LOS ANGELES : Environmental Groups Launch Cleanup Effort

Environmental groups this week launched the first annual “Great L.A. Cleanup,” a grass-roots campaign that unites 15 organizations and thousands of volunteers to clean graffiti, trash and other signs of urban blight.

“This is a ‘get out, get your hands dirty, let’s get the job done’ type of event,” said Great L.A. Cleanup co-founder John Quigley.

He said that volunteers will be planting trees on Skid Row, cleaning up the Ballona Wetlands, repairing storm drains and removing graffiti along Pico Boulevard. The effort coincided with the marking of Earth Day on Wednesday.

“After the cleanup, L.A. is going to be a better place in terms of health and cleanliness,” said the Rev. Peter Kreitler.

Kreitler, who was an Episcopal parish priest for 22 years, has become the first minister for the environment for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.