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. 

🌱 Completion of the Series #2 CAAP Community Workshops. The Sustainability Team wants to extend a big thank you to all who have attended our CAAP Workshops! We were thrilled with the turn-out and grateful to be able to engage in thoughtful and inspiring conversations with community members across Yolo County. Your feedback, comments, concerns, and questions were captured and are in the process of being integrated into the 2030 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). 

We are so grateful for the support we have received and want to thank: 

The Yolo County Climate Action Commission, De Colores Resource Center, Yolo Food Bank, Center for Lad Based Learning, Davis Odd Fellows, Cool Davis, Yolo County Climate Action Commission, Yolo RTD, Fehr and Peers, Supervisor Barajas (and team), and Supervisor Provenza (and team). Your volunteered time and continued support of the CAAP process has contributed unmeasurably to the success of the second round of CAAP Community Workshops. 

We also would like to thank the local businesses that catered our events, providing our guests with delicious food:  

Winters Pizza Factory [Winters], Tres Cazuelas Taqueria [Dunnigan], Hog Canyon Deli [Esparto], Bangkok Cuisine [Woodland], Lenise’s Café [West Sacramento], and Woodstock’s Pizza [Davis].

🌱 Next Steps. Feedback from the Series #2 CAAP Workshops is entering a review phase throughout the remainder of December and into January. A Draft CAAP will be ready for review in the Spring of 2024. With the release of the Draft CAAP, the Sustainability Team will be hosting a final round of CAAP Workshops in May 2024 to review the draft plan.  The intended timeline of the CAAP is to have the final plan adopted and move into implementation come Summer 2024. We are amazed with how much progress has been achieved over the past couple of months and are thrilled to see what is in store.            

The December YCCAC Meeting (previously scheduled for 12/25) has been cancelled.  

Commission Members and Community Based Partners (CBOs) have been facilitating and volunteering at our seven Climate Action and Adaptation Planning (CAAP) Community Workshops over the past month. Given the additional time our Commission Members and CBOs have put in this month, along with the regular YCCAC Meeting falling on Christmas Day, we decided to give our volunteers and community partners a much-deserved break. We had discussed the Commission meeting cancellation with Commission members and the public at our November 27th Climate Action Commission meeting as well. A recording of the November 2023 YCCAC Meeting is available on our website. 

The Commission will resume regular meetings come January 2024. If you have questions or concerns surrounding the cancellation, please email sustainability@yolocounty.org.  

🌱 Survey for Farm Employers – the Center for Land Based Learning Needs Your Input! “The California Farm Academy Apprenticeship Program is creating a specialized training pathway for the Spanish-speaking workforce called AgHire that will empower your employees and add value to your business. You’ll play a crucial role when you complete this survey! Help CBL understand which positions are in high demand and what skills your Spanish-speaking employees need to fill these roles. Complete the survey by December 31^st for a chance to win a $350 Yeti cooler!” The survey can be accessed at the following link, AgHiRE Survey for CLBL (google.com).

🌱 Climate as a County Budget Priority. On December 5^th, the Sustainability Team attended the Yolo County Board of Supervisors meeting and were recognized for previously receiving the Institute for Local Government’s 2023 Beacon Innovation and Leadership Award for equity and engagement in climate resilience and the 2023 Beacon Spotlight Award for 8% community greenhouse gas reduction!  

In addition, Sustainability Manger, Kristen Wraithwall provided an update to the Board on the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). She noted budgetary needs for future implementation and highlighted work accomplished to date by Yolo Sustainability and all of its volunteers and partners. The Board unanimously voted to approve Yolo Sustainability’s agenda item and add climate as a guiding budgetary principle for the upcoming fiscal year. We are so grateful and excited to continue this incredible work! 

 

🌱 The CAAP Youth Calendar Art Contest is underway!

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.

🌱 Winters EV Charging Station Celebration. On Tuesday, December 12^th, Valley Clean Energy, and the City of Winters celebrated the newest accomplishment achieved by the Electrify Yolo Project - the installation of new public EV chargers at Hotel Winters! The new infrastructure consists of the addition of a level 2 charger equipped with two ports and 50 kW DC fast charger. To read more about the charger type specifications visit EV Chargers Explained for a simple breakdown.

Select Days in December    EnviroWoodland Flip the Lid Campaign Needs Volunteers

To assist Woodland residents in learning how to correctly sort organic waste, trash, and recycling to divert unnecessary items from the landfill, EnviroWoodland has developed a program in which community members check the household bins/carts in various Woodland neighborhoods providing feedback and redirection on disposal habits via educational tags.

Volunteers must 18 or older and will be provided with detailed instruction the morning of their selected shift.

If you are interested in volunteering, visit EnviroWoodland: Cart Lid Flips to sign-up for a shift!

 

December 1-25            Love to Ride Presents Winter Wheelers! 

Love to Ride is hosting Winter Wheelers, a program where for every day you ride your bike and log it in December (1^st-25^th) you will be entered into a daily draw for the chance to win fun prizes. To register and learn more about safe winter riding, visit Love to Ride 365. 

 

December 16                50% Off Sale at the Yolo County Central Landfill Big Blue Barn Thrift Store | 44090 County Road 28H, Woodland, CA 95776-9101| 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Looking to do some last minute and sustainable holiday shopping? Stop by the Big Blue Barn to score on furniture, bikes, books, electronics, kitchenware, pet supplies, and more! In addition to the 50% off sale on the 16^th, the Barn will be open on Thursdays from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM throughout the remainder of December.  

 

December 30                West Sacramento Repair Café | 1212 Merkley Ave, West Sacramento, CA 95691 – Arthur F. Turner Community Library | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Do you have a bike or clothes/curtains/cloths, etc. that need repairs or light maintenance? If so, you are in luck because a  free walk-up repair café is being hosted at the Arthur F. Turner Community Library. Please note that no new repairs are accepted after 12:30 PM.

🌱 Collective Action in the Community - Davis Night Market. Pioneers of reducing food waste while feeding the community, the Davis Night Market recovers food from local restaurants, grocery stores, and bakeries that would otherwise be brought to the landfill. The market is open from 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM every day of the week at Central Park (401 C St) in Davis. If you are interested in giving or receiving food and would like more information contact, nightmarket@freedge.org.  

🌱 Woodland Exclusive – Try BeeLine Microtransit For FREE. “Have you heard the buzz? BeeLine will be FREE on weekends from Nov 25^th – December 31^st 2023 exclusively in Woodland! Elevate your weekends and experience the convenience of on-demand transit with BeeLine. Learn more about this promotion at YoloTD.org/BeeWeekends.”

🌱 Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship – The Professional Development Opportunity of a Lifetime. In collaboration with National Geographic Society, Lindblad Expeditions (a pioneer and global leader in journeys of deep discovery, cultural preservation, and sustainability) has created an opportunity for, “…exemplary educators to host aboard voyages for a life-changing, field-based experience.” Education, empowerment, and sustainability are the core values of the program and upon completion of the program, Fellows will be equipped with the tools, resources, and experience to develop unique and “…transformative ways to teach students, engage colleagues, and bring new geographic awareness into their learning environments and communities.” 

2024 Expeditions are being offered in Alaska, Antarctica, Arctic, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Egypt, Europe, the British Isles, Galapagos, Indonesia, and Patagonia.

For more information and access to the application, click here! Submissions are due by January 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM Eastern. 

🌱 Putah Creek Council Stewardship Team. “Are you passionate about enhancing local nature spaces and eager to gain hands-on field experience and leadership skills? Look no further! Putah Creek Council invites you to join the Stewardship Team and be a part of the positive impact we make on the environment.

Putah Creek Council, a dedicated organization committed to the restoration and preservation of local ecosystems, is excited to announce its upcoming biannual training session scheduled for January 20^th, 2024. This event provides an excellent opportunity for nature enthusiasts and aspiring environmentalists to contribute actively to community while acquiring valuable skills.

The training session will cover a range of topics, including ecosystem restoration techniques, native plant identification, and hands-on fieldwork. Participants will have the chance to work alongside experienced professionals and gain insights into the challenges and rewards of environmental stewardship.” To register for the training and find more information, click here!

🌱 The Bike Campaign – Bike More. Drive Less.

Supporting sustainable transportation, the Bike Campaign serves as a community biking advocate, providing mentorship, training, and other services to ensure safe biking practices. Check out the following initiatives and get connected to their amazing resources.

Bike Skills Training

Visiting local elementary schools, the Bike Campaign provides a comprehensive hands-on skills training where kids can learn bike safety (rules of the road, how to get on/off and stat/stop) in addition to receiving accurate bike and helmet fitting, and participation in riding simulations filled with signage, cones, safety vests, and more.

Bike Garage

Located in Davis and Woodland, the Bike Garage provides free bike repairs, sells affordable bikes for all ages, and offers private coaching as well as education pertaining to safe riding and bike health.

Davis - 1500 Cannery Ave., Davis at The Cannery |Saturdays 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and Wednesdays 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Woodland - 1^st & Hays St., Woodland at Douglas Middle School |Saturdays 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and Wednesdays 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

 They are also eager to recruit volunteer bike mechanics (no experience is necessary). Email funmaria@sbcglobal.com if interested in helping.

Mobile Bike Clinics

Bike Clinics, offered in Davis and Woodland communities will meet you at your home, apartment, business, or other organization and will help you build biking confidence.

To read more information about all of the above programs and schedule a visit, click here.

🌱 Christmas Bird Count. Attention bird and wildlife lovers! Bring in the new year by participating in the second annual Christmas Bird Count [December 31] sponsored by the National Audubon Society and Cache Creek Conservancy. All are welcome - no prior experience is necessary! Locations of bird observation this year include the Cache Creek Nature Preserve, Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant, the North Davis Pond, West Davis Pond, UC Davis Arboretum, Conaway Ranch, Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, and Woodland Regional Park. If you are unable to visit the above locations, you can still participate by counting the birds that visit your yard on the 31st. Interested participants (for both options) are encouraged to contact organizer Bruce Christensen, theriodvm@gmail.com, to register, be assigned a team, and a location of observation.

🌱 Food is Not Trash! Introducing Mill – The First Home Food-Recycling Service. Read about how this revolutionary machine (Mill | Home) allows you to transform organic waste into compost from the comfort of your home!

🌱 Biden-Harris Administration Announces $2 Billion to Fund Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants as Part of Investing in America Agenda. Read more here.

🌱 Rare plant spotted for first time in Santa Cruz County reveals hidden ecosystem reborn in fire. Read more about the discovery here.

🌱 All About COP28. The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the annual United Nations Climate Change Convention, serving as the “…world’s only multilateral decision-making forum on climate change with almost complete membership of every country in the world.” Attendance is comprised of World eaders, lobbyists, policy makers, activists, scientists, advocates, educators, and more.

Established in 1994, the Convention serves to manage greenhouse gas concentrations so that they exist at a “level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”

The Convention is organized into distinctive zones: Blue and Green

The Blue Zone is dedicated to world leaders and individuals from accredited parties and observer delegates who participate in formal negotiation.

The Green Zone is designed for non-accredited delegates such as youth groups, civil society, the private sector, and indigenous group and provides the above with the opportunity to engage in conversation as well as present.

This year’s Conference took place in Dubai, United Emirates from November 30^th-December 12^t. The official website, containing photos, blog posts, summary reports, and more can be accessed here UN Climate Change Conference - United Arab Emirates | UNFCCC and here COP28 UAE - United Nations Climate Change Conference.