2014-15 Service Year
In the 2014-2015 service year, CivicSpark Climate Action fellows assisted 86 local government agencies, and helped complete mitigation and adaptation projects on topics including sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, solar procurement, urban forestry, sea level rise, implementation of climate action plans, and GHG inventory and benchmarks. CivicSpark fellows provided over 60,000 hours of service to California’s communities and succeeded in a wide range climate actions including:
community members engaged, including residents, business owners, and the general public
PV permits completed and tracked for CAP progress
Energy assessment reports
Climate Action, Sustainability, or Energy Action Plans
North Coast Region
Developing Climate Change Outreach and Education Resources for the Humboldt Bay Region
Help to develop and disseminate local climate change outreach and education resources for K-12 educators and nonprofits.
Beneficiary: City of Arcata
Increasing North Coast Building Energy Efficiency
Help local governments, non-profits, and local businesses reduce operating costs and improve their bottom line through building energy benchmarking, technical assistance, direct installation of energy efficiency measures, and rebate support.
Beneficiary: Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Net-Zero Communities
Develop technical guidance to assist local governments with advancing their Zero Net Energy initiatives for new construction and retrofits.
Beneficiary: City of Arcata
Northern Coast Regional Alternative Fuels Programs
Support expansion of alternative transportation and alternative fuels options in the North Coast region.
Beneficiaries: City of Arcata, City of Blue Lake, City of Eureka, City of Ferndale, City of Fortuna, City of Rio Dell, City of Trinidad, County of Del Norte, County of Humboldt, County of Trinity, Mendocino Council of Governments, North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District, Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Sierra Nevada
Climate Planning for the Sierra Region
Support Climate Action Planning and community climate research and climate risk analysis for Sierra region local government as well as support implementation of newly-established Energy Action Plans. Also, Civic Spark will support local jurisdictions through the Sierra Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Partnership (“Sierra CAMP”) – a partnership intended to catalyze Sierra leaders towards great climate resiliency and preparedness.
Beneficiaries: Amador County, Town of Loomis, City of Jackson, City of Plymouth, Nevada City, Sutter Creek, Mariposa County, Placer County
Sacramento Region
One Cool City
Participate in the design and implementation of GHG reduction programs at neighborhood and community organization level that coordinate volunteers, community members, and local leaders.
Beneficiary: City of Davis
Sacramento Regional Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Policy Review
This project consists of two phases: 1) Conduct a high-level vulnerability assessment for the Sacramento region’s transportation system, and recommend policies and next steps, and 2) Work with other agencies (federal, state, and local) to build capacity for more in-depth analysis on climate impacts in the region.
Beneficiary: Sacramento Area Council of Governments
Urban Heat Islands in the Sacramento Region
Work with Sacramento communities and local tree foundations to increase the urban canopy in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Beneficiary: Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
Yolo County CAP: Midpoint Assessment and Course Correction
Review and evaluate the Yolo County Climate Action Plan including the current status of the County’s goals, and the effectiveness of the Plan’s policies and action items. Identify those policies that may need to be modified in order to accomplish the County’s goals and make the corresponding recommendations.
Beneficiary: County of Yolo
San Francisco Bay Area
City of Benicia Business Resource Incentive Program & BECAT
Support the Business Resource Incentive Program (BRIP)-The first phase of BRIP was extremely successful, completing 19 business assessments and reducing 188 MT CO2 annually. The Member will work closely with these 19 businesses while also looking at expanding the program in future years.
Beneficiary: City of Benicia
Marin County Adaptation Readiness
Increase county department readiness for climate change by looking at other models that other jurisdictions have adopted to create inter-departmental protocols to improve actions “on-the-ground” with department staff.
Beneficiaries: Marin County-DPW, Marin County-CD, Marin County-Parks & Open Space
Resilient Shorelines Bay Area
Resilient Shorelines project implementation support in Contra Costa County, as well as regional analysis of shoreline vulnerabilities
Beneficiaries: City of Oakland, City of San Rafael, County of Contra Costa, Joint Policy Committee
San Mateo County Water/Energy Nexus
Support for water and energy efficiency projects in San Mateo County public buildings and schools
Beneficiaries: Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency, The City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County
South Bay Climate Action Collaborative
Collaboration with multiple South Bay cities for support of GHG tracking / inventory and Development of resources for community engagement on climate action.
Beneficiaries: City of Cupertino, City of Mountain View, Daly City, Redwood City
Central Coast Region
SLO Climate Action Support
Work with San Luis Obispo County and the San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control District on the implementation of Climate Action Plans for 7 local jurisdictions.
Beneficiaries: City of Arroyo Grande, City of Atascadero, City of Grover Beach, City of Morro Beach, City of Pismo Beach, City of San Luis Obispo, County of San Luis Obispo
San Joaquin Valley Region
Business Energy Tune-Up Capacity Building
Support Business Energy Tune Up program in Fresno County, providing outreach and education to business owners, support for engagement in rebate and incentive programs and follow-up post upgrade.
Beneficiaries: City of Fresno, County of Fresno
Merced County Climate Action Plan
Support development of content and completion of the Merced County Climate Action Plan.
Beneficiaries: County of Merced
RWJF Complete Streets for the Central Valley
Support adoption of complete streets policies in the Central Valley through workshop development and technical assistance.
Beneficiaries: Fresno Council of Governments, King Council of Governments, County of Stanislaus
SJV Energy Management
Provide technical assistance on building energy use for local governments in the Central Valley through initial benchmarking in EPA EnergyStart Portfolio Manager, then developing readiness reports to guide decision making and providing support for council policy making and peer information exchanged.
Beneficiaries: City of Fresno, County of Fresno, County of Kern, County of Madera
Urban Forestry in the Central Valley
Support development of a core constituency who supports urban forestry by educating elected officials, staff and community leaders and Increase urban forestry expansion and management capacity through technical support and training.
Beneficiaries: Kings River Conservation District
Los Angeles Region
CCAP – Advancing the LA County Climate Action Plan
Gather research, analyze data, and identify model/draft zoning ordinances needed to implement the CCAP actions as
appropriate for the County’s unincorporated communities.
Beneficiary: Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning
Climate Action Training for Local Governments
Provide Climate Action Planning support to local governments and their Councils of Government.
Beneficiary: Los Angeles County Internal Services – Environmental Initiatives Division
Green Building, Mobility, Water/Energy Opportunities within LA County
Support increased green building services, mobility options, and water/energy savings projects by developing project templates and implementing projects that align with the goals set forth in L.A. County’s Municipal Climate Action Plan.
Beneficiary: Los Angeles County Internal Services – Environmental Initiatives Division
Local Building Stock Assessment
Support data/IT efforts to gather, archive and report on local building stock energy performance.
Beneficiary: Los Angeles County Internal Services – Environmental Initiatives Division
SCAG – Regional Sustainability Progress and “Last Mile” Station Development
Catalog and disseminate an inventory of sustainability practices being undertaken by local governments in the region, and support regional “last mile” station development through inventory, engagement of public sector and outreach to community members.
Beneficiaries: Metro LA, Southern California Association of Governments
Ventura Climate Friendly Buildings and Transportation Initiatives
Support the Ventura Better Business Challenge of reducing energy usage by 20% by the year 2020. Also support developing increased public and active transportation in the west side of the City of Ventura.
Beneficiary: City of Ventura Housing Authority
Inland Empire
City of Fontana Climate Action Plan
Help Fontana prepare a climate action plan, which will be incorporated into the City’s General Plan.
Beneficiary: City of Fontana
City of Redlands Localized Climate Action Plan
Integrate Redlands Community Sustainability Plan, Mayors Accord, Regional GHG and associated environmental
documents and template into a localized Climate Action Plan.
Beneficiary: City of Redlands
San Gabriel Valley Point-of-Permit Energy Audit and Education Program
Conduct home energy assessments as a means to educate homeowners about energy efficiency, and a way to encourage them to incorporate energy efficiency (EE) measures into planned renovation projects.
Beneficiaries: City of Alhambra, City of Arcadia, City of Bradbury, City of Claremont, City of Covina, City of Diamond Bar, City of El Monte, City of Irwindale, City of La Canada Flintridge, City of Monterey Par, City of Pomona, City of Rosemead, City of San Dimas, City of South El Monte, City of South Pasadena, City of West Covina, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, Temple City
San Diego Region
City of Oceanside GHG Emissions Update with Reduction Targets
Update the GHG emission inventory prepared in 2011 in order to establish a thorough and defensible basis for GHG emissions forecasts and reduction targets.
Beneficiary: City of Oceanside
iCommute San Diego
Promote the existing SANDAG iCommute program, which is a regional, County-wide program promoting ridesharing, public transit, and bicycling resources, within the North County coastal communities of Del Mar, Solana Beach, and Encinitas, targeting small to mid-size employers and residents.
Beneficiaries: City of Del Mar, City of Encinitas, City of Solana Beach
San Diego Climate Plan Analysis
To assist the Port of San Diego and by extension, the full set of San Diego Climate Collaborative partners with climate action planning and preparing for climate change impacts.
Beneficiary: Port of San Diego
South Bay San Diego EV Readiness
Implement recommendations from the recent San Diego Regional EV Readiness Plan. Specifically, provide critical support to two South Bay cities, by (1) tailoring state & regional EVSE permitting guidance to each jurisdiction’s, (2) organizing a South Bay training session for planners, building inspectors, and contractors, and (3) coordinating “EV Ride & Drive” opportunities.
Beneficiaries: City of Chula Vista, National City
Fellow Bio:
Hanna Nielsen received her B.A. in Religious Studies and Biology at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. She spent two summers in rural Montana working with a nonprofit on environmental conservation issues.
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