Heal the Bay

About Heal the Bay

Our Mission: Heal the Bay is an environmental nonprofit making LA’s coastal waters and watersheds, including Santa Monica Bay, safe, healthy and clean. About Us: In 1985, a group of concerned citizens assembled to force the Hyperion Treatment Plant near El Segundo to maintain proper sewage treatment. Spurred by concern for public safety, the health of the Santa Monica Bay, and a belief that proper sewage treatment would be overlooked without an organization to keep tabs on the progress, this group of local residents joined forces and Heal the Bay was born. The new organization pledged to work closely with local, state and federal government, industry leaders and the public to educate and evolve their understanding of Southern California water quality and environmental responsibility. Through grassroots outreach, Heal the Bay began enrolling members soon after forming, and began to bring attention to the biggest source of beach pollution: the storm drain system. When started, Heal the Bay consisted of only a handful of volunteers and no paid staff. Today there’s a volunteer membership of more than 25,000 and 50 Heal the Bay employees. While still integrally involved in pressuring government for water quality improvements, Heal the Bay has expanded its focus to include numerous research efforts, educational initiatives and community action programs. For more than 30 years, Heal the Bay has made substantial progress in protecting California’s aquatic habitats, but there is still a lot of work to be done!