Measure AA passed! Next: Nov. vote on CA's plastic-bag ban

Measure AA, helping to fund Bay restoration, has passed. Next, shoreline and watershed groups may want to let folks know about the coming November vote on California’s ban on single-use plastic bags. Many of us have seen the huge reduction in shoreline litter that resulted from local bans on these bags, which wind and water carry everywhere. In 2014, California’s legislature passed, and Governor Brown signed, the nation’s first statewide ban on most single-use plastic bags. But bag manufacturers have spent millions to put the measure on the November ballot, and will spend millions more to get the ban repealed.  On Sat., June 25, two free training opportunities are available in Cupertino, sponsored by Clean Water Action: 8:30 AM (breakfast) – 12:30 PM Sat., June 25, “ReThinkDisposable – methods and messages for engaging the public in reducing packaging.” Info and sign-up here.  12:45 PM (lunch) – 2 PM, advocacy training (also with Save the Bay).  Info and sign-up here.  Both are at Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Rd., Cupertino. You also can distribute, publicize, or adapt the following Clean Water Action materials: Bookmark-style leaflet  Fact sheet  Pledge to vote “yes” to uphold the ban  Berkeley’s Ecology Center, which in many ways pioneered the ideas that led to the bag ban, will be scheduling events during their international “Plastic-Free July.” Check their background information and, closer to July, calendar.

Our next Shoreline Advocates meeting will tentatively be Monday, Oct. 17, 10 AM -12:30 PM at Berkeley's Shorebird Nature Center. Stay tuned!