As communities around the world prepare for Earth Day and Earth Month this year, the City of San Rafael is reflecting on progress to date on regional sustainability initiatives and gearing up to host several events to bring the community together for the common cause of caring for our environment. Community involvement is key to successfully combating climate change, and San Rafael has developed a variety of programs and events that celebrate Marin’s commitment to the environment and aim to bring residents and businesses into the conversation on how we can reduce the impacts of climate change locally.
Guided by the strategic goals laid out in the City’s , the City of San Rafael’s Sustainability team has been working with regional to reduce carbon emissions in San Rafael to net zero by the year 2050, with an interim goal of reaching a 40% reduction by 2030.
At the same time, the team is conducting a multi-year Climate Adaptation Planning process that aims to engage with communities in San Rafael at the greatest risk of sea-level rise and plan for ways that the City can respond to the long-term impacts. In the Canal neighborhood, where land subsidence (the sinking of land caused by groundwater) and the threat of sea-level rise is most pronounced in San Rafael, work is underway to build a resilient community by making residents aware of the threat to the community and co-designing solutions alongside community members. The Canal Community Resilience Planning Project brings together partners including The Canal Alliance, County of Marin, Multicultural Center of Marin, and researchers at the University of California Berkeley to understand the hazards facing our community, prioritize actions, build capacity, and provide STEM educational opportunities for students.
While existential problems like climate change are overwhelming to most of us, the City’s Sustainability team has planned Earth Week activities that let all ages be part of the solution and make a positive impact on our environment. Councilmember Maika Llorens Gulati, the representative for District 1 which includes that Canal noted the importance of the City’s work responding to climate change. “With the real thread of Climate change, I am very inspired by our community and partners in San Rafael. Together we have the expertise, willingness and passion to be proactive in addressing complex and urgent issues around sea level rise, wildfires, pollution and other threads. By working together, our community can make a real difference not only in mitigating the effects of climate change but also in building resilience and adapting to its impacts.”
San Rafael’s Mayor Kate added, “Here in San Rafael our strong sustainability policies honor our earth every day of the year so it’s wonderful to be able to come together and celebrate Earth Day as a community.” Public events are scheduled from April 20 through April 23 and include an Earth Day Cleanup at Pickleweed Park, a Downtown and West End Village Earth Day Clean & Green, and a community forum focusing on developing a diverse climate workforce. In addition, the is hosting events and activities for City staff.
Learn more about what you can do to combat climate change.
Earth Day Cleanup at Pickleweed Park
Saturday, April 20 – 10:00am – 12:00pm
50 Canal St, San Rafael, California 94901
Join District 1 Councilmember Maika Llorens Gulati in this community litter cleanup in the Canal, Spinnaker, and Baypoint Lagoons neighborhoods.
Location: Meet on the path near the Tiscornia Marsh sign just past Pickleweed Park, 50 Canal Street.
What to Bring: Gloves, a hat, water, etc., and wear closed-toed shoes. We’ll provide bags and litter sticks.
Need to Know:
- Sign a Volunteer Agreement when you arrive. Minors MUST have their parent or legal guardian’s signature, so come with your parents or guardians!
Downtown and West End Village Earth Day Clean & Green
Monday, April 22 – 10:00am – 2:00pm
1000 4th St, San Rafael, CA 94901
Join other awesome volunteers and business members in sprucing up Downtown and the West End Village for Earth Day!
Earth Day activities
- Removing graffiti
- Polishing up parking meters and sidewalk fixtures
- Pulling spring weeds
- Beautifying the intersections
- And removing every little scrap of litter!
All this work will help our Downtown match the beautiful merchants and other business owners who make San Rafael such a wonderful place to live.
Location:
Meet at City Plaza (1000 4th St)
Need to know:
- Anyone can volunteer for this event.
- All volunteers will need to sign a Volunteer Service Agreement to participate.
- If you are under 18 years old, you will need a signature from your parent or guardian.
- If you are a person with a disability and require accommodation to participate in this event, let us know by email at least four days in advance of the event.
- Volunteers should bring a reusable water bottle and wear appropriate attire such as closed-toed shoes, a hat, gloves and sunscreen.
Climate Change Action Plan Forum: Building a Diverse Climate Workforce in the North Bay
Tuesday, April 23 – 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Transportation Authority of Marin
900 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Tackling the climate crisis at the necessary speed and scale could create many new jobs in the North Bay. What will those jobs look like? And what can a climate forward economy do to ensure that access to the new jobs is equitable and the workforce is diverse? How can we ensure accessible high-quality and stable jobs that will make it both possible and worthwhile for historically excluded communities to fully participate?
Join Sustainable San Rafael, the City of San Rafael and an engaging group of panelists from the Ecological Workforce Initiative, MCE, and Conservation Corps North Bay / Fire Foundry (Panelists TBD) to discuss the opportunities and the challenges ahead.
Panel and moderator with plenty of time for Q&A from 5-6pm, followed by San Rafael Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) updates from 6-6:30pm. Downtown San Rafael.
Please REGISTER to attend, this event has a limited number of spaces available: Registration