Biomass & Beyond: Growing a Resilient Regional Bioeconomy (November 5th, 2025)
Join Valley Vision, Placer County Water Agency, and Placer County Air Pollution Control District on Wednesday November 5th, 2025 from 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM at the California Endowment for the second interactive workshop to help create a resilient bioeconomy. Attendees will hear from state and local experts, learn about regional projects, and become informed about policies and programs that can advance biomass solutions for our forests and agricultural lands.
Why should California and the Capital Region invest in Biomass Utilization?
In 2023, biomass diverted over 7 million tons of waste from landfills, and provided approximately 5% of California’s in-state energy supply. With an estimated 47 million bone- dry tons of biomass resource potential statewide, California is poised to lead in bio-based innovation through forest restoration, waste diversion, and bioindustrial development.
Biomass utilization has untapped potential to help reduce catastrophic wildfire risk, manage agricultural and forest waste for rural and urban economic growth, protect and improve public health and natural resources in all of our communities.
For event and planning purposes, please register through the Eventbrite link. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Saechou at kathy.saechou@valleyvision.org.
This event is in partnership with the Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative, We Prosper Together, Cleaner Air Partnership, Valley Vision, Placer County Water Agency and Placer County Air Pollution Control District.
Reconnecting NorCal Summit – June 27, 2025
On June 27th, Valley Vision and UC Davis co-hosted a Northern California convening of community advocates engaged in transportation and equity projects at the UC Davis Conference Center. At the Reconnecting NorCal Summit, participants addressed the past and recurring impacts of adverse and inequitable transportation and land use planning, and how those planning practices are continuing to impact disinvested communities and communities of color. At the convening, participants had the opportunity to assist UC Davis and their UC research partners in their work to evaluate specifically how projects and practices are addressing the harms caused by inequitable transportation and land use planning, and informed UC researchers of best practices and policy recommendations for redressing these harms with a restorative Justice lens.
The final presentation slide is included below:
Many thanks to the community advocates who joined us in these discussions! Additionally, thank you to Professor Jesus Barajas PhD of UC Davis for collaborating with us to ensure diverse communities and diverse voices were represented and elevated at the convening!
UC Project Purpose: The Restorative and Racial Justice in Reconnecting Communities project seeks to use a restorative justice lens to evaluate specifically how projects and practices are addressing the harms caused by inequitable land use and transportation planning. The Northern California convening is a part of this project, and brought together community advocates to help meet the project goal.
The UC project and research efforts will wrap-up at the end of this year in December 2025, and a report of research findings will be published and available for public access and review early next year in 2026. *Please check back early next year for a link to the report. Thank you!
Cleaner Air Partnership Luncheon – July 24th, 2025
Join Cleaner Air Partnership (CAP) and Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) on Thursday, July 24th from 12:00 to 1:30 PM at Robertson Community Center to learn how we can shape regional transportation priorities through community-informed planning. Register today!
Attendees will learn from SACOG staff how communities with high transportation and equity needs across the 6-county region helped to co-create a community-centered model for infrastructure project development, paving the way for how transportation projects are prioritized for state and federal investments.
CAP events are opportunities to learn about important air quality topics affecting the 6-county Sacramento region. Thank you to the generous contributors to the Cleaner Air Partnership: Sac Metro Air District, Teichert, SMUD, Sutter Health, CEMEX, Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, PG&E, and the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District.
All CAP events are free to attend; registration is required for food and space planning purposes. If you have any questions, please email Kathy Saechou at kathy.saechou@valleyvision.org.
High Voltage Electrical Careers at a Glance
Strong Workforce Program
Cross-Sector Advisory: Energy, Construction, Utilities, and Advanced Manufacturing
High Voltage Electrical Careers Proceedings Report
Strong Workforce Program
Cross-Sector Advisory: Energy, Construction, Utilities, and Advanced Manufacturing
CRC Quarterly Workshop – Emergency Preparedness and Climate Action Planning
Join the Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative for an in-person workshop on emergency preparedness and climate action planning in the Capital Region on June 24 from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM at the Mack Powell Event Center, 2003 Howe Ave, Sacramento, CA 95825.
This workshop is CRC’s second quarterly workshop and will explore why integrating climate and emergency planning is critical for community safety and resilience. Speakers will share best practices on collaborative approaches and highlight innovative examples, including how evacuation planning is incorporated into new developments in high-risk areas and how transportation agencies are preparing.
Residents Guide Air Pollution Monitoring in South Sacramento – Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative
About the Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative (SMMI)
The Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative, led by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Aclima, is an effort to monitor air quality in 64 Consistently Nominated AB 617 Communities using sensor-equipped vehicles, called Aclima Platforms.
Community concerns and feedback will help guide where air quality monitoring occurs and will help shape the Community Air Monitoring Plan (CAMP), putting communities in a better position to develop strategies for emissions reduction.
With the help of community members and community organizations, Aclima will draft Community Air Monitoring Plans (CAMP) for each of the communities: Florin, Meadowview, and Oak Park/Fruitridge.
On April 16, 2025, Valley Vision hosted the first of two air quality community feedback meetings, part of the Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative (SMMI) funded by California Climate Investments. Held at the Pannell Meadowview Community Center, the event brought together community members living and working in Florin, Meadowview, and Oak Park/Fruitridge, to share air quality concerns and help shape the Community Air Monitoring Plans. Thank you to all who participated!
The meeting presentation is available below in three languages, and key activities included:
- Project Overview and Welcome remarks from Councilmember Mai Vang
- Mapping activity to identify air quality concerns in Florin, Meadowview, and Oak Park/Fruitridge
- Majority vote decision by attendees to define the monitoring boundaries for all three communities
- Next steps on how to stay involved in the project
Valley Vision hosted a second air quality community feedback meeting for the Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative (SMMI) on May 1, 2025 at the Oak Park Community Center. This event brought together community members living and working in Florin, Meadowview, and Oak Park/Fruitridge, to review and make changes to the Draft Community Air Monitoring Plan (CAMP) and help decide on neighborhood boundaries and where to monitor pollution levels for Florin, Meadowview, and Oak Park/Fruitridge. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
The meeting presentation is available below in three languages, and key activities included:
- Project Overview and Welcome remarks from the Oak Park Neighborhood Association
- Recap Meeting #1 and Review the Draft Community Air Monitoring Plan
- Majority vote decision by attendees to decide on monitoring boundaries and targeted monitoring locations for all three communities
- Next steps on how to stay involved in the project
Meeting #3 will be hosted online by Aclima and CARB staff in May 2026. They will share the project results, answer questions, have community member share their experiences engaging with the project, and discuss possible next steps.
Community members can stay up to date with the project by visiting Aclima’s website at aclima.earth/ca-smmi
Project Timeline
For questions, contact Kathy Saechou at Valley Vision (kathy.saechou@valleyvision.org).
Residents Guide Air Pollution Monitoring in South Natomas – Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative
About the Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative (SMMI)
The Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative, led by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Aclima, is an effort to monitor air quality in 64 Consistently Nominated AB 617 Communities using sensor-equipped vehicles, called Aclima Platforms.
Community concerns and feedback will help guide where air quality monitoring occurs and will help shape the Community Air Monitoring Plan (CAMP), putting communities in a better position to develop strategies for emissions reduction.
With the help of community members and community organizations, Aclima will draft a Community Air Monitoring Plan (CAMP) for South Natomas.
On April 14, 2025, Valley Vision and Gardenland-Northgate Neighborhood Association (GNNA) hosted the first of two air quality community feedback meetings, part of the Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative (SMMI) funded by California Climate Investments. Thank you to GNNA for helping us coordinate a meaningful and engaging event! Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center to share air pollution concerns and help shape the Community Air Monitoring Plan for South Natomas!
The meeting presentation is available below and key activities included:
- Project overview and welcome remarks by GNNA
- Mapping activity to identify air pollution concerns in South Natomas
- Majority vote decision by the community to define the monitoring boundary
- Next steps on how to stay involved in the project
Valley Vision and Gardenland-Northgate Neighborhood Association (GNNA) hosted a second air quality community feedback meeting for the Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative (SMMI) on April 29, 2025 at the Stanford Settlement Center. This event brought together community members living and working in South Natomas to review and make changes to the Draft Community Air Monitoring Plan (CAMP) and help decide on neighborhood boundaries and where to monitor pollution levels in South Natomas. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
The meeting presentation is available below in three languages, and key activities included:
- Project Overview and Welcome remarks from GNNA
- Recap Meeting #1 and Review the Draft Community Air Monitoring Plan
- Majority vote decision by attendees to decide on monitoring boundaries and targeted monitoring locations for South Natomas
- Next steps on how to stay involved in the project
Meeting #3 will be hosted online by Aclima and CARB staff in May 2026. They will share the project results, answer questions, have community members share their experiences engaging with the project, and discuss possible next steps.
Community members can stay up to date with the project by visiting Aclima’s website at aclima.earth/ca-smmi
Project Timeline
For questions, contact Kathy Saechou at Valley Vision (kathy.saechou@valleyvision.org).
High Voltage Electrical Careers Event Materials
Strong Workforce Program
Cross-Sector Advisory: Energy, Construction, Utilities, and Advanced Manufacturing
Air Quality Community Meeting (South Natomas)
Does air pollution impact your quality of life? Help us monitor air quality in your neighborhood!! There will be free food, prizes and childcare reimbursement provided!
The California Air Resources Board, Aclima, and Valley Vision are teaming up to measure air pollution block-by-block in South Natomas. Join us on Monday April 14th, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center (450 W El Camino Ave, Sacramento, CA 95833) where you can:
- Share your experiences with air quality in South Natomas
- Help decide where to monitor pollution levels
Interpretation services will be made available in Spanish and Vietnamese upon request. Please email kathy.saechou@valleyvision.org if you require interpretation or if you need additional accommodations.
Air Quality Community Meeting (South Sacramento)
Does air pollution impact your quality of life? Help us monitor air quality in your neighborhood!! There will be free food, prizes and childcare reimbursement provided!
The California Air Resources Board, Aclima, and Valley Vision are teaming up to measure air pollution block-by-block in Florin, Meadowview, Oak Park, and Fruitridge. Join us on Wednesday April 16th, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Bonnie & Pannell Community Center (2450 Meadowview Road Sacramento, CA 95832) where you can:
- Share your experiences with air quality in Florin, Meadowview, Oak Park, and Fruitridge.
- Help decide where to monitor pollution levels
Interpretation services will be made available in Spanish and Vietnamese upon request. Please email kathy.saechou@valleyvision.org if you require interpretation or if you need additional accommodations.
Building Resilience in the Capital Region (March 2025)
Valley Vision’s two collaboratives, Cleaner Air Partnership and Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative, hosted a regional workshop at the California Endowment Center where speakers from Yuba Water Agency, Sutter Roseville Medical Center, and Coldwell Banker shared the economic, public health, and environmental impacts of wildfires. With over 80 participants from the public and private sector, this event was a perfect opportunity to discuss how the region can establish cross-sector wildfire resilience through innovative partnerships and collaboration.
Resources including the presentation slides are listed below:
- Yuba Water Agency: Watershed Resilience and Forest Health
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce The Preparedness Payoff: Sacramento
- Report: Wildfire smoke impacts respiratory health more than fine particles from other sources: observational evidence from Southern California
Many thanks to the presenters:
- JoAnna Lessard, PhD Yuba Water Agency
- Dr. Vanessa Walker, Sutter Roseville Medical Center
- Erin Stumpf, Coldwell Banker
This event was hosted in collaboration with the Cleaner Air Partnership and the Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative.