Last updated on February 25, 2025
Originally published on December 20, 2024
Our Resilient Roots fellows are knee-deep in their skill-building and leadership development curriculum to grow their climate leadership skills in Solano County. The Greenbelt Alliance and Sustainable Solano Coordinator Team are leading our fellows through dynamic monthly sessions to hone local expertise to the region’s interconnected climate challenges, and equipping them with the tools to drive meaningful change in their communities.
Suisun City–one of Greenbelt Alliance’s Resilience Hotspots–and Fairfield face intersecting climate challenges that will affect predominantly low-income communities. Our initial Hotspots research inspired Greenbelt Alliance to partner with Sustainable Solano to launch a new climate fellowship program that will help create local climate champions and prepare communities and ecosystems for a changing climate.
Throughout the 10-month program, fellows will design a capstone project that addresses a specific climate challenge in their community or around the San Francisco Estuary, by incorporating the knowledge and skills acquired during the fellowship. Resilient Roots fellows are using their new skills and resources on environmental justice, local climate issues, planning and policy development, and effective communication strategies to create the change they wish to see in their own backyards.
This blog provides a snapshot of our Resilient Roots Climate Leaders network curriculum, with highlights from the Coordinator Team who are designing and leading the program.
About the Resilient Roots Sessions
Session 1: What’s Your Frontline?
Fellows learned the importance of diverse roles in climate advocacy and how everyone can contribute in unique ways. Playing various roles in climate advocacy work (e.g., Policy Advocate, Community Organizer, Researcher, Educator, Media Specialist, etc.), fellows had the opportunity to explore the collaborative relationships needed to drive climate change resilience with specific prompts. One prompt, for example, asked fellows to develop a campaign that focuses on building resilience in vulnerable communities to climate impacts in Solano County, such as flooding and heat waves. Our activity asked: What strategies can your group use to educate and mobilize residents, and how can different roles support this initiative?
Photos from the first Resilient Roots session. Photos courtesy of Greenbelt Alliance and Sustainable Solano.
Session 2: Intro to Environmental and Climate Justice
In this session, Phoenix Armenta, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission’s (BCDC) Senior Manager for Climate Equity and Community Engagement, gave an overview of environmental justice (EJ) principles. Their case study of redlining and toxicity in West Oakland provided fellows with an understanding of climate-vulnerable communities, and was followed by an activity to understand EJ through various data tools to identify disparities.
Fellows participated in an engaging discussion with Liat Meitzenheimer who shared about Fresh Air Vallejo’s hard fought environmental justice win that took local organizing, political strategy, and continuous pressure to ultimately stop a harmful development.
Photos from the second Resilient Roots session. Photos by Essex Cook.
Session 3: Storytelling, Data Tools, and How To Communicate Effectively
Our fellows came together for an inspiring workshop led by urban planner Lakeisha Wright, learning how to transform our experiences into powerful stories and advocacy campaigns that are key for making change.
Through interactive exercises and meaningful discussions, we explored ways to share the fellow’s stories and turn data into compelling narratives that resonate with hearts and minds. Fellows leveraged storytelling tools to explore how lived experience can be a powerful tool for organizing, advocating, and making sure your perspective is heard.
Photos from the third Resilient Roots session. Photos courtesy of Greenbelt Alliance and Sustainable Solano.
Session 4: Parks and Green Spaces
Our fourth Resilient Roots session provided fellows with an understanding of tree equity, the importance of greenspaces, and linkages between urban greenspace and climate resilience. Our first guest speaker, Di Holokahi from the Solano Land Trust spoke to her work in increasing outdoor access among the youth and addressing barriers to recreational opportunities.
Next, Solano County Supervisor Wanda Williams discussed the critical role of local government in advocating for equitable access to parks and green spaces, emphasizing how these areas support environmental justice, community health, and climate resilience. To put this knowledge into practice, fellows engaged in an interactive ‘Dream Your Park’ activity to explore the ins and outs of recreation resources and park needs in their own communities.
Photos from the fourth Resilient Roots session. Photos courtesy of Greenbelt Alliance and Sustainable Solano.
Session 5: Food Systems, Farming, and Climate Justice
On a sunny Saturday in January, our fifth Resilient Roots session brought fellows to Soul Food Farm in Vacaville! Alexis Koefoed, the owner of Soul Food Farm, led fellows on a tour of the sustainable farm and a discussion of regenerative agriculture. Over lunch, we were joined by members of the Solano Local Food System Alliance to discuss our local food system and share triumphs and challenges of farming in Solano. As part of this discussion the group talked about how climate change is impacting farming operations and what shifts may still be ahead.
Photos from the fifth Resilient Roots session. Photos by Brianna Casanares
Session 6: Sea Level Rise and Adaptation
Our sixth Resilient Roots session welcomed San Francisco Estuary Institute’s Senior Scientist, Ellen Plane, to share about how the Bay has changed over time and how sea level rise will likely impact Fairfield and Suisun. Ellen introduced fellows to different types of adaptation options and ways for working with natural systems to build resilience. To put that content into practice, Janette Kim, Professor at California College of the Arts, then facilitated her original interactive board game, “It in Together,” where fellows took on roles and worked competitively and collaboratively to meet their individual and collective goals while adapting to changing sea level conditions.
As we debriefed the session, we discussed goals and priorities that are key for equitable adaptation—feedback that will be integrated into the Solano Bayshore Adaptation Planning Project as it gets underway in identifying adaptation projects for the County’s bayshore communities, including Suisun and Fairfield.
Photos from the sixth Resilient Roots session. Photos courtesy of Greenbelt Alliance
7th Session: Air Quality and Public Health
In this session, Greenbelt Alliance and Sustainable Solano brought community members together for an evening centered on air quality and public health.
The event began with a casual dinner, allowing participants to connect over food and conversation. After a brief introduction, Nicholas (Nick) Spada from UC Davis’ Air Quality Research Center delivered an uplifting 40-minute presentation. Nick expertly covered the basics of air quality and pollution, sparking thoughtful dialogue and inspiring participants with his clear, accessible insights. His passion for sustainability shone through, empowering the community to embrace proactive solutions for a healthier environment.
Following his talk, attendees engaged in a hands-on air filter activity, collaboratively creating corsi-rosenthal air purifiers. By following a detailed guide and video, groups discovered how DIY air filters can play a practical role in improving indoor air quality—especially critical during wildfire season.
Ashley Feigel from the Solano County Department of Public Health then discussed the serious public health impacts of poor air quality, stressing the disproportionate effects on vulnerable communities. Her talk shed light on how vulnerable communities in Solano County are disproportionately affected and emphasized the need for preventative measures.
Looking Forward: Climate Leaders Summit
Join Greenbelt Alliance and Sustainable Solano for a Climate Leaders Summit, an inspiring day of keynote speakers, activities and art, food, and expert panels celebrating climate resilience in Solano County!
Our Resilient Roots fellows are knee-deep in their skill-building and leadership development curriculum to grow their climate leadership skills in Solano County. The Greenbelt Alliance and Sustainable Solano team is leading our fellows through monthly sessions to prepare fellows for tackling the region’s interconnected climate challenges.
Our Climate Leaders Summit will include an opportunity for our Resilient Roots fellows to share their visions for building resilience through local action in Solano County. We’re thrilled for our Resilient Roots fellows to showcase their final projects at this special community event that is open to all!
This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement (98T89401) to (Greenbelt Alliance/People for Open Space). The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the EPA endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned in this document.
Banner photo of Resilient Roots fellows by Essex Cook.
