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In This Issue:
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Help Ecology Action continue to provide innovative programs that benefit our environment by making a tax deductible donation now!
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New Transportation Resources Section on the Ecology Action Website
- Piet Canin, Transportation Program Manager
Ecology
Action's Transportation Division has recently added a comprehensive
resource section to our website to help you find alternative
transportation information in Santa Cruz County (and beyond). Find
links to information about bus schedules, preferred bike routes, tips
on bike safety, carpool options, and much, much, more! Visit the Local Sustainable Transportation Options section now.
We
would especially like to draw your attention to two new truck and
bicycle safety information fliers available in our bicycle safety
section. As part of the Mission Street Bicycle Safety Sub-committee,
Ecology Action worked with other agencies to provide safety information
for cyclists and big rig truck drivers in response to the two bicycle
fatalities on Mission Street in the past 16 months. These tips provide
driving and riding tips so that trucks and bikes can share the road
safely.
Take me to the Bicycle Safety Around Big Trucks brochure now.
Take me to the Truck Safety Around Bicycles flier now.
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Climate Action Compact Community Progress Report
- Elizabeth Thompson, Climate Solutions Program Manager
In September 2007, The City of Santa Cruz, The County of Santa Cruz and UC Santa Cruz signed the Climate Action Compact, an unprecedented agreement aimed at placing Santa Cruz in the vanguard of communities taking the lead on climate change solutions.
After working together for a year, the Compact’s principal signatories – County Supervisors Neal Coonerty and Mark Stone, former Santa Cruz Mayor Emily Reilly, and UCSC Chancellor George Blumenthal – released a progress report on their efforts to reduce the community’s carbon footprint and create the conditions for a localized, green economy.
Read the Climate Action Compact Communiy Progress Report by downloading it from our Climate Solutions website.
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Two Ecology Action Employees Receive Prestigious Environmental Awards for their Service to the Community
- Anna Hirst, Communications Coordinator
On
October 24, Kirsten Liske, Vice President of Ecology Action’s Zero Waste /
Pollution Prevention Division, was recognized by the Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN) as their Pollution Prevention Advocate of the Year. Kirsten was selected by WSPPN members "for outstanding personal contributions to the purpose and objectives of pollution prevention;" high praise as WSPPN membership is comprised of Pollution Prevention leaders from the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii, commonly known in the industry as EPA Region 9. Kirsten's strengths lie in assembling local groups of environmental advocates and businesses, listening to their ideas, and putting them into action through partnership and innovation, in addition to selecting and motivating excellent staff.
On October 22, Brennen Jensen, Program Specialist for Ecology Action’s Zero Waste / Pollution Prevention Division was awarded the Comprehensive Recycling Community Award by the California Department of Conservation for outstanding commitment and dedication on behalf of the Comprehensive Recycling Community, Monterey Peninsula Pilot Project, and for improvement made to the environment benefiting all individuals in the Monterey Peninsula. Brennen was recognized along with Angela Brantley and Lesley Milton of the City of Monterey and Jeff Lindenthal of the Monterey Regional Waste Management District. In addition to increasing public awareness and recycling participation on the Monterey Peninsula,Brennen and Ecology Action helped to recycle nearly one million bottles and cans at special events and venues over the course of the project.
Congratulations and sincere thanks to Kirsten and Brennen for their dedication to environmental work, their service to the community and for consistently striving to honor Ecology Action's mission.
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Useful Tips For Winter Bike Commuting
- Tim Bustos, Transportation Program Specialist
A surprising number of people stop riding their bikes when winter arrives, which is unfortunate. Yes, it is getting a little cooler, and eventually the winter rains will come (hopefully), but clipping along on a cold brisk morning can be exhilarating, and rain doesn’t always have to dampen your spirits if you commit to a little basic planning.
Read the rest of this article for useful tips to help make your winter bike commute safe and warm...
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Model Schools Recognized For Innovative Water Quality Programs
- Kyrrha Sevco, Pollution Prevention/Zero Waste Program Manager
Six local schools have recently been recognized as Model Schools in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Bonny Doon Elementary, Carmel Middle, Chualar Elementary, Gateway, Happy Valley Elementary and Pajaro Valley High schools have successfully implemented projects aimed at reducing erosion and runoff from each school campus, directly decreasing the negative effects of urban non point source pollution flowing into the Monterey Bay.
According to the PEW Oceans Commission’s Report to the Nation "non point source pollution from urban sprawl has lead to the degradation of more than 60% of our coastal rivers." The Model School Program was designed to directly address this issue by working with school staff to collaboratively identify the sources of urban non point source pollution on each campus. Non point source (NPS) pollution is defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as pollution that is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters and even our underground sources of drinking water. Some examples of NPS pollutants include fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, sediment runoff due to erosion, and nitrates from pet waste and faulty septic systems.
Read the rest of this article to learn more about the Model School Program.
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The Search Begins for a New EA Headquarters Site
- Chuck Tremper, Vice President General Services
EA
has outgrown its headquarter offices at the intersection of River
Street and North Pacific Avenue, and has begun searching for a property
to purchase. To explore the possibilities, a board-staff committee has
developed a set of site selection guidelines and we have begun looking at
properties.
In this first phase, we are focusing on properties within a mile of
downtown with easy access by bike, bus or personal vehicle. We are also focusing on existing buildings that could be converted to our use
and made much “greener” in the process. Once we have narrowed the list
to a few sites, we expect to conduct an eco-cherrette that will help us
evaluate the potential for each site. If all goes well, we will select a
new site early next year and begin preparations for occupancy in the
fall of 2010.
For more information, email Chuck Tremper, VP, General Services or call 831-426-5925 ext. 145
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Ecology Action Awarded as a Bicycle Friendly Business
- Anna Hirst, Communications Coordinator
The League of American Bicyclists announced the first winners of its new Bicycle Friendly Business designation. The Bicycle Friendly Business program assists companies and organizations of all sizes in developing bicycle commuting programs and incentives for their employees and recognizes them for their efforts to promote bicycling. Thirteen businesses from across the country--from natural food manufacturers, to planning and design firms and independent bicycle dealers--were recognized by the League in October.
Ecology Action received a silver level designation based on longstanding community programs such as Bike to Work, employee bike commute infrastructure, and incentives for employees to commute by bicycle. As we continue to improve our bicycle facilities, employee bicycle commute benefits, and alternative transportation programs for the community, we hope to gain gold status in the near future.
Santa
Cruz Seaside Company in Santa Cruz and California Giant Berry Farms in
Watsonville also received Bronze level Bicycle Friendly Business awards.
For more information about this program or to nominate your business as a Bicycle Friendly Business, please visit the League of American Bicyclist website.
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America’s Largest Professional Cycling Event is coming to Santa Cruz!
- Bonnie McPike, Transportation Program Specialist
The AMGEN Tour of California is making its way to Santa Cruz on Monday, February 16, 2009.
You are invited to watch the greatest collection of cyclists ever gathered on U.S. soil race into Santa Cruz and finish in the heart of our downtown. For more information, including a list of pre-race events, visit
The Amgen Tour of California in Santa Cruz website.
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