Heal the Beach's statewide campaign presented by Ocean Futures Society and Chico Bags, "A Day Without A Bag"

- On Dec 18th, 2008, Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society (OFS) hosted the Santa Barbara County portion of the statewide campaign "A Day Without A Bag" This community-wide event in Santa Barbara County was to help develop positive eco-friendly behavior and use of sustainable products. Together with the help of over 35 local businesses, city government entities, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations, OFS educated community members of all ages about the significant effect single-use bags have on our environment.

Day Without a Bag from Highliner Studios on Vimeo.

For This Historic Event, the first "A Day Without A Bag" in Santa Barbara County, many of our community leaders gathered together to speak to press and pass out reusable bags at Santa Barbara City Hall. This unique event included Jean-Michel Cousteau and other members of the Ocean Futures Society Team, Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum, Hillary Hauser from Heal The Ocean, Kira Redmond from Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, Mark A. Brzezinski, Deputy Director and professor at UC Santa Barbara’s Marine Science Institute, Stephen MacIntosh from Cities Environmental Services Division, Joel Paschal from Algalita, Lucas Crowley from Chico Bag Company, Sandy Stites from The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and the Santa Barbara Zoo Mascott Louis the Lemur!
Throughout the day Bag Monsters protested the event!
Luckily our great community was protected by the amazing kids from Santa Barbara High School's Don’s Net Café, the Santa Barbara Chapter of Surfrider Foundation, and almost a hundred volunteers both individuals and those representing many organizations throughout Santa Barbara County. At 29 locations throughout Santa Barbara County This great group of people handed out approximately 5,600 reusable bags and information about how we as a community, and as individuals, can make positive changes and choices for our environment.
Thank you again to everyone who has helped make this year and every year a greener holiday and future!