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14 02, 2024

2024 Green Building Award Winner: The Nueva School’s Science and Environmental Center

2024-04-18T15:20:11-05:00

The 2024 Green Building Award, cosponsored by Sustainable San Mateo County, the American Institute of Architects, San Mateo County Chapter and Peninsula Clean Energy, is presented to The Nueva School’s Science and Environmental Center. The Science and Environmental Center, which opened in 2021, supports the school’s evolving mission of sustainability and environmental stewardship as a foundational pillar of student education. It provides a new home for the school’s environmental citizenship program with eight science labs and associated support spaces. The project is designed to be zero net energy/zero net carbon – an all-electric building that models a resilient, low-carbon future. [...]

2024 Green Building Award Winner: The Nueva School’s Science and Environmental Center2024-04-18T15:20:11-05:00
31 01, 2024

The New Sustainability Ideas Bank: Online, Searchable and Downloadable!

2024-02-02T19:03:09-05:00

Implement new sustainability programs and policies in less time with fewer issues. Doing anything for the very first time is hard. There’s a learning curve. Like when I recently built kitchen cabinets. The first one was a painstaking process to figure out which pieces went together, in what order, which screws to use, how far to drill them in, etc. After the first one, I whipped out five more with ease. The same is true for designing policies and implementing programs to become more sustainable. Establishing a renter equity program, getting people to try an induction cooktop, establishing deconstruction waste [...]

The New Sustainability Ideas Bank: Online, Searchable and Downloadable!2024-02-02T19:03:09-05:00
18 01, 2024

Outreach Lead Mollie Carter Joins SSMC to Expand Sustainability Impact with Partners

2024-01-18T16:17:43-05:00

We are delighted to announce a significant addition to the Sustainable San Mateo County (SSMC) team–Mollie Carter, our new Communications and Outreach Lead. This strategic hire marks a pivotal moment for SSMC as we expand our efforts to drive sustainability initiatives in the region. Mollie brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our cause, making her an exceptional individual to join our team as we continue to enable a more sustainable San Mateo County. This hire comes on the heels of our recent announcement that Simona Vallone is taking on a new integrated role leading three of [...]

Outreach Lead Mollie Carter Joins SSMC to Expand Sustainability Impact with Partners2024-01-18T16:17:43-05:00
21 12, 2023

Simona Vallone to Lead SSMC’s New Integrated Program Strategy

2023-12-21T15:51:42-05:00

Following the recent appointment of our new Executive Director Sarah Hubbard in October, Sustainable San Mateo County (SSMC) is thrilled to unveil another exciting development within our team and in our efforts to create a more sustainable and just future. We are delighted to announce the expanded role of Program Manager Simona Vallone, who will now lead the planning and implementation for three of SSMC's core programs: Sustainability Dashboard, Indicators Report and the Sustainability Ideas Bank. This is the first time one Program Manager has led all three of these programs and Simona is the perfect person for the job! [...]

Simona Vallone to Lead SSMC’s New Integrated Program Strategy2023-12-21T15:51:42-05:00
13 12, 2023

Foster City’s Lending Library

2023-12-13T15:00:21-05:00

Birthday parties are lots of fun, but they can generate a lot of waste as a result of the single-use paper goods people typically use. Inspired by Palo Alto's zero waste effort, the parents' association at The Carey School invested in a party kit with enough reusable supplies for a party with 40 kids. Nilu Motiwala made the kit available for borrowing through her Foster City Buy Nothing Group. The response was tremendous, with many people offering to add more items. That gave rise to the Lending Library. “Many of us had things sitting in our homes that we didn't [...]

Foster City’s Lending Library2023-12-13T15:00:21-05:00
30 10, 2023

Indicators Report Reveals Challenges and Opportunities

2023-10-30T12:39:57-05:00

Sustainable San Mateo County’s 2023 Indicators Report reveals some surprising facts about pressures that are making life difficult for families in the county. At a Launch Event attended by 80 people on October 26, speakers described how county agencies and local nonprofits are still struggling to keep up with the increased demand for services triggered by COVID-19. “We learned a lot through the pandemic,” said keynote speaker Mike Callagy, county executive for San Mateo County, when the virus “highlighted the disparities we had, especially with families and kids.” Among the examples he cited in our county, “one of the richest [...]

Indicators Report Reveals Challenges and Opportunities2023-10-30T12:39:57-05:00
30 10, 2023

Calling All Environmental Heroes

2023-10-30T11:59:40-05:00

Peninsula Clean Energy is seeking community insights and feedback from environmental advocates to help shape its future customer offerings. You’re invited to share ideas for new products and services during a special webinar hosted by Sustainable San Mateo County (SSMC) on Wednesday, November 15, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Zoom.  You can register for this free, virtual workshop at https://bit.ly/EnviroHeroesSMC.  Since 2016, thousands of Peninsula Clean Energy customers have opted up to ECO100, paying a 1 cent per kilowatt-hour premium to receive 100% renewable energy. Peninsula Clean Energy has plans to reach that 100% renewable energy goal for its entire [...]

Calling All Environmental Heroes2023-10-30T11:59:40-05:00
27 10, 2023

SSMC Selects Executive Director

2023-10-27T13:43:39-05:00

Sustainable San Mateo County is thrilled to introduce you to its new Executive Director, Sarah Hubbard! After previously serving as the Program Manager for our Sustainability Ideas Bank and Dashboard programs, Sarah welcomes this new role with enthusiasm. Her deep understanding of our programs, priorities, and your concerns make her the perfect fit to guide the organization. Sarah's journey as a sustainability and social justice advocate began when she volunteered with the Peace Corps in Uruguay, working on economic development and education projects to enhance the local communities' quality of life. This life-changing experience set the course for her [...]

SSMC Selects Executive Director2023-10-27T13:43:39-05:00
10 07, 2023

How Cities Shape Global Sustainable Development

2023-07-11T16:03:18-05:00

The recently published U20 2023 Communiqué to G20 leaders highlights the importance of collaborative action in addressing global sustainability challenges. It also underscores the significance of organizations like Sustainable San Mateo County (SSMC) and their efforts to connect with and support initiatives like G20 and U20, which bring together leaders from around the world to discuss critical issues. By empowering local communities and promoting sustainable practices, SSMC contributes to the goals outlined by G20 and U20, reinforcing the critical role of cities in addressing sustainability challenges. Understanding G20 and U20 The Group of Twenty (G20) is an international forum that [...]

How Cities Shape Global Sustainable Development2023-07-11T16:03:18-05:00
18 06, 2022

Making Public Transit in the Bay Area Sustainable

2022-06-18T13:47:15-05:00

With the arrival of Caltrain’s new electric trains this year and the full electrification of Caltrain’s San Francisco Corridor on the horizon, our June 2022 Happy Hour focused on looking at the Bay Area’s public transit systems to see how they can be optimized for a more sustainable future. Three transit experts shared different approaches that public, private and nonprofit organizations have taken to make the region’s public transit more convenient, equitable and sustainable. Casey Fromson, Chief Communications Officer for the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, Caltrain and SamTrans, highlighted Caltrain’s 2040 Service Vision and how it is incorporating sustainable [...]

Making Public Transit in the Bay Area Sustainable2022-06-18T13:47:15-05:00
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