Bay Area Climate Resilient Coastal Communities
The Need
The San Francisco Bay Area, spanning nine counties, 100 cities, over 7 million people, and representing almost a third of California’s economy, is likely to be one of the hardest hit regions by sea level rise (SLR) in North America. Climate impacts will disproportionately impact disadvantaged communities, increasing the vulnerability of these already at-risk populations that often lack the adaptive capacity to plan for, withstand, and respond to climate impacts.
In order for adaptation measures to be equitable, place-based, and create long-lasting impact, it is critical that plans are made with community leadership. Regional initiatives have been forming across Bay Area counties to respond to climate change and align and advance actions to protect coastal communities and the natural and built environment from rising seas. Though these initiatives intend to be inclusive and participatory, many counties, cities, and community-based organizations (CBOs) and leaders are left out of these processes because they lack the human and financial resources to engage.
Our Solution
Coastal Quest is working with partners to shift the center of gravity in the Bay Area, testing scalable models that allow community voices and leadership to drive climate resilience. Through grant writing, technical assistance, and small grant programs, our Bay Area Climate Resilient Coastal Communities Initiative works with counties, cities, and communities to get money on the ground to communities and governments. We want to help them reach their climate goals, strengthening regionwide efforts to support and ensure inclusive, equitable sea level rise planning and adaptation solutions for people and nature.
COASTAL RESILIENCE SMALL GRANTS & FUNDRAISING WORKSHOP SERIES
Community-based organizations, California Tribes, and individual leaders located or serving the priority counties of Alameda, Marin, Contra Costa and Solano, can apply to receive a $5000 grant, fundraising technical assistance, and join Coastal Quest and Rise South City’s Bay Area coastal resilience and fundraising workshop series to identify their local, regional and community-based climate priorities and to plan for and raise funds to achieve their resilience goals!
Applications are now closed.
Congratulations to the recipients of the Bay Area Resilience Small Grants Program!
The following 9 community-based organizations and leaders receive $5,000 and participate in a fundraising workshop to uplift their efforts to build community resilience to coastal climate risks and sea level rise in Contra Costa County, Solano County, Alameda County, and County of Marin.
The Canal Arts → Advancing multi-benefit improvements to the shoreline and marsh of San Rafael’s Canal area
All Positives Possible → Serving disadvantaged communities facing high climate risks, exploring and advancing solutions to improve water quality, prevent flooding, ensure access, and develop effective messaging
Fresh Air Vallejo → Focusing on deep engagement with climate-burdened communities in the City of Vallejo, California
Galilee Harbor Community Association → A self-governing boat house co-op of low-income families concentrating on nature-based methods to prevent erosion and build resilience
Healing Impacted Communities → Serving Bayo Vista community and advancing initiatives to protect communities against sea level rise
Atchison Village Mutual Homes Green Committee → A housing co-op finding data-driven solutions to short-term flooding and long-term sea level and groundwater rise to protect their historic village
The Educator Collective for Environmental Justice → A Latinx-run CBO committed to environmental justice through education and research; currently working on air pollution solutions with youth in coastal communities
Friends of Five Creeks → A volunteer-driven CBO advancing work on coastal watersheds and ecosystems through outreach, citizen science and education, and supporting restoration projects for resilience
Tamila “Shy” Walker – Sacred Spaces Marsh Trail Project → Oakland community leader focused on building awareness and reconnecting disadvantaged communities to wildlife and shorelines for resilience and increased well-being. Their project aims to restore marsh to protect the shoreline while increasing public access.
Thank you so much to all who applied, our partners at Rise South City, and Wells Fargo and the Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund for making this program possible.
