Healthy Lands, Healthy People - A Carbon Sequestration Feasibility Study

Through a grant from the California Department of Conservation, Contra Costa County is conducting a feasibility study – Healthy Lands, Healthy People – to identify strategies we can use to store carbon dioxide in the many different land uses in our county. What works for agriculture may be different from what works for parks and open space, conservation lands, or towns and cities.

The County is working in partnership with the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, University of California Cooperative Extension, and Rincon Consultants to develop Healthy Lands, Healthy People.

The draft report (PDF) is available for public comment through August 11, 2023. Comments can be submitted to [email protected]

This project is:

Developing a report on options for storing carbon in the different natural lands in Contra Costa County. This identifies strategies that have the best potential to capture carbon, and look at how these techniques might produce revenue and/or reduce operating costs.
Developing the first plan to use carbon storage techniques at an urban farm in North Richmond and Pittsburg
Building out a countywide plan for carbon storage on farms
Producing a video in English and Spanish about carbon sequestration.
Engaging with stakeholders across the County

Get Involved
Documents and Presentations
Contact Us

The Healthy Lands, Healthy People: Carbon Sequestration Feasibility Study for the County of Contra Costa aims to provide the foundation for implementing nature-based solutions and climate smart strategies on natural and working lands.
View Draft Healthy Lands, Healthy People - Carbon Sequestration Feasibility Study (PDF)
Comments can be submitted to [email protected]

Attend Sustainability Committee Meeting

The Sustainability Committee will hear a presentation on the Draft Healthy Lands, Health People Carbon Sequestration Feasibility Study.
V iew Sustainability Committee Agenda
View Healthy Lands, Healthy People Presentation (PDF)

You can attend the meeting in person at:

11780 San Pablo Avenue, Suite D
El Cerrito, CA 94530

OR

190 East 4th Street
Pittsburg, CA 94565

You can also participate online:
https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/88232593285
Meeting ID: 882 3259 3285

Or Telephone:
Dial:
USA 214 765 0478 US Toll
USA 888 278 0254 US Toll-free
Conference code: 841892

2022 Focus Group Meetings and Survey

In 2022, the project hosted a series of in-person or online conversations about how we can use our gardens, farms, parks, and open space to store carbon and produce revenue and/or reduce operating costs. The conversations focused on urban agriculture and the built environment, croplands, natural and working lands, faith-based farms and landscapes. In addition to online meetings, in-person meetings were held at schools, churches, urban farms and gardens, and the farm bureau center in the communities of Bay Point, Knightsen, Richmond, Concord, and Lafayette.
View Focus Group Flyer (PDF)

In 2022, the project also hosted a survey on ideas and experiences with strategies that can help your farm, garden, or landscape conserve resources and save money. The survey results are included in the report.