Our Commitment to Advancing Racial, Social & Climate Justice
We are witnessing horrific acts of senseless murders, police brutality, and racial injustice against Black people in America. Greenbelt Alliance acknowledges the heart-wrenching pain and outrage. We stand in solidarity with the Black community in the fight for lasting change to cease this country’s perpetual systemic racism, violence, and injustices. My colleagues at Greenbelt Alliance and I have been reflecting on the underlying systems that perpetuate racism—in particular in our own fields… Read More
Defend Sonoma County’s Community Separators
In 2016, Sonoma County voted by 81% to protect community separators, the green spaces between our towns and cities. Now, a luxury resort with hundreds of events is proposed by an out-of-town developer in the community separator between Santa Rosa and Windsor. This oversized hideout for the 1% will put the community separators we voted to protect to the test! Defend the Windsor-Larkfield-Santa Rosa Community Separator from this oversized development by signing… Read More
Climate & Wildfire Resiliency Update
As we face another dry winter and a long wildfire season ahead, Greenbelt Alliance is delving deeper into the ways that we can help our growing communities become more climate and wildfire resistant. Greenbelt Alliance has been advocating for climate-healthy growth within existing cities and towns and the protection of our greenbelts for decades. We are now entering an era when the climate crisis makes this solution a matter of life and… Read More
Buy Local: Shop at Your Neighborhood Farmers Market
Growing up, every Saturday morning my mom would take my sister and me to the farmers market. While she shopped, we would run around with sticky hands, covered in samples of honey and strawberries. These are some of my fondest memories, and probably the reason why food is such a huge part of my life. I have carried this tradition into adulthood — you will very rarely see me miss my Saturday-morning… Read More
Mixed Election Results Tell Us It’s Time to Get Creative
Here at Greenbelt Alliance, election day is always hotly anticipated, even when it is not a presidential primary. We’ve been working on local land-use ballot measures since the 1960s and have seen great success (and a few heartbreaking losses) in locking in Urban Growth Boundaries around our cities, stopping sprawl development from taking over precious natural and working lands, and securing much-needed funding for permanent protection of open space, increased public transportation… Read More
What Are Urban Growth Boundaries and Why Do We Need Them?
An urban growth boundary (UGB) separates urban areas from the surrounding natural and agricultural lands, or greenbelts. It puts a limit on city expansion.
Climate-Smart Solutions for Solano County
With the arrival of our newest staff member Kevin Riley, Greenbelt Alliance is excited to continue our work in Solano County, one of the largest jurisdictions across the Bay Area. Since 2017, we’ve been using our downtown Fairfield office to work closely with our Solano County partners. This work includes continuing to build on the educational outreach for both local residents and their elected leaders and incorporating powerful messages around the importance of… Read More
Adapting to a Changing Climate
On January 30, 2020, Greenbelt Alliance held a special reception and fireside chat to discuss the future of the Bay Area in a changing climate. We’re working to solve some of the region’s most pressing challenges, including local solutions for sea level rise, wildfire, drought, and flood protection, as well as how the Bay Area can embrace climate-smart growth. Executive Director Amanda Brown-Stevens sat down with Laurie Johnson—an internationally-recognized urban planner specializing… Read More
Historic Deal Permanently Protects Land in Coyote Valley
As San Jose’s last great open space and best asset in adapting to climate change, Greenbelt Alliance and our partners have worked together for decades to protect Coyote Valley from sprawl development.
Greenbelt Alliance Gala Gathers Local Leaders & Philanthropists Fighting Climate Change
SAN FRANCISCO —On Thursday, October 24, 2019, 225 guests from around the Bay Area gathered for Savor the Greenbelt, the annual fundraising gala of Greenbelt Alliance. The organization’s supporters celebrated Greenbelt Alliance at the world-renowned Fairmont San Francisco. Bay Area philanthropists, elected officials, and thought leaders were in attendance to honor and support Greenbelt Alliance’s work to preserve open space, safeguard the region’s farms and ranches, and advance smart growth solutions across… Read More