Crossings TV Asian Television – Home to Asian Americans
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the cultures, histories, and contributions that shape our communities. It’s also a time to reflect on shared values often passed down through everyday actions and mindfulness. As a second-generation Korean American, I was raised with a strong sense of respect for shared spaces and an awareness of how individual actions affect the broader community. In many Korean households, that mindset shows up in simple but meaningful ways like separating recycling from trash, cleaning up after meals, and being mindful of waste. These small, daily habits reflect a deeper commitment to caring for our environment and one another.
That sense of responsibility and respect for community is something I carry with me in my work at Caltrans. As a Public Information Officer in Los Angeles County, I’ve had the opportunity to support community events and volunteer cleanup efforts. I’ve stood alongside families, students, and neighbors picking up litter and, in just a few hours, watched a space completely transform. There’s a sense of pride and connection that comes from caring for a place together. It’s a reminder that individual actions, no matter how seemingly small, can have a meaningful impact.
As we move into May and warmer weather, many of us are spending more time outdoors: walking in our neighborhoods, enjoying parks, or heading to the river, lake, or beach. What’s often not top of mind is how our everyday habits affect the waterways we enjoy. When it rains, water flows across our streets, sidewalks, and highways, picking up everything left behind along the way. That includes litter, oil from vehicles, brake dust, pet waste, and other debris. This runoff enters storm drains and eventually makes its way into our rivers, lakes, and the ocean – usually untreated. While the streets may look cleaner after a storm, that doesn’t translate into clean water. That’s because what we leave behind can often travel to our waterways.
Over time, these small pollutants add up, impacting water quality, wildlife, our own health, and the places we value most.
The good news is there are simple actions we can all take to help protect our water:
- Properly dispose of trash and litter
- Secure loads on roof carriers and in truck beds to prevent debris from entering storm drains
- Take your car to a commercial car wash, where water is treated and recycled
- Pick up after pets and dispose of pet waste properly
These actions may seem small, but when repeated by all of us, they make a real difference.
This AANHPI Heritage Month, caring for our communities goes beyond what we can see. It’s reflected in the choices we make every day. By taking small, thoughtful steps, we can help protect our waterways, preserve our environment, and ensure a healthier future for the next generation.
To learn more about improving California’s streams, rivers, lakes and coastal waters, visit CleanWaterCA.com.