FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT
Christina Cano, Christina.Cano@CaliforniaVolunteers.ca.gov, 279-224-2907

Sacramento Community Comes Together to Take Climate Action

What you need to know: California Climate Action Corps and hundreds of volunteers engage in service projects to fight climate change during a Community Climate Action Day in Sacramento.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday joined State Senator Angelique Ashby, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, the City of Sacramento, California Climate Action Corps fellows, community partners and hundreds of volunteers for a day of climate action in Sacramento. The event kicked off Sacramento’s Equitable Urban Forest project, a muti-year effort to increase tree planting in disinvested neighborhoods, funded in part by an Urban and Community Forestry grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service in partnership with GreenLatinos.

“Today, we witnessed the incredible impact volunteers, service members, community organizations and local and state leaders can have when they come together for a shared purpose,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “Together, we are building stronger, more resilient communities and we need everyone involved.”

Hosted by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor in partnership with the City of Sacramento, the event featured the planting of over 200 trees along the Sacramento Northern Parkway, contributing to the transformation of the local green space.

“Our parks and parkways are the cornerstones of our community, and today’s Community Climate Action Day demonstrates the power of collaboration in enhancing these spaces,” said Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment Director Jackie Beecham. “Our Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment staff, alongside dedicated volunteers, are making a lasting impact — not only by increasing our city’s tree canopy but also by fostering a sense of community pride and environmental stewardship. Trees provide immense benefits, from improving air quality to cooling our neighborhoods, and together we’re creating a healthier, more resilient Sacramento for all.”

In honor of conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th birthday, California Climate Action Corps has committed to planting 90,000 trees and native plants across the state. Today’s efforts are a significant step toward achieving that goal.

“It is so exciting to see the collaboration between our local community, our state organizations and leaders. As we work towards a better climate for all in the future, it’s essential that we continue to enhance our green spaces through collective action, together,” said Senator Angelique Ashby.

Community Climate Action Days offer volunteers the opportunity to take climate action while enhancing quality of life and access to green spaces in their communities. Participants also had opportunities to learn about local climate initiatives, followed by lunch and resource fair.

“We’re thrilled to partner with California Volunteers to plant trees along the Northern Sacramento Parkway as we launch Sacramento’s Equitable Urban Forest Project. Expanding our tree canopy is essential, ensuring our city is resilient to climate change,” said City of Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg.

All activities count toward Climate Action Counts, the new campaign to unite one million Californians to take everyday actions at home and in their neighborhoods to combat climate change.

“This project is part of a historic investment to grow our tree canopy, support workforce development and build climate resilience in California communities that need it the most,” said Miranda Hutten, USDA Forest Service.  “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, $1.5 billion have been made available to support urban forest projects across the nation. One hundred percent of those funds will benefit disadvantaged communities, areas that face environmental, social and economic burdens that trees can help relieve. To date, California has received over $146 million in Inflation Reduction Act Funds to support those goals – including $1 million for the Sacramento Equitable Urban Forest project.”

“Trees create lasting and pivotal changes in communities. They cool our streets, create places of play and allow for all of us to enjoy the lovely Sacramento outdoors. Future residents will continue to feel the benefit of trees through cleaner air, cooler temperatures and under the canopy of a lush urban forest. The IRA funding provided by the US Forest Service is a direct investment in our communities as well as the investment of California Volunteers in partnership with the City of Sacramento. The Sacramento Tree Foundation and local community are invested in this project from planning, to planting, to long-term stewardship,” said Dr. Jessica Sanders, Executive Director Sacramento Tree Foundation.

“At SMUD, we’re proud to work alongside our community partners and the customers we serve,” said SMUD CEO and General Manager Paul Lau. “By taking part in Community Climate Action Day, together we’re helping build healthier, more resilient communities and empowering residents to be active participants in building a clean energy future.”

Supported by the California Volunteers Fund, sponsors for the event include Niagara Cares and the Dawoodi Bohra community.

“At Niagara, we are dedicated to paving the way for a more sustainable future for generations to come,” said Jamie Colvert, Corporate Giving Manager of Niagara Bottling. “By supporting Community Climate Action Days, we’re not only investing in green spaces but also fostering a sense of unity and responsibility within our communities. Together, we’re building stronger, more resilient neighborhoods that everyone can enjoy and be proud to protect.”

“Climate change affects all of us, and only collective effort will help us combat it. That’s why the Dawoodi Bohras are proud to partner with California Volunteers, Office of the Governor on this Community Climate Action Day, which helps unify Californians in collective action to enhance our environment and nurture green spaces for the benefit of all,” said Aliasger Najam, Director of Outreach for the Dawoodi Bohra community.

Governor Gavin Newsom launched California Climate Action Corps in 2020 as the nation’s first state-level climate service corps with the mission of empowering Californians to take meaningful climate action. The program is led by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor.

California Climate Action Corps is part of the California Service Corps and organizes Community Climate Action Days throughout the state. California Service Corps is the largest service force in the nation, larger than the Peace Corps. It is administered by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor and is made up of #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, Youth Service Corps, California Climate Action Corps and AmeriCorps California.

INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH: California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. Contact Christina Cano, Christina.Cano@CaliforniaVolunteers.ca.gov, 279-224-2907.

Livestream: YouTube

B-Roll: Community Climate Action Days

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About California Volunteers, Office of the Governor 
Led by California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, California Volunteers, Office of the Governor empowers Californians to take action to improve their communities. California Volunteers is the state office tasked with recruiting Californians to engage in public service.