East Bay Community Resilience Challenge

Transcription

1 East Bay Community Resilience Challenge 2016 Final Report Sustainable Contra Costa Stewart Avenue, Walnut Creek SCOCO is a 501(c) 3 charitable organization Tax ID #

2 Inside this Report 1. Program Highlights Sponsors & Partners Actions Registered Energy & Carbon Footprint Food Production Water Conservation Water Conservation Waste Reduction Build Community & Local Economy Student Actions Total Actions by City Work Performed Budget Survey & Looking Ahead

3 I. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS The Community Resilience Challenge East Bay has inspired thousands of citizens, leaders, and groups to take practical action to save water, grow food, conserve energy, reduce waste, and build community. From , more than 5,000 people have registered 29,800 resilience-building actions throughout the Contra Costa and Alameda County regions! East Bay community members registered 9,415 actions in the Spring 2016 Challenge! This year s outreach and education focused deeply on waste reduction. 998 people committed to reducing their waste production with measures like going completely reusable for 30 days, getting off junk mail, and changing to paperless statements! 2,165 people committed to smart water usage measures like transforming their lawns to drought tolerant landscaping, installing drip irrigation and watersaving fixtures, and using renewable energy. Some pledged to properly dispose of and eliminate toxic chemicals, unplug electronics when not using them, and leave their car at home at least once a week. Others built community gardens, installed greywater laundry-to-landscape systems, and attended Sustainable Living Skills workshops. Some of our most enthusiastic Challenge participants this year were the kids. Students from a total of 51 schools participated in the Challenge committing to a total of 4752 sustainable actions! Total Actions Registered: 9,415 Partners & Sponsors: 54 Community Events: 42 Student Pledges: 4,752 3

4 II Sponsors & Partners We are grateful to Trathen Heckman who started the Challenge in Sonoma County in 2010 for his incredible leadership and to the entire Daily Acts Team for their generous support in bringing the Challenge to the East Bay. The East Bay Challenge is coordinated by Sustainable Contra Costa and Norcal Community Resilience Network. Thank you to our 2016 Challenge Sponsors: Community Partners: The East Bay Challenge is a collaboration of dozens of partner organizations including: Sustainable Lafayette, PLACE for Sustainable Living, Acta Non Verba Farm, Growing Together, Gill Tract, Planting Justice, Bija, Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, Transition Albany, Transition Berkeley, Wee Bee Gardeners, Zack Pine Nature Sculpture, Mindful Garden Collective, Bay Area Green Tours, Slow Food, Rosa Parks Elementary School, Sunflower Alliance, Street Academy, Sustainable Economies Law Center, City of Berkeley s Office of Emergency Preparedness, Rodgers Ranch Urban Farm, Sustainable Rossmoor, Wagner Ranch Nature Area, Pleasant Hill Instructional Garden, Kaiser Walnut Creek, Diablo Valley College, Los Medanos College, CBRE, John Muir Association, Interfaith Climate Action Network, Bike East Bay, John Muir Health, Town of Moraga, Moraga Chamber of Commerce, and Institute for Urban Homesteading. 4

5 III. Actions Registered ENERGY & POLLUTION: 572 FOOD: 490 WATER: 2,165 WASTE: 998 COMMUNITY/ECONOMY: 438 STUDENT PLEDGES: 4,752 A. SAVE ENERGY & REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINT There were 572 actions registered related to energy use. Action # registered % of total Buy locally produced foods for 90 days (become a locavore, join a CSA) % Hang a clothesline and commit to line- drying laundry 60 10% Commit to carpooling for 90 days 7 1% Leave your car at home one day a week (walk, bike, bus or work from home) 38 7% Other 53 9% Unplug used cords and electronics when not in use 49 9% Upgrade your energy efficiency (high efficiency appliances, renewable power, LED or fluorescent bulbs) 74 13% Weatherize your home 31 5% Turn the Key - Be Idle Free (turn off vehicle when sitting more than 30 secs) % 572 Buy locally produced foods for 90 days (become a locavore, join a CSA) Hang a clothesline and commit to line-drying laundry 5% 13% 19% 26% 10% Commit to carpooling for 90 days Leave your car at home one day a week (walk, bike, bus or work from home) Other 9% 9% 7% 1% Unplug used cords and electronics when not in use Upgrade your energy efficiency (high efficiency appliances, renewable power, LED or fluorescent bulbs) Weatherize your home Turn the Key - Be Idle Free (turn off vehicle when sitting more than 30 secs) 5

6 B. FOOD PRODUCTION There were 490 actions registered that related to Food. Action # registered % of total Improve soil health with compost, minerals, etc. (Carbon Farming) 56 11% Other % Plant a fruit tree 34 7% Plant or expand an edible garden % Preserve the bounty (can, dry, ferment, pickle, etc.) 17 3% Raise chickens, bees or livestock 9 2% Start a compost or worm bin 23 5% 490 3% 2% 5% 11% Improve soil health with compost, minerals, etc. (Carbon Farming) Other 23% Plant a fruit tree 48% 7% Plant or expand an edible garden Preserve the bounty (can, dry, ferment, pickle, etc.) Raise chickens, bees or livestock Start a compost or worm bin 6

7 C. WATER CONSERVATION There were 2165 actions registered to save water Action # registered % of total Harvest rainwater with a rain barrel or rain tank 56 3% Install a greywater system 56 3% Install drip irrigation 40 2% Install water- saving fixtures (shower head, aerators, nozzles, etc.) 136 6% Other 109 5% Plant native, drought- tolerant plants 40 2% Remove part or all of my lawn, eliminate pesticide and herbicide use, and create a wildlife habitat in part of my garden % Retain water with swales, mulch, and/or a rain garden 37 2% Transform your lawn to drought tolerant landscaping (with sheetmulching) 90 4% % 4% 3% 3% 2% 6% 5% 2% Harvest rainwater with a rain barrel or rain tank Install a greywater system Install drip irrigation 74% Install water-saving fixtures (shower head, aerators, nozzles, etc.) Other Plant native, drought-tolerant plants 7

8 D. WASTE REDUCTION There were 998 actions registered to reduce waste. Action # registered % of total Buy in bulk and avoid individually wrapped items 74 7% Buy lightly used goods (thrift, consignment, barter) and donate, sell, or trade unwanted items 32 3% Eliminate toxic products and properly dispose of hazardous waste and medicines % Get off junk mail lists and go paperlessfor monthly statements % Other 12 1% Plan a weekly menu to avoid food waste (and save money!) % Recycle plastic, glass, paper, metals, electronics, batteries, clothes, and shoes % Use only reusable containers for 30 days (water bottles, shopping bags, food containers) % 998 Buy in bulk and avoid individually wrapped items 18% 7% 3% 16% Buy lightly used goods (thrift, consignment, barter) and donate, sell, or trade unwanted items Eliminate toxic products and properly dispose of hazardous waste and medicines 22% Get off junk mail lists and go paperlessfor monthly statements 15% 17% Other Plan a weekly menu to avoid food waste (and save money!) 1% Recycle plastic, glass, paper, metals, electronics, batteries, clothes, and shoes Use only reusable containers for 30 days (water bottles, shopping bags, food containers) 8

9 E. BUILD COMMUNITY & LOCAL ECONOMY There were 438 actions registered to build community and the local economy. Action # registered % of total Buy local and keep your money in your community % Move your money to a local bank or credit union 33 8% Organize or join a neighborhood potluck 44 10% Other 85 19% Swap garden bounty and seeds with your neighbors 23 5% Volunteer and/or donate to a local nonprofit organization 45 10% 438 Buy local and keep your money in your community 5% 10% Move your money to a local bank or credit union 20% 47% Organize or join a neighborhood potluck 10% 8% Other Swap garden bounty and seeds with your neighbors Volunteer and/or donate to a local nonprofit organization 9

10 F. STUDENT ACTIONS There were 4,752 actions registered by school-age children representing 51 schools. Action # registered % of total I will turn on lights only when absolutely necessary and turn them off behind me % I will turn off the faucet while I soap my hands and brush my teeth % I will keep my showers under five minutes % I will use reusable containers and bottles in my lunch instead of plastic baggies and plastic bottles % I will ride my bike or walk whenever possible % I will eat fruits and veggies more often instead of snacks in packages % I will talk to my parents about helping me to keep these pledges %

11 G. TOTAL ACTIONS REGISTERED IN EACH CITY City # registered % of total Antioch 131 1% Bay Point 10 0% Brentwood 62 1% Clayton 19 0% Concord 512 5% Danville 37 0% El Cerrito 7 0% Hercules/Rodeo 20 0% Lafayette 202 2% Martinez/Pacheco 483 5% Moraga 294 3% Oakley 34 0% Orinda 25 0% Pinole 9 0% Pittsburg % Pleasant Hill 263 3% Richmond 44 0% San Pablo 13 0% San Ramon 717 8% Walnut Creek 447 5% Alamo 18 0% Albany 23 0% Benicia 16 0% Berkeley 112 1% Cotati 10 0% Crockett 49 1% Discovery Bay 8 0% Dublin/Castro Vly 8 0% El Sobrante 54 1% Fairfield 23 0% Fremont 7 0% Monte Rio 14 0% Livermore 10 0% Napa 6 0% Nevada City 11 0% Oakland 89 1% Pleasanton 6 0% Sacramento 10 0% San Francisco 8 0% San Leandro 26 0% Sunnyvale 7 0% Unknown/Other % Vacaville 5 0% Vallejo 19 0%

12 IV. Work Performed A. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Sustainable Contra Costa manages the East Bay Community Resilience Challenge in cooperation with Susan Silber of NorCal Resilience Network including program development and oversight, collaboration with Daily Acts and other partners, website and technical infrastructure, generation of high quality print materials, public education and outreach, and data analysis. Registration, Data Collection, and Analysis Participants register their actions by either on a paper pledge form collected by a volunteer Challenge team member or in an online pledge form. The online registration form is directed into the Daily Acts central online registration system making efficient use of technology and creating consistency and cohesiveness among program partners. Detailed information is collected and tracked including project description, location, and type of action taken. The East Bay Challenge website had a live action locator map showing where each action was taking place. Community groups register their events and projects through a form on the SCOCO website. Our project administrator receives a notification of new Partner Organization events and publishes their event on the EastBayResilienceChallenge.org website. SCOCO analyzes the registration data and compiles and distributes follow-up reports. B. PUBLIC EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT Of the 9,415 total actions registered, approximately 70% of those pledges were collected in person on paper pledge forms. SCOCO staff and volunteers conducted public education about sustainable practices and collected pledges at dozens of public events such as farmers markets and festivals. Tabling at these outreach events has proven to be a great opportunity for the SCOCO team to talk with individuals and teach them how to implement sustainable actions that are suitable for that person or family. SCOCO has over 30 online Action Guides to teach people how to do activities such as sheet mulching, lawn conversions, healthy gardening practices, water conservation, home energy upgrades, hazardous waste disposal, and rebate programs. SCOCO and Challenge partners conducted an extensive social media campaign throughout April and May. Community-Based Organizations Outreach The Community Resilience Challenge - East Bay partnered with a remarkable 34 organizations and community groups. Organizers decided to focus on these partnerships to honor and acknowledge the depth, diversity and quantity of groups already working on community resilience projects. We defined a Community Partner as an organization who would co-brand a May event with the Community Resilience Challenge goals and help to promote the Challenge. (See Appendix A for Partner Events) 12

13 Government Outreach SCOCO encouraged all the city managers and mayors in Contra Costa County and all cities in Alameda to participate in and promote the Challenge throughout their communities. Cities and municipalities hosted community projects, collected pledges at public events, and promoted through and social media. V. SCOCO Program Budget Contributions included financial sponsorship for the program, donated prizes, and special offers. Incentives Donated: EcoMulch donated one free yard of EcoMulch for all who registered their actions Mt. Diablo Recycling donated a free bag of compost for all registrants Bill s Ace Hardware donated $300 in gift cards for Challenge participants Sloat Garden Centers donated $300 in gift cards The Ecology Center donated a $100 gift card Central Contra Costa Sanitary District donated printing services Program Expenses: Contract Services (project management, I.T., graphics, etc.): $9,736 Printing & Supplies: $629 Misc. Fees, stipends, transportation: $45 Total program expenses: $10,847 Program Sponsors: City of Walnut Creek $1000 StopWaste $1000 City of Martinez $2000 City of Pittsburg $1000 City of Antioch $1000 Contra Costa Water District $1000 RecycleSmart $1000 City of Pleasant Hill $1000 $9,000 13

14 APPENDIX A CRC 2016 Partner Events Thursday, April 7 Transition Berkeley Community Organizing Discussion and Film Friday, April 15 Rossmoor Earth Day Sunday, April 17 Wagner Ranch Wildlife Festival Pleasant Hill Instructional Garden Earth Day Wednesday, April 20 Los Medanos Earth Day DVC Earth Day Thursday, April 21 Eco Fest Sustainability Festival Rosa Parks Fair Spare OUR Air: Sunflower Alliance Transition Streets Kick-off with Transition Berkeley Saturday, April 23 Oakland Earth Day Clean Up Groundwork Richmond's Earth Day Tree Planting John Muir Earth Day Birthday Rooted in Resilience Bay Localize 10-year Anniversary Brunch Interfaith Climate Action Network Earth Day 14

15 Sunday, April 24 Gill Tract's Earth Day Celebration 11th Annual Lafayette Earth Day Festival Monday, April 25 Slow Food Potluck Mondays: Connect, Discover & Act Saturday, April 30 National Cohousing Open House Day and Tours The Great Pittsburg Cleanup Berkeley Emergency Preparedness Fair Sunday, May 1 Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour Albany Arts and Green Festival Tuesday, May 3 Sustainable Economies Law Center Happy Hour at Comal Friday, May 6 New Moon Ceremony - protect Mother Earth Saturday, May 7 StopWaste Lawn to Garden Party Work Party at Acta Non Verba Farm Responding to Climate Change with Dr. Guy McPherson Thursday, May 12 Bike To Work Day Bike To Work Day - SCOCO's Energizer Station 15

16 Friday, May 13 20th Annual Affordable Housing Week - EBHO's Kick-off Saturday, May 14 Creating Commons Festival at the PLACE for Sustainable Living Moraga Community Faire Friday, May 20 John Muir Health Green Fair Saturday, May 21 Albany Beach Cleanup and Free Sand Globe Event Introduction to Conscious Elders Network Sunday, May 22 Urban Farm Tours 2016 Urban Farm Tour Bonus Talk: Where to begin your urban farm? Sunday, May 29 Ashby Community Garden Work Party Thursday, June 2 Sustainable Living Workshop - Eating Seasonally Thursday, June 9 Pittsburg Green Footprint Festival Saturday, June 25 Martinez Advanced Sustainable Citizen: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to the Max 16