800) HEAL BAY • [email protected] LEADERSHIP
A Homecoming, and a Reckoning
2017 marked a return to roots – for Heal the Bay, and for me personally. Last year, I took the reins of one of L.A.’s most trusted and beloved nonprofits. It marked a homecoming for me, returning to the organization where I got my environmental feet wet in the early 2000s. Back then, former president Mark Gold hired me as Heal the Bay’s first science and policy chief, overseeing such victories as the Ahmanson Ranch acquisition and the first trash TMDL in the state. So when the board of directors recruited me to come back, I felt a mixture of excitement, responsibility and surprising calm. I knew our strengths and our weaknesses. I knew where we’d been and where we needed to go. I knew how we would have to rethink old ways of doing things to address new challenges. To my core, I love this organization and my fellow staff members, who work so hard and passionately every day. I understand how important Heal the Bay is to millions of Angelenos, who treasure the beach and our rivers and creeks as much as I do. When Heal the Bay is at its best, then greater L.A. can be its best. When we don’t fire on all cylinders, then our region sputters as well. People rely on us to hold polluters accountable, to protect the animals that call the Bay home and to safeguard our natural places from harm. If not Heal the Bay, then whom? Accepting the job, I knew I was also accepting some significant challenges. The organization has seen several transitions in executive leadership over the past five years, leading to a lack of focus and inevitable mission creep. The uncertain regional economy and cutbacks in government and corporate funding had hurt our operating budgets. I had to make some hard decisions in my first year. I restructured departments to balance our budget, reducing costs to better align with expected revenues. I prioritized our most important role in the community – science-driven advocacy. I instituted internal discipline to ensure that we only worked on issues that directly tied into our three strategic pillars: Thriving Oceans, Healthy Watersheds and Smart Water. In the following pages, you will read about the impact we made last year following this new model. It’s working, thanks to the ongoing support and trust of funders like you. I promise not to let you down as I embark on my second year. Shelley Luce President and CEO OUR WORK
For 33 years, Heal the Bay has been the guardian of L.A. County shorelines and inland waterways. Our efforts improve quality of life, enhance the regional economy and protect our natural places.
Inspiring Defending Monitoring Our teachers provided Our volunteers collected Our scientists issued hands-on marine nearly 23,000 pounds of weekly beach-water education to nearly 30,000 trash from L.A. County quality grades for more L.A. County students at beaches and rivers at than 450 beaches in our Santa Monica Pier 224 cleanups. Besides California. These A-to-F Aquarium. Roughly 70% beautifying our open spaces, grades help safeguard of visitors come from participants help keep the health of millions of underserved Title 1 schools. animal life from harm. beachgoers.
Beyond this day-to-day work, 2017 held a number of special surprises and big wins:
Skipping Bringing Stumping the Straw Back Ballona for Science Our summer social-media Our staff Ph.Ds led the Our advocacy team marched campaign urged Angelenos campaign to revitalize downtown with 50,000 to pledge not to use single- L.A.’s last remaining Angelenos last spring, part of use plastic straws. Thanks coastal wetlands as part nationwide protests against to the positive groundswell, of a coalition leading federal cuts to the EPA and our advocacy team is environmental groups. weakening of the Clean Water teaming with progressive The state issued a robust Act. We stand in solidarity cities to help craft “straws- restoration plan, informed with California leaders seeking on-request-only” ordinances by principles developed by to halt federal rollbacks of across the County. our scientists. environmental protections. OUR GOALS
Here’s a snapshot look at our Big Three policy goals in 2018, encompassing our three impact pillars – Thriving Oceans, Healthy Watersheds and Smart Water.
PHOTO
Parting with Saving Revitalizing Polystyrene Stormwater the River
2018 ACTION ITEM: 2018 ACTION ITEM: 2018 ACTION ITEM: Enact a ban on polystyrene Get L.A. County voters to Advocate for strong food and drink containers approve a funding measure environmental protections in the City and County of for stormwater capture in the County’s upcoming Los Angeles. projects. L.A. River Master Plan.
Following the model that pro- What a waste! When it rains, bil- Heal the Bay recently released pelled the statewide plastic bag lions of gallons of polluted runoff an eye-opening study of water ban in 2014, we are fighting to rid are sent uselessly to our Bay. We quality that showed that bacteri- our beaches and neighborhoods should be capturing and reusing al pollution continues to plague of polystyrene trash. that water to replenish our de- the Los Angeles River. Fecal bac- pleted aquifers. We import 80% teria pose health risks for the We don’t want to live in a nanny of our water in L.A. – at great risk growing number of people fish- state, but sometimes enough is and cost. It’s simply madness not ing, swimming and kayaking its enough. Our volunteers have re- to reuse the water that nature waters. moved more than 500,000 bits provides. of Styrofoam™ from beaches in We’re excited about all the great Engineers have created detailed L.A. County over the past decade. plans for multi-benefit, green things happening on the River More than 100 California cities projects throughout the coun- these days, spurred by a $1 bil- have implemented all-out bans. ty – think smart parks, green lion revitalization plan. We love But we need a statewide solution, streets and the like. We are lead- that more Angelenos are getting as with plastic bags. Sacramento ing the charge to transform the on the water. We just want to legislators likely won’t act until region from a concrete bowl into make sure people stay safe and the state’s biggest city acts. a giant sponge. wildlife is protected. OUR DONORS We are grateful for your contributions (January – December 2017)
$50,000+ Los Angeles Social Venture Schuchart/Dow Stephen Charles Green, Hasson & Janks, LLP Partners Scott Family Foundation StubHub Center Gregory Gelfan Anonymous Luann & Bob Williams Scott Zolke Team One Groupon Alice C. Tyler Perpetual Trust Madelyn & Bruce Glickfeld Stoller Family Trust The Mark E Pollack Foundation Hamilton Family Foundation Brian O’Malley & Katie Cameron Matthew Hillman Fisher Symantec The Natter Family Foundation Hart D. & Brigitte Hanson California State (Various) Foundation Tatiana & Todd James The Sogi Foundation Hatch Engineering City of Santa Monica Murad Family Foundation Ted & Jacqueline Miller Tip Scarry & Lauren Merage Helen Sperry Lea Foundation Daniel A. Moeller Trust Northrop Grumman Corporation Tetra Tech Inc. Tomas Fuller & William Kelly Henry Schwellenbach EA Engineering, Science, & Patagonia Technology, Inc., PBC The Boeing Company TOMS Hilton H. Smith Phantasos Fund Golden Road Brewing The Cynthia & George Mitchell Troy Tegeler Horizon Media Rebecca & Michael Vest Foundation KROQ-FM TrueCar Ian McShane Richard Katz Consulting Inc. The David Geffen Foundation Milton Stark Family Revocable Turner Broadcasting System India Rose Matharu-Daley Southern California Edison Trust The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable W. M. Keck Foundation IPSOS Culver City Southern California Gas Foundation Nancy & John Edwards Wells Fargo Foundation Jackie Henderson Company The Hexberg Family Resources Legacy Fund Tatiana Botton Jane Bartel Viscidi Foundation The James J. Colt Foundation, The Robert R. Sprague Inc. $1,000-$2,499 Jane Hwa Segal Family - United World Foundation Jason Hendler Foundation The Port of Long Beach Anonymous (3) The Rose Hills Foundation Jenny & Mike Tatum Swain Barber Foundation The Seaver Institute Adam Holt The Snider Foundation Jerry Nickelsburg The Harold McAlister Charitable The UPS Foundation AIG Financial Distributors Foundation The Walt Disney Company TJX Companies Alexandra & Jeff Pfeifer Jill & Gerben Hoeksma Water Foundation Toyota Dealer Match Program Tom & Janet Unterman Ali Larter Jill Birnbaum Wells Fargo Capital Finance Total Merchant Services Alper Family Foundation JoAnn Kaplan $25,000-$49,999 Union Bank Foundation AMLI Residential Joe & Duquesne DiMauro $5,000-$9,999 Joel Kessler Anonymous United Airlines Foundation Amy Smart & Carter Oosterhouse John Leonard California Coastal Commission 21st Century Fox VH1 Anne & Ben Youngblood Jon Varnell Cindy & Alan Horn American Honda Walsh Construction Anthony Brown Jonathan Goldblatt Bob & Cori Davenport AMWINS Brokerage Woodland Waitt Family Foundation Apple Lane Foundation Kathleen & Daniel Nikolai County of Los Angeles: Hills Water Replenishment District of Barbara & Ed Dreyfus Kathryn & Gary Wilstein Dept. of Public Works Amy & Daniel Palladino S. Cal Baxter of California Keith Bussell Jean & Stephen Kaplan Arcadis West Basin Municipal Water Beth & Peter Scholze District Kelly & Noel Sullivan Johnny Carson Foundation Ares Management LLC Black Surfers Collective Kevin S. Rosen KTLA 5/Tribune Broadcasting AT&T Entertainment Group Bruce Patterson $2,500-$4,999 La Ronda Bowen & Scott Fruin Mark & Debbie Attanasio Awesomeness TV Burt Harris Larada Lamsam Matt & Kathleen Hart Barry Family Foundation Anonymous (2) California Coastkeeper Alliance Nancy B. Gambee Living Trust Barry Gribbon AMWINS Brokerage Santa Ana Las Virgenes Municipal Water Candice Rosen District The Dorrance Family Foundation Bill Nye Andree Yvonne & Donald Smith Cash & April Levy Laurie & Thomas McCarthy The Energy Coalition Black & Veatch Corporation Bel Air Bay Club Cassidy Freeman Leslie & Terry Tamminen The Leonardo DiCaprio Blue Shield of California Canyon Partners Cassidy Horn Linda Lichter & Nick Marck Foundation Brown and Caldwell CIM/H&H Retail Charles Brewer Fiscus Foundation Lisa Weinstein The Los Angeles Kings Carbon 38 Creative Artists Agency Christine Thornton Lori & Joel Shapiro United States Environmental Carollo Engineers Deborah & Daniel Clark Protection Agency Christopher Pernin Luan & Richard Smith CDM Delia Frankel Christy & Mike Lowe Main Street Business Association CH2M HILL Disney VoluntEARS Cordoba Corporation Malibu Country Mart $10,000-$24,999 Christopher Hordan Employees Community Fund of Corinne M. Martin Margaret Levy Anonymous City of Los Angeles: Dept. of Boeing California Cove Street Capital Marianne Celce-Murcia Anonymous Water & Power Fox Entertainment Group Craig & Shannon Inouye Mary & George Garvey Bank of America Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Frontier Communications Craig Huber Mary Ingalls & Louise Nand Ben Leeds Crescent Capital Group, LP. Glenn & Carl Mellinger Curtis & Jill Kaufman Matt Jarvis Bob & Diana Friedman Darcy & Richard Kopcho Hazen and Sawyer Cydney & Gary Mandel Matt Unger Bonneville Environmental EarthShare of California Heather Popadych Daniel Abrams Foundation Fishing Line Recycling Jack Baylis Matthew White Darin Puhl Chelsea & Andy Lientz Fred Kurata James Jilk Maureen & Jack Gillespie David & Sylvia Weisz Family Christopher & Robyn King Geosyntec Consultants James Upchurch Meg Gill Foundation Craig Perkins & Roxanne Mora Greg & Danae Webster Jean Tanner & Beth Miller Melinda Hsu Taylor & David Benjamin Thomas Taylor David & Yvonne Zaro H. David Nahai Jemma Martin David McCarthy Michael R. Tyler David Hertz J.J. Abrams & Katie McGrath Johnson Ohana Charitable Deb Lacusta & Daniel Castellaneta Milken Family Foundation Demco Properties USA K1 Investment Management Foundation Debra Gerod Moise Emquies Don & Kristy Kinsey Laemmle Theatres Charitable Kate Flather Diane Cary & James Parriott Mr. Brutocao Dr. Cammie Ott & Dr. Mark Bell Foundation Kristin Southey Donald Beane Mr. Phipps Dwight Stuart Youth Fund Larry Walker Associates LA Galaxy Dora & Jon Seiffer Nina Abrams Fund EY Lionsgate Linda & Dennis Fenton Doris Cerna Odyssey Charter School GNF Marketing Metropolitan Water District of Marilyn Payne Dorothy Moore Oralia Michel HBO Southern California Mike & Erika Swimmer Dr. Robert Lemelson Palace Head Foundation Ian & Laurie Eddleston Michael Sullivan Nancy Cypert Edward & Danna Ruscha Pam & Steve Hirsh Isabel Snyder MWH Nancy Stephens & Rick Rosenthal Pam Waitt Jan & David Altemus NBCUniversal Nichol Shuart Ellen Farbstein Patricia Glaser & Samuel Mudie Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Brad Hall NextGen Climate SA Recycling Entertainment Partners Paul & Mary Kay Stimpfl Kaiser Permanente West Los NRG Energy Salesforce.com Erin Selleck & Kurt Holland Angeles Medical Center Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. Santa Monica Convention & Ernie Dunn Paul Roustan Kari & John Boiler Paramount Pictures Visitors Bureau Eunice Kramer Peg Yorkin Kathy & John Kissick Patricia Wills Scott D. Menville First 5 LA Peter Mcmillan Kim Blum Patrisha Thomson Sharon Lawrence & Dr. Thomas Gavin Dogan PK4 Media LA Sanitation Patrons of Peace C. Apostle Gelfand, Rennart & Feldman, LLC Port of Los Angeles LAcarGUY.com Robert Tanahashi Shore Hotel Gia Levin Ramsey McDaniel OUR FINANCIALS Audited Fiscal Year (Oct. 1, 2016 – Sept. 30, 2017)
Total Revenue 77% $4,024,169 Programs $3,254,289 56% Public Support $2,286,875 16% Administration/ Management $675,402 40% Grants/Contracts $1,605,674 Functional Expenses 7% Fundraising $4,243,745 $314,054
4% CENTS OF EVERY DOLLAR In-Kind Services raised went directly to programs, well above the national nonprofit average. $131,610 77
Rebecca & Chris Kelley William Noah Grimmett First Team Security College Charitable Foundation Robert Isackson Zickler Family Foundation Fountain Valley Skating Center Madelyn & Bruce Glickfeld The Peju Family Winery Roger & Suzanne Findley Gabriella Fash Mellinger Tree Service The Portofino Hotel & Marina Rosanne O’Brien In Kind Gibbons Media Michelle C. Bates This Bar Saves Lives Santa Monica Conservancy Aether Apparel Golf N’ Stuff Molecular Creamery Toluca Lake Tennis & Fitness Club Sean Neel Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Hennessey’s Tavern Olio e Limone Ristorante & Olio Pizzeria Toyota Santa Monica Sharla & Barry Boehm Alchemie Spa Hilton Long Beach Pacific Park Trader Joe’s Shelley Luce & Sean Bergquist Beautycounter Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa in Mission Bay Palm Springs Aerial Tramway U Konserve Stephanie Medina Bodega Wine Bar Hotel Angeleno Palmina Umami Burger Stephen B. Groner Brewer-Clifton Hotel Erwin Paradise Cove Upper West Steven Persky Brooks Taylor Piano Service Inline Distributing Company Perry’s at the Beach Urban Decay Cosmetics Sugarfina Burton Melrose Irvine Lanes Primp & Tonic Val Surf Sujatha Lowenthal Cabrillo Music Theatre Irvine Marriott Rareform Vista Valencia Golf Club Susan Purcell & Yair Landau Castellis Ristorante Jacuzzi Family Vineyards REI Manhattan Beach Wailea Beach Resort Tabo Tabo Films ChicoBag Jim Kimo West Rockreation Warehouse Restaurant Tamara Simbirdi CITI Judd’s Hill Winery SA Recycling Washed Ashore The Gold Family Corbin Bowl kai fragrance Saj Bakery Watersafe Swim School The River Project Coronado Playhouse KIND Snacks Shadyside Inn Suites Will Geer’s Theatricum The Streisand Foundation Cris Popenoe KROQ-FM Sharon Lawrence & Botanicum The Strickland Family Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Foundation KTLA 5/Tribune Broadcasting Dr. Thomas C. Apostle Yoga Works Davey’s Locker Sportfishing & Shore Hotel Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios The Walt Disney Company Whale Watching Laguna Art Museum Foundation Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee Zehner Group Don & Kristy Kinsey Larner Vineyard & Winery The William Warren Group Smoke House Restaurant Inc. Eco-Bags Products, Inc. Laura Schare Theresa & David Dolotta South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Le Meridien Delfina Santa Tiffany Rochelle & Paul Hibler Foundation Monica Starbucks Tom & Jennifer Everhart Eric Lintermans Le Vigne Winery StubHub Center Valerie & Paul Mellinger Eveline Bravo-Ayala & Lemonade Restaurant Group Sunset Yoga Lounge Walter E. D. Miller Olga L. Ayala Life Without Plastic Tern Bicycles Ward & Clara Hendon Fairmont Miramar Hotel Loews Coronado Bay Resort Tesla Motors Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. Fashion Square Car Wash Los Angeles Conservancy The Angel in Your Kitchen Wendy & Michael Sidley Festival of Arts Los Angeles Maritime Institute The Canyon Theatre Guild Will Parish Fibre Glas Fin Los Angeles Trade Technical The Laemmle Theatres OUR IMPACT
How Heal the Bay changes people’s lives for the better.
NELSON CHABARRIA always dreamed of being a chemist. Then life got in the way. With his Koreatown family needing help to make ends meet, Nelson had to hang up his lab coat after graduating from Los Angeles High in 2001 and went to work in the garment industry.
But thanks to Heal the Bay, Nelson is back in the lab. Our watershed team trained Nelson and four other L.A. Trade Tech students to conduct weekly pollution tests along recreational zones of the Los Angeles River. Their monitoring revealed extremely high levels of harmful bacteria, prompting the city of L.A. to issue heightened safety warnings and protocols. Here’s Nelson’s reflection on what his work meant to him.
“We were in the school library – finishing up some data entry. The River Report Card had been released a week prior and we were about to refresh it with the latest bacterial test results. Weeks and hours and sunburns went into the grades, and to make them publicly available was gratifying. This moment felt pretty cool.
“I was born and raised here. I’ve seen this “river” as I crossed the bridge to and from East L.A. I always thought of it as a ditch that divided the city. I am glad I was wrong. The river has its own ecosystem and interested groups that are invested in it.
“I started classes in LATTC to find a conservation-leaning career. I want to be able to contribute in some way to making sure my city is smart in how it treats and uses water.
“It was great to be featured in an LA Times newspaper column by Steve Lopez about our work. I had explained my job to some family, but not all. I never expected to talk to a reporter about my background and the work I do. The bombardment of questions, congratulations and support after the column was published is one of the best feelings to come out of this program.
“Heal the Bay’s internship program covers a wide range of public service opportunities in the water systems of Los Angeles. The idea, team and process meshed right in with what I am interested in. It is one of the main reasons why I decided on coming back to school. I cannot thank Heal the Bay enough for making this possible.” Lend a hand. VOLUNTEER at our Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. INSPIRE a classroom by giving talks to students PARTICIPATE at our monthly “Nothin’ But Sand” beach cleanups. SPEAK at public hearings as a passionate supporter of the ocean. SURVEY Marine Protected Areas off the California Coast with our MPA Watch volunteers. JOIN our Stream Team and conduct water-quality tests on impaired rivers and watersheds. For volunteer opportunities, please visit healthebay.org/volunteer. Heal The Bay | 1444 9th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 | (800) HEAL BAY | healthebay.org