By Daily Press staff
Where does that water running down your street end up? Are you in need of some water-efficient landscaping tips? Does your child need to write a paper on the local environment?
All of those questions and more can be answered by visiting Santa Monica’s new Environmental Programs Division Web site: www.smepd.org. The Web site’s official launch coincided with the celebration of Earth Week, held April 18-22, and Earth Day, April 22.
The goals of the site are to provide information on city services and programs; to raise public awareness, and to encourage residents to network and get involved in their community by linking them with local organizations and resources. There also are opportunities for the nature lover or parent to learn more about outdoor activities and local field trips.
Site visitors can learn how to save money by participating in city programs that help save resources. They include downloadable coupons for recycled motor oil changes, free programs that enable residents and businesses reduce their utility costs, and incentives for building “green.”
The site also offers announcements regarding opportunities to get involved with current environmental initiatives in Santa Monica and the Southern California region, such as workshops, regional seminars and conferences, and community events.
“The Web site isn’t only about environmental issues,” said Dean Kubani, Sustainable City coordinator for Santa Monica. “It’s also about providing resources and opportunities for people to come together to improve their community, both locally and globally.”
A section on education supports the process of bringing information about the environment into everyday decision-making processes at home, at work or in the classroom. The site also links to the Santa Monica Public Library and creates a one-stop shop for researching environmental issues.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 23, 2005. Read the original PDF.