Resources

Community

Educational

  • 51 Things We Can Do to Save the Environment Online version of “51 Things We Can Do to Save the Environment” from Time Magazine
  • Business 42: Green Business Practices Chabot College Fall 2009 online course.
  • CA Building Performance Contractors Association California Building Performance Contractors Association – Provides contractor referrals for Homeowners for Energy Evaluations, Remediation, Insulation installation, Windows & Doors, etc.
  • Center for Ecoliteracy Center dedicated to education for sustainable living, including the Rethinking School Lunch Program.
  • Ecological Footprint Quiz Ever wonder how much “nature” your lifestyle requires? You’re about to find out.
  • Ecology Center Non-profit resource center for events, newsletters, classes, and advocacy with a community and social justice orientation.
  • Green House Interactive Graphic Fun graphic of house with ideas for reducing carbon emissions.
  • Spare the Air Program aimed at educating residents about the effects of air pollution and encouraging them to take action to improve air quality in the Bay Area.
  • Teleosis Institute The Teleosis Institute is an education not-for-profit organization devoted to Green Health Care. They offer information and training programs aimed at linking good health to environmental concerns.

Energy

  • California Energy Commission State’s commission on energy use and conservation, with links to special programs as Low Carbon Fuel Standards and Go Solar California!
  • Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Information page about Community Choice Aggregation, an alternative electrical supply plan that the cities of Oakland, Berkeley, and Emeryville are currently exploring.
  • Community Energy Services Corporation Community Energy Services Corporation, non profit on contract through PG&E to provide energy assessments, “smart lights” assistance, etc. to both small businesses and residents in Berkeley, Oakland, and Albany.
  • Energy Atlas Great information on renewable energy throughout U.S.
  • Go Solar State of California solar web site with calculators, rebate info, lots of great stuff.
  • PG&E Energy Center Online resource pages for saving energy, green building, and education.
  • Save Energy/Save Money Tips City of Berkeley checklist for individuals to save energy now.
  • SF Energy Watch Save Energy – Save Money! Visit www.sfenergywatch.org to learn more about optimizing energy efficiency of your business or multifamily property.
  • SmartLights Small business program to help change lighting fixtures. Offers free technical assistance, large discounts on materials, etc. Available to Albany businesses.
  • Solar Energy Industries Association Information on Federal Tax credit and energy rebates on using solar power.

Food

  • Berkeley Community Gardens Information page listing urban community garden projects in Berkeley and related educational projects.
  • City Slickers Farms City Slickers is committed to increasing food self-security in West Oakland by creating organic, sustainable, high-yield urban farms and back-yard gardens.
  • Organic Consumers Association Campaigning for Health, Justice, Sustainability, Peace and Democrac
  • SAGE (Sustainable Agriculture Education) Non-profit organization working to link sustainable agricultural practices with urban food security needs; focusing on the connections between community health, sustainable agriculture, metropolitan infrastructure and growth, housing, and regional land us
  • San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners (SLUG) Information page about SLUG, one of the nation’s largest urban gardening programs that combines economic-development and job-training components with urban farming in San Francisco.

Green Building

  • Build It Green Provides information and referrals regarding green building and design.
  • CA Building Performance Contractors Association California Building Performance Contractors Association – Provides contractor referrals for Homeowners for Energy Evaluations, Remediation, Insulation installation, Windows & Doors, etc.
  • Oakland Public Works Agency Link to the City of Oakland’s Green Building Classes
  • U.S. Green Building Council A community of leaders working to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated. They envision an environmentally responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.
  • West Coast Green Expo of green building products open to individuals.

Green Business

  • Bay Area Council The Bay Area Council is a business-sponsored, public-policy advocacy organization advocating for a strong economy, a vital business environment, and a better quality of life for everyone who lives in the Bay Area.
  • Dominican University of California Green MBA In the Green MBA, we seek solutions that promote financial viability, ecological sustainability, and social justice. We use a dynamic, project-oriented learning approach to integrate the development of entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial skills with the b
  • Green Business Certification Program Green Business Certification Program including Alameda County
  • GreenBiz Green Business web site, with great links, book reviews, etc. Based in Oakland, serves national audience.
  • Holy Names University Energy & Environmental MBA This new concentration responds to an anticipated high growth area that has become a focus of the U.S. Government’s domestic agenda. There are also rising international concerns over global warming, biodiversity sustainability and overall health. Energy f
  • Presidio School of Management Presidio School of Management is a learning community dedicated to developing business and civic leaders with the competencies and courage to implement their ideas for creating a sustainable future.
  • San Francisco Chronicle Green Resources Chronicle’s “green” resource pages.
  • Thimmakka – Resources for Environmental Education An environmental non-profit that helps businesses complete the Green Business Certification process. Focuses on greening restaurants as well.

Health

Natural Resources

  • Bay Area Urban Forest Ecosystem Council Organization comprised of local government agencies, private organizations, non-profits, and individuals that meet quarterly to network, share information, and discuss projects that will improve and expand the urban and community forests in the nine count
  • Friends of the Urban Forest Provides financial, technical and practical assistance to residents of San Francisco for tree planting, tree care, community involvement and youth education.
  • Greenbelt Alliance The Bay Area’s land conservation and urban planning non-profit, committed to protecting the area’s greenbelt and improving the livability of its cities and towns.
  • KyotoUSA KyotoUSA is an all volunteer, grassroots organization that encourages U.S. cities and their residents to reduce the global warming greenhouse gas emissions for which they are responsible.
  • San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (SFBCDC) State agency committed to preserving long-term use of the Bay and regulating development in and around the Bay.
  • Save the Bay Membership organization committed to protecting, restoring, and celebrating the San Francisco Bay. Leads campaigns to increase public access to the Bay and decrease harmful urban sprawl and pollution.
  • The Conservation Foundation Established in 1972 by business and community leaders, The Conservation Foundation is a not-for-profit land and watershed protection organization.
  • The Conservation Foundation Established in 1972 by business and community leaders, The Conservation Foundation is a not-for-profit land and watershed protection organization.
  • Urban Permaculture Guild Local organization working on permaculture projects and urban sustainability.

Public Policy

  • Public Policy Institute of California The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to informing and improving public policy in California through independent, objective, nonpartisan research.
  • Redifining Progress Redefining Progress is the nation’s leading public policy think tank dedicated to smart economics. We find solutions that ensure a sustainable and equitable world for future generations.

Recycling

  • City of Albany Recycling Program City of Albany’s web page for recycling and solid waste.
  • Out of the Closet This thrift store chain generates funding for HIV/AIDS programs and services and offers HIV testing at many store locations.
  • Recycling Market Development Zone Recycling program that combines recycling with economic development to fuel new businesses, create jobs, and divert waste from landfills. Zone covers portions of Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Oakland.
  • StopWaste.org Dedicated to achieving the most environmentally sound solid waste management and resource conservation program for the people of Alameda County

SF Bay Area City Initiatives

  • Bike Coalition Through day-to-day advocacy, education, and working partnerships with government and community agencies, the SFBC is dedicated to creating safer streets and more livable communities for all San Franciscans. Our active 10,000 members represent San Francis
  • City of Oakland Oakland’s Green Food Packaging Ordinance, which requires businesses to start using compostable / biodegradable disposable containers.
  • SF Energy Watch Save Energy – Save Money! Visit www.sfenergywatch.org to learn more about optimizing energy efficiency of your business or multifamily property.
  • SF Environment SF Environment’s mission is to improve, enhance, and preserve the environment, and to promote San Francisco’s long-term wellbeing by developing innovative, practical and wide-ranging environmental programs.