The Emerald Cities Program grew out of the Department of Conservation’s Comprehensive Recycling Community (CRC) program. CRC focuses state resources on local communities to increase beverage container recycling. Building upon these efforts, the Emerald Cities Program expands the focus to other environmental priorities including water conservation, energy efficiency, improved air quality, protection of agricultural and open-space lands, solid waste reduction, motor vehicle and fuel use reduction, smart growth, sustainable land- use development principles, and economic development.
The Emerald Cities Program partners with other California state agencies to provide a one-stop shop for local communities for information on how to make their community more sustainable. Communties currently participating are Riverside and Tracy. Services provided by the Emerald Cities Program are:
• Assistance completing a sustainability action plan.
• Assistance in reaching state environmental targets.
• Where to go for funding of sustainable projects.
For more information on how this program can help make your community more sustainable, please contact
DOCSustainability@conservation.ca.gov. Or call (916) 322-3439.
City of Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge, left, and DOC Director Bridgett Luther show off Riverside's new "Emerald City" street sign. The sign was unveiled at a city council meeting, which also featured the presentation of an updated action plan for making Riverside a more sustainable community.
Emerald Cities Program Partner Agencies:
Air Resources Board
http://www.coolcalifornia.org
Office of Planning & Research
http://www.opr.ca.gov/
California Energy Commission
http://www.energy.ca.gov/
California Department of Water Resources
http://www.water.ca.gov
California Department of Parks and Recreation
http://www.parks.ca.gov/
California Department of Transportation
http://www.dot.ca.gov/
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
http://www.fire.ca.gov
California Department of Public Health
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/default.aspx
California Housing and Community Development
http://www.hcd.ca.gov/
Department of Toxic Substances Control
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/
Department of General Services
http://www.dgs.ca.gov/default.htm
State Water Resources Control Board
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/