The Marin County movement to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, increase community resilience, and address racial and social equity awarded grant funding for community projects on July 2.
The projects were developed through Drawdown: Marin’s Community Ambassador Program. The Marin Community Foundation contributed $126,451 to more deeply engage communities of color in Drawdown: Marin, including the Community Ambassador Program and these grants.
Drawdown: Marin’s Community Ambassadors developed projects that will address existing community priorities tied to climate change and will work to implement them by July 2022. Three projects were selected to receive grants:
Empowered Women Cleaning Marin, focused on creating job opportunities for women of color and addressing illegal dumping and trash on streets in Marin; Expanding Trash Disposals in San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood; and Community Greening Project, focused on drought-tolerant ways of greening Pickleweed Park in San Rafael, supporting ongoing city-led renovation efforts.
“Drawdown: Marin is excited about continuing the Community Ambassador Program and supporting these community projects,” said Alex Porteshawver, the Drawdown: Marin coordinator who works on behalf of the Marin County Community Development Agency. “These projects are just a starting point. They were chosen because they implement existing community priorities, are linked to climate change, and have project implementation partners who will support ambassadors as they implement the projects.”
Staff from the Community Development Agency’s Sustainability Team is coordinating the current cohort of Community Ambassadors in partnership with the Marin Multicultural Center. Over the past several years, County personnel have worked with Marin’s towns, cities, community-based organizations, and individuals to develop projects, policies, and programs (29 solutions, seven endorsed by the Drawdown: Marin Steering Committee) to boost local sustainability. All solutions are included in the Drawdown: Marin Strategic Plan and the endorsed solutions were highlighted in the County’s 2020 Climate Action Plan Update.
Drawdown: Marin has six focus areas:
Renewable energy
Transportation
Buildings and infrastructure
Local food and food waste
Carbon sequestration
Climate-resilient communities
Everyone can learn more and participate by visiting www.drawdownmarin.org, make a pledge to act on climate change, or check the calendar of coming events.
Stay connected with the Sustainability Team via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, the event webpage for workshops and community events and the quarterly newsletter. Contact the office via email with questions on our programs or to request more information.
