The Dirty Dozen

Horny Toad’s home is situated on a creek, Mission Creek to be exact. When it rains or if the tide is high, the water laps at the side of our humble Toad home. Not only that, but we are a block away from the beach and the output of the creek into the ocean. Sounds picturesque, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, not everyone in the world sees this creek as a treasure, rather more as a dumping ground. Every once and a while, objects such as couches and shopping carts come floating down the creek. Gross, huh!? Well, we Toads have simply had enough, so we’ve started to work with the city of Santa Barbara’s Creek Division to help clean up the mess. Their motto, “Clean creeks, healthy beaches.” In other words, it all runs down stream.

Armed with gloves, bags for the trash and the spirit of community, a dozen of us – the dirty dozen – headed out for a creek to beach clean-up. The biggest offender was styrofoam in little pieces everywhere. Not only are these micro bits of trash ugly to look at, they are harmful to all life that depends on the oceans and creeks. Also among the debris was ship wreckage, with a compass that still worked and was given away to a passerby to be reused. The result of a couple of hours of cleaning up our local area was two fold: trash collection being the obvious one, but we raised awareness just by being out there. We even had a few folks jump in and help out. Who says cleaning up can’t be fun? They obviously haven’t watch Mary Poppins.

All in all, life is good for the Toads here in Santa Barbara, and that’s just the way we want to keep it. If you live close to a creek, call your city and find out how to get involved.