A Heartfelt Thank You: Celebrating Your Impact |
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Dear Acterra Community,
We are overwhelmed with gratitude and joy: Together, we raised $121,000 the last few weeks of 2025 —EXCEEDING our $100,000 matching goal! With our Board's match, that's $221,000 in total impact for Acterra's mission. This victory belongs to the 155 donors who gave gifts large and small, to those who shared our appeals with friends and family, to our Board members who stepped up with the matching challenge, and to everyone who believes that Acterra's mission is worth fighting for.
The challenges facing nonprofits and environmental organizations haven't disappeared, but your support has given us something invaluable: time, stability, and proof that this community stands behind our work. We'll use this foundation to build long-term sustainability while continuing to deliver the programs and advocacy that make a real difference for our environment. Thank you for being part of the Acterra family, especially during this critical moment.
With overflowing gratitude and renewed determination,
Lauren |
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P.S. We'll be sharing a more detailed impact report in the coming weeks, but we couldn't wait another moment to say THANK YOU. Your generosity is very much appreciated.
We’d like to take this opportunity to remind you about The Climate Action Circle, our monthly giving program. Every monthly gift - no matter the size - provides dependable support that helps us plan ahead and continue growing our climate education, advocacy, and community programs. Join by the end of this month to receive special 55th Anniversary Founding Member perks, in addition to the benefits included with your giving level.
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| Green@Home Sustainable Living Showcase: Tour the Bell Brown Home
Sunday, January 25, 3 PM, Palo Alto
Few spots left for this month tour
Acterra invites you to an intimate, monthly edition of our Green@Home Tour series - hosted at the Bell-Brown residence in Palo Alto! This free, community-powered gathering offers a unique opportunity to explore real-life sustainable living in action, up close and on a recurring basis.
Attendees can see features like an all-electric ADU (exterior only), induction cooking, heat pump heating and cooling, EV charging, and other energy- and water-saving upgrades. You’ll hear directly from the homeowners, ask questions, and gain practical insights on rebates, incentives, and next steps for making climate-friendly upgrades more accessible.
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EV Advisory Services Workshop
Monday, January 26, 12 PM - 1 PM
For anyone managing a company vehicle fleet and starting to think about EVs, there’s a free Zoom webinar coming up that walks through what fleet electrification looks like from a planning and eligibility standpoint.
The session is hosted by PG&E, in partnership with Acterra, and focuses on advisory support. It’s designed to help businesses:
- Understand the potential benefits and limitations of EV fleets
- Check baseline eligibility for PG&E’s EV Advisory Services
- Get a clearer picture of what next steps might look like.
Here is a PG&E's Fleet Electrification Guidebook to give you an idea of what to think about when considering fleet electrification. You can access the pdf through this link. |
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| Los Altos Induction Demo and Tasting
Saturday, February 21, 11 AM - 12 PM,
Los Altos Community Center
Come learn about the joys of induction cooking at this interactive, hands-on event! A culinary expert will demonstrate seasonal holiday recipes and share tastings with all attendees, offering a delicious way to experience induction cooking in action. Whether you’re brand new to induction or looking to sharpen your skills, you’ll gain firsthand insight into how this technology works and why so many people love it.
During the demonstration, you’ll learn about the key benefits of induction cooking -- its speed, safety, and energy efficiency -- while picking up practical tips and techniques directly from a professional chef.
This event is open to Los Altos residents only, and we hope you’ll join us for an informative and delicious experience. |
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Event Recap: Air Quality Teacher Training Workshop |
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“I never realized how much air pollution affects our own community until now!”
That was a common reflection from teachers who joined our Air Quality Teacher Training at Escuela Popular in East San Jose last month. About a dozen educators came together to explore local air pollution issues, get hands-on experience with tools like BackpAQ sensors and CalEnviroScreen data, and learn practical ways to bring climate change and air quality topics into their classrooms.
As they dug into the realities their students face - like diesel emissions in their neighborhoods and language barriers - they gained new insights and ideas for teaching. Many left both surprised and inspired, ready to translate their learning into lessons and activities that make air quality tangible for students.
If you’re a teacher and want to bring climate lessons into your classroom, Acterra’s Youth Be the Change program offers free, adaptable climate curricula focused on air quality, food systems, renewable energy & electric vehicles (EVs) available in English and Spanish. You can tailor it to fit your classroom’s needs and help students explore the air they breathe every day. Find the curriculum here.
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Thinking About Your First Electric Vehicle or Switching to Electric? We’ve Got You! |
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Buying your first electric vehicle can feel like a big step - but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re a teen getting your first car, a young adult commuting to work or college, or a family ready to make the switch, Acterra is here to help you go electric with confidence.
In partnership with Electrify America, Acterra and Ignited are bringing clear, accessible, and inspiring EV education to anyone considering their first car - or transitioning from gas to electric. Buying an electric vehicle involves a few key steps—but you don’t have to do it alone. Acterra’s GoEV team offers free one-on-one consultations to guide you through every stage below:
- Assess your needs: figure out daily driving habits, charging options, and what fits your lifestyle
- Explore EV models: compare range, features, and price points
- Understand incentives: learn about tax credits, rebates, and local perks
- Make the switch: find a dealer or consider used EV options
- Drive with confidence: get ongoing support after you go electric.
We’ll answer your questions, walk you through your options, and help you find the EV that fits your lifestyle - step by step. Schedule a consultation today! |
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Clean Heating Efficiently with Electric Technology (Clean HEET) Program
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We’re excited to share that the Clean Heating Efficiently with Electric Technology (Clean HEET) Grant Program has officially reopened as of January 13, 2026!
Bay Area homeowners can now apply for up to $10,500 to replace wood- or pellet-burning fireplaces, stoves, or inserts with clean, energy-efficient electric heat pumps. This program helps reduce harmful wood-smoke pollution while creating healthier, cleaner neighborhoods across the region.
Funding is limited, so submit your application early to avoid delays. The deadline to apply is 5:00 PM PDT on July 14, 2026.
The application process is simple. Visit baaqmd.gov/woodsmokegrant to learn more, sign up for program announcements, and see if you qualify. |
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Local Updates
In case you missed it, last month Palo Alto passed a “Dark Sky” ordinance which aims to prevent harmful light pollution at night after 11 P.M. Exceptions exist for special cases including building entrances, exits and parking areas and for motion-activated sensors that only turn lights on for short intervals. Nighttime light pollution from buildings negatively affects birds and other nocturnal wildlife, for example by disorienting them or forcing them to waste energy going in the wrong direction. A handful of other Bay Area jurisdictions already have Dark Sky ordinances, and Mountain View is in the process of developing its own ordinance.
Acterra is pleased to announce that we have formalized a new partnership with nonprofit Veggielution to design and implement an urban food forest at Veggielution’s Community Farm site in East San Jose. In summer 2025 Acterra suddenly had to halt plans for planting a community food forest at the Educare preschool in San Jose, and we are grateful to have partner Veggielution stepping in now to help make the food forest a reality. To get more involved, stay tuned for future updates or contact us at [email protected].
Looking to plug into decarbonization and air quality advocacy at the local, regional, or state level? The next Fossil-Free Buildings Silicon Valley (FFBSV) Policy meeting is on January 20. Email Wendy for details ([email protected]) . State Updates
The state legislature has reconvened for the new year. If you’re interested in keeping tabs on what your elected officials are up to in Sacramento, you can check out this new digital tool from CalMatters called “My Legislator.” The tool tracks new legislation, floor votes, key announcements and other updates coming out of legislators’ offices. In addition, our friends at Climate Action California host an annual refresher webinar (a two-part series, in fact) on state legislative advocacy which you can find here.
New legislation we’re watching: State Senator Wiener is introducing Senate Bill 868, the “Plug Into the Sun Act,” which aims to improve access to so-called “balcony solar” by cutting red tape and increasing safety standards. Typical rooftop solar excludes non-homeowners whereas balcony solar could be more widely used by renters with access to a deck or balcony to help generate electricity and cut utility costs. Read more.
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Endorsed Events MLK Day of Service Planting with Our City Forest at Rainbow Park
Jan 19 from 8:45 AM to 12 PM, Rainbow Park, San Jose
Join Our City Forest for a hands-on morning of greening the community! Volunteers will help plant new trees that will provide shade, cleaner air, and beauty for years to come. You’ll learn proper tree-planting techniques and work alongside their team. Register here.
Free Climate Action Workshops by Resilient Neighborhoods
Thursday Team Dates: Jan 8, Jan 22, Feb 5, Feb 19, Mar 5
Wednesday Team Dates: Jan 14, Jan 28, Feb 11, Feb 25, Mar 11
In this free workshop of 5 online classes, you will learn how to: create a sustainable household, adopt eco-friendly practices, build a stronger community, and prepare for climate-related emergencies. Whether you've done a little or a lot already, there are over 100 actions to choose from to fit any lifestyle. This program is ideal for anyone who is concerned about climate change and wants to join with other community members to create a better future. Register here.
New Year, New Ride by Ride and Drive Clean
January 20, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join EV and Ebike experts to learn how you can make the switch from a gasoline-powered car to an EV or Ebike in the new year. This webinar gives special attention to EVs coming in 2026. Register here.
The Buzz on Multifamily Electrification
Jan 21 from 7:00PM to 8:30PM, Online Webinar
Join our Sustainability Speaker Series event with speaker, Nick Dirr, as he discusses how to make apartment buildings all-electric. Register here.
All About E-Bikes: A Community Forum Hosted by Asm. Diane Papan
Saturday, January 31, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Mills High School Theater, Millbrae
Have questions about E-Bike safety and want to better understand how the State Legislature plays a role in E-Bike regulation? Join an upcoming E-Bike Community Forum for a policy discussion on E-Bikes. Hear from Local Stakeholders on E-Bike use, safety, and regulation. Register here.
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