Surfrider Foundation San Diego Chapter 11th Annual Art Gala Helps Prevent Water Pollution
Online, March 28, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Surfrider Foundation San Diego Chapter engages the community to help protect local beaches, ocean and waterways. With core campaigns and programs in Clean Water, Beach Access, Beach Preservation and Protecting Special Places, the organization coordinates various local initiatives, including workshops on Ocean Friendly Gardens. All campaigns and programs are supported by the proceeds from the 11th Annual Art Gala (http://www.surfridersd.org/artgala_2011.php) fundraiser, which is scheduled for May 19 in Del Mar.
As part of its 'Know Your H2O' program, Surfrider Foundation seeks to help prevent all forms of water pollution and Ocean Friendly Gardens are a great way to involve the community in the process. Everyone can design and maintain their gardens so as to reduce urban runoff - and the pollutants that go with it.
"The Ocean Friendly Gardens program offers a creative solution to a very real pollution problem," says Julia Chunn with Surfrider Foundation San Diego Chapter. "By educating the community about how to prevent urban runoff, we empower residents of San Diego to help promote healthy coasts and oceans. Individuals can literally make a difference in their own backyards."
In attempt to curb run-off of pesticides, sediment and debris from residential landscapes, Ocean Friendly Gardens promote CPR© - Conservation, Permeability and Retention - to eliminate harmful pollutants from entering our waterways. Runoff from our lawns and backyards affects the quality of our oceans in various ways: sediment reduces clarity, nutrients and fertilizers increase algae populations, debris suffocates aquatic species, and pesticide chemicals poison fish. Most people do not realize that simple day to day activities like watering their lawn can cause harm to the ocean and the natural systems it sustains.
The next Ocean Friendly Gardens workshops are scheduled for early summer 2011 in San Diego. For more information, go to www.ofg-sandiego.blogspot.com.
Surfrider Foundation San Diego Chapter is committed to clean water and costal preservation from the beaches in Camp Pendleton in the north to the border across the Tijuana Sloughs in the south. To fund its programs, the organization depends on proceeds from the Annual Art Gala fundraiser. This year's event is scheduled for Thursday, May 19 at the Del Mar Powerhouse. To learn more, please visit www.artgala.blogspot.com. Tickets are on sale now.