current actions we recommend
Share your input for the Sonoma County Active Transportation Plan
We are excited to announce that the Sonoma County Active Transportation Plan Survey is up and running, and they are seeking your input! SCTA is partnering with Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and Unincorporated Sonoma County to create a community-informed Active Transportation Plan. Your feedback is crucial to ensure that this plan reflects the needs and preferences of Sonoma County.
How You Can Help:
- Take the Survey and/or put pins on an interactive map to share safety issues or improvement ideas: https://fp.mysocialpinpoint.com/sonoma-county-atp
- Share with Others: We encourage you to share this with community organizations, friends, family, neighbors, and anyone else who may have an interest in shaping the future of active transportation in Sonoma County. The more voices we hear, the better our plan will be.
Your participation will contribute to a safer and more inviting walking, biking, and rolling experience in Sonoma County!
What We Are Reading
These insurers are screwing the public on climate change
This article by Arielle Samuelson and Emily Atkin (9-15-23) in the online newsletter HEATED, details that while major U.S. insurers drop coverage for people in vulnerable to climate change, they are also investing billions in the companies that fuel it.
All are invited to the next Carbon Conversation – Compost as a Climate Solution
Xinci Tan, Organics Program Manager at Zero Waste Sonoma, will share the ins and outs of Composting in Sonoma County.
How is Composting a Climate Solution?
Other benefits of composting – healthy soil and more.
Status of restoring a Composting Facility in Sonoma County.
Current status of State Law requiring composting
Local farms using compost
A local garden teacher will be sharing a school success story of compost & gardening.
UCCE Sonoma Master Gardener Experts will be on hand to share
information about backyard composting strategies. Local folks will also
be sharing their own working strategies and we will have a chance to hear from Recology.
.
Audience: Community, Teachers, Students, Everyone.
Date: Wednesday October 4th
Time: Program starts at 7pm, doors open at 6:30 pm to chat with Master Gardeners and our cosponsor Recology
Location: Sebastopol Grange. 6000 Sebastopol Ave, Hwy 12
FREE. Donations Welcome. Registration is required.
Organizers: The Rahus Institute, Sebastopol Grange.
www.rahus.org/scc
FALL SERIES * November 1st – WATER RESILIENCY *
Take Action to End Fossil Fuels
What: Family-friendly event to demand Climate Action
When: Sunday, September 17th, 11am
Where: Old Sacramento, Corner of Front and J Sts., Sacramento, CA 95814
As part of a national effort to amplify the march in New York, there will be a supporting event on September 17th in Sacramento, aimed at getting Governor Newsom to do the right thing on climate.
We call on all Californians to gather at the state Capitol to demand that our leaders, Biden and Newsom, stop permitting fossil fuels and make a plan to phase out oil and gas. This family-friendly action will feature a giant puppet show, carnival games, performers and speakers who will share how you can get involved in ending the era of Fossil Fuels and building a better future together. Contact the organizers to help bring this event to life!
Solar Rights Alliance
Your right to create your own energy keeps changing!
For years, the utilities have unsuccessfully tried to block homeowners from making their own solar energy. Now they are working to block rooftop solar for California renters, schools, and farmers.
To learn more about this and take action visit the Solar Rights Alliance.
Go to the CPUC’s website and click “Add a Public Comment”
Sept 6 Carbon Conversation on Biking
The Carbon Conversations Fall Series starts Wednesday September 6, 2023 with Bikes as Transport 
The City of Sebastopol and Sonoma County have just launched the process of updating the Bike & Pedestrian Master Plan (now known as the Active Transportation Plan (ATP)). Updating the ATP will provide a clearer vision toward shaping a Climate and People Friendly community, enhancing cycling features that enable folks to safely get around town on pedal power.
At 7pm presentation and Q&A will begin with Dana Turrey, Sonoma County Transportaton Authority, and Eleanor Leshner, local plan consultant lead (partnering with Fehr & Peers), will present an overview of the plan update process, some technical analysis details, and opportunities for the public to provide input. We’ll also hear from folks that routinely ride their bikes to get to work, school, or run errands around town, some with electric boost and some not.
From 5:30 to 7pm there will be a Cycle Showcase in the Grange Parking Lot where you can view Cycles and talk with their Cyclists, both E-bikes and ‘OldSchool’ models.
Audience: Community, Teachers, Students, Everyone.
Date: Wednesday Sep 6th (Cycle Showcase 5:30-7pm, Presentation/Conversation 7-8:30pm)
Location: Sebastopol Grange. 6000 Sebastopol Ave, Hwy 12
FREE. Donations Welcome. Registration is required. Organizers: The Rahus Institute, Sebastopol Grange.
www.rahus.org/scc
FALL SERIES * October 4th – COMPOSTING AS A CLIMATE SOLUTION * November 1st – WATER RESILIENCY *
Join 350 Sonoma at the Santa Rosa Plaza Earth Day April 22, 2023
350 Sonoma will be in Santa Rosa at the Plaza from Noon to 4pm, stop by our table and say hi and
Come out to Celebrate and Protect our Earth, beloved Planet and all its creatures!
Tonight is Climate Action Night, please join us
Please join us at the 5th Annual Climate Action Night at Santa Rosa Junior College
April 20th, 4:30-6:30pm
Bertolini Student Center at SRJC,
1501 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa
Student groups from Sonoma County high schools, Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State will present tri-fold posters, “science fair style” about California State Assembly or Senate bills, and local county and city campaigns. The goal is to educate the community about current legislation and local campaigns related to climate change, climate justice and sustainability, so that they can take action to enact climate solutions.
Please help us spread the word!
- Flier: Climate Action Night 2023.pdf (Spanish language version coming soon!)
Resources for educators:
- A digital worksheet to go along with the event that can be assigned for credit/ extra credit (feel free to copy and modify!)
- Alternatively, you can use this Canvas Assignment: Attending Climate Action Night
Come to support local students and learn how you can take part in creating a just and climate-safe future!
You are invited to the May 3 Campus Climate Connections Carbon Conversation
We’ll be exploring Campus Climate Connections at the next Carbon Conversations on May 3rd. We’ll learn about climate-related projects that are happening in local schools now, but also about an initiative to adopt Climate Literacy Resolutions in our schools, paving the way to create space for comprehensive climate education and empowering students with the skills to thrive in this changing world.
Learn more about the speakers and sign-up here RSVP
Audience: Community, Teachers, Students, Everyone.
Time: doors open at 6:30pm. Program starts at 7pm.
Location: Sebastopol Grange. 6000 Sebastopol Ave, Hwy 12
Cost: FREE. Donations Welcome Learn more &Register at www.rahus.org/scc
Sponsors: The Rahus Institute, Sebastopol Grange, 350 Sonoma
Farm Bill
This year, Congress will write our next farm bill, shaping the next 5-7 years of American agriculture policy.
Governing everything from the way our food is produced, to how it is distributed and consumed, the farm bill determines the entirety of our food and ag system, but currently it supports industrial agriculture practices that prioritize commodities over communities. We think it’s time for a change. Soil is our common ground and our common good, so we are calling on Congress to support regenerative agriculture in the farm bill.
Regenerative agriculture combines Indigenous knowledge, holistic management, and cutting edge science to work within the context of natural systems. It means healthier soils growing healthier foods, stronger local communities, more profitable regional economies, and more resilient environments.If you believe in a healthy, abundant future – for yourself, your family, and your community – join 350 group members and sign and share the petition to regenerate America!