current actions we recommend
Zero Waste!
Many of our local markets now have a bulk section, some even let you bring your own containers to fill. Check out your favorite local markets and see what you can buy in the bulk refill section, ask to bring your own containers (glass mason jars, cloth sacks) if your store is not yet allowing one to bring their own container or if the store is only providing plastic bags for bulk shopping.
In Sonoma County there are also several bulk buy refill stores for personal and cleaning items including REFILL MADNESS(Sonoma Valley), SONOMA COUNTY TRADING COMPANY(Windsor), HERITAGE ALCHEMY and FLORICO REUSE + REFILL(Santa Rosa), REFILL MERCANTILE (Petaluma), and HOME BODY REFILL (Sebastopol). Buy reusable containers or bring your own to fill with products for many household and personal use. Zero Waste Sonoma has an interactive map to help locate local refill stores. https://zerowastesonoma.gov/materials/refill-zero-waste-shops
You are invited to the next Sebastopol Carbon Conversation March 1. 2023
Rainwater cisterns are making a comeback in West County. Learn how this strategy can be applied in your neighborhood.
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- Register at www.rahus.org/scc
Sponsors: The Rahus Institute, Sebastopol Grange, Sonoma Water Agency
Link to flier
Sebastopol Carbon Conversations have returned!
The Rahus Institute and the Sebastopol Grange are excited to announce the return of the Carbon Conversations series beginning February 1, 2023 with the premier of Sonoma County Climate 2050 video!
Carbon Conversations were created to bring our community together for education and conversation around specific climate topics. The series will continue the first Wednesday of each month through June 2023. Each conversation will begin at 7pm (doors open at 6:30) and will be held at the Sebastopol Grange. The series topics will be:
March 1st Rainwater Cisterns in the drought era. The Salmon Creek experience. John Green, Goldridge RCD
April 5th. Electrifying your Home. The shift to Clean Energy starts at home. Sean Armstrong, Redwood Energy
May 5th Teaching Climate
Youth-led Climate Solution projects.
June 7th Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure.
Audience: Community, Teachers, Students, Everyone.
Location: Sebastopol Grange. 6000 Sebastopol Ave, Hwy 12, Sebastopol, CA
Cost: FREE. Donations Welcome. Registration is required.
Register at http://www.rahus.org/scc
Carbon Gardens: A Dirt Simple Solution to Climate Change.
Daily Acts and the Russian River Watershed Association have co-created an educational campaign to encourage residents to help sequester carbon in their home landscapes: Carbon Gardens: A Dirt Simple Solution to Climate Change.
The campaign is centered on a series of brief videos in both English and Spanish, which will be launched on social media and Daily Acts’ website, accompanied by additional resources and opportunities to receive incentives and prizes.
Check out their series of brief educational videos and related resources in both English and Spanish starting November 7th at dailyacts.org/carbongardens. Sonoma and Mendocino County residents who share their carbon gardening stories and photos with Daily Acts will receive a voucher for one free yard of organic compost, while supplies last, and be entered into a raffle for a bunch of exciting prizes!
Revisa su serie de videos breves educativos y los recursos relacionados a partir del 7 de noviembre en dailyacts.org/jardinesdecarbono. Los residentes de los condados de Sonoma y Mendocino que compartan a Daily Acts sus historias e imágenes de jardinería de carbono recibirán un cupón para una yarda de compost orgánico gratis, hasta agotar existencias, ¡y entrarán a una rifa para un montón de premios geniales!
Civic Engagement!
Volunteer for civic engagement: Voting and protecting our democracy is important work! Increasing Voter turnout through voter registration can really help to increase the voices of all individuals. Contact us at info@350sonoma.org for this and other “get out the vote” projects. We can get you connected!
Public Transit for All
The Work of improving “Public Transit for All” continues beyond Sept. On October 25 the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors votes on whether to fund new transit projects. This is important because it is a first step in transforming Sonoma County public transportation, and creating Transit Equity for all. Visit http://www.sonomatransit.org/ for more details on how you can help. You don’t need to be a transit rider to help.
Santa Rosa has become the largest US city to ban new gas stations
This advances the local effort to combat climate change. Read the Press Democrat story here.
Good News!
The Clipper BayPass will be available to all enrolled students FREE
of charge and allows travel on all public transit services that accept Clipper cards for free. For 2 years!
What services will the Clipper BayPass cover?
The Clipper BayPass will allow access to all bus, rail, and ferry services in the 9-county San Francisco Bay Area that accept Clipper (listed at right) for no charge For details on how to apply check it out here!
Follow and support Bikeable Santa Rosa
If you live, work, or visit Santa Rosa, please consider joining our campaign for high-comfort bicycle infrastructure. We are an all-volunteer organization, made up of people who want to use bicycles to get around town. We’re calling on the city to replace our current street design — which makes it stressful and unsafe to get where we need to go — with protected bike lanes and other best-practice infrastructure. We’re serious about having fun and building a better Santa Rosa for us all!
We can do this! We can transform Sonoma Co into a beautiful Transportation haven that works for everyone.
Get on Board here
Get involved in Sonoma County TRANSIT MONTH
Project of Sonoma Transit Riders United (SoTRU)
Sonoma County Transit Riders United is joining the Bay Area Transit month with activities in the week of Sept 19-23. Public Transit is an important part of transitioning to a carbon free future. SoTru is committed to supporting current riders and building new ridership by improving Transit across Sonoma County and streamlining its connection to the bay area.
Take the Transit Challenge! Take our Survey and win Prizes! Ride along with your favorite official! All this and more. Check out the link for more info.
Why is Public Transit a climate issue?
- Transportation accounts for about 60% of our activity based carbon emission in Sonoma Co.
- To reach zero carbon by 2030, we need to shift most of our trips from car to transit and active transportation (walking and biking.)
Currently transportation is a 2 tier system where cars have the upper hand. To Achieve Transit Equity we need smart planning and investment in public transportation that is reliable, affordable, safe and zero carbon. Please join us by going to the outreach packet link: Transit Month Outreach Packet to see how you can support us and get involved.
To learn more about the greater bay area efforts on expanding and improving transit check out https://www.seamlessbayarea.org/ and https://sftransitriders.org/transitmonth/
And if riding a bicycle is your thing, connecting bikes with Transit is win-win!