The Next Wave of Policies, A New Generation of Leaders

In 2025, the Bay Area saw incredible strides towards Greenbelt Alliance’s holistic vision for a balanced approach to growth, including climate-smart development and conservation. From long-overdue California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reforms to impactful new laws that allow more homes near transit stations, these Greenbelt Alliance-backed policies are undoing historical deficits and unlocking opportunities for more resilient communities.

To navigate challenges of growing climate hazards, political and social unrest, and financial strains, our communities need the research, data, training, and connections to transform plans and solutions into actual change. Over the past year, Greenbelt Alliance has excelled at engaging and communicating with communities to advance climate resilience and preparedness—from sea level rise, to extreme heat, to housing and land-use policies.

EDUCATE

In June, the Climate Leaders Summit brought together over 100 people to celebrate the first group of 18 Resilient Roots fellows, as they concluded a nine-month training program on climate literacy and leadership. The first-ever Resilient Roots: Climate Leaders Network program, presented by Greenbelt Alliance and Sustainable Solano, with support from the US Environmental Protection Agency, prepared the next generation of leaders in new skills for climate action. Fellows grew in their understanding of local environmental and climate issues (75%), in project design and public speaking skills (58%), and confidence as a leader (50%) as a result of their time in the program. Resilient Roots is now expanding to train more young leaders in Oakland and other communities.

ADVOCATE

In a watershed moment for land-use policy in California, Senate Bill 79, the Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act (Wiener), was signed into law in October 2025. This bill codifies transit-oriented development by allowing more homes near major transit stops, such as BART, Caltrain, or the San Diego Trolley, and improves walkability in our communities.

Greenbelt Alliance was proud to co-sponsor this bill by Senator Scott Wiener, alongside a powerful coalition of advocates across California. This isn’t just a housing win—it’s a climate solution that will guide growth away from wildfire and flood-prone areas while protecting our natural and working lands.

PLUS: We remain committed to our work to prevent harmful sprawl development in Solano County, as California Forever pushes forward with their plan to build a “new community” over 16,000 acres of farmland in Eastern Solano. As they attempted to bypass voters by proposing to annex lands to Suisun City, Greenbelt Alliance collaborated with the Solano Together coalition to mobilize and educate voters in the region and stop California Forever. Learn more.

COLLABORATE

When it comes to sea level rise, communities across the Bay Area are organizing, agencies are collaborating in new ways, and better solutions are emerging to achieve resilience goals.

Greenbelt Alliance is a driving force in this regional movement, bridging science, policy, and community power to accelerate Bay Area shoreline resilience. Over the past year, our watershed  resilience efforts, collaborating with various stakeholders, have yielded tangible progress in preparing communities for rising sea levels and floods, including:

• Marking a huge regional win, San Francisco Bay Conservation & Development Commission’s Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan (RSAP) provides the first comprehensive framework for the nine Bay Area counties to coordinate their response. The plan sets guidelines for local jurisdictions, prioritizes vulnerable communities, and positions the region to compete more effectively for federal and state funding.
• Rising Together: The Bay Adapt Summit brought together practitioners, scientists, and advocates to showcase regional adaptation progress. The second annual summit was presented by BCDC in partnership with the Exploratorium and Greenbelt Alliance
• We are proud of the partnership-building and community-based planning efforts that we’re leading through the Oakland Alameda Adaptation Committee (OAAC). Greenbelt Alliance is a lead partner in this coalition of shoreline communities and stakeholders in Alameda and Oakland that are co-creating inclusive action plans to accelerate sea level rise adaptations that promote habitat restoration and community resilience.
• From the Solano Bayshore Resiliency projects to nature-based solutions along the Oakland-Alameda shoreline, communities aren’t waiting. Local governments and community organizations are testing new approaches, building living shorelines, and preparing for what’s coming.
• The Hayward Regional Shoreline Adaptation Project is an example of an interagency collaboration that has led to a beautiful and functional nature-based design. As part of this effort, Greenbelt Alliance is a lead partner of the Hayward Eden Area Shoreline Resilience Collaborative

Together, these efforts reflect how Greenbelt Alliance unifies diverse actors to advance the Bay Area’s distinct approach to sea level rise: a commitment to coordination, community voice, and solutions that work for people and nature alike.

Photo by Brianna Casanares