Contributing To a Better World

Editor,

This year’s Earth Day & Kelp Fest event was another successful Laguna happening thanks to all of the teamwork among the community in Laguna and beyond. Transition Laguna skillfully organized music, food and helpful demonstrations of sustainable living while Kelp Fest participants at Main Beach decorated a giant kelp forest surrounded by displays from school groups, community organizations, water districts, marine safety and even a beautiful mermaid.

Mobilizing talent, material and scarce funds takes time. Kelp Fest began with Orange Coast College students producing large kelp banners as an effort to educate people through art to appreciate the magnitude of Laguna’s incredible kelp forests. This artwork evolved into collaboration with Nancy Caruso and others who were restoring the kelp along the coast and a desire to put kelp forests into full public view with a creative art and education project. The first Kelp Fest was launched in 2010 and this year groups like South Laguna Civic Association, Laguna Bluebelt Coalition, Laguna Ocean Foundation, Get Inspired, Hobie Sports and countless volunteers and students contributed to the event. We owe a great debt to Laguna for nurturing and supporting this wonderful, colorful annual event.

Kelp Fest 2013 celebrated the many contributions of our mermaids in preserving, protecting and restoring our incredible Laguna Kelp Forests. The city’s first logo in 1927 featured a mermaid.

The Laguna Bluebelt mermaids were significant in gaining Laguna’s Marine Protected Areas through their steadfast work with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Teaming up with local environmental watermen, they tirelessly attended meetings up and down the state testifying on behalf of our marine life and kelp forests. City Council mermaids vote to support marine life protection convinced State Commissioners Laguna Beach has the vision and “can do” spirit to champion the recovery of kelp forests and sea life.

Earth Day and Kelp Fest allow us to contribute to a better world by our actions and teamwork here in Laguna.

Michael Beanan, Laguna Beach