At Algalita, we have spent decades traveling the world studying plastic pollution and supporting communities in environmental science. But no matter how far our work has taken us, there is one place we always return to: Alamitos Bay. It is the water that holds the heart of our local community and where so many of us first fell in love with the ocean.
In recent years, we began to notice something important. People were asking deeper, more urgent questions about the Bay. Why does debris build up in certain places? What is changing after big storms? How might shifting water flow affect habitat and health? These were not abstract scientific questions. They were rooted in lived experience, community observation, and genuine care.
That is why we created Clean Bay Collective. Not as a traditional program or a one time project, but as a true community powered movement to monitor and protect Alamitos Bay. It is grounded in science, but driven by curiosity, stewardship, and neighborhood voices. From water sampling to cleanups, hotspot walks to wildlife surveys, this is a space where anyone can take part in understanding the waters we all depend on.
Alamitos Bay is changing, not with a single dramatic shift, but through a series of small connected moments. Infrastructure decisions, development pressures, water circulation patterns, and habitat changes are unfolding quietly, long before most people hear about them. Paying attention is no longer optional. It is essential.
By training local residents to collect real water quality data through accessible tools and our Clean Bay Collective Science Hub, we are building a clear community driven picture of what is happening on the water. Interactive maps and visualizations will allow trends to emerge in real time while neighbors stay connected through shared findings and stories.
Clean Bay Collective is not only about data. It is about connection. It is about neighbors feeling equipped to ask questions, contribute knowledge, and take meaningful action for the place they call home. It is about redefining what science looks like when it belongs to everyone.
We are grateful to everyone tuning in, showing up, and helping shape this effort.
Learn more and join at cleanbaycollective.org.
