COMMUNITY RESOURCES
 
The more you know, the more you can do to help. The following resources include links to Marin, California, national and global groups, agencies and organizations dedicated to issues of climate change and environmental protection.

MARIN COUNTY

SUSTAINABILITY

Marin County Sustainability Team: The Marin County Sustainability Team is housed in the Community Development Agency's Planning Department. Its goal is to work with others to develop policies and programs that will help make the County of Marin "healthy, vibrant and sustainable for many generations into the future." www.marinsustainability.org

San Anselmo Quality of Life Commission: The San Anselmo Quality of Life Commission is charged with promoting sustainability in San Anselmo and securing a high quality of life by simultaneously meeting environmental, economic and community needs. www.townofsananselmo.org

Sustainable Fairfax: Sustainable Fairfax supports the philosophy that we must attend to the needs of the present "without sacrificing the ability of future generations and the natural world to provide for their own needs." www.sustainablefairfax.org

Sustainable Marin: Sustainable Marin is a non-profit group formed to advance sustainable principles in the County of Marin with the goal to "transform the region in the areas of environment, economics, and society into a sustainable community by the year 2040 and beyond." www.sustainablemarin.org

Sustainable Mill Valley: Sustainable Mill Valley was created to foster sustainable decision-making throughout Mill Valley, with a focus on promoting the adoption and implementation of public policies that reflect sustainability principles. www.sustainablemillvalley.org

Sustainable Novato: Sustainable Novato's mission is to bring about a "healthy and vital environment, self-reliant economy, and inclusive community for the long term." www.sustainablenovato.org

Sustainable San Rafael: Sustainable San Rafael is a grassroots organization focused on advocating for sustainability and green policies in San Rafael. Activities include public education and networking with other local and regional green activist groups. www.sustainablesanrafael.org


ADVOCACY/EDUCATION

EcoMom Alliance: The EcoMom Alliance was formed to leverage the power of mothers to help reduce global warming. www.ecomomalliance.org

Green Sangha: Green Sangha is a spiritual community committed to environmental action. www.greensangha.org

Mainstreet Moms: Mainstreet Moms is a committed to securing a more viable future for children. themmob.org

The Center for Regenerative Design: The Center for Regenerative Design(CRD) is focused on educating local community members and collaborating with higher education institutions, local organizations and businesses to develop programs that support a sustainable future. www.greenmarin.net


RECYCLING

County of Marin Hazardous and Solid Waste: Offers tips on how to help reduce and recycle solid waste and properly dispose of hazardous materials. www.marinrecycles.org

Marin Sanitary Service: Information on the Marin Recycling Center. www.marinsanitary.com/mrc.html

Mill Valley Refuse Recycling Service: Information on what can and can't be recycled. www.millvalleyrefuse.com

Novato Disposal Service: Recycling information. www.unicycler.com/novato_recycling.shtml

Sausalito: Recycling details for the city of Sausalito.


GREEN BUILDING, ENERGY, CONSERVATION


County of Marin: Information on green building, energy conservation, county sustainability programs and other green programs and resources is available at the Sustainability Team web site.

Also visit TerraMarin's Green Businesses section to find Marin businesses that have been certified by the County of Marin for creating sustainable workplaces. Many of these businesses also offer green products and services.

To become an official green business, visit the County of Marin's Green Business Program.

Build It Green: Build It Green is a professional non-profit membership organization located in Berkeley. Its green building guidelines are used to gauge compliance with green building codes in effect in Marin cities including Novato, Mill Valley and San Rafael. www.builditgreen.org

Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD): Serving central and southern Marin. Water conservation tips and rebates for water-efficient toilets and landscaping. www.marinwater.org

North Marin Water District (NMWD): Serving Novato and West Marin. Water conservation tips and rebates for water-efficient toilets and landscaping. www.nmwd.com/watercons.html

The United States Green Building Council: Learn more about LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) ratings, used to gauge compliance with green building codes in effect in Marin cities including Novato, Mill Valley and San Rafael. www.usgbc.org


ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS

Audubon Canyon Ranch: Audubon Canyon Ranch preserves, protects and manages Bolinas Lagoon Preserve and the Cypress Grove Research Center in Marin and the Bouverie Preserve in Glen Ellen, Sonoma County, as sanctuaries for native plants and animals. It offers educational programs and volunteer opportunities. www.egret.org

The Bay Institute: The Bay Institute uses a combination of scientific research, political advocacy and public education to work toward the environmental restoration of the entire watershed draining into San Francisco Bay. www.bay.org

California Native Plant Society, Marin Chapter: CNPS works to preserve the native flora by monitoring rare plants, acting to save endangered areas through publicity and, on occasion, legal action. CNPS also offers educational activities and nature hikes. www.marin.cc.ca.us/cnps

Environmental Action Committee of West Marin: The Environmental Action Committee of West Marin was founded in 1971 to protect West Marin�s natural environment and rural character. EAC works for clean air, pure waters, healthy ecosystems, a diverse and thriving native flora and fauna, and the preservation of a rural, community spirit. www.eacmarin.org

Environmental Education Council of Marin: The Environmental Education Council of Marin (EECOM) works collaboratively to create a community that is knowledgeable about the environment and human health and well-being. www.eecom.net

Environmental Forum of Marin: The Environmental Forum of Marin is an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the quality of the environment through education. Established in 1972, EFM sponsors in-depth training programs on the environment and sustainability. www.marinefm.org

Headlands Institute: Headlands Institute is a private nonprofit organization that offers environmental education opportunities and conference facilities in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area near San Francisco. It offers field-based science programs to inspire a personal connection to the natural world and responsible actions to sustain it. www.yni.org/hi

Marin Agricultural Land Trust: Marin Agricultural Land Trust is a member-supported, nonprofit organization created in 1980 by a coalition of ranchers and environmentalists to permanently preserve Marin County farmland. Some of the Bay Area's most highly acclaimed dairy products and organic crops are produced on farmland protected by MALT conservation easements, which total nearly 40,000 acres on 61 family farms and ranches. www.malt.org

Marin Audubon Society: The mission of the Marin Audubon Society is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the Earth's biological diversity. www.marinaudubon.org

Marin Conservation League: Founded in 1934 to preserve, protect and enhance the natural assets of Marin County for all people, the Marin Conservation League is the county's oldest, locally based environmental organization. marinconservationleague.org


FOOD & AGRICULTURE

Marin County Cooperative Extension, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources: Web site provides information on Marin organic farming and agriculture, Master Gardener program, nutrition, Sudden Oak Death and the 4-H Program. cemarin.ucdavis.edu

Marin Farmers Markets: Fairfax, Novato & Civic Center www.marincountyfarmersmarkets.org

Downtown San Rafael Farmers' Market www.sanrafaelmarket.org

Pt. Reyes Farmers' Market www.marinorganic.com/p_reyes.html

Corte Madera Farmers' Market www.shoptowncenter.com

Sausalito Farmers' Market www.cafarmersmarkets.com

Marin Organic: Developed by an association of farmers, ranchers, agriculture advisors and marketing experts, Marin Organic is dedicated to improving farming practices, promoting sustainable agriculture, and encouraging a preference for locally produced food. www.marinorganic.org


Slide Ranch: A non-profit agricultural and environmental education center, Slide Ranch inspires visitors to discover the connections between the food we eat and the earth that nourishes plants and animals. slideranch.org

Slow Food Marin-Petaluma: Slow Food U.S.A. is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to supporting and celebrating the food traditions of North America. www.slowfood-marin.com

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources' Organic & Sustainable Agriculture: program serves the Marin County agricultural community by producing educational workshops, organizing working producer groups, publishing the "Grown in Marin" newsletter, and offering consultation and assistance with farm diversification, organic transition, organic certification, and farm planning. cemarin.ucdavis.edu/Custom_Program600


PARKS & OPEN SPACE

Angel Island Association: The Angel Island Association (AIA) supports preservation, restoration, and interpretation at Angel Island State Park, including its historic sites and natural resources. www.angelisland.org

Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) www.nps.gov/goga

Marin County Open Space District: The Marin County Open Space District acquires and manages areas of natural landscape. www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/PK/main/index.cfm

Mount Tamalpais Interpretive Association: The Mount Tamalpais Interpretive Association is a volunteer organization that promotes the conservation, education and interpretation of California State Parks, primarily at Mount Tamalpais State Park. www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=22157

Muir Woods National Monument www.visitmuirwoods.com

Point Reyes Bird Observatory: The Point Reyes Bird Observatory works to conserve birds and the environment. www.prbo.org/cms/index.php

Point Reyes National Seashore www.nps.gov/pore/index.htm

San Francisco Bay Model: Built and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the San Francisco Bay Model helps protect the San Francisco Bay environment by developing programs for students, teachers and the public which encourage awareness and stewardship of the Bay and the watersheds connected to it. The Bay Model is a 1.5 acre scale replica of San Francisco Bay from the Golden Gate to the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. www.spn.usace.army.mil/bmvc

Sierra Club Marin Group: The Sierra Club Marin Group consists of the approximately 7,000 club members who live in Marin County. All club members who live here are also automatically members of the group. sanfranciscobay.sierraclub.org/Marin

Tamalpais Conservation Club: The Tamalpais Conservation Club's primary purpose is to protect the natural features of the mountain, and its slopes and spurs. www.tamalpais.org

BAY AREA/CALIFORNIA

Californians Against Waste: Resource for waste management/recycling information, tips and news on industry and government actions. www.cawrecycles.org

Sustainable Building Tool Kit available from the California Integrated Waste Management Board

NATIONAL/GLOBAL

RESOURCES

Energy Star: Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy that promotes the use of energy-efficient products, including lighting, appliances and home electronics. Web site provides a guide to products with the Energy Star-rated label. www.energystar.gov

EPA: Global Warming - Resource Center: Lists links to interactive calculators that help estimate the greenhouse gas emissions of human activities. yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/ResourceCenterToolsCalculators.html

ADVOCACY & EDUCATION

Al Gore: Official Al Gore web site. www.algore.com

The Alliance for Climate Protection www.allianceforclimateprotection.org

The Climate Group www.theclimategroup.org

Environmental Health News www.EnvironmentalHealthNews.org is published daily by Environmental Health Sciences, a not-for-profit organization founded in 2002 to help increase public understanding of emerging scientific links between environmental exposures and human health. www.environmentalhealthnews.org

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): The IPCC, which shared the Nobel Peace Prize with former Vice President Al Gore, was established to provide the decision-makers and others interested in climate change with an objective source of information about climate change. www.ipcc.ch

TreeHugger: TreeHugger is the a media outlet dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream. www.treehugger.com

World Resources Institute: The World Resources Institute (WRI) is an environmental think tank seeking practical ways to protect the Earth and improve people's lives. www.wri.org