The agreement provides funding under inflation reduction act to conduct ambient air monitoring of pollutants of greatest concern in communities with environmental and health outcome disparities…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $499,347 Project Grant under the Surveys, Studies, Research, Investigations, Demonstrations, and Special Purpose Activities Relating to the Clean Air Act (CFDA 66.034) program to the Pepperwood Foundation. Through this funding, Pepperwood will build the capacity of vulnerable communities in California's fire-prone North Coast to monitor air quality and mitigate exposure to severe air pollution events. Key activities include deploying a network of air quality sensors, engaging local leaders to translate data into bilingual formats, and integrating curriculum on air monitoring into outreach programs serving farmworkers and other at-risk populations. Expected deliverables include air quality data, an open-access data dashboard, and educational outreach materials. Additionally, Pepperwood is serving as a sub-awardee on a $14,924 cooperative agreement from the U.S. Geological Survey to support vegetation research plots.

The agreement provides funding under inflation reduction act to conduct ambient air monitoring of pollutants of greatest concern in communities with environmental and health outcome disparities stemming from pollution and the covid-19 pandemic.activities:the activities will be used to support community and local efforts to monitor their own air quality and to promote air quality monitoring partnerships between communities and tribal, state, and local governments that: leverage existing air quality expertise, expand use of community monitoring groups and other approaches that give the community a voice in the monitoring of the air quality, and build a foundation of trusting relationships and enhanced understanding from which sustainable solutions to community air pollution problems can be found. Specifically, the recipient will build the capacity of vulnerable communities in california's fire-prone north coast by adding sensors to fill critical air quality data gaps to mitigate potential health impacts during extreme wildfire smoke air quality events. Subrecipient:this project will increase the availability and accuracy of air quality data in areas with limited or no air quality sensors. Pepperwood will add sensors to an existing fire and flood situational awareness network developed as part of its sentinel site with the USGS and sonoma water in partnership with air quality experts at usra and the northern sonoma county air pollution control district. We will add air quality sensors to this existing communications network based on a structured engagement of vulnerable community members in partnership with local service organizations led by local latinx leaders including hugo mata from soluna outreach solutions and CO-founder of red latinx hub. We will demonstrate how empowering environmental justice (EJ) communities to use emerging lowcost sensor networks can protect vulnerable individuals and can be scaled up across the state of california and beyond. We will first work within surrounding communities to place new sensors in inland valleys of northern sonoma county, in areas where people work and at senior housing facilities. We will then work with the communities to translate the data into BI-lingual and visual formats that will empower and inform people on how they can take action to mitigate exposure to severe air quality events. We will bring educational resources to the 'promotores' model with peer-to-peer outreach programs, including those serving local farmworkers, to integrate this curriculum into their outreach and provision of protective equipment. We will work with citizens organized to prepare for emergencies (cope) and nuestra comunidad to integrate these data resources into their 'smoke ready' curriculum delivered via in-person outreach.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include data from two tiers of air quality monitoring technology, an open access BI-lingual user friendly dashboard for data management and analysis; outreach materials, and progress/final reports. The expected outcomes include information to fill critical air quality data gaps, increased community awareness, community action to mitigate particulate air pollution effects, and reduced human exposure to particulate air pollution for engaged populations. Outputs of this project include deployment of a new AQ sensor network to conduct air quality measurements. The intended beneficiaries include underserved communities in northern sonoma county. This assistance agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $499,347. Preaward costs have been approved back to 9/1/2023. See terms and conditions.