Mission and Vision
Mission: To help our communities equitably implement sustainable and regenerative practices that slow and adopt to climate change.
Vision: To inspire Pacific Grove to act as a model community for sustainable living
Unique Characteristics/Focus
Sustainable Pacific Grove (SPG) was the first local action group established in 2006 under the non-profit umbrella organization Communities for Sustainable Monterey County. Pacific Grove residents enjoy four square miles of mixed habitat with an amazing number of resident and migrating species of wildlife, and 5.4 miles of coastline. With a population of approximately 15,500, we are a small town that cherishes our natural resources. As a coastal town, we are vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise. Because our environment is so appealing, we must work diligently to mitigate the impact of the many tourists who visit our coast annually.
Sustainable PG strives to preserve our unique community by supporting implementation of city ordinances and practices that protect our natural environment and mitigate climate change. We also put substantial effort into educating residents and visitors about the impact of plastic pollution, climate change and emphasize the impact of individual actions.
COMMUNITY GARDENS
Founded in 2012, our Community Garden is a hive of activity and beautiful to behold with a pollinator garden and 40 individual plots brimming with vegetables and flowers. Local families are encouraged to grow organically, and plots are planted with a wide variety of delicious produce that grows year-round. We have two greenhouses and a Children’s Garden and a water catchment system. The garden is located behind the Pacific Grove Adult School, 210 Ridge Road, Pacific Grove. Contact the Community Garden to learn more or add your name to the waiting list by emailing feldman.heidi@yahoo.com
Who We Are
After moving to Pacific Grove, Colleen became involved in the effort to label GMOs in our food system by leading the Prop 37 “Right To Know” ballot initiative for Monterey County. As a result, she became involved with Sustainable Pacific Grove and has worked on the single-use plastics ordinance, reduction of pesticides, climate action, and many other initiatives. Colleen served on the Pacific Grove Beautification and Natural Resources Commission (BNRC), and currently serves on the Board of Communities for Sustainable Monterey County. Colleen is a Community Emergency Response Team member (CERT) and volunteers for the City of Pacific Grove.
Kathy is a new resident of PG (2022) with a long history of climate advocacy. In 2012, she co-founded 350 Bay Area, one of the largest grassroots climate activist networks in the larger Bay Area. She led their state Legislative Committee for eight years and has trained hundreds of volunteers in state climate legislative advocacy work. Kathy currently serves on the Sierra Club California Executive Committee and CA Conservation Committee in their CA Legislative Committee. As a retired public health official, she has spent the last 10+ years working on climate change and public health issues at the California Department of Public Health and the national Public Health Institute.
Kathy is active with a variety of state climate coalitions on transitioning California away from oil and gas extraction, divesting from fossil fuels, supporting clean energy and climate resilience, while supporting a variety of environmental and climate justice issues, and is excited to build climate and health connections in Monterey County.
She is learning about gardening in Pacific Grove’s foggy climate and loves exploring the coastal tide pools.
Bonnie Adams resides in Pacific Grove (PG), CA, where she serves as the PG Community Garden Manager and a garden instructor at the PG Adult School. She leads the expansion and renovation of the community garden, promoting organic gardening practices and healthy living.
Bonnie’s garden classes, which use the garden itself as the teacher, emphasize hands-on learning, abundance, and sharing. Her practical approach covers everything from soil preparation and planting to pest management and harvesting.
Her initiatives include enhancing the rainwater catchment system, increasing garden membership, and creating educational programs to empower individuals to grow their food. Bonnie’s message, “Gardeners are always learning and growing,” reflects her belief in continual growth and education.
Previously, Bonnie advanced community health initiatives in Marin County, contributing to the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Strategic Framework and developing farm-to-school programs. Her dedication to fostering vibrant, resilient communities continues to inspire those around her.