Huntington Beach, CA Heal the Bay works to mobilize LA’s diverse communities to protect coastlines, restore waterways and speak out for clean water policy. The nonprofit has begun to take action on the massive oil spill that occurred starting on October 3rd off the coast of Orange County. 126,000 gallons of crude oil gushed from a seafloor pipe, owned by Amplify Energy, into the ocean.
The oil spill has affected many birds and fish who are washing ashore injured or dead. Seals, dolphins, and other marine mammals are also at great risk of swimming in contaminated water. The oil has also reached the sensitive and rare coastal wetlands at Talbert Marsh, a critical natural environment not only for wildlife habitat but also for improving water quality.
Booms deployed by the City of Huntington Beach at Talbert Wetlands to prevent the further spread of oil.
Heal the Bay is encouraging people to stay away from the spill for their own safety. The Science and Policy team is working on a public call to action with specific policy demands that will be shared on the nonprofit’s blog soon. Aministrators ask that people don’t intervene on their own if they encounter injured or oiled wildlife. Instead, report this to the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at 1-877-823-6926.
An oiled duck at Huntington Beach.
If you wish to volunteer with spill clean-up efforts, sign up with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
About Heal the Bay
Heal the Bay is an environmental nonprofit established in 1985 that is dedicated to making the coastal waters and watersheds in Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy, and clean. We use science, education, community action, and advocacy to fulfill our mission.
