Lake Merritt Institute

Photo by Lee Aurich

Welcome to Lake Merritt Institute

Who We Are

  • With over 120 supporters, the Lake Merritt Institute is a community based, non-profit corporation that works with volunteers, schools and the City of Oakland in a cooperative, positive relationship.
  • With an office on the shores of Lake Merritt, the Institute is led by a board of directors and an executive director, James Robinson.
  • Founded in 1992 by Dr. Richard Bailey, we are supported by the City of Oakland, and supporters like you.

What We Do

  • The Clean Lake Program: Since December 1996 we have been removing 1,000 to 6,000 pounds of trash from the lake each month under a contract with the City of Oakland.Much of the work is done by volunteers.
  • Education: Our Powerpoint sound and slide show presents fascinating details about Lake Merritt, urban runoff (our biggest source of water pollution) people, history and wildlife.
  • Aeration Fountains: Through the generosity of a donor and the City of Oakland, was the first to have installed and maintained multiple aeration fountains. They provide much needed oxygen to the oxygen-poor water and provide an aesthetic enhancement to the Lake. The maintains of current aeration devices is handled by LakeTech.
  • Our monthly bulletin provides up-to-date information on the natural history of the lake, city projects, news, photographs, opinions, and an occasional poem.
  • We have obtained grants, taught classes, promoted mechanical harvesting as a replacement to herbicide use, pushed for storm drain filters, and installed bulletin boards, tide gauges, and “U-Clean-It” stations.

 

Student Volunteers in front of Lake Merritt Institute

 

How You Can Help

Donate to support us today!

  • Your contributions help us keep doing what we do.
  • Select your Supporter Level here

  • Volunteer

    • Keeping the Lake clean depends on you. Each month, thousands of pounds of trash accumulate in Lake Merritt. It is removed by retired folks, professionals, school children, civic organization supporters, and people just like you and your friends with the help of our staff. Clean ups are held five times a week during the school year and 3-4 times a week in the summer.
    • If you don’t volunteer, the trash will stay in the lake.

  • Report

    • REPORT dumping paint, cement, plaster, soap, trash or oil in the Lake Merritt Watershed to 311 or Email info@lakemerrittinstitute.org.

     

    Featured Photo by Lee Aurich