Welcome to the Yolo County Climate Action & Sustainability Newsletter! We are excited to share updates from our climate action and adaptation planning (CAAP) process, countywide sustainability efforts, upcoming events, and sustainability resources as we work to meet our goal of achieving a carbon negative footprint by 2030.

We are on social media! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more updates on our CAAP process. Updates on the CAAP process can also be found on our newly launched CAAP Portal at YoloCAAP.org.

If you have resources or events you would like to be featured on the newsletter, submit them via email to sustainability@yolocounty.org for consideration.

 

🌱 The Second Round of CAAP Workshops have Begun! We are pleased to announce that the second round of CAAP Community Workshops have successfully kicked off. Last week, CAAP Community Workshops were held in Winters on Monday, November 13th and Dunnigan on Thursday, November 16th. Thank you for coming out and providing your feedback! These workshops are intended to be community-scale conversations that provide an opportunity for community members to “ground truth” the strategies and actions that may be prioritized in the CAAP. Each community (7 in total including one in each city and 3 in the unincorporated areas) will be presented with a customized set of strategies/actions to discuss based on survey responses and input received from them during meetings and outreach events to date. So far, we have held two wonderful workshops in Winters and Dunnigan and are looking forward to those that are upcoming (listed below). Free food and childcare will be provided at each workshop. Visit this link to sign up for updates and reminders about the upcoming workshops! We hope to see you there!  

November 28 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Virtual (Zoom) |  Webinar Registration - Zoom  

November 29 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Guinda Grange Hall | 16787 Forrest Ave, Guinda, 95637  

December 1 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Woodland Public Library | 250 1st St, Woodland, 95695 

December 2 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | West Sacramento Lighthouse Charter Elementary | 899 Bryte Ave, West Sacramento, 95605  

December 8 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM| Davis Odd Fellows Lodge | 415 2nd St, Davis, 95616   

                    

               

 The November YCCAC Meeting is a great opportunity to hear more about our 2030 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) and provide your input on critical components of our planning process. This month’s meeting will feature discussion on how we will frame our 2030 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. Attend in person at 626 Court St, Woodland, CA 95695 or view the Zoom link here to join our monthly meeting virtually. Click to view the Agenda and Meeting Materials. 

🌱 Native American Heritage Month. November is a time to recognize, honor, and commemorate the contributions, culture, traditional knowledge, and legacy of Native people in the United States. Within Yolo County are the ancestral lands of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, who carry with them, a rich culture and a story of adversity, determination, and resilience. The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation holds the values of family, community, accountability, communication, respect, integrity, and loyalty provided them with the strength to overcome the destruction and near extinction brought upon their people and land and, “…embark on the journey that has resulted [in their] current status as a sovereign nation empowered to govern its own people and land.” Throughout the month, Yocha Dehe has been generously sharing their culture through food, games, recipes, books, survival techniques, demonstrations, collaborations, and more with the Yolo community. Visit their website and Instagram (@yochadehewn) to learn more about these resources and receive recaps from events. With the month coming to an end, it is important to remember that honor and recognition are continual acts that extend beyond the confines of November. A way in which you can regularly recognize the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the Patwin community at large is through reciting the following Land Acknowledgment prior to the commencement of events and gatherings that take place in Yolo County.

 We should take a moment to acknowledge the land on which we are gathered. For thousands of years, this land has been the home of Patwin people. Today, there are three federally recognized Patwin tribes: Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community, Kletsel Dehe Band of Wintun Indians, and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. The Patwin people have remained committed to the stewardship of this land over many centuries. It has been cherished and protected, as elders have instructed the young through generations. We are honored and grateful to be here today on their traditional lands. (Approved by Yocha Dehe Tribal Council (July 23, 2019))

🌱 Major Milestones - Public Electrical Vehicle Charging Station. On Monday, November 13^th, Yolo County celebrated its newest sustainability milestone - the installation of public access Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations at Mary L. Stephens Library in Davis. The unveiling ceremony featured guest speakers from Valley Clean Energy and our own County Sustainability Manager, Kristen Wraithwall! These EV charging stations will not only encourage the use of electric vehicles but also contribute to a cleaner environment and reduced carbon emissions. 2030 Climate Goal here we come!  Check out the Davis Enterprise article to read more.

 

🌱 Yolo County Sustainability Team Wins 2023 Beacon Award. Yolo County Sustainability is honored to have been selected as one of the 2023 Beacon Leadership & Innovation Award Winners for equity and engagement in climate resilience and adaptation. In addition, the County was selected as a 2023 Beacon Spotlight Award Winner, receiving recognition for achieving a Silver Level Award for 8% Community Greenhouse Gas Reductions. The Institute for Local Government’s (ILG) Beacon Program was created to highlight local agencies that are making meaningful changes to improve sustainability in their communities. The Beacon Spotlight Award recognizes individual accomplishments of cities and counties for emissions reductions to energy savings and more while the Beacon Leadership & Innovation Award recognizes a city, county, or special district for implementing collaborative, inclusive, and equitable climate resilience, and adaptation planning in their communities. We are so excited to be recognized and continue to work towards a more sustainable and equitable Yolo County.

🌱 CAAP Youth Calendar Art Contest.

The Yolo County Sustainability Team needs your help to create our 2024 Back to School Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) Awareness Calendar!

 How to Participate:

Interested applicants must be a Yolo County resident and a student in grades K-12.

Pick from one of the prompts listed in the flyer and create a unique and colorful art piece in response accompanied by a message, phrase, or slogan.

Awards:

Winners will have their artwork displayed in the 2024 Back to School Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) Calendar and receive a certificate as well as fun prizes.

Sound like fun?

If so, visit https://tinyurl.com/y2s3erav  (OR scan the QR code below) to learn more about/download copies of the featured art prompts, contest rules, access to Registration Forms, drop-off locations, and due dates!

Break out your crayons, paints, gel pens, and more and get started on your masterpiece today!

We can’t wait to see your creativity shine 😊

Questions? Contact: sustainability@yolocounty.org or visit this link to be directed to the official CAAP Calendar Art contest page.

 

🌱 Sustainability Team Adventures. The Sustainability Team had the pleasure of attending the Livability Summit hosted by Valley Vision, a Sacramento-based civic leadership organization dedicated to pioneering long-term solutions to improve quality of life. Actions employed to accomplish this goal include increasing access to job opportunities/the development of professional skills, creating a sustainable and equitable regional food system, ensuring healthy and clean communities, and more. It was wonderful to be in the presence of passionate and determined individuals, and listen to the stories of panelists, attendees, and other featured speakers. We are excited and optimistic about the opportunities and achievements to come in our region.  

One of the major points of discussion was the presentation of the findings from their 2023 Livability Poll, “...a broad-based quality of life poll, tracking residents’ experiences with issues such as affordability of necessities, access to services, job and career satisfaction, safety and belonging, as well as residents’ perspectives of the Sacramento Region [includes Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba counties]”

Key Takeaways:

• Environmental Issues are the second most worried about safety concerns in the Sacrament Region, coming just behind Property Crimes.
• Affordable Housing, Livable Wages, Quality Education, and Accessible Healthcare are the top four issues identified as the most important to contributing to one’s quality of life.

The complete set of poll data can be accessed here.

🌱 Lawns Be Gone! West Sacramento residents are you ready to make the switch from grass to sustainable landscaping? You can now apply for a “…$300 voucher towards high quality compost and mulch delivered right to your door.” The voucher application as well as terms and conditions can be found at this link, alongside mulch FAQ’s and knowledge about the different types of plant to incorporate in your newly landscape yard.

November 27      Yolo County Climate Action Commission (YCCAC) Virtual Meeting | 626 Court St., Woodland, CA 956695 | 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Join us at the November YCCAC Meeting to hear more about our 2030 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and provide your input on critical components of our planning process. View the agenda and meeting materials at the top of this email. 

 

CalCAN Webinar Series:

November 28 | Incentivizing the Transition: Climate Bonds, Corporate Insetting, and State and Federal Budgets | 11:00 AM – 12: 00 PM | Webinar Registration - Zoom

Participate in discussion that sheds light on, “…crucial topics, including AB 408 and climate bond negotiations, federal funding opportunities, and the merits of insetting over offsetting”. 

Quick Context:

🌱 AB 408: California Assembly Bill 408 (Climate-resilient Farms, Sustainable Healthy Food Access, and Farmworker Protection Bond Act of 2024), proposes a $3.4 billion bond to be included in the November 2024 ballot that would invest in creating a more equitable and resilient food systems. Primary funding initiatives include sustainable agriculture, farmworker well-being, healthy/sustainable food access, and regional food infrastructure.

🌱 Insetting: A mechanism by which companies directly reduce carbon emissions through upstream and downstream operations pertaining to production and decomposition.

🌱 Offsetting: A mechanism by which companies reduce carbon emissions through paying third-party providers to capture and store carbon emissions elsewhere.

 

December 5 |  Expanding Technical Assistance to Support On-Farm Climate Resilience| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Webinar Registration - Zoom

“Join us as we cover the critical need for resources to expand technical assistance for bolstering on-farm climate resilience plus discover the incredible work being done by small farm advisors and CES's to extend the reach of TA to small and underserved farms, encompassing climate-smart agricultural programs and disaster relief initiatives.”

 

November 30      Davis 2023 Candle Light Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony | Davis Food Co-op - 620 G St, CA 95616 | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Get ready for an evening of excitement and entertainment, as the annual Davis Candle Light Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony is almost here! “All are welcomed to attend the event. Entertainment includes Santa and Mrs. Claus, local youth group performances, free screenings of Shrek the Halls at Varsity Theatre and more!” Information such as where the parade will start, the route, how to be in the parade, and more can be found here.

 

December 4         FREE Workshop - Clear as Mud Workshop #5: Harnessing the Power of Cover Crops for Soil Health and Climate-Friendly Farming | 2277 Napa Vallejo Hwy, CA 94588 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Join the North Coast Soil Hub for a community-powered event on cover crops, agricultural sustainability, soil health, and climate-friendly practices in perennial cropping systems. This gathering is open to technical assistance providers and ag professionals, growers, consultants, and community members who want to explore ways to enhance agricultural practices while mitigating climate change impacts. Interested individuals can register here.

 

December 9        Woodland Chamber of Commerce 56^th Annual Holiday Parade | Main Street – Downtown Woodland | 4:00 PM Start Time

Sponsored by the City of Woodland and Waste Management of Woodland, the Woodland Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 56^th Annual Holiday Parade. Round up your friends, family, and favorite lounge chair, for an afternoon of magic and community celebration. For those that are interested in participating as a parade entry, applications are now being accepted. Visit www.woodlandchamber.org for details and to sign-up.

 

Yolo Food Bank Presents “Yolo Gives and Gather”:

The Holiday season is among us with Thanksgiving rounding the corner. However, this time of celebration and feasting is not attainable for everyone as many community members face difficult financial decisions causing them to choose between putting food on the table and paying for other expenses. To address this issue, Yolo Food Bank is hosting a donation campaign (running until the 29^th of November) to be able to distribute over 2200 Thanksgiving meals to those living in Capay Valley, Clarksburg, Davis, Dunnigan, Esparto, Guinda, Knights Landing, Madison, Winters, West Sacramento, and Woodland. Click here to participate in Yolo Give and Gather today and feed a family, student, refugee, senior, and others in need!

Interested in helping in other ways? If so, volunteers are always needed.  Sign up at Yolo Food Bank Volunteers to get connected to events in your community.

 

Gardening Gurus Gather Around:

The City of West Sacramento, 3 Sisters Garden, and IRC New Roots Farms are providing free compost to the community. Individuals interested in collecting compost are asked to bring their own tools (manual only) and forms of containment (bags, buckets, etc.) and help themselves to their hearts desire.  Giveaway dates are on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at 485 Regatta Lane, West Sac, CA 95605. *The allotted time window may shorten depending on the amount of available compost in the given week and the amount collected by the community*.

🌱 Cache Creek Conservancy 2024 Winter Ecological and Environmental Internship. Are you a college student or a recent graduate looking to gain valuable experience surrounding ecology and the environment? Apply for the Cache Creek Ecological and Environmental Internship today! Interns will, “…assist staff with habitat restoration for native wildlife and plants within the nature preserve and other sites along the lower Cache Creek watershed.” Examples of projects include bird nest box monitoring/habitat enhancement, ecological horticulture, and wildlife monitoring. The program runs from January 7^th to March 21^st, with a time commitment of 3-10 hours per week. Applications close December 4^th, 2023! To apply, email your resume and cover letter explaining why you would like to intern to cachecreekconservancy@gmail.com. For more information about the program visit, Ecological & Environmental Internship Program.

🌱 Individual Actions to Reduce Your Carbon Emissions. Want to reduce your carbon emissions, but don’t know where to start? Project Drawdown, an organization dedicated to pioneering and advancing effective climate solutions, has compiled a strategic list of high-impact actions to implement on the day to day. Examples of actions include reducing food waste, adopting a plant-rich diet, utilizing public transit or carpooling, and proper recycling! View the graphic below or read more at Project Drawdown’s website, here.  Are any of these strategies surprising to you? We want to know! Send us a DM on Instagram @yolosustainability or email us at sustainability@yolocounty.org to share your thoughts.

🌱 Individual Actions to Reduce Your Carbon Emissions. Want to reduce your carbon emissions, but don’t know where to start? Project Drawdown, an organization dedicated to pioneering and advancing effective climate solutions, has compiled a strategic list of high-impact actions to implement on the day to day. Examples of actions include reducing food waste, adopting a plant-rich diet, utilizing public transit or carpooling, and proper recycling! Browse through the extensive list below. Are any of these strategies surprising to you? We want to know! Send us a DM on Instagram @yolosustainability or email us at sustainability@yolocounty.org to share your thoughts.

🌱 Farm Fresh to You – Organic Produce Delivery Boxes. Do you want to enjoy the taste of locally grown fresh organic produce without having to leave home? If so, Capay Organic’s Farm Fresh to You program has you covered. They “…bring the season’s best mix of 100% certify. ied-organic produce and hand-crafted farm products conveniently to your door by growing and partnering with local farms and artisans.” When ordering a box, you can customize the frequency of delivery (ranging from weekly to monthly) as well as size (small, regular, more, and monster). In addition to receiving your delicious fruits and veggies, delivery boxes come with unique recipes, stories from the Capay Organic farm, and upcoming event information. You can also choose to donate a box to a local food bank through their Donate-A-Box Program! “One regular-sized box can provide a family of 4 enough servings of fruits and vegetables for up to 5 days.” Sign-up to receive or donate a box today at,  FFTW Box!

🌱 Won’t Give Up: Music for the Climate Movement. Yo-Yo Ma, Pattie Gonia, and Quinn Christopherson have joined musical forces and created a song with the message of ‘not giving up on this planet and not giving up on each other” which they hope will become an anthem for the climate movement. To listen to song and watch the music video, click here.

🌱 The Fifth National Climate Assessment, released on November 14^th  by the White House, is unique for its focus on the present and snapshot of the future without climate action. It looks at how rising temperatures will change the United States in decades to come and makes clear that the extreme weather, rising seas, major hurricanes, and other disastrous consequences of climate change predicted in prior reports have become more frequent and intense. The effects are felt in every region. In the 1980s, the country saw a billion-dollar disaster every four months on average; now, there’s one billion-dollar disasters every three weeks. All of the many extreme weather events that hit the U.S., from the tiniest flood to the biggest hurricane, cost around $150 billion every year — and that’s likely a huge underestimate. California, included in the Southwest Region assessment, can expect acute losses related to drought, agriculture, and physical and mental health. To read the assessment in full, click here. To read the assessment in brief, click here. To sign-up for their newsletter, click here. To download the associated fact sheet, click here.

🌱 Agriculture and hot temperatures interactively erode the nest success of habitat generalist birds across the United States. This journal article explores the affects that extreme heat has on avian nesting and reproduction in agricultural and developed lands as well as forests and grasslands in the U.S through a comprehensive research study.

🌱A Sustainable Alternative to Air Conditioning . There is no question that our environment is not only getting hotter, but also staying at these high temperatures for longer. In an attempt to beat the heat, millions turn to their handy AC, but in doing so exacerbate these high temperatures as AC units require lots of energy and emit CFC-based refrigerants, which are 2000 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. In this article, learn how two researchers set out to find a sustainable alternative to keep cool while preventing environmental damage.

🌱 Food Consumption as a Tool for Transformation . Read how simple dietary substitutions can reduce carbon footprints and improve dietary quality across diverse segments of the US Population. 

🌱 7 Ways to Reduce Food Waste in Your Kitchen. Check out these tips provided by Mayo Clinic to learn how to make the most of the food that you buy!

🌱 Interactive Resource Guide.  Conversation surrounding climate, the environment, conservation, and sustainably can be difficult to follow-along with due to all the different terms thrown around. Luckily, National Geographic has developed an accessible resource guide, equipped with short videos, high-definition photos, easy-to-follow summaries, and other helpful features to understand these topics and concepts.

🌱 Did you know that pools are the largest energy consumer in the residential sector? The California Energy Commission has recently adopted the first Flexible Demand Appliance Standards for residential pool controls in the nation! Read more about how these standards will contribute to and promote the usage of clean energy, allow for energy to be there when it is most needed, stabilize and support the grid, help pool owners save money on electricity bills, and more.