Los Angeles native Mark Gold began working with Heal the Bay as a volunteer more than 20 years ago and is now President of the non-profit organization devoted to cleaning up the Santa Monica Bay. As part of its many efforts, the group regularly tests water quality, keeps the public educated with its beach report card, and hosts beach clean-ups. Gold talked to Greenopia about his work and living green in L.A.

Best part of your job?

I think the best part of our job here is the fact that so many incredible people work and volunteer here. Also, our mission. How can you not be in favor of a clean ocean?

What is your favorite local green restaurant?

I like Wilshire. The food there is excellent and it’s a beautiful restaurant.

Where do you shop for organic groceries?

Usually farmer’s markets. I go to the Santa Monica one on Wednesdays and Sundays. Also, Trader Joe’s.

What are some of your favorite local green businesses?

There aren’t as many choices as one would like. In the commercial sector there are a few shops that do it well, like Patagonia and REI.

Is there a particular environmental non-profit you support?

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). I’ve always been a huge admirer of that group and have close friends who work there. I’m always impressed by the work they do.

What’s your favorite thing about living in the city? Least favorite?

I love the diversity in Los Angeles. What you can get to eat, entertainment, the arts—it’s extraordinary. And that diversity goes beyond the people and culture to the fact that we have the Santa Monica Mountains and you can drive to snow and skiing in less than two hours and we have some of the most beautiful beaches. Least favorite has gotta be traffic.

What would you say is the city’s undiscovered or underrated jewel?

Can I be biased and say the

Can I be biased and say the Aquarium [operated by Heal the Bay]? Three million people a year go to the Santa Monica Pier and most don’t know that under the pier is the aquarium. It’s very hands-on and every kid who goes there has a great time and wants to come back.

Where do you like to take out-of-town visitors?

I always end up going to the hike on the point of Dume [in Malibu] and walking them down the point to check out the tide pools. That’s the vision of Southern California I like to leave them with.

What’s your favorite vacation destination?

I’m an eco-tourism guy. There have to be critters involved. Some of my best trips have been Costa Rica and the Galapagos and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Something extraordinary about nature has to be part of the trip.

What’s your favorite weekend outdoor activity?

Going to the beach with the kids.

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?

I don’t know—but it’s gotta be native.

Describe your path to green: how and when you became eco-conscious.

It was a complete love of the outdoors and the ocean. As a biologist, the joy of looking for certain mammals and discovering wildlife and nature has been a big thing for me.

It was a complete love of the outdoors and the ocean. As a biologist, the joy of looking for certain mammals and discovering wildlife and nature has been a big thing for me.