We are excited to introduce this stellar group of residents and non-profit representatives who will explore climate solutions, engage local residents, and identify 3-5 major local climate greenhouse gas reducing projects that can be implemented in the Pajaro Valley.
Our Community Climate Coalition members are:
Standing L-R: Maria Barranco (Monarch Services), Philip Wiese, Rocio Navarro (Positive Discipline), Brando Sencion(Ventures), Karina Moreno (MILPA), Angelina Gonzalez
Kneeling L-R: Leo Gonzalez, Eloy Ortiz (Regeneración Special Projects Manager), Ileana Ortega Brunetti (UCSC, Planning meeting facilitator), Yesenia Jimenez (Watsonville Wetlands Watch).
Not pictured: Sister Rosa Dolores, Executive Director, Casa de Cultura
The County of Monterey’s Sustainability Program was awarded a grant from the State of California’s Strategic Growth Council to implement a two-year community engagement process via a $300,000 Transformative Climate Communities Planning Grant.
This award is one of seven Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Planning Grants that were awarded across the state in the fourth round of the TCC program.
Funding will enable coordination with the multiple jurisdictions within the grant’s 5-square mile area of focus that includes Pajaro in unincorporated Monterey County, and part of the City of Watsonville in Santa Cruz County. The planning area was identified by local leaders as an immigrant frontline community of color that is low income, linguistically isolated, and likely to bear disproportionate impacts of climate change, but also includes opportunities for redevelopment and reinvestment along the Pajaro River levee and the Watsonville Junction.
Established by AB 2722 and now in its fifth cycle, the Transformative Climate Communities Program (TCC) invests in community-led climate resilience projects in California's most disadvantaged communities. The program’s objectives are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health and the environment, and support economic opportunity and shared prosperity through a combination of community-driven climate projects.
In the future, a Transformative Climate Communities Implementation Grant or other state and federal funding opportunities could potentially fund the development of the projects identified by the community.
The March 2023 Pajaro levee breach and subsequent flooding of the town of Pajaro has placed a national focus on the Pajaro Valley and the economic health of farmworkers and the agricultural economy on the Central Coast of California. A $400 million levee modernization project by the Army Corp of Engineers has been fast-tracked to begin in Summer 2024.
The Transformative Climate Communities Planning Grant will support community-led planning activities where residents will be able to define their needs, research solutions, and decide how to best meet the needs of their community.
We depend on generous individual donors for essential general support to operate year round.
Here are 2 easy ways to give:
-Donate securely on our website.
-Make a check out to Community Initiatives with Regeneration in the memo.
Mail to:
Regeneration
PO Box 1252
Freedom, CA 95019
Thank you.
Working with you to build a more healthy, equitable, and climate-resilient Pájaro Valley,
Nancy Faulstich, Director
with Eloy Ortiz, Special Projects Manager and Maria Perez, Community Organizer
Good Climate News!
Scientists are cautiously optimistic that 2023 may have been the year that global fossil fuel emissions for energy finally peaked, and that they will now start to decline.
It appears that the steady rise of wind and solarpower is on track to outpace the world’s growing demand for energy –meaning renewables will start to displace fossil fuels on a global scale.
It would have been much better for the world if humanity had started to decrease emissions years ago. It will only be significant if humanity now dramatically accelerates the decline in the use of fossil fuels and other sources of emissions, but it is potentially a critical turning point.
Thanks to superadsmaker from Pixabay for this image.
Sponsor our project!
Help support innovative programs like this project by becoming an individual or business sponsor.
Donations of $100 or more will be recognized as sponsors of this specific project if you specify "Pajaro Photo Voice" in memo.
Here are 2 easy ways to give:
-Donate securely on our website.
-Make a check out to Community Initiatives with Regeneration in the memo.
Mail to:
Regeneration, PO Box 1252, Freedom, CA 95019
Thank you.
Join us in Santa Cruz April 3!
Join us for a screening of a short film called Going Deep about the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) program in Oakland.
Regeneración in partnership with the County of Monterey secured a 2 year planning grant from the TCC program.
We will present our progress thus far and open up a conversation about community driven climate resilience planning.
Hear from some of our Community Climate Coalition members pictured above!
Register for this free event here.
(Donations support community access to our events and are gratefully accepted.)
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Not so good climate news
In 2023, the United States experienced 28 weather and climate disasters that cost at least $1 billion each, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Weather related disasters forced 2.3 million Americans from their homes last year. Thank you to Hans from Pixabay for image.
Upcoming Events:
April 3: Climate of Hope Film and Discussion on Building Climate Resilient Communities, 6:30-8 PM, Ecology Action in Santa Cruz. Register now.
April 20: Earth Day Santa Cruz
April 21: Watsonville Earth Day/Children's Day, 12-4 pm
April 21: Seaside Earth Day with Trashion Fashion Show and Electric Vehicle Ride and Drive
May 8: Pajaro Photo Voice Project Reception, time TBD, United Presbyterian Church, Watsonville