Our Events
Explore upcoming Ecology Action and partner events to learn more about sustainable initiatives in California.
Free Urban Cycling Virtual Workshop
Tuesday, December 14th
Noon – 1pm via Zoom
Free helmets and lights for attendees*
Biking is on the rise locally and around the world and more people are discovering cycling for exercise, recreation, AND a great way to get from point A to B.
This virtual workshop is designed to cover the basics of urban cycling and bike safety to make sure you are confident and in the know.
The workshop is interactive and will cover:
- Pre-ride preparation
- Bike sizing and fit
- How to ride safely and confidently in many traffic scenarios
- Winter and wet weather riding
- Route planning
- Riding at night
- E-Bike benefits
- GO Santa Cruz benefits and support for cyclists
The workshop is presented by Ecology Action’s League of American Bicyclists-certified cycling instructors and will include time for participant’s questions.
Past participants have said this about our Urban Cycling Workshops:
- “This was very helpful in building my confidence in biking and created a safe space for me to ask questions!”
- “Super personable and encouraging. I really enjoyed the workshop.”
*Free Bell helmets and Blackburn bike lights (a $90 value) for all attendees employed by downtown Santa Cruz businesses.
For more information on the GO Santa Cruz program and available benefits, visit cityofsantacruz.com/gosantacruz
This workshop is offered to all downtown Santa Cruz employees as part of GO Santa Cruz, a transportation program that provides downtown employees with commute alternatives to single-occupant car trips.
Kid tested, parent approved. As more families head out by bike, there are a lot of options to consider. We’ll help you navigate the how-to’s of riding with children.
Of all the barriers people face to biking, kids usually land at the top of the list. How early can you get your kiddo on a bike with you? What are the different ways you can carry your kids or ride with them? Is a cargo bike better than a trailer? Can you really manage the school, work, store, and extracurricular point-to-point by bike?
In this new workshop, Ecology Action staff will guide you through the many options for family biking. Topics will cover gear, family testimonials, riding through developmental stages, and recommendations for riding with kids safely, conveniently, and having fun along the way. Find out how parents are replacing the minivan with the bike and why kids can’t seem to get enough.
FREE BIKE LIGHTS AND HELMETS FOR ALL ATTENDEES*
For more information on the GO Santa Cruz program and available benefits, visit cityofsantacruz.com/gosantacruz.
This free workshop is offered to all downtown Santa Cruz employees as part of GO Santa Cruz, a transportation program that provides downtown employees with commute alternatives to single-occupant car trips.
*must be an employee of a business in the Downtown Santa Cruz Parking District and enrolled in Go SC on my.cruz511.org/s/gosantacruz
Are you curious about making your transportation trips easier? Want to learn more about how eBikes can help conquer your commute, saving you both time and money?
Maybe you’ve thought about biking to work, but you’re concerned about hills, distance, or the extra time it will take you. Perhaps you’d love to ride, but you are a busy parent with kids to transport and errands to run.
From hauling kids, to arriving to work sweat-free, this workshop will explore eBike options for a diversity of lifestyles and budgets.
Ecology Action staff will provide an overview introduction of eBikes. Topics will include frequently asked questions, different eBike technologies, cost, environmental benefits, and investigate if eBikes can really replace cars.
We’ll also dive into the question on everyone’s mind: “Are eBikes cheating?” Spoiler alert: they’re not.
FREE BIKE LIGHTS AND HELMETS FOR ALL ATTENDEES*
For more information on the GO Santa Cruz program and available benefits, visit cityofsantacruz.com/gosantacruz.
This free workshop is offered to all downtown Santa Cruz employees as part of GO Santa Cruz, a transportation program that provides downtown employees with commute alternatives to single-occupant car trips.
*must be an employee of a business in the Downtown Santa Cruz Parking District and enrolled in Go SC on my.cruz511.org/s/gosantacruz
Are you ready to take your commute to the next level? Or are you just ready to give your wallet a break from rising gas prices? In this webinar, learn from the experts about bike commuting basics including hauling gear, what to look for in a solid commuting bike, riding while “business casual,” rush hour rules of the road, and more.
As Santa Cruz County expands its network of protected bike lanes and paths, now is the perfect time to explore commuting by bike. With the right preparation, adding biking to your commute options can be a breeze. Staff from Ecology Action will share the need-to-knows of bike commuting, trouble-shoot your commute, and after-work errands to help cyclists of all levels plan for a safe and satisfying ride.
FREE BIKE LIGHTS AND HELMETS FOR ALL ATTENDEES*
For more information on the GO Santa Cruz program and available benefits, visit cityofsantacruz.com/gosantacruz.
This free workshop is offered to all downtown Santa Cruz employees as part of GO Santa Cruz, a transportation program that provides downtown employees with commute alternatives to single-occupant car trips.
*must be an employee of a business in the Downtown Santa Cruz Parking District and enrolled in Go SC on my.cruz511.org/s/gosantacruz
Rail Trail Segments 8 & 9 Open House hosted by the City of Santa Cruz. This section of the Rail Trail goes from the SC Wharf to 17th Avenue.
Join the Zoom Meeting here: https://rrmdesign.zoom.us/j/88659456739?pwd=TitkZGo0VWorTTh5YklwUmRyM2YyQT09
Coastal Rail Trail Segments 8 and 9 Project is a 2.2-mile bicycle and pedestrian system that extends along the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line corridor, from the Beach Street/Pacific Avenue Roundabout on the west to the eastern side of 17th Avenue on the east.
Segment 8 (0.6 mile) is comprised of a Class IV on street bicycle system and pedestrian sidewalk improvements. Segment 9 (1.6 miles) is comprised of a multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trail.
The goals of this project are to increase the numbers of people biking and walking, improve safety and mobility of non-motorized users, and provide high-quality connections to schools, parks, and community facilities.
When constructed, this project will be part of the planned 32-mile Coastal Rail Trail that traverses the entire coastline of Santa Cruz County. A part of the Segment 8 project, the San Lorenzo River Trestle Trail widening, was accelerated ahead of the rest of the segment and was completed in May 2019.
Coastal Rail Trail Segments 8 and 9 design completion is expected in the spring of 2023.
Curious about Electric Cars? Join us on Saturday, April 2nd at the Family Fun Festival hosted by the Oak Ave Elementary School in Greenfield, 1239 Oak Ave, Greenfield.
This is a FREE event and registration is not needed.
We’ll have a 2018 Nissan Leaf on display and our expert team staffing the Resource Booth to get all of your questions answered!
Learn about EV basics, find out about financial incentives, and test your knowledge on our EV Spin the Wheel.
This event is sponsored by Central Coast Community Energy’s Electrify Your Ride Program and Ecology Action.
Find out more information here: https://mbeva.org/events/events/64/
The Monterey Bay Green Gardener Program trains and certifies landscape industry workers in Monterey Bay-Friendly Landscaping design and maintenance practices.
In order to become certified, gardeners attend the certification-level series which consists of ten weekday evening class sessions for a total of 20-30 hours of instruction and a Saturday class project. Gardeners must obtain a passing score on a final exam that covers all core subjects and must complete a comprehensive self-evaluation of their landscape practices. Continuing education is not required to maintain certification. However, certified gardeners are encouraged to attend continuing education classes.
The next 10-week Green Gardener Certification-level course will be offered both online and in-person in April 2022 at the Watsonville/Aptos Adult School, 294 Green Valley Road in Watsonville. Participants will have the opportunity to earn the Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Certification.
REGISTER BY CALLING WATSONVILLE ADULT EDUCATION AT (831) 786-2160 OR BY HEADING TO THIS LINK
QWEL/Green Gardener Certification is sponsored by the water utility members of the Water Conservation Coalition of Santa Cruz County, Ecology Action, and Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult Education
This is a League Cycling Instruction certification training seminar.
Hosted the weekend of April 15, 2022 3:00 PM – April 17, 2022 4:45 PM (One evening session and two all-day sessions)
What’s a league cycling instructor?
League Cycling Instructors (LCIs) are ambassadors for better biking through education. After earning certification through a 3-day, League Coach-led seminar, LCIs teach Smart Cycling classes to children as well as adults. Their goal is to help people feel more secure about riding by educating cyclists and motorists and to ensure that people on bikes know how to ride safely and legally.
In order to register for a LCI Seminar, you must have an active individual membership to the League of American Bicyclists.
Please Note: Event is currently full. See below* for waiting list instructions.
Go to https://www.bikeleague.org/content/seminar-schedule
Registration price: $500
Late registration: $575.00 beginning March 19, 2022
*To be added to the wait list and notified if space opens up, please contact:
Annalisa Carrillo-Fulk
annalisa.carrillo@ecoact.org
(951) 551-4901
Come to the Salinas downtown farmer’s market. Ecology Action will have an EV to display alongside our purchase guidance resources.
The Monterey Bay Green Gardener Program trains and certifies landscape industry workers in Monterey Bay-Friendly Landscaping design and maintenance practices.
In order to become certified, gardeners attend the certification-level series which consists of ten weekday evening class sessions for a total of 20-30 hours of instruction and a Saturday class project. Gardeners must obtain a passing score on a final exam that covers all core subjects and must complete a comprehensive self-evaluation of their landscape practices. Continuing education is not required to maintain certification. However, certified gardeners are encouraged to attend continuing education classes.
The next 10-week Green Gardener Certification-level course will be offered both online and in-person in April 2022 at the Watsonville/Aptos Adult School, 294 Green Valley Road in Watsonville. Participants will have the opportunity to earn the Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Certification.
REGISTER BY CALLING WATSONVILLE ADULT EDUCATION AT (831) 786-2160 OR BY HEADING TO THIS LINK
QWEL/Green Gardener Certification is sponsored by the water utility members of the Water Conservation Coalition of Santa Cruz County, Ecology Action, and Watsonville/Aptos/Santa Cruz Adult Education
More Ways to Take Action
Less Emissions is our mission – and with a little help from our friends we know we can get there.
What We’re Thinking About
Our brainpower is always turned on, generating new ways to guarantee a greener future. Take a look at a few of our big ideas.