Long ignored, neglected, or dismissed as a giant storm drain, the Los Angeles River has actually been a critical natural and cultural resource for our area since before the founding of our Pueblo. This Saturday, April 30, thousands of people will gather for A Day of Service on the LA River to give this waterway and its watershed the recognition they deserve. The Los Angeles River was the main source of food and water for the Gabrielino Indians who inhabited our area for thousands of years before our City’s founding. For generations, people settled near the LA River and turned to it for sustenance. And despite its concrete bottom, the river still supports dozens of species of wildlife. In the wake of a 2006 Supreme Court decision that endangered the LA River’s protected status under the Clean Water Act, Angelenos from Canoga Park to Atwater Village to Boyle Heights mobilized in support our river. Thanks to some very determined citizens, the Environmental Protection Agency announced in July of 2010 that all 51 miles of the Los Angeles River — as well as its 834-square-mile watershed — are, in fact, protected under this important piece of legislation. The actions of the river’s tireless advocates have brought renewed attention to our river and its watershed, and with that attention, new hope for its future. This Saturday, thousands of community members will flock to the river not just to pick-up trash or remove graffiti, but to celebrate its integral part in our City’s history. As part of our "We Serve LA" community service initiative, this weekend volunteers will lead environmental education sessions, community gardening workshops, bird watching, water quality testing, and children’s art projects among many other activities. The day will culminate in a celebration with community leaders, local celebrities, and a free concert by Grammy-award winning artists, Ozomatli. Billy Joel, another Grammy-winning artist, once sang, “We all live in the ocean, we all start in the stream.” Join us in celebrating the birthplace of our City: The Los Angeles River! For more information, please visit http://www.lariver.org ignored, neglected, or dismissed as a giant storm drain, the Los Angeles River has actually been a critical natural and cultural resource for our area since before the founding of our Pueblo.  This Saturday, April 30, thousands of people will gather for A Day of Service on the LA River to give this waterway and its watershed the recognition they deserve.

The Los Angeles River was the main source of food and water for the Gabrielino Indians who inhabited our area for thousands of years before our City’s founding.  For generations, people settled near the LA River and turned to it for sustenance.  And despite its concrete bottom, the river still supports dozens of species of wildlife.

In the wake of a 2006 Supreme Court decision that endangered the LA River’s protected status under the Clean Water Act, Angelenos from Canoga Park to Atwater Village to Boyle Heights mobilized in support our river.  Thanks to some very determined citizens, the Environmental Protection Agency announced in July of 2010 that all 51 miles of the
Los Angeles River — as well as its 834-square-mile watershed — are, in fact, protected under this important piece of legislation.

The actions of the river’s tireless advocates have brought renewed attention to our river and its watershed, and with that attention, new hope for its future.  This Saturday, thousands of community members will flock to the river not just to pick-up trash or remove graffiti, but to celebrate its integral part in our City’s history.

As part of our "We Serve LA" community service initiative, this weekend volunteers will lead environmental education sessions, community gardening workshops, bird watching, water quality testing, and children’s art projects among many other activities.  The day will culminate in a celebration with community leaders, local celebrities, and a free concert by Grammy-award winning artists, Ozomatli.

Billy Joel, another Grammy-winning artist, once sang, “We all live in the ocean, we all start in the stream.”  Join us in celebrating the birthplace of our City: The Los Angeles River!  For more information, please visit www.lariver.org.