Desmond Purpleson
CEO
Locavore pinterest chambray affogato art party, forage coloring book typewriter. Bitters cold selfies, retro celiac sartorial mustache.
Sustainable County News & Events
~ MC Gives! Salinas Urban Forest Restoration Project
CSMC is proud to be once again selected to participate in the Monterey County Gives Campaign!
Thanks to generous matching contributions, your year-end gift-giving to Communities for Sustainable Monterey County will have an even greater impact. Our BIG IDEA for 2019 is to improve the urban tree canopy in Salinas.
The benefits of a healthy tree canopy go far beyond providing oxygen, filtering water and increasing property value. Recent studies show that urban vegetation, including trees, slows heartbeats, lowers blood pressure, encourages outdoor activity and relaxes brain wave patterns.
A healthy urban tree canopy is between 25-30%. According to a report in early 2015, the City of Salinas had a tree canopy of 7.6%. To make matters worse, on February 17, 2017 Salinas had a devastating wind storm which resulted in a loss of between 800-1000 trees.
The good news is the City of Salinas has recently committed to planting trees in sidewalk easements and parks over the next several years. Sustainable Salinas wants to help support the City in their efforts to increase the urban forest. Sustainable Salinas will use money raised to:
- purchase trees
- purchase automatic irrigation systems
- provide information to residents about city tree permits and requirements
- educate tree stewards about proper care and planting.
The City of Salinas has agreed to match funds raised up to $10,000. Help us beautify and Restore Salinas’ Urban Forest!
Sustainable County News & Events
~ Sustainable Salinas Honors the Legacy of César Chávez
On Friday, March 23, 2018 César E. Chávez Elementary School hosted its annual César Chávez Peace March & Celebration. The event commemorated Chávez’s birthday, March 31.
A series of activities honored the birthday of the late American labor leader and civil rights activist. Students participated in a Peace March – ending up at Soberanes Park to plant a flowering cherry tree donated by Sustainable Salinas.
Chávez Elementary Principal Petra Martinez-Diaz said she wants the students to follow the same peaceful ways of Chávez. “We want to make sure that students know that there are ways to effect change.” Martinez-Diaz said. “If there’s something that you see that is wrong and you want to try to fix it, there are ways to do it without having to be violent.”
Speakers included Salinas Councilman Scott Davis, Leti Hernandez of Sustainable Salinas, and Daniel Hernandez of Salinas Local Urban Gardeners project.
Excerpts from the article appearing in the March 22, 2018 article by Juan Reyes in the Monterey Herald. Read more HERE.
Sustainable County News & Events
~ Plastic Pollution Activities
CSMC partners with many other non-profit organizations to educate our community and influence legislation to reducing plastic pollutions in our oceans. Progress on this issue includes Carmel City’s passing of an ordinance to require restaurants to serve compostable straws and service ware. Other cities in Monterey County are working on similar ordinances. To help restaurants make the transition to paper or reusable straws, CSMC is working with our partners and has created a straws section on this site to learn more and take actions that will help and support restaurants make these changes.
To educate the public on single-use plastics impact on the environment, CSMC has created an interactive exhibit that debuted at Whalefest and has been hosted at Earth Day events and schools in Big Sur and Seaside. The display educates visitors on the devastating impact plastics have on marine life and our environment, dispels misconceptions of plastics’ recyclability, and offers viable solutions and actions that individuals and groups can take to reduce plastics waste altogether in everyday life.
CSMC volunteers have created an owner’s manual for those who would like to be trained and host the exhibit at their event or school. The recommended school format is to have the display hosted by a class who will receive training and then share it with other classes for a week.
The vertical and horizontal display spans two 6’ tables put in an L-shape with the interactive activity on one side and on the other, a solutions display that includes plastic alternative samples, tips to reduce single-use plastics, give-aways of a skip-a-straw/save-a-turtle buttons, Life Without Plastic catalogs, and Last-Plastic Straw calling cards to leae behind at restaurants. It also includes some plastic pollutions related dvds for viewing and the beg
innings of a library of collective actions groups can take to protect our oceans. If you would like to host the display at your event or school, or contribute a recommended collective action to add to the display, please contact us at csmc@sustainablemontereycounty.org or 831-200-3655.
Here are some actions individuals can take to reduce single-use plastic straws.
Advocate to your local restaurant
Wear this button when dining out and give to your servers to wear as a reminder of
a simple thing we all can do to curb plastic pollution. If you would like buttons, please click here to tell us how many buttons you would like and to what address to have them delivered.The Last Plastic Straw site has more best practices and resources for restaurants.
Carry your own reusable straw
Until reusable straws become more widely available we recommend you check out sites like the Last Plastic Straw, www.lifewithoutplastic.com/store/, or etsy’s AandEStraws from a Salinas local woman. Local stores where you can buy reusable straws include Monterey Bay Aquarium and Lilify in Monterey, Bookworks and Pavels in Pacific Grove, EcoCarmel in Carmel and Haute Enchilada in Moss Landing.
Reward and Thank Ocean Friendly Restaurants
CSMC expresses our gratitude to the environmentally friendly restaurants in the Monterey Area. Though this list is not exhaustive, we thank the following restaurants for their sustainable practices that often go beyond this plastic straw initiative: In Pacific Grove: Passionfish (no straws served at all), Jennini’s (reusable metal straws), Pavels, La Mia Cucina, Fandangos, The Beach House, Happy Girl Kitchen, Julias, Taste Cafe, Holly’s, Mandos, Bookworks Cafe. In Monterey: The Aquarium’s Cafe and Cindy’s Waterfront, Montrio Bistro, Hula’s, Clement’s C Restaurant and Bar, Alvarado Brewing, Abalonettis, Schooners, Sand Bar & Grill, Melville’s Tavern. In Carmel: Basil Seasoning
We will work with our cities’ hospitality organizations to publish a list of Ocean Friendly restaurants for our eco-conscious residents and visitors. If you see other restaurants who have switched, please send an email with their name for us to include in this list.
Sustainable County News & Events
~ Sustainable Seaside and the City of Seaside partner on Roberts Lake Eco-Recreation Project
By James Herrera, Monterey Herald, POSTED: 
Seaside >> By this time next year, a section of Roberts Lake in Seaside will have been transformed into an outdoor classroom offering environmental education programming and a nature-based play area.
The city of Seaside, along with Sustainable Seaside, is one of three U.S. cities that has been selected as a Building Better Communities grant recipient and awarded $150,000 from the American Water Charitable Foundation and the National Recreation and Park Association.
“The Roberts Lake project is important for Seaside because we noticed there are children who never experience water — whether it’s the beach or our lakes,” said Gloria Stearns, Seaside’s economic development manager. “This project gives us an opportunity to help them become exposed to water, water conservation, water ecology and water quality.”
Stearns said the city had been toying around with the idea for some time and when they approached Sustainable Seaside to collaborate, they jumped at the chance to become involved.
Sustainable Seaside is a group of concerned citizens working toward solutions to environmental challenges in the region, promoting sustainable living practices since 2008.
The grass-roots group has been on the forefront of several environmental issues including opposition to the Monterey Downs project in Seaside, work as proponents of the closure of the Cemex sand-mining operation in Marina and now its partnering with the city of Seaside to revitalize and maintain its parks.
“It’s quite gratifying,” said Catherine Crockett, chair of Sustainable Seaside. “We’ve been working to build support and educate people and its finally coming to fruition.”
The projects were chosen based on several criteria including water components, play value, education value, proximity to American Water’s service areas, relevance of the project to the request for proposal project parameters, use of natural play materials and opportunities for American Water employee volunteer involvement.
“We are proud to help these communities create public projects that provide environmental education opportunities in a fun and engaging way,” said Laura Martin, president of American Water Charitable Foundation, in a press release. “The projects will not only benefit the children and families in these communities, but they will also encourage greater interaction with and appreciation for our nation’s water resources.”
The Roberts Lake grant will be used to establish greater use and awareness of the lake for water-based ecology education for children, as well as offer nature-based recreation opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
“Successful communities invest in their parks,” said Craig Malin, Seaside’s city manager, in a release.
The grant funding will help Seaside leverage investment in its parks and programming, especially for youth and seniors, he said.
The new Roberts Lake Eco-Recreation Station will occupy 8,500 square feet of the 5.7-acre park, and will be designed with the purpose of creating community, including an outdoor classroom structure and nature-inspired play equipment.
The project will be a collaboration between the foundation, the National Recreation and Park Association, Cal Am, and the city of Seaside with Sustainable Seaside advising on course content and age-appropriate materials.
Stearns said the project is required to be completed within a year and envisions the eco-recreation station opening in July 2018.
The other two U.S. cities that received funding are Palmer Park in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, which is receiving $150,000 to revitalize the neighborhood park and Peoria, Illinois, which will also receive a grant in the same amount to build a new public park.
The American Water Charitable Foundation was established in 2010 with a founding contribution from American Water — Cal Am’s parent company — and the National Recreation and Park Association is a national nonprofit dedicated to ensuring all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity.
James Herrera can be reached at 831-726-4344.
Uncategorized
Defend Measure Z
PROTECT MONTERE
Y COUNTY
In November 2016 voters of Monterey County, California, passed a fracking ban known as Measure Z with 56 percent of the vote, despite being outspent 30-to-1 by the industry-backed group, Monterey County Citizens for Energy Independence.
Passing Measure Z makes Monterey the sixth California county to ban fracking, but the first to face a serious legal challenge.
So the struggle continues. In December 2016, Protect Monterey County became the target of two lawsuits filed by oil companies Chevron and Aera Energy against the county, with the aim of blocking implementation of Measure Z. Don’t let the oil industry undermine the will of the people. Don’t let the petroleum industry decide Monterey County’s future. Visit the Protect Monterey County website to LEARN MORE and TAKE ACTION!
History and Current Status of Measure Z:
On March 19, 2014, the county board of supervisors voted three against two in opposition to a proposed two-year moratorium on fracking – despite a unanimous recommendation by the Planning Commission, and thousands of letters, emails and demands from residents. In response, a group of county residents met to discuss and formulate the citizen initiative that later became Measure Z. The newly formed citizen group was named Protect Monterey County.
On November 8, 2016, the voters of Monterey County approved Measure Z, an initiative to impose a ban on new oil and gas operations in Monterey County’s unincorporated areas. The initiative was designed by Protect Monterey County to prohibit the use of hydraulic fracturing, commonly called fracking, as well as other high-intensity methods of oil and gas extraction, such as acid stimulation. The measure als0 prohibited new land uses that utilize oil and gas wastewater injection and impoundment and phased out those in operation.
On December 12, 2016, the Board of Supervisors, in a closed session, entered into an agreement with the oil companies (who are currently suing the County) to indefinitely halt the implementation of Measure Z with an indefinite Stay Order.
On December 14, 2016, Chevron and Aera Energy, the two biggest companies drilling in Central California’s San Ardo fields, both filed lawsuits in Superior Court of Monterey County against Monterey County to block implementation of Measure Z, alleging that it restricts how they can use their property. Both lawsuits claim that the county does not have jurisdiction over oil and gas operations and that Measure Z amounts to an unconstitutional taking of private property without just compensation. The San Ardo Union Elementary School District also joined Chevron’s lawsuit due to the fact that much of their funding comes from property taxes, 89 percent of which comes from the oilfield where the company operates.
On January 9, 2017, citizens demanded transparency concerning the implementation of Measure Z. PMC demanded that the Board of Supervisors cancel the indefinite Stay Order and conduct all future proceedings concerning Measure Z implementation in public session, with public input, as required by the Brown Act.
On March 17, 2017, Monterey County Superior Court Judge Thomas Wills ruled that the group behind the measure, Protect Monterey County, had standing to join the lawsuit as an intervening party. In addition, a group of South County mineral rights owners filed a lawsuit against Measure Z on March 13, 2017, and Eagle Petroleum also filed a suit on March 17, 2017.
On June 7, 2017, Measure Z legal team and supporters attended a hearing in Superior Court in Monterey, CA to uphold the will of the people in the face of lawsuits by Chevron, Aera Energy & others challenging Measure Z. Judge Thomas Wills set the schedule for Phase 1. The trial date is November 13, 2017.
Help Defend Measure Z:
Your gift will go towards assuring that the intentions of Measure Z are fully implemented by county regulators, and not undermined or weakened by the challenges of the oil industry.
How to contribute: You can make a secure donation through Paypal (you needn’t have an account) with your credit card.
If you prefer to mail your contribution, please send your check, payable to PMC, and mail to:
PMC
P.O. Box 1946
Monterey, CA 93942
Stay connected with Protect Monterey County and on Like on Facebook.
Uncategorized
Wed, May 10, 7pm, Speaker Tama Olver – “Carbon Fee and Dividend”
Sustainable Pacific Grove Presents: Tama Olver of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, on “Carbon Fee and Dividend,” a national revenue-neutral solution to reduce carbon emissions.
In just 20 years, studies show, such a system could reduce carbon emissions to 50% of 1990 levels while adding 2.8 million jobs to the American economy.
All are invited to an educational program!
Wednesday, May 10th
7 pm to 8:30 pm
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Carbon Fee and Dividend Video
Uncategorized
Mon, May 1, 6pm – AWAKE – Premier Screening in Monterey
Awake, A Dream From Standing Rock’ Is A Lesson in Resistance For the Rest of Us
From executive producer Shailene Woodley comes a documentary call-to-action, straight from the front lines of the Native-led fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Monday May 1, 2017
Monterey Public Library,
625 Pacific Street
Doors open at 5:45 pm; film begins at 6:00 pm
This documentary, produced by filmmaker Josh Fox, Amy Ziering, and Lauren Taschen, tells the story of the protests against the construction of the 3.7 billion dollar Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), set to transport by pipe fracked oil from North Dakota’s Bakken oil fields under the Missouri River, the water source for the Standing Rock reservation and 17 million people downstream.
Sponsored by the Womens International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Monterey County Branch. Co-sponsored by Monterey Peace and Justice Center, and Sustainable Monterey.
For further information contact: Beverly Bean 831-484-2451
This program is not sponsored or endorsed by Monterey Public Library or the City of Monterey.
