www.GreenCoalition-SJV.org

The Green Coalition of the San Jacinto Valley (Green Coalition) is a California non-profit grass roots citizen group based in the San Jacinto Valley, California. Established in August 2008, the organization’s mission is to create a sustainable community for the San Jacinto Valley. A sustainable community is a community of residents and neighbors, who work together to balance ecological, economic, and social needs to ensure a clean, healthy and safe environment for all members of society and for generations to come. To this end, Green Coalition will:    

1. Assist San Jacinto Valley Residents in understanding and learning how to conserve natural resources and promote a clean, green and safe community that can preserve the quality of life of current and future generations of San Jacinto Valley residents.
2. Work with local governments to adopt sustainable development in all projects that will lead to strengthening the local economy; improve and protect the quality of the environment; and enhance the well-being of all of the people in the community.

These objectives help Green Coalition set an action plan that will frame the organization’s direction in the coming years. The goal of this action plan is to cultivate a culture of sustainability in the minds and values of San Jacinto Valley residents. The action plan includes:

• Community Education
• Citizen Participation
• Advocacy for Green Development

1. Community Education - Education can play a key role. When citizens understand and appreciate the benefits of a sustainable environment, the faster the community can direct its growth towards its sustainable goals. Green Coalition will hold local workshops, hold green fairs, sponsor bike rides. The purpose of these activities is to educate business owners, homeowners, building managers, students, and consumers about the benefits of resource conservation, and help consumers make wise energy choices. Sample workshops and activities will include:

How to develop a Green Technology Business	Ecological Urban gardening
Build or buy an electric vehicle	Green workforce development
How to design a California Native garden	Intro to Grid Tied PhotoVoltaic
Green Business Development	Managing climate change: municipalities
Solar power options for homes & Businesses	Bike lane development
Solar Water heating for the home	Repair, recycle & Renovate Green Fair
Introduction to home green renovation	Green science student fair
Green Building design and energy efficiency	Community E-Waste Collection
Design and construct a greywater systems	Nanotechnology
Career Workshops
Advocacy of sustainability curriculum (k-12)	Environmental Filmfest

 



Capt. Lo-Watt, member of the Green Coalition of the San Jacinto Valley reaching out to next generation of residents

   

2. Citizen Involvement - Citizen Participation is an important element in a successful community sustainability action plan. Green Coalition will involve citizens in the development and implementation of programs that will benefit both them as individuals and the community as a whole. Green Coalition will encourage and assist the cities of Hemet and San Jacinto in developing and adopting a sustainable plan. The plan would include goals and strategies for the City governments and all sectors of the community, to conserve and enhance our local resources, safeguard human health and the environment, maintain a healthy and diverse economy, and improve the livability and quality of life for all community members of the San Jacinto Valley. Sample programs include: 

• Abandoned shopping cart program – Facilitating partnerships between residents, cities and shopping cart owners, to develop a viable and fair program that will help the reduction of abandoned shopping carts in neighborhoods. Abandoned shopping carts are an environmental irritant that devalues neighborhoods and invites crime. They are also a financial drain on the grocery industry.

• Electronic (e-) waste collection progra - According to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), most e-waste contains hazardous substances and. E-waste like televisions, monitors or computers leave an ugly site in Hemet and San Jacinto neighborhoods. To reduce arbitrary disposal of e-waste, Green Coalition will sponsor e-waste pick up events at least twice a year for both cities.




• Recycling identification program/Green Directory -Developing printed or electronic files to help citizens identify locations of recycling centers (used oil, electronics, wood etc). Green Coalition will also develop a green directory of various resources and products that can help provide options to San Jacinto Valley consumers, who want to make the right decisions.

3. Advocacy for Green Development – Green planning development provides a framework under which communities can use resources efficiently, create energy efficient homes and buildings, promote healthy air environment, avoid congestion, protect and enhance quality of life, and create new jobs and businesses. Green Coalition will actively endorse green elements in Hemet’s and San Jacinto’s comprehensive general plan and development ordinances, by working with city councils, planning commission, school boards. These includes:

   1.  Inclusion of green building elements in all residential/commercial/industrial design guidelines

   2. Facilitating Economic Development opportunities by working with local cities to design incentives to attract green business. This will include promoting a green business incubation

   3. Facilitate Green economy workforce development

   4. Inclusion of more safe bike lanes and walk able sidewalks

   5. Conversion of local parks to community garden or water conservation demonstration gardens