We ran into some great folks from the Surfrider Foundation out here at Avila and learned some great tips to help preserve our beautiful beaches. I thought this was something important to share with all of our fans so I'm posting there tips up here on my blog. Here are the first five tips!

Each year over 18,000 beaches across the United States are closed or posted as unhealthy. If we all pitch in, we can make a difference in keeping our beaches and coastal waters clean and healthy.

Here are 10 things that you, your friends and your family can do to keep our beaches healthy:

1. Pick up your pet's wastes. Pet waste that reaches the ocean can make both people and marine life sick!

2. Rake and bag your yard clippings. Grass and yard clippings that get blown into the streets often end up in storm drains, making a fertile breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

3. It's best not to smoke. But if you or someone you know does, have them dispose of their used cigarettes in a proper waste container. Cigarette butts are the number one litter component found on the beach!

4. Don't hose down your driveways. Not only does it waste water, but it causes oils and other pollutants to end up in our oceans. Use and broom and dustpan instead.

5. Use native or drought resistant plants in your garden. These kinds of plants use less water, which helps reduce runoff and helps keep our beaches clean.

There are some great tips from the Surfrider Foundation (its their genius not mine) to help everyone reduce their impact on our oceans and beaches. The last five tips will be coming soon. Stay tuned!