The Mean Green Team of CALS ECHS Our Motto is:"No River Left Behind" (NRLB) "Where each individual is a purifighter"

Our Events

Possible Upcoming Events 2008-2009

• Possible Clothes Collection for Planet Aid. This organization collects used clothing and sells it to financially support sustainable development projects overseas.

2007-2008 Events

• Spring 08 CEP Presentation
• June 13-June 15, 2008
  • Sierra Club ICO-Camping Trip
  • School Permission Slip
  • Sierra Club Permission Slip in English or Spanish, and Hiker Reminder
• March 29, 2008
• Sierra Club ICO-Topanga Canyon
• School Permission Slip
• Sierra Club Permission Slip in English or Spanish, and Hiker Reminder
• March 8, 2008
  • Sierra Club ICO Snow Trip
  • School Permission Slip
  • Sierra Club Permission Slip in English or Spanish, and Hiker Reminder
• February 23, 2008
  • Arroyo Seco Clean Up III.
  • School Permission Slip
  • Arroyo Seco Permission Slip
• February 12, 2008
  • Mono Lake Outdoor Experiences Presentation
• January 31, 2008
  • Puente Hills Landfill Field Trip
  • Photos
• January 24, 2008
  • Arroyo Seco Revitalization Presentation
• January 17, 2008
  • CALS HS Waste Audit
  • Photos
• December 15, 2007
  • Arroyo Seco Clean Up II. Once again the Mean Green Team teamed up with the Arroyo Seco Foundation to relieve the beautiful creek of trash. After our much needed rain the creek was left with tons of garbage ranging from plastic bags, to beach and tennis balls, to shopping carts. The MGT along with other volunteers put forth a full effort to make this creek trash free. The MGT traveled down the creek recovering trash, after trash, after trash. One major accomplishment was the shopping cart that was pulled out from under a tree. It took a lot of time and effort but the MGT was relentless in pulling out the cart. Finally after some digging and pulling the MGT filled the cart with trash and hauled it to the dumpster. But the job was not done yet, after all the other volunteers left, the MGT stayed behind to pick up any trash that was left behind. The day ended with some members sinking in the creek, some skateboarding, and a well deserved meal on the Colorado strip of Pasadena. GREAT JOB MEAN GREEN TEAM!!! 
    • By Jaclyn Lopez
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    • Photos

• December 5, 2007
  • The Mean Green Team attended the Green Schools Summit in Pasadena. We were able to listen to several people, including green actor Ed Begley Jr., speak about the most important issues in today’s era. We are trying to change California and eventually the world by starting with our schools. We figured it would be a way for us to show the attendees at the conference that we care, and we can get something done to help make our school greener. What we saw was different people trying to sell us, new materials for restrooms, houses, and anything that you can imagine. We have already started taking action by recycling at our school, and now we are going to try to get green products, such as water-less urinals and post-consumer paper products for our restrooms at school. Thes purchasing of these products could send a message to producers that we care. The Green Schools conference has changed our views even more, and we are working harder to cause more change.   
    • By Ashley Ann Yerena
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    • Photos

• November 17, 2007
  • Dockweiler Beach Nothing But Sand Clean Up with Heal the Bay-The Mean Green Team arrived at Dockweiler Beach early this Saturday morning. Good thing that our team was not the only one helping to Heal the Bay. There were many people ready to make a difference: individuals and groups. The people signed up, grabbed a glove and a bag, and searched the beach for any trash. Every so often we heard planes taking off from LAX over the cloudy, breezy ocean. On our walk to clean the beach we discovered mostly plastic and styrofoam. During rainy seasons all of this trash that is laid out by the curb is washed into our oceans. Of course they ended this clean up with an old fashion lottery. Unfrotunately, luck was not on our side.. The Mean Green Team is not here for prizes, only to save the earth one step at a time.
    • By Richard Fernandez
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    • Photos
• November 3-November 6, 2007
  • Powershift National Youth Conference on Global Warming-After a fun and exciting week at Mono Lake, it was time for the Mean Green Team to get back to business. While most of the MGT slept in Saturday morning, members Jaclyn Lopez, Charles Ghiotto, and Mr. Stephens caught a flight to Washington, DC to attend the Powershift National Youth Conference on Global Warming. Once they arrived in DC the members rehearsed all night for their big presentations the next day. Charles and Jaclyn gave a presentation entitled Organizing in the Classroom: A Student’s Perspective and Mr. Stephens gave a similar presentation but from a teacher’s perspective. Both presentations were outstanding and the three members spent the rest of the day catching up on some much needed sleep. Later that night Jaclyn, Charles, and Mr. Stephens were invited to watch Leonardo Dicaprio’s “The 11th hour”, an excellent documentary on our current environmental crisis. The next day the three members attended an amazing rally on Capitol Hill where hundreds of America’s youth gathered to raise awareness about global warming. After the rally, Charles and Jaclyn toured DC for the first time, led by tour guide Mr. Stephens. On the final day of the trip we met with Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard.  This wonderful and amazing experience could not have been made possible with out the help of Earth Day Network. A special Mean Green Team thanks goes out to Sean Miller and Amelia Kissick who dedicated their time to making our experience in DC one to remember. We would also like to thank Mr. Stephens for all his time and dedication he has put towards the Mean Green Team.
    • See Articles:
      • E Magazine.com "Cleaner, Greener U." Print Version
      • The Wave: Powershift
  • By Jaclyn Lopez
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  • Photos

• October 29-November 2, 2007
  • Mono Lake Committee Outdoor Education Program-On October 29th through November 2nd 10 members from the Mean Green Team took a trip to Mono Lake near the Inyo National Forrest. We stayed with the Outdoor Experience program outside of Lee Vining, CA.. The reason for the trip was to learn about where our water comes from and how our use of the water affects Mono Lake. We also learned about how to conserve water through our daily routines; three minute showers, wise use of the restrooms, and low water volume dish washing, etc. Highlights of our activities on the trip included a solo night hike and summiting a 13,000 foot mountain. It took us about 3 hours to climb the mountain and about half of that to come down from it. The view from 13,000 feet up is spectacular. We had a once in a lifetime experience of having lunch at the peek of the mountain while viewing two of Yosemite's last glaciers. We also explored Panum Crater, a dormant volcano, and learned about the many igneous rocks in and around Panum Crater. One day of the trip we went to Mono Lake and saw the tuffas. Finally, we had a chance to visit the town of Bodi, an astounding old ghost town. Throughout the stay we cooked our own food, and  it was a great experience for all of us. We learned a lot about water conservation and about how we need to save our beautiful planet.
    
    • By Jose Luis
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    • Photos

• October 7, 2007
  • QuikSCience Movie-Sea Monsters A Prehistoric Adventure -The MGT went to watch a movie about Quikscience and what we were to expect in this competition. We had a chance to see the winning team from last year's competition and what their trip was like to the Virgin Islands. We got to see how Quikscience is not only a competition but a way for students across California to learn about our oceans and what we need to do to help. The CEO of Quiksilver was there and he spoke to us on his contributions to Quiksilver and abot his excitement for this years competition. We also saw a 3-D film called, Sea Monsters A Prehistoric Adventure. This movie documented the life of an animal nicknamed "Dolly". It showed you the life of this sea creature from being in the womb up until its death. Through this movie you get to see what prehistoric sea monsters could have looked like and how they really are larger than life. After the movie and the free popcorn there was a raffle where one of us won a surprise bag. After the movie and the Quikscience overview we created a Quikscience team and we are determined to win!
    • By Christina Giordano
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• October 5, 2007
• Generation Earth Teen Forum-This year's Generation Earth Teen Forum was held at the Disney Center in Burbank. We learned about harmful pollutants to our earth and about things that can and cannot be recycled. We also learned about the amount of energy that comes from recycling products. Recycling an aluminum can, can provide enough energy for two hours of television. Recycling ten water bottles can provide enough energy to manufacture one X-Large T-Shirt. Students from other schools gave presentations on what they have done in thier school and community to help the environment just like our Mean Green Team. We had an activity where we saw the different changes water went through when traveling through the sweage system. We saw all of the different pollutants that traveled with the water and drained into our ocean. Towards the end of the forum each group was assigned to choose an environmental issue and provide a solution and steps for a solution to this issue. The majority of groups all came up with the issue of recycling or e-waste while our group did CO2 emissions. We came up with solutions such as public transportation and riding your bike, baby steps to solving the bigger issue. We ended up with free T's and reusable cups that were our new substitutes for water bottles. It was a long day worth the extra knowledge in finding new ways to help save our evironment.
  • By Christina Giordano
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• September 15, 2007
• California Coastal Clean-Up Day-The Mean Green Team helped the Arroyo Seco Foundation clean the Arroyo Seco creek, a tributary stream to the Los Angeles River. Arroyo Seco is spanish for dry creek as it is not as full as other creeks, and the trash that clogged up the stream wasn't helping it. The Mean Green Team, along with other volunteers, decided to do something about this and that's how the cleaning commenced! The Mean Green team cleaned the creek of many plastic bags, golf balls, pieces of carpet, coffee cups, chip bags, and other types of trash. This green make-over not only greatly improved the appearance of Arroyo Creek but it also allowed the Arroyo Creek's water to flow smoothly towards LA and the mighty Pacific. The Mean Green Team was definitely determined to pick up as much trash as possible, some were so determined that they fell into the creek when trying to rid this beautiful creek of the awful trash; such determination! In the end, it was a successful day for the Mean Green Team!
  • By Claudia Corona
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  • Photos

Past Events from the 2006-2007 School Year

• June 20, 2007
  • PUC Board Presentation-The Mean Green Team presented their findings of the Indoor Air Quality Project to the Partnership to Uplift Communties Board. We relayed our concerns about the high levels of carbon dioxide, fungus, and bacteria while making recommendations for indoor plants, air system maintenance, and improved air circulation. CALS Early College High School administrators were responsive and bought plants for all of the classrooms. However, we are still waiting for PUC and the building owners to act on the scientific data.
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    • Video
• June 16, 2007
  • The MGT finished off the year with a bang back where it all began-Eaton Canyon. This beautiful canyon that feeds the San Gabriel River was once again beautified by members of the team. While no one had close encounters with rattlesnakes this time, members fought off the trash as well as 90 degree heat. After picking up bags of recyclables, rubish, and even a bucket of paint, everyone enjoyed a refreshing dip in the falls. Way to go MGT!
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  • Photos

• May 12, 2007
  • La Gran Limpieza. The Mean Green Team helped FOLAR kick of The Great LA River Clean Up (largest urban river clean up in the country) at the soft-bottomed portion of the river adjacent to Taylor Yard. The team received some extra help from other concerned students at CALS who wanted to help out in their neighborhood of Cypress Park. The MGT cleaned the site of numerous shopping carts, oodles of plastic, rubber piping, glass, trash, a pogo stick, suitcases, and even driver's licenses with the help of other volunteers from Clean and Green. Everyone was encouraged by the live band and Mama and Papa Stephens. Mr Stephens even one a book from FOLAR, Rio LA: Tales from the LA River. Mr Stephens was so stoked, he treated everyone to some well deserved King Taco.
  • This clean-up involved over 2000 volunteers that picked up nearly 30 tons of trash. That's 60,000 pounds!!!
  • Photos
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• April 27, 2007
  • The Mean Green Team teamed up with the Friends of the Los Angeles River for River School Day. Despite some bumps, bruises, and broken bikes the team members managed to teach elementary students about the history of the LA River while engaging them in educational activities and a river clean-up. The members were handsomely rewarded with volunteer t-shirts and praise from FOLAR for a job well done.
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• April 21, 2007
  • Rio De Los Angeles State Park Tree Planting
    • The Mean Green Team joined forces with several other coorporations and organizations in welcoming the addition of Rio De Los Angeles State Park. The members arrived for the community celebration and tree planting event at 9 AM and worked longer than any other volunteers! In total the team planted over 15 trees! This greening operation not only improved the appearance of this converted rail yard, but will sequester tons of carbon over the course of the trees' lifetimes thus helping to alleviate global warming. Members were also featured on KCAL news at 10 and KNX 1070 AM radio.
    • Photos
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• April 10, 2007
  • Los Angeles River Tour with Friends of the LA River
    • The Mean Green Team finally made their first official trip to the infamous Los Angeles River. A crew of ten set out to the River Center to meet up with the education director from FOLAR. She took the group on a tour of a few sites along the river including the graffiti laden confluence of the Arroyo Seco and LA River. The group then moved up river to the soft-bottom portion of the Glendale Narrows. At the narrows everyone was delighted to see freshwater springs, mallard, cinnamon teal, great blue herons, geese, hummingbirds, carp, oaks, sycamores, and various other wildlfie. The Team saw many locations where they will help out with clean-ups in the future.
    • Photos
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• Google Earth Movie of Past Mean Green Trips
• January 20, 2007
  • Playa Del Rey Beach Clean-up with Heal the Bay part II
    • Even as a short handed team the Mean Greeners perservered to purify Playa Del Rey. This event was a sequel to the first clean-up at the same location and served as the completion of the team's official "adoption" of the beach. The jetty along Ballona Creek seemed to have even more trash than the first time thanks to the many careless Los Angelenos who treat the outdoors as their personal garbage dump. The seven attending members cleaned voraciously nonetheless and were reminded why they do what they do as a pod of dolphins frolicked in the near surf with divebombing pelicans canvassing the background. The day was capped off with some competitive beach football and the Heal the Bay raffle. Even though no one on the team won a t-shirt it was another successful day.
    • Photos
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• January 18, 2007
  • Heal the Bay speaker Larry presents to the Mean Green Team and friends
    • The Mean Green team invited a volunteer speaker from Heal the Bay to give a presentation on local pollution, watersheds, and Heal the Bay. The team invited other concerned students to join in the educational talk. Larry shared how Heal the Bay was instrumental in improving the conditions of Santa Monica Bay through education, lobbying, and volunteer clean-ups. Everyone learned about the local watersheds of the Los Angeles Basin and how inland occupants really do have an effect on the mighty Pacific. Everyone will now be spreading the word about easy ways that you can help (pick up your pets' waste, wash your cars on a lawn, volunteer, sweep your sidewalks instead of hosing them, don't litter, etc, etc, etc).
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• November 18, 2006
  • Playa Del Rey Beach Clean-up with Heal the Bay part I
    • The Mean Green Team stood tall in the face of fog, waves, and slippery rocks and once again proved that they are tough on trash. The team travelled all the way to the West side to partner up with Heal the Bay and 100+ other volunteers. Everyone tackled the pollution problem at this surprisingly dirty beach. The team focused their efforts on the beach adjacent to Ballona Creek, where a ton of trash washes up every year. Members gathered everything from plastic bags and styrofoam to knife blades and fishing line. They then took a well deserved rest and played some beach frisbee football, went swimming in the ocean, and designed a playa mermaid. GREAT JOB MEAN GREEN TEAM
    • Photos
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• October 12, 2006
  • Los Angeles River Youth Conference
    • The Mean Green Team flexed their green muscle for the first time at the Los Angeles River Youth Conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center. This brave group of eco-friendly students banded together for the first time to let their voices be heard about the future of the Los Angeles River. They spoke with councilmembers, geologists, hydrologists, environmentalists, and city engineers about the objectives of the 20 year plan to "green" 32 miles of the river.
    • Photos

• October 28, 2006
  • Eaton Canyon Clean Up
    • The Mean Green Team was indeed tough on trash in this county park in Pasadena. Everyone put in a great effort while braving the sweltering heat, poison oak, unstable rocks, and a baby rattlesnake. The crew gathered a large amount of trash and recyclables that varied from the usual cigarrette butts and fallen balloons to a very unusual leprechan shoe. The Team was rewarded with a refreshing swim below the falls at the end of the trail. GREAT JOB MEAN GREEN TEAM!
    • Photos
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