Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of being at the launch of OC Public Works’ Adopt A Channel program at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. With the motto of “Clean channels healthy oceans,” the program hopes to keep our oceans and beaches cleans by removing more trash from the county’s drainage channels that wind throughout our cities and terminate at the beaches. The Disneyland Resort is the first adopter and worked very closely with OC Public Works and the Wyland Foundation in launching the program and making it a success. Disneyland Resort President Michael Colglazier came on stage to a fanfare of “Colors of the Wind” from Disney’s Pocahontas and shared how the program fits perfectly with Walt’s vision of being a steward of the Earth and the environment.
The Disneyland Resort has adopted the first two miles of the Anaheim-Barber City channel that begins at Ball Road just West of Walnut Ave—which borders the western edges of the Resort. Disney has worked with the county to spend the last year cleaning up this section of the channel through both debris removal and graffiti abatement. The two work best in tandem—as much of the trash in the channel is remnants of graffiti activities. Renowned environmental artist Wyland designed the imagery used on the new Adopt A Channel signs that are based on Caltrans’ Adopt-A-Highway program. It is exciting to see Disney’s continued support in making the city of Anaheim a better place to live as well as the greater Orange County area. Congratuations to the Disneyland Resort for being the first to Adopt a Channel.
