Sustainability Exchange

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7

About

The Sustainability Exchange is a quarterly gathering for local government staff in Contra Costa County who work on sustainability issues to network and learn from one another. If you report to a Board or Council that is elected, you are welcome to join us!

The Sustainability Exchange launched in January 2017. Every meeting includes time for networking and learning about the work of others in Contra Costa County, as well as a topical presentation and opportunity to reflect in small groups. Topics and notes from prior meetings are posted below.

In addition to providing education and networking opportunities, the work of the Sustainability Exchange led to a $200,000 grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to launch Cleaner Contra Costa, an online platform that allows County residents to register the actions they are taking to reduce damage to the climate. Visit the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge website to join the challenge!

Exchange Presentations & Topics

October 5, 2023
Topic: Climate Resilience
Meeting Notes (PDF)
Wildfire Mitigation Program (PDF)
Lincoln Square Park Resilience Hub Presentation (PDF)
Lincoln Square Park Resilience Hub Overview (PDF)

May 4, 2023
Topic: Field Trip to Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve

March 23, 2023
Bonus Session Topic: Gearing Up for Bike to Work Day
Meeting Notes (PDF)
511 Contra Costa Presentation (PDF)

February 22, 2023
Topic: Federal Funding Opportunities
Meeting Notes (PDF)
Federal Funding Opportunities Presentation (PDF)

December 15, 2022
Topic: Climate Action Planning
Climate Action Planning Presentation and Report Out Notes (PDF)

August 18, 2022
Topic: Electric Vehicle Deployment
Staff from 511 Contra Costa on behalf of CCTA presented on the Electric Vehicle Readiness Blueprint. Staff from the City of Richmond presented on the City of Richmond's involvement with Charge Up Contra Costa. Staff from Contra Costa County presented on the County's work on electric vehicle supply equipment installation. Following the three presentations, attendees participated in small group discussions. 
Meeting Notes (PDF)
CCTA Presentation (PDF).
City of Richmond Presentation (PDF)
Contra Costa County Presentation (PDF)

May 5, 2022
Topic: Field Trip to Lower Walnut Creek Restoration Project

March 24, 2022
Topic: Environmental Justice Policies
This was an online presentation from Contra Costa County about environmental justice policies in the County's General Plan, followed by short presentation from the City of San Pablo, and group discussion.
Contra Costa County Presentation (PDF)
City of San Pablo Presentation (PDF)

October 2021
Topic: Field Trip to Wildcat Creek Trail in San Pablo

June 23, 2021
Topic: Contra Costa Asthma Initiative
This was an online panel discussion with staff from the County's Health Department, Weatherization Program, and Energy Planning teams discussing the Asthma Initiative.
Contra Costa Asthma Initiative Program Structure and Operations Presentation (PDF)

March 18, 2021  
Topic: Urban Agriculture 

Speakers: 

Gavin Raders, Founder and Co-Director of Planting Justice. 
Planting Justice Presentation (Google Slides) 

Jose Arriaga, Assistant Contra Costa County Agriculture Commissioner . Jose used the Live Well San Diego Food System Initiative to guide his presentation. 


December 10, 2020
Topic: Climate Action Planning
Agenda and Minutes (PDF)
Climate Action Planning Overview Presentation (PDF)
Climate Action Plan Metrics Deck (PDF)

September 24, 2020
Topic: Visual Communication

July 1, 2020
Topic: Microgrids: From Concept to Reality
Meeting Notes (PDF)
If you would like to sign up for Terra Verde blog article updates, you can do so using the form at the bottom of this article on Evaluating the Potential of a Microgrid.

April 14, 2020
Topic: Sustainable Paving
Meeting Notes (PDF)

November 2019
Topic: Climate Action Planning
Meeting Notes (PDF)
California Department of Health Presentation (PDF)
East Bay Energy Watch Emissions Inventory Presentation (PDF)

September 2019
Topic: Electric Vehicle Readiness
Meeting Notes (PDF)
Contra Costa Electric Vehicle Readiness Blueprint Presentation (PDF)

June 2019
Topic: Engaging Your Community
Meeting Notes (PDF)
Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge Presentation (PDF)
SunShares Presentation (PDF)

March 2019 
Topic: Waste and Single Use Plastics
Presentations
Talkin Trash at the Sustainability Exchange (PDF)
SUD Ordinance Presentation (PDF)
Meeting Notes (PDF)

November 2018 

This workshop, which was open to community partners and had 55 participants, features a workshop with ecoAmerica on how to communicate with diverse audiences about climate issues.
Presentation (PDF)
Meeting Notes (PDF)

July 2018: Contra Costa Naval Weapons Station
Presentation (PDF)
Meeting Notes (PDF)

May 2018: Visit to Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge

Note: There were no notes from this meeting, which occurred largely at the Refuge. 

January 2018: Autonomous Vehicles
Presentation (PDF)
Meeting Notes (PDF)

October 2017: Reporting Back from Prior Meetings and Small Group Collaboration
Meeting Notes (PDF)

July 2017: Online Tools for Community Engagement on Climate and Sustainability
Meeting Notes (PDF)

April 2017: Communicating Effectively on Sustainability
Meeting Notes (PDF)