#SummerScienceFriday | Summarizing the 2019 Season
Our first #SummerScienceFriday post helped celebrate the start of this year’s LA River Watershed Program’s (LARWMP) sampling season. The season extended from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and for the last three months, our #SummerScienceFriday posts have coincided with our LARWMP sampling season.
Since May 27th, our team has sampled the LA River Watershed’s “Safe to Swim” sites 20 times and have posted 13 #SummerScienceFriday’s to inform Angelenos just like you about the health of our watershed. Each week, we have had the privilege of monitoring the waters to ensure they are safe for recreation, and to also educate audiences on watershed science topics, issues, and solutions that are relevant to our local communities. Our team has thoroughly enjoyed communicating this foundational information in a way that is easy to understand and accessible to people of all backgrounds.
With the links and brief summaries below, we hope that our readers will continue to be inspired to become exemplary watershed stewards all year round. Until next year, thank you all for tuning in!
Overview of the LA River Watershed Monitoring Program (LARWMP)
Update on the expansion of #SummerScienceFridays and our partnership with Southern California Edison (SCE)
Quick overview of the LA River- history, water sources, ecology, and recreation along the River
Watershed stewardship through preventing E. coli from entering our waterways
Summary of surface water quality trends at recreation site
Overcoming challenges presented in the United Nations Global Public Space Toolkit and opting outside
Valuing our natural resources
The importance of nature in our community
The importance of community stakeholders and the power we have to promote environmental activities in our communities
A link to our #WatershedActive Guide, an interactive map that introduces steps for individuals to get involved in green spaces
An overview of who oversees the distribution of our water supply
Our watershed stakeholders include the California Department of Water Resources, Metropolitan Water District, and residents of Southern California
Where our water comes from
Water and energy conservation tips
Overview of the water treatment process
Ways we can save energy and water
Ways we can get involved and apply for energy saving rebates
The role of water and energy in plastic production
Ways we can reduce our plastic use and minimize plastic pollution
Fishing along the LA River
An explanation on bioaccumulation in fish and safe servings of fish caught along the LA River
Explanation of the trade-offs between natural and synthetic turf
Incentive programs for converting turf to native plant scapes
Using the Watershed Connections Activity Book and Watershed Model as education tools
Black bear safety: what you should do when encountering a black bear
