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Six ways to Save Energy and Money in the New Year

Enter West Basin's "Being Water Wise Is..." Student Art Contest

LACSD Introduces the New A.K. Warren Water Resource Facility

WEST BASIN LAUNCHES 2024 STUDENT ART CONTEST

West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) announced the launch of its “Being Water Wise Is…” student art contest. Completed entries from service area students in grades three through 12 are due Friday, March 15, 2024, by 5 p.m. Contest guidelines and resources are online at www.westbasin.org/artcontest.

“West Basin is pleased to showcase this year’s new student art contest theme of Being Water Wise Is…,” said West Basin Division IV Director and Board President Scott Houston. “A new focus on water-use efficiency will help increase awareness and community engagement about lifestyle changes we can collectively make to ensure a sustainable water future.”

In addition to the new theme, all art media are now eligible for submission. This includes: cut paper, fabric, computer-generated artwork, photography, 3D sculptures, crayon, markers, pencils, paints, watercolors, chalks and other art forms.

The contest is a collaboration between West Basin and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan). The winning entries from West Basin’s local contest will advance to Metropolitan’s regional competition, with a chance to be featured in the agency’s 2025 student artwork calendar.

At the local West Basin level, one grand prize each will be awarded to an elementary, middle and high school category winner by a panel of judges. All grand prize winners will receive an iPad, $25 gift card for art apps and a stylus. Additionally, four honorable mention winners will be selected in each category, with each receiving an iPad to bring the number of tablets awarded to 15.

Qualified teachers can request a free classroom art supply set (valued at $80) and an in-person or live online art lesson to support their students’ submission efforts. Limited art supply sets and art lessons are available. The art lesson reservation form, art supply set request form, and updated contest guidelines in English and Spanish are available online.

Find more information here.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICTS INTRODUCES THE NEW A.K. WARREN WATER RESOURCE FACILITY

On October 26, 2023, The Sanitation Districts celebrated its 100th anniversary of owning and operating one of the largest and oldest wastewater recycling programs in the world since 1923.

During the agency’s centennial celebration, it announced the renaming of the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant to the A.K. Warren Water Resource Facility (Warren Facility).

A.K. Warren had a visionary plan and the perseverance to make it a reality that reflect the facility’s mission to convert waste into resources.

Read full article here.

CLEAR OUT HAZARDOUS AND ELECTRONIC WASTE AT AN LACSD DISPOSAL EVENT

The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste Collection Program (HHW) gives Los Angeles County residents a legal and cost-free way to dispose of unwanted household chemicals that cannot be disposed of in the regular trash.

• HHW Collection Event: Hermosa Beach - January 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Learn about more upcoming events here.

TOUR LACSD's VERY OWN MARSHLAND

The Los Angeles Sanitation Districts own and maintain its own Marshland. The Bixby Marshland is open to the public for tours on the first Saturday of each month.

The next public open house will be on

Saturday, February 3.

 For more information click here.

REGISTER FOR WATER REPLENISHMENT DISTRICTS ECO-GARDENING WORKSHOP

BEGINNING SPRING 2024

The Water Replenishment Districts' Lillian Kawasaki Eco Gardener Program teaches homeowners about the multiple benefits of planting a sustainable garden through a series of in-person classes. 

The Eco Gardener program educates residents on four popular topics: sustainable landscape design, drought-tolerant plants, edible gardening and irrigation basics.

To register and see a full list of upcoming classes beginning Spring 2024 click here.

CONSIDER METRO MICRO, ON-DEMAND SERVICE FOR COMMUTING OPTIONS.

In December 2020 Metro launched Metro Micro as a three-year pilot program. In March 2023, the service became the first on-demand publicly operated rideshare in the nation to reach 1 million boardings. 

Currently, the service areas covers 165-square miles, including 27 cities and 12 unincorporated areas in Los Angeles County. 

Metro is planning some changes designed to make Micro more accessible, more integrated within its existing system and more sustainable in the long-term.  

For the full article and more information click here.

CONSERVE NATURE'S MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE THROUGH WATER HARVESTING

LADWP OFFERS FREE TREES

TO RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS

SIX WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY (AND MONEY) IN 2024

Learn about more ways to save with our partner, SoCalREN, today. And if you work for a public agency, you can amplify your impact across your whole community by working to save energy in your facilities with our partner, SoCalREN. Learn more about our work with SoCalREN here.  

SAVE MONEY THROUGH SoCalREN's

KITS FOR KIDS PROGRAM

The Kits for Kids Program introduces third and fourth graders at participating schools to perform an interactive scavenger hunt and receive energy-efficient items at no cost that can help their families save energy and money.

During the program each household installs the items in their home. Each enrolled classroom is eligible to receive a $1,000 grant if 65% of students provide proof of installation. Learn more here.

LEARN ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FUTURE IMPACTS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON THE SOUTH BAY

AT THE 24th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly is an opportunity for the region’s thought leaders to gather, share ideas and discuss important issues. The theme for the SBCCOG’s 2024 General Assembly is “Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe for the South Bay?” 

The conference will feature panel discussions and interactive exhibits. This free event is designed with elected officials, city staff, city commissioners, residents and local businesses in mind.

For more details on how to register or become a sponsor click here.

Click Here for the January 2024 Calendar of Events and Workshops

SBCCOG VOLUNTEERS CAN PARTICIPATE IN THESE UPCOMING OUTREACH EVENTS

LEARN ABOUT SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Current Openings:

Senior Program Manager-Transportation and Regional Planning

Program Manager-Transportation and Regional Planning

Project Coordinator-Transportation and Regional Planning

SANITATION DISTRICTS OFFER WORK OPPORTUNITIES THAT

POSITIVELY IMPACT PUBLIC HEALTH

 Links to Partner Resources En Español:

• Metro - "El Pasajero"

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