SF BAY shoreline cleanup and environmental justice education days project aims to use EPA funds to engage 400 residents from east palo alto, belle haven, north fair oaks, and redwood city in 16 SAN…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 awarded a $125,560 project grant under the Geographic Programs - San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund (CFDA 66.126) to Nuestra Casa De East Palo Alto to organize 16 San Francisco Bay shoreline cleanup and environmental education events in East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City. The project aims to engage 400 residents in cleanup activities at four sites - Cooley Landing, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Ravenswood Open Space Preserve, and Baylands Nature Preserve. These events will also include educational talks to increase community awareness of threats to San Francisco Bay water quality and enhance community engagement in restoration projects. Grassroots Ecology, a financial partner/sub-awardee, will provide equipment and supervise restoration work during the cleanup events. The project is expected to be completed by January 30, 2028.

SF BAY shoreline cleanup and environmental justice education days project aims to use EPA funds to engage 400 residents from east palo alto, belle haven, north fair oaks, and redwood city in 16 SAN francisco BAY shoreline site clean-up days. The project focuses on four cleanup sites: cooley landing, DON edwards SAN francisco BAY national wildlife refuge, ravenswood open space preserve, and baylands nature preserve. These cleanup events serve as platforms for engaging residents in the target communities to actively understand and address the restoration and protection of SAN francisco BAY, particularly considering its impact on their neighborhoods. Collaborating with partners like the city of east palo alto, grassroots ecology, environmental volunteers, and the U.S. Fish and wildlife service, the project combines cleanup activities and educational talks to emphasize the importance of shoreline sites in preserving the health of the SAN francisco BAY ecosystem. This assistance agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $125,560. Activities:to implement the SAN francisco estuary partnership comprehensive conservation and management plan (ccmp), the grantee will complete the following activities: 1) organize 16 SF BAY shoreline cleanup and environmental education events at four sites: cooley landing park, DON edwards SAN francisco BAY national wildlife refuge, ravenswood open space, and baylands nature preserve. 2) conduct surveys of resident's knowledge and attitudes towards each shoreline site after each clean up day. Subrecipient:grassroots ecology (financial partner/subaward) will help provide the necessary equipment for clean up day, and supervise restoration projects during the cooley landing clean-up days and the ravenswood open space clean up days. During these events, they will also deliver informative talks on restoring fragile ecosystems in the BAY area.outcomes:anticipated deliverables include: sixteen cleanup events, surveys from residents. Expected outcomes are: increased community awareness of threats to SF BAY water quality increased level of community engagement in SF BAY clean-up and restoration projects, increased # of community-led actions to restore and protect SF BAY. The intended beneficiaries of this effort are the communities that surround the four site locations.