Celebrate Earth Day with LACSD

Take Advantage of West Basin’s Water Bottle Filling Station Program

 Transportation Funds Approved for LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Join LACSD at its Upcoming Earth Day Celebration 

Rain or shine—it's Earth Day time! Join LACSD for a fun-filled day to learn how you too can help protect the environment. Visit over 50 green exhibitors, do earth-friendly arts and crafts, tour LACSD facilities, and more!

LACSD’s Earth Day festival is on Saturday, April 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its main offices in Whittier: Sanitation Districts' Joint Administration Office,1955 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, 90601



Learn more here. 

Take Advantage of West Basin’s Water Bottle Filling Station Program

A simple reusable bottle refill can make a water-saving difference. West Basin Municipal Water District is helping communities stay hydrated while reducing plastic waste through its Water Bottle Filling Station Program. This program provides grants of up to $2,000 per applicant to support the installation of the stations, providing the public easy access to safe, reliable drinking water.

The program is available for eligible public facilities within the West Basin service area, including city facilities, schools, community centers and more. The funding can be used to purchase either indoor wall-mounted stations or outdoor pedestal-style stations, making the program flexible for a variety of locations. 

Eligible entities are encouraged to review the full program guidelines and apply here. 



For more information, contact: Tammy Hierlihy, Program Manager, TammyH@WestBasinCA.gov; 310-660-6274 

Congress Approves $94.3 Million for LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Transportation

Metro announced that Congress has approved $94.3 million in mobility-related funding supporting the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. 

This investment will enable Metro to continue advancing the Games Enhanced Transit System (GETS), including service planning, station experience enhancements, development of mobility hubs, light rail improvements, and planning and design for pedestrian access near games venues. 

Read more here.  

South Bay Small Businesses Celebrate Energy Savings Through SoCalREN Programs

Small, hard-to-reach businesses in Gardena celebrated significant energy savings thanks to no-cost, comprehensive energy efficiency assessments and upgrades made possible through the SoCalREN Commercial Energy Efficiency Programs, conducted in partnership with the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG). 

Corner stores, restaurants, and other small businesses received comprehensive upgrades, which included energy-efficient lighting, refrigeration systems, water-heating improvements, and other measures—all at no cost. The Gardena program wrapped up with about $470,000 in equipment incentives given to businesses, which will cumulatively save over $95,000 on energy bills in the first year.

Read more here. 

Whether you are a renter or homeowner, you may be eligible to receive energy-saving home improvements. Home improvements are done from an authorized contractor at no cost through the Energy Savings Assistance Program. Complete the online interest form, and a SoCalGas representative will contact you about your eligibility and provide more information about this program.

For eligible participants, home improvements may include: 

• High-efficiency clothes washer 
• Water heater blanket 
• Low-flow faucet aerator 
• Low-flow showerhead 
• Thermostatic shower valve 
• And more! 



Explore the home improvement offerings and access the program interest form here.  

Join WRD for a Public Tour of its

Water Recycling Facility

Did you know that nearly half of the water supply in Southern Los Angeles County comes from the groundwater basins beneath our feet? WRD’s Albert Robles Center for Water Recycling and Environmental Learning (ARC) brings this story to life with a behind-the-scenes look at how WRD purifies and replenishes local groundwater supply.

Join WRD for a FREE public tour of ARC and explore its state-of-the-art water purification facility, along with an interactive learning center that’s fun and informative for all ages.



Learn more here. 

Learn About Environmentally Friendly Landscaping, Gardening and Pest Control

Adopting California Friendly Landscaping is a powerful way to harmonize your home with the natural environment. By shifting toward sustainable practices, homeowners can significantly reduce irrigation demand, eliminate the need for harsh chemical fertilizers, and restore the vital health of our local soil.

Have you visited our Environmentally Friendly Landscaping, Gardening and Pest Control webpage lately? Topics include: 

• Sustainable Landscapes & Gardens 
• Sustainable Pest Management (SPM) 
• South Bay Rainwater Harvesting 

Take a self-guided tour of South Bay California Friendly Gardens to see these principles in action, see link for locations. For local events and further guidance, check the South Bay Environmental Services Center calendar.

Learn About the Impacts of Sports and Entertainment on the South Bay, at the 2026 SBCCOG General Assembly 

LA is gearing up for the FIFA World Cup 26, Super Bowl LXI, and the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Join us at the 26th annual SBCCOG General Assembly to explore the impact these, as well as other sports and entertainment events, will have on 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. 

Visit our booth at these upcoming South Bay events

where we will be providing information about local water- and energy-saving programs, and other opportunities to help the residents of our subregion.

Job Opportunities

Metro is seeking qualified candidates to join one of the nation’s largest and most innovative transportation systems.

• Electronic Communication Technician
• Manager, Information Governance
• Principal Community Relations Officer
• Schedule Analyst

For a full list of Metro job openings, visit their career page here.

Become a SBESC Volunteer

Learn more about

the South Bay Environmental Service Center (SBESC),

Contact Martha Segovia

310-371-7222 or

martha@southbaycities.org

 Links to Partner Resources En Español:

• Metro - "El Pasajero"

Disclaimer

This newsletter is a collaboration of articles written by the partners of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) and is published as provided.