With the start of a new year, we wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to you for your incredible support throughout 2024. Your generosity has not only made a significant impact on our organization, but has also brought joy and positive change to the lives of those we serve.

As we look forward to the coming year with hope and optimism, we wanted to reflect on the amazing accomplishments from this past year that YOU made possible. 

2024 Programming Highlights 

Environmental education

Providing curriculum, resources and tools to instruct youth and adults on environmental best practices, innovations and other important topics.

High School Education: In 2024, we hosted a number of educational programs for high school students. Through each program, we aim to educate and inspire young people to pursue lifestyles and careers that support a green economy.

• Intro to Green Jobs: This class helps students build their resumes, practice interviewing skills, and develop a cover letter in a way that will attract careers in the green economy.
• Environmental Literacy/Green Book Club: Students have the opportunity to choose from a selection of environmental books. On a regular basis, we meet with the students and discuss themes and concepts of the books. Once we finish a book, we take the students on a “field trip” that reinforces concepts we learned from the book.

Additionally, education opportunities included our Program Director, Michael finishing a semester course at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in curriculum writing for climate change. 

CJ Con 2024

Over 250 community members joined us as we built connections, exchanged ideas, shared experiences, and catalyzed action toward addressing the intersecting challenges of climate change and social injustice.  

A few event highlights: 

• 14 speakers 
• 45 climate justice and environmental justice definitions brainstormed 
• 11 vendor booths 
• 45 upcycled planter coozies made

Revitalizing urban open space

Planting trees, developing green space, creating green space on school grounds, adding parks and implementing projects to protect the environment in underserved, ignored areas.

Tree Plantings: 

• Planted 15 trees in Carson in 6/24
• And 32 trees in Inglewood by 2/24

Community Clean Up Days 

• Westside Neighborhood Park Community Clean Up- Feb. 2024
• Queen Anne Community Clean Up – May 2024: community cleanup and outreach 
• Lincoln Memorial Park Community Cleanup – May 2024: Community clean up at abandoned cemetery 

Over 100 community members participated in our Community Clean up and together we picked up about 185 pounds of garbage in 2024.

Blackwelder Community Greenbelt: California Greenworks is currently working to restore the loss of habitat in the Blackwelder Tract of lower Ballona Creek. We seek to create a green infrastructure network along the boundaries of Culver City and Los Angeles. Stormwater gardens, bike trails, and walking paths can unite this portion of the Lower Ballona Creek while increasing opportunities for the pollination of the native flora. In February 2024, we hosted our Blackwelder walkthrough of the project site. Participating partners included; Kamlager-Dove office, Woodard and Curran. 

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we step into 2025, we remain committed to deepening our impact and driving meaningful change. Our Strategic Plan for 2025 lays out key initiatives designed to strengthen our programs, enhance workplace culture, and expand our reach.

Next year, we will:

✅ Expand and develop the Blackwelder Community Greenbelt project to create more green spaces and sustainable urban environments.

✅ Enhance our educational initiatives, introducing new curriculum and workshops focused on environmental stewardship and sustainability.

✅ Increase community engagement through more clean-up events, hands-on learning opportunities, and advocacy efforts.

✅ Foster a stronger, more inclusive workplace culture, prioritizing staff well-being, transparency, and collaboration.

This strategic direction ensures that our organization grows sustainably while addressing immediate needs and long-term goals. For a deeper dive into our vision for 2025, refer to our full Strategic Plan [insert document link or location]

Be a part of our impact 

There are a number of ways you can join us in 2025 from joining our email list, adopting a tree, hosting one of our educational programs, attending one of our events, volunteering your time, or telling a friend about us. 

If you have any questions about how you can join, send us a message, we would love to hear from you. 

Thanks for your interest in California Greenworks’s Urban Forestry Internship. With your help,
we will be able to correct environmental injustices and help mitigate climate change to the
most vulnerable communities in Los Angeles.

Here’s a list of responsibilities that are associated with managing and maintaining urban forest
areas:

Tree Planting:

• Select appropriate tree species for planting considering climate, soil conditions, and urban
  environment.
• Determine suitable locations for planting trees based on factors such as available space,
  sunlight exposure, and proximity to infrastructure.

Tree Maintenance

• Help manage the tree maintenance with CGW partners
• Help monitor trees for signs of pests, diseases, or damage and taking appropriate action to
  address issues.

Tree Inventory and Mapping

• Conducting inventories of existing trees in CGW tree planting sites and update as needed
• Utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to map tree locations and track
  changes over time.
• Help monitor various metrics for CGW trees to measure environmental and social impacts

Community Engagement and Education

• Organizing tree planting events and volunteer opportunities to involve community members
  in urban forestry initiatives.
• Providing educational workshops and materials to raise awareness about the benefits of
  trees and proper tree care practices.

Urban Heat Island Mitigation

• Strategically planting trees to provide shade and reduce surface temperatures in urban
  areas.
• Collaborating with city planners and developers to incorporate green infrastructure into
  urban design projects.

Environmental Monitoring

• Monitoring air quality, soil health, and biodiversity in urban forest areas to assess the
  ecosystem services provided by trees.
• Collecting data on carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions to quantify the
  environmental benefits of urban forestry.

Policy Development and Advocacy

• Developing and advocating for policies and regulations that support urban forestry
  initiatives, such as tree protection ordinances and urban greening strategies.
• Collaborating with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders to
  promote urban forestry as a priority in urban planning and development.

Research and Innovation

• Conducting research on urban forestry best practices, including tree species selection,
  planting techniques, and management strategies.
• Collaborating with academic institutions and research organizations to advance scientific
  knowledge and innovation in the field of urban forestry.

Long-term Planning and Sustainability

l

• Developing long-term management plans for urban forest areas to ensure their
  sustainability and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
• Securing funding and resources to support ongoing maintenance and expansion of urban
  forestry programs and initiatives.
  These responsibilities may vary depending on the specific goals and priorities of urban forestry
  programs, as well as the resources available to implement them.

Interested in applying? Complete our application form.

Empowering Communities: Technology has the potential to empower communities to take action on climate change and advocate for their rights. Digital platforms and mobile applications enable information sharing, community organizing, and grassroots mobilization, empowering individuals to participate in decision-making processes and demand accountability from governments and corporations. By providing access to information, resources, and support networks, technology can amplify the voices of marginalized communities and ensure that their perspectives are heard in climate policy discussions. At its most basic (and most important), technology and tools are humanity’s means of externalizing cognitive processes. Climate change is an existential problem that will require significant cognitive load.
Promoting Resilience: Climate change disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, exacerbating existing social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities. However, technology can play a crucial role in building resilience and adapting to climate impacts. From early warning systems and disaster preparedness tools to climate-smart agriculture and sustainable energy solutions, technology offers innovative approaches to strengthen community resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate-related hazards. By leveraging technology, communities can better anticipate, prepare for, and respond to climate risks, ensuring that no one is left behind in the face of environmental challenges.
Driving Transformative Change: Technology drives transformative change by catalyzing innovation, fostering collaboration, and scaling up solutions to address climate change and promote social justice. From renewable energy technologies and energy-efficient infrastructure to carbon capture and storage solutions, technological innovations offer pathways to decarbonize economies and transition to a more sustainable and equitable future. By investing in research, development, and deployment of clean technologies, governments, businesses, and civil society can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and create new opportunities for economic growth, job
creation, and social development.

In the pursuit of climate justice, technology emerges as a critical enabler of equity, resilience, and sustainability. By empowering communities, promoting resilience, and driving
transformative change, technology offers promising solutions to address environmental disparities and advance social justice. However, realizing the full potential of technology
requires collective action, investment, and commitment from governments, businesses, civil society, and the global community. Together, we can harness the power of technology to build
a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world for present and future generations.

Our Climate Justice Conference will significantly contribute to advancing climate justice by providing a platform for diverse stakeholders to come together, exchange ideas, share
experiences, and catalyze action towards addressing the intersecting challenges of climate change and social injustice. Here’s why such a conference is crucial:

1. Raise Awareness and Build Understanding: this conference, dedicated to climate justice, can raise awareness about the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized
   communities and vulnerable populations. By highlighting the connections between social inequality, environmental degradation, and climate change, the conference can foster a deeper understanding of the root causes and systemic injustices that exacerbate climate vulnerabilities.
2. Empower Communities: Our climate justice conference will provide an opportunity for impacted communities to amplify their voices, share their stories, and advocate for their rights. By centering the voices and experiences of frontline communities, indigenous peoples, women, youth, and other marginalized groups, the conference can empower communities to participate in decision-making processes, shape climate policies, and demand equitable solutions that prioritize their needs and priorities.
3. Promote Intersectionality: Climate justice recognizes that climate change intersects with other forms of oppression and discrimination, including race, gender, class, ethnicity, and nationality. This conference on climate justice can promote intersectional approaches that address the interconnected nature of social and environmental injustices. By fostering dialogue and collaboration across diverse sectors and movements, the conference can promote solidarity and collective action towards building more inclusive and equitable societies.

4. Share Best Practices and Solutions: Our climate justice conference will provide a platform for sharing best practices, innovative solutions, and successful strategies for addressing climate vulnerabilities and promoting social resilience. By showcasing successful case studies, pilot projects, and community-led initiatives, the conference can inspire action and replication of proven approaches in different contexts. Participants can learn from each other’s experiences, identify opportunities for collaboration, and leverage collective knowledge to drive positive change.
5. Mobilize Resources and Support: With all our participants, this conference can mobilize resources, support, and commitments from governments, businesses, philanthropic
   organizations, and civil society actors to invest in climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation efforts that prioritize social justice. By showcasing the economic, social, and environmental benefits of investing in climate justice initiatives, the conference can encourage increased funding, partnerships, and collaboration to scale up impactful interventions and address systemic barriers to progress.
6. Influence Policy and Decision-Making: We aim for our conference to influence policy and decision-making at local, national, and international levels by providing evidence-based
   research, policy recommendations, and advocacy tools to policymakers, legislators, and government officials. By convening experts, policymakers, and stakeholders, the conference
   can facilitate dialogue, consensus-building, and policy innovation on key issues related to climate justice, such as just transition, climate finance, environmental justice, and human
   rights.

The CJ Con, 2024, will serve as a catalyst for advancing climate justice by raising awareness, empowering communities, promoting intersectionality, sharing best practices, mobilizing
resources, and influencing policy and decision-making. By bringing together diverse stakeholders in a collaborative and inclusive forum, the conference can contribute to building a
more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

At California Greenworks, our volunteers are the foundation that allows us to carry out our programming to improve the environment and quality of life in urban communities around Los Angeles. 

Volunteers Make Our World Greener

We hosted our Community Cleanup event on February 10 at the beautiful Westside Neighborhood Park. Thanks to all of our volunteers, we were able to clean up more than 100 pounds of litter!

Four of the volunteers at the event were the Artiga Family. Their entire family showed up and worked together to clean up waste in our community. After the event, we followed up to ask them about their experience. Here’s what they had to say: 

Q: How did you hear about California Greenworks Community Cleanup Event?

A: We first heard of the organization on a web search when our family (2 dad and two, 11 year boy/girl twins) were looking for a way to do some community service around the Martin Luther King holiday a few years ago as the pandemic was lightening up.  California Greenworks was sponsoring an event in the south LA area and were eager to participate. 

Q: What made you want to take part in our Community Cleanup Event?

A: We are eager to participate because we saw this as a way of helping our larger LA city community.  Even though we didn’t live in that part of south LA we deeply believe in the words of MLK that, “When one struggles we all struggle” and this was a way to help our larger city and its members.

Q: What was your favorite part or highlight of the Community Cleanup Event?

A: The best part of the cleanups was knowing we were contributing to our city and doing this as a family.  This tapped into my sense that “tiny steps can lead to many miles” in the sense that when we take some small actions together we can make a lot of good progress.  At the end of the events, the streets and parks that we helped clean up looked so much better. I asked my kids what they liked and they said “I liked cleaning…it was fun as a family.”

Thank You! 

A HUGE thank you to everyone who has donated their time and talent to support California Greenwork over the years! Thank you for supporting our goals to create; environmental justice and climate equity, sustainable, community-based restoration to eliminate urban blight and promote green space development, innovative, modern and actionable green education and curriculum, and advocacy for green job creation and economic development. 

Join us on May 4! 

Join us this Saturday, May 4, for our Community Cleanup event starting at 10:00 AM! We are excited to gather together for a day of community bonding and environmental stewardship.

This event is all about coming together as a neighborhood and making a positive impact on our local environment. We will be working together to clean up the park, removing litter and debris, and ensuring that our beloved park remains a clean and safe space for everyone to enjoy.

Registration link for our Community Cleanup event coming soon!

Jessy has served 10 years, both professionally and voluntarily, working with nonprofits. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Resource Management with an emphasis in Marine Sciences. In her freetime, she is a SCUBA instructor and enjoys freediving, snorkeling, surfing, skateboarding, rock climbing, camping and running around with her dog.

Here’s more from Jessy about why she’s a part of California Greenworks:

I am from a small town in a valley of southern California. Compared to the beach, the valley climate is cold at night and very hot during the day, with little breeze. I grew up going to the beach as often as I could, and partially the reason behind it was the temperature change. 

When it comes to environmental issues, the lack of understanding about the severity of the state of the planet is something that worries me. Globally, climate change is my biggest concern, as well as agricultural methods, commercial fishing and overall natural resource usage. 

I hope to build a stronger connection to the community and get our name out there more. I hope to bring attention to other environmental issues as well. I have 10 years, both professionally and voluntarily, working for nonprofits serving the community. I think I bring a new perspective to the team and am slowly building a network of other groups in the community to expand our reach!

I am inspired most by CGW being a resource for the community. I love that we are becoming a group to inform the public, put them in front of decision makers, and create a greener space for the city.