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In Case You Missed It: Young Eco-Heroes Take Action

Meet the 2025-2026 Youth Climate Advisory Board and learn what they recommend for making your life more sustainable in our recent Climate Action Blogs!

We Want Your Input:

Draft 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update

The City released the Draft 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update, a comprehensive document reflecting community needs and incorporating recent trends in cycling and design. The Draft Plan and public comment period is open through November 14, 2025 at www.paloalto.gov/bikepedplan.

Sustainably Spooky!

You don't need a magic wand to reduce waste - try these tricks to celebrate Halloween sustainably:

  • Get creative with what you already have at home - clothes, curtains, scraps, boxes - to make your own costume 🦸🏽‍♀️
  • Make your own scarecrow or wolfman from old clothes 🐺
  • Upcycle used cardboard, plastic bags, and packing materials like foam plastics (Styrofoam®) into decorations 👻
  • After Halloween, compost your old pumpkins, squashes, and other organic decorations 🎃


Treat yourself to more Halloween ideas on in our Halloween Community Guide, and sign up for the Zero Waste Minute for more zero waste tips and tricks!

Time for Happy Hour - Heat Pump Style!

When:

Thursday, October 23

4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.


Where:

Breezeway between the Mitchell Park Library, Community Center, and Ada's Cafe


See you there!

Connect with neighbors and experts in the breezeway at Mitchell Park Library/Community Center (3700 Middlefield Road). ​Join residents who are electrifying their homes to hear about their experience, ask questions and gain expert advice.​ Enjoy refreshments and pastries from Ada’s on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 4:30 p.m.


Enjoy good company, refreshments like lemonade, tea, pastries from Ada's, and electric expert conversations. Let's get together to help save the planet one home at a time! 

Refer a Neighbor and Get Rewarded

If you’ve installed a heat pump water heater through a City program, you can earn up to $600 for referring neighbors — plus, your neighbor gets $100 after their installation. This limited-time offer supports our citywide climate goals and helps more neighbors save energy, money, and together we are helping to save the planet. Sign up to refer neighbors through the official form. Visit Visit our website website to get started!

Refer A Neighbor For A Limited Time

Change with the Seasons

As the rainy season approaches, it's the perfect time to transform your yard with stunning, climate-friendly plants and gain up to $5,000 in water conservation and efficiency rebates. 


Why upgrade your landscape?

  • Save Water: Reduce water usage and lower your utility bill
  • Beautify Your Garden: Choose plants that thrive in our local climate
  • Enhance Efficiency: Optimize your irrigation system for peak performance

Visit our Ways to Save hub to learn more about these rebates and other ways to save on your utility bill and landscape projects.

Plus, be smart about your water use year-round with WaterSmart! See your hourly, daily, and weekly water use, and get seasonal tips and leak alerts with this free online tool.

Be Storm Ready & Learn About the City's Horizontal Levee

Climate change could increase the frequency of severe storms, which can lead to flooding. Gain resources to prepare for the upcoming rainy season at the Storm Preparedness Community Workshop on October 30. Sign up for emergency alerts to stay informed.

The Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot Project construction is underway, a nature-based approach providing protection against sea level rise and enhancing habitat in the San Francisco Bay. This project is the first of its kind to be built on the San Francisco Bay shoreline using effluent from the Regional Water Quality Control Plant to irrigate native plantings and informing future “living levee” designs all around the Bay Area. The Project broke ground in September, and construction continues through early 2026. Participate in upcoming volunteer opportunities to plant the levee in December! Follow the project here.

Upcoming Events

Heat Pump Happy Hour

Thursday, October 23 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Learn more


San Antonio Road Area Plan Community Workshop

Thursday, October 23 | 6 - 8 p.m. | Learn more


Alma Street / Charleston Road Safety Improvements Community Meeting

Tuesday, October 28 | 6:30 - 8 p.m. | Learn more

 

Frankenbag Workshop

Thursday, October 30 | 5 – 9 p.m. | Learn more

 

Storm Preparedness Community Workshop

Thursday, October 30 | 5 – 6:30 p.m. | Learn more

 

Fall & Winter Edible Gardening Climate Action & Sustainability Committee Meeting

Thursday, November 6 | 6 – 7 p.m. | Learn more

 

Green@Home Tour

Saturday, November 8 | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Learn more

 

Tree Maintenance Workshop

Saturday, November 15 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Learn more


Repair Cafe

Sunday, November 16 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Learn more


Climate Action & Sustainability Committee Meeting

Thursday, November 20 | 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Learn more