After years of advocating for a ban on single-use plastic bags, Heal the Bay and environmental supporters rejoiced as Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed a city-wide ban on plastic bags on June 26, 2013. The non-profit organization devotes their time and efforts to protecting the economic, ecological and recreational value of not only the Santa Monica Bay but all waterways in the region. Heal the Bay educates and empowers leaders and whole communities to use environmental health as a bridge to community health. As a past President of Heal the Bay and a long time Board member, Mr. Boesch and the entire Boesch Law Group strongly support the goals of Heal the Bay.
“Heal the Bay is indebted to Phil Boesch for his leadership as President of the organization. Under his leadership, Heal the Bay continued to increase in size, scope of programs, and stature in the community. Phil was also instrumental in bringing new leadership on to our incredible Board of Directors.” – Heal the Bay Tribute Journal
“Heal the Bay’s strategic plan committee (led by Phil) asked for more public education and greater geographic outreach. To that end, Heal the Bay developed three major new programs under Phil’s tenure: an amazing web site, the Key program (targeting elementary school children throughout Los Angeles County), and the expansion of Heal the Bay Beach Report Card to nearly all of Southern California.” – Heal the Bay Tribute Journal
Phil wanted Heal the Bay to get more aggressive in the use of its membership to eliminate pollution. The organization responded by creating the Malibu Creek Street Team volunteer mentoring program, which has identified and mapped dozens of pollution sources and degraded habitats in the Malibu Creek Watershed. Volunteers monitor water quality in the watershed at least once per month. Another new volunteer program is Heal the Bay’s emergency response beach clean-up program.” – Heal the Bay Tribute Journal