Patrick Caneday is an author, essayist and columnist for several LA area newspapers, as well as one of a few lucky community members to experience the “Paddle the LA River” pilot program this last August. His new book, “Crooked Little Birdhouse: Random Thoughts on Being Human” includes a section entitled “Rivers,” inspired by his meditations…

Paul Herzog works for Surfrider Foundation and is the National Coordinator for their Ocean Friendly Garden Program. The LA Stormwater Program recently caught up with Paul to discuss the program he oversees and glean a little insight on how to make our yards and gardens friendlier to our waterways. LA Stormwater: Hi Paul! Can you…

Shelly Backlar is the executive director of the not-for-profit Friends of the LA River (FoLAR), an advocacy group that promotes the restoration and revitalization of the river. She recently spoke with LA Stormwater about FoLAR and some of the issues they are currently tackling. When and why was the Friends of the LA River (FoLAR)…

In May 2010 Sofia Mohaghegh, an Environmental Engineering Associate II with the City of Los Angeles’ Watershed Protection Division volunteered with other City Sanitation employees during La Gran Limpieza (or the Great Clean-Up) an annual spring Los Angeles River clean-up event organized by Friends of the Los Angeles River. Sofia recently answered a few questions…

A number of clean-ups around Los Angeles are scheduled this spring, and in order for each to be successful the community’s participation is crucial. A “Team Effort” for clean water is exemplified in the interviews below, because their clean-up efforts are what help to make the vision of pollution-free rivers, lakes and oceans a reality.…