Los Angeles Beaches Forever, is a finalist in the LA 2050 Challenge, a voter-driven grant. Los Angeles Beaches Forever has an incredible opportunity to win a $100,000 grant from the Goldhirsch Foundation’s LA2050 Challenge.

This would have a huge positive impact on the lives of so many people, right here in Venice! Not to mention the 60 million+ tourists, who visit annually! Los Angeles Beaches Forever NEEDS VOTES FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

To learn more, please visit our proposal page: Click here to VOTE NOW for Los Angeles Beaches Forever initiative!

What would Los Angeles look and feel like without the beaches of Venice? Sixteen million tourists visit Venice every year and spend money that benefits all of LA County. However according to a recent study by USC, Venice is one of the most at risk communities as a result of sea level rise due to the inability of low-income communities to adapt to climate change. Another report this month released by the Venice Neighborhood Council sites an LAUSD study that found our neighborhood children are 26 times more likely to get cancer due to Santa Monica Airport pollutants such as lead, black carbon and ultra-fine particulates. According to the Metropolitan Water District, “the risk for seawater intrusion is high” as the ground water is not replenished.

Los Angeles Beaches Forever is a plan to harness the diverse nature and creative spirit of Venice, to create a long-term vision that addresses climate change and other environmental, social-justice issues. Our youth leadership team will facilitate the planting of hundreds of trees to reduce carbon, distribute rain barrels to reduce flooding and water-use and engaged our neighbors in conversations about impacts and opportunities. We will launch an entire resiliency movement.

We will hire and train twenty-five local youth to distribute information about the opportunities we have to adapt to climate change. We will plant three hundred trees which will reduce airborne pollution, cool surface temperatures, reduce skin cancer in our youth, absorb surface water, improve water quality at beaches, and reduce crime. We will reduce our water use by hundreds of gallons a year, by removing thirty turf lawns and installing fifty cisterns, rain barrels or rain gardens which slow sea level rise, reduce risk of salt-water intrusion and improve water quality. We will create a long term vision plans that will address: green infrastructure such as green alleys and streets, community infiltration, sandy beach habitat restoration, sustainable schools and food/water security.

Los Angeles Beaches Forever will make LA a healthier place by instilling knowledge of environmental issues and developing long-term solutions. Our community will become more engaged and armed with tools to become a more resilient community. We will galvanize around a common cause and enhance our diverse community.

Help us become a more resilient community. Vote for LA Beaches Forever!  For more info, click HERE