Greenbelt Alliance

Reporter at Large: KneeDeep went to see what the hidden heroes of the Greenbelt had to say this August at Preservation Park in Oakland. A few things stood out as residents of our region struggle with where and how to live safely, and how to find refuge and resilience in green space: Hero 1 – Michael Brilliot, San Jose Planner: "The thing we really need to grapple with is the missing middle, how to have developers get in the business of building housing that is more naturally affordable…" Hero 2 – Lakshmi Rajagopalan, AICP, Oakland Planner: “We [need] to make sure we have enough housing choices, different types of housing that everybody can afford to live and stay in, that helps them stay in their neighborhoods." Hero 3 – Misti Arias, Sonoma Open Space District: “We need natural and agricultural lands to live healthy, thriving lives... They also sequester carbon, which makes us much more resilient to climate change and, well-managed, can also help us be more resilient to extreme events such as wildfire." KneeDeep Coverage of the Greenbelt Alliance: https://buff.ly/3z8KtZl

Zoe Siegel, can you believe it's been 5 years? 🎉 Time flies when you're busy making the Bay Area more climate resilient! From day one, you've poured your heart into our mission at Greenbelt Alliance. As our Senior Director of Climate Resilience, you've championed our Climate SMART Development program, pushed for innovative nature-based solutions, and inspired us all with your passion for community resilience. Whether you're zooming in from your home office (with Mochi and Salem stealing the show 😺), making that epic three-block commute to the office, or surprising us with an exotic background from your travels, your energy and dedication never waver. Zoe, your expertise, creativity, and occasional cat cameos have made the last 5 years truly special. We're so grateful for all you do to make our communities greener. Join us in wishing Zoe a happy work anniversary!

As summer draws to a close, there's still time for one last outdoor adventure! We've compiled a list of our 6 favorite Bay Area hikes, perfect for savoring the final days of the season. Curated by experienced outing leaders, these trails offer a range of experiences for all levels of hikers. Highlights include: - The scenic Lagoon Trail in Marin Headlands - Breezy Limantour Beach in Point Reyes - The cascading Cataract Trail on Mount Tamalpais - And more end-of-summer gems! Don't let summer slip away without exploring these beautiful trails. Read our latest blog post to plan your Labor Day weekend hike:

What an inspiring night at our Hidden Heroes celebration! We're still buzzing from the incredible stories and achievements of our local climate leaders, Misti Arias, Lakshmi Rajagopalan, AICP, and Michael Brilliot. The night was filled with joy, inspiration, and a deep sense of community. We were moved by the powerful stories of our award recipients, who have shown extraordinary dedication to championing climate-smart plans and policies. Their efforts are paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable Bay Area. To everyone who joined us – thank you for being part of this journey. Your support amplifies the work of these remarkable individuals and propels our mission forward. Missed the event? Catch up on these inspiring stories in Daniela Ades' Hidden Heroes Blog Recap: https://lnkd.in/ggmkmMaw

What a night! 🎉 Our Hidden Heroes celebration was an absolute blast, and we couldn't have done it without YOU! From the infectious rhythms of Karambá that had us all moving, to the mouthwatering treats from our local food trucks, the energy was simply electric. Seeing so many familiar and new faces come together, sharing laughs, and creating memories – it was truly special. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us in honoring our incredible Hidden Heroes: Misti Arias, Lakshmi Rajagopalan, AICP, and Michael Brilliot. Your presence and enthusiasm made the evening unforgettable. To our Hidden Heroes, amazing sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and every attendee – you are the real MVPs. You brought the spirit that makes our community so unique and vibrant. Stay tuned for more highlights and stories from the night. But for now, let's bask in the afterglow of an amazing celebration of community and sustainability. Here's to making a difference and having fun while doing it! 🌿🥂 #HiddenHeroes

Peek behind the curtain! 🎬✨ We're buzzing with excitement as we put the finishing touches on our Hidden Heroes celebration. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at our recent film shoot, where we interviewed this year's extraordinary honorees. These passionate individuals are driving real change in our communities, tackling climate challenges with innovation and determination. Their stories are inspiring, and we can't wait for you to meet them! Join us on August 28th at Oakland's Preservation Park for a panel conversation with this year’s Hidden Heroes of the Greenbelt, and be part of a fantastic community block party. Secure your spot now: https://lnkd.in/giQYJnRB #HiddenHeroes #BehindTheScenes #BayAreaHeroes #ClimateAction

We're hiring! 💫 Greenbelt Alliance is hiring a Resilience Associate based in the Bay Area, with a primary focus on supporting regional and statewide land use and housing initiatives for a more climate resilient and affordable future for California. This role is critical in advancing our mission to foster climate resilience through city-centered climate-smart development. Learn more and help spread the word! https://lnkd.in/gTayz9Mt

As we gear up for our upcoming Land’s End outing this weekend, we throwback to the amazing outing our coordinator Ken Lavin led earlier in the summer in partnership with A Living Library Life Frames for over 50 students working through their summer internship program. “The outing was beautiful. The youth is learning something about the natural world and it is sparking their interest in the environmental field. Getting them outside their everyday routine and connecting them to nature is a great part of our mission,” said José “JD”, A Living Library’s Director of Interns. Check out the recap of the outing on our blog and join us this weekend for another Land’s End outing in San Francisco: https://lnkd.in/gz3YhW_a

The tide of change is rising, and the Bay Area is ready! We recently had the privilege of participating in the Bay Adapt Summit, brilliantly organized by the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) at the Exploratorium. This event brought together climate change practitioners, community leaders, and policymakers to address shoreline resilience in the Bay Area. From innovative nature-based solutions to equitable community strategies, the summit showcased how we're collectively rising to meet climate challenges. We're inspired by the cross-sector partnerships making a splash in shoreline adaptation.

Happy Work Anniversary to our Resilience Associate, Nate Huntington! For the past two years, Nate has been a driving force in our climate resilience and climate-smart housing initiatives, with a special focus on Solano County. His passion for limiting sprawl and advancing climate adaptation planning shines through in every project he tackles. Nate's leadership shines brightest in his work with the Solano Together coalition. He spearheaded Greenbelt Alliance’s organizing efforts against the California Forever initiative, playing a crucial role in the recent victory of seeing this initiative withdrawn from the November ballot — a testament to the power of community organizing and strategic advocacy. Join us in celebrating Nate and wishing him continued success in creating a more resilient and sustainable future for all! 💚🌿