Uniting Voices for Environmental Change

Valley Women’s Club Environmental Committee members enthusiastically participated alongside over a dozen other organizations at the “What Can You Do About Climate Change?” event on September 6th at the London Nelson Community Center in downtown Santa Cruz. This highly attended gathering was co-sponsored by dedicated volunteer groups Environteers and the Santa Cruz Climate Action Network. With a specific focus on addressing local climate issues and concerns, the event successfully united environmental and community organizations from Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay Area, providing a platform for robust discussions on climate change, advocacy, and actionable solutions in a public forum.

After a meal from Tortilla Flats and brief introductions from each group, attendees had a chance to connect with organizations, including the Valley Women’s Club (VWC), the Sierra Club, Environteers, Santa Cruz Climate Action Network (SCCAN), Save Our Shores, Ecology Action, Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), Friends of the Rail and Trail (FORT), Seymour Marine Discovery Center, the City of Santa Cruz, Campaign for Sustainable Transportation (CFST), the Homeless Garden Project, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Watsonville Wetlands Watch, Eat for the Earth, University of Santa Cruz, The Climate Alliance (TCA), Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, and more. 

Various groups presented their work, including forest, river, and watershed issues, regional wetlands conservation, environmental lobbying, personal rapid transit (PRT) and safer streets, marine biology, coastal cleanup and preservation, and sustainable agriculture and food. VWC PG&E Subcommittee members discussed the VWC’s work advocating for a PG&E franchise agreement renegotiation to provide better protections for county residents, the September 2023 SLV River & Road Clean Up, and other environmental efforts. Community members, activists, and educators met, learned about each others’ new and continuing work, and signed up for future volunteer opportunities and events.

Get Involved with VWC: Join Us in Environmental Action

Networking with other environmental organizations and meeting new activists at events like this is a valuable part of the VWC’s work. You are welcome to join the VWC for volunteer opportunities and to participate in our local activities. The Environmental Committee meets on the first Saturday of each month, from 10:30 to 12, at the Highlands Park Community Center and on Zoom. Come to an Environmental Committee meeting, see what we’re doing, and bring your concerns, thoughts, and ideas. What would you like to work on? Contact EC Chair Nancy Macy through this form to begin receiving committee updates and get involved when you can.