FROM LEFT : ROSEMARY BOYD ; ALEX COWDELL ; COURTESY OF LAGUNA BLUEBELT COALITION

BERM BUDDIES Several years ago , the Laguna Bluebelt Coalition received grants to create the Aliso Berm Buddies program to educate the public and monitor the beach sand berm . County and inland water districts joined the effort , and signs with county ordinances were posted to increase enforcement protecting the berm , safe public access and sea life . “ Aliso Creek transports urban runoff from five inland cities to Aliso Beach and remains the biggest source of routine ocean pollution ,” explains Mike Beanan , co-founder of thea coalition . “ The naturally occurring Aliso Beach Sand Berm functions as a barrier to prevent urban runoff from reaching MPAs . With the annexation of south Laguna ’ s beaches one year ago , county signage has been removed as the city develops new rules to protect the sand berm . The Aliso Berm Buddies program , coordinated by OC Coastkeeper and staffed by marine scientists and volunteers , continues weekly

monitoring activities at the Bluebelt booth … at the mouth of Aliso Creek .”

SEA LIFE SNAPSHOTS “ Laguna Beach has many talented photographers capturing the numerous ways we enjoy the MPAs on the beach and above or under the water ,” Beanan says . “ The annual Laguna Bluebelt Photo Contest began 13 years ago to showcase photos as a way to inspire the community and elected officials to find ways to advance sea life protection . These images bring to the surface the habitats and sea life that are mostly invisible to inspire a greater awareness of Laguna ’ s unique and precious marine environments .” The photographs are meant to chronicle the success of Laguna ’ s MPAs in kelp forest recovery and the abundant sea life that follows the return of key species . The contest has helped elevate the awareness of the Laguna Bluebelt locally and statewide . Anyone , from amateur photographers to professionals , can

compete for cash prizes . Winners are featured by local news outlets and their work is displayed at the downtown LCAD Gallery . Enter online through June 22 at lagunabluebelt . org .

COLORING THE COAST Laguna ’ s kelp forests grow as much as 2 feet per day and are the fastestgrowing plant on the planet , capturing 30 % of atmospheric carbon , according to Beanan . However , kelp forests are mostly invisible to the public , so 10 years ago , art students at Orange Coast College created a coloring book to highlight benefits of these underwater habitats . “ As kids learn about kelp forests , they can educate their parents to urge elected officials to do more now to protect the health of the ocean ,” Beanan says . “ An early education can lead students to pursue … marine sciences and lead the next generation … to seek sustainable solutions to ocean pollution .” Kelp Coloring Books can be downloaded at lagunabluebelt . org . g

LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE 27