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February 2026

In this Issue

Swimming Upstream: a story of connection and hope by Tamra Peters
Spring Climate Action Workshops
2026-2027 Business Sponsorships Now Open
News from Our Partners
Community Events Calendar

News and Updates

Founder's Corner

Swimming Upstream:

a story of connection and hope

By Tamra Peters, Resilient Neighborhoods' Founder

On a chilly afternoon, my husband and I hiked along the Devil's Gulch trail, hoping to see salmon. I recalled how lucky we had been several years earlier to catch a glimpse of salmon spawning from a crowded overlook. Today was still and quiet, except for the sound of the water rushing down to Lagunitas Creek.

As we walked along searching each pool, we were excited to barely make out the shadows of some salmon in the water. Then we spotted a really large fish swimming fast upstream in the creek below us. We gasped when, to our amazement, it climbed out of the water!

Climate Action Workshops

Announcing our Spring Schedule!

Five Online Meetings + Climate Action = Big Impact!

Wednesday Workshop Kickoff:

March 25 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Thursday Workshop Kickoff:

April 2 | 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Free for Marin Renters & Homeowners!

"This program has been invaluable and helped me refocus my energy on making real changes instead of wondering how best to. The tools provided allow you to clearly move toward completing goals large and small by providing all the information in a clear concise way." -- Missy Kendall, Carbon Kickers (Fall 2025)

Learn More and Register

2026-2027 Business Sponsorships Now Open

For a limited time, we’re inviting mission-aligned businesses, organizations, and agencies to partner with Resilient Neighborhoods through our Business Sponsorship Program.

Sponsorship support makes it possible for us to offer free climate action education programs to our community. Our sponsors help equip Marin residents with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to take meaningful action.

Businesses that join or renew by April 1 will receive a full year of benefits and community recognition. Sponsorship levels range from $250 to $10,000, and all sponsors are recognized for their commitment to climate action and education. For an overview of the program, you can visit our Business Sponsors webpage.

We sincerely thank our 2025-2026 Business Sponsors: Good Earth Natural Foods, Rotary of Central Marin, Essential Oxygen, Fernwood Cemetery, MarinCAN, Mill Valley Refuse, QuitCarbon, Recology, Refill Marin, Sleep 365, Bay Cities Refuse Service, Inc., and Marin Builders Association.

To learn more or get started, please contact our Community Engagement Director Erica Heimberg at erica@resilientneighborhoods.org.

News from Our Partners

Zero Waste Marin

Here's Why It's Time to Say "It's Not Me, It's You" to Food Waste:

1) Wasted Resources: 30-40% of all food produced globally is never eaten by anyone, which means all the labor and resources involved in making food go to waste too.

2) Contribution to Climate Change. If wasted food were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

3) Hurting Your Wallet. The average American family of four throws out $1,600 worth of food every year.

This month, Zero Waste Marin is sharing tips to reduce food waste:

Plan Before You Shop.

Plan what meals you want to make ahead of time and make a list of what you need.

Properly Store Your Food

Keep potatoes separate from onions to prevent sprouting.
Herbs like basil can be stored in a cup of water like flowers.
Store fruits separately from veggies using reusable containers to prevent drying out.
If your greens start to wilt, don’t lose hope! You can cut the stems back 1⁄2” to expose a new open end and soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes.

Don’t Ghost Your Leftovers.

Designate an “eat this first” section of the fridge for food that will spoil more quickly.
Get creative with leftover food, e.g., broth from veggie scraps.

Compost What You Can’t Save

For inedible food, make sure to compost it - the easiest way is to discard it in your green curbside cart.
Establish your food scrap compost setup: use a container in the freezer or fridge, an under-sink space, or a countertop pail.

Marin Water

Marin Water offers help to customers looking to construct rainwater catchment systems

The rainy season is a good time to consider installing a rain catchment system at your home or business to put that rainfall to good use. Two Marin Water programs can even help reduce the cost:

DIY Rain Barrel Giveaway – Created through a partnership with San Rafael-based EO Products, the rain barrel giveaway program offers free blue barrels that customers can convert into water storage barrels to upcycle for use in rainwater catchment systems.

Rain Barrel & Cistern Rebates – Marin Water's recent collaboration with the Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program has increased rebates for rainwater catchment systems to 75 cents per gallon – up to $2,000. This option allows customers to purchase the storage size and style that best works for their property and their preference.

Learn More

Transportation Authority of Marin

Recent King Tides and Sea Level Rise in Marin County

Over the weekend of January 3, king tides and storms led to flooding throughout Marin. The Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) reported that all flooded areas had been identified as vulnerable in their TAM Sea Level Rise Study, confirming earlier risk assessments. Mitigation measures, such as temporary pumps in Marin City and improvements to levees, helped keep certain sections of State Route 37 open.

TAM's Sea Level Rise Program is ongoing, focusing on Climate Resilient Transportation Design Principles in coordination with Caltrans on its Highway 101 Adaptation Study. This effort will produce a toolkit for integrating adaptation solutions into roadways, allowing local agencies to prepare for both near-term and long-term solutions.

Community Event Calendar

Tuesday, February 10 | 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm PST. Fighting Plastic- Help Clean the Ocean You Love. Marin Green Drinks. Venue: Lotus Cuisine of India, 812 Fourth Street, San Rafael. The first Marin Green Drinks mixer of 2026 will feature Mary Crowley of Ocean Voyages Institute. The ocean provides 50% of our oxygen, but a trash patch 2x the size of Texas is killing it. Discover real solutions. Save the seas! RSVP Here.

Wednesday, February 11 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm PST. Thinking of a Winter Garden? Marin Master Gardeners. Venue: San Rafael Public Library, 1100 E Street, San Rafael. Discover the advantages of growing Asian greens in your garden and learn the best methods for cultivating them. Learn where to source seeds and how to manage potential pests. With proper care, you can expect to harvest delicious greens in just 40 to 60 days.

Wednesday, February 11 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm PST. Plastic Pollution 101. Plastic Pollution Coalition. Online. A panel of activists, educators, and scientists will present key information about the plastic pollution crisis and what you can do to help protect yourself and the planet.

Wednesday, February 18 | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm PST. Cleaner Transportation for Better Health. Ride & Drive Clean. Online. Learn how zero-emission transportation can improve air quality, lower your driving costs, & create healthier communities. You'll learn about active transportation options, electric vehicles, electric bikes, and purchasing incentives and qualification requirements for EVs and Ebikes.

Saturday, February 21 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm PST. Mt. Tamalpais Habitat Restoration Day. Marin Water. Join the effort to protect oak woodland and grassland habitats by removing invasive French broom. This hands-on event helps improve local ecosystems and connect with fellow nature lovers! Registration will provide details on the meeting location and preparation. Register Here.

Wednesday, February 18| 10:00 am - 12:00 pm PST. MCL Climate Action Working Group. Marin Conservation League. Online & In Person.Venue: MCL, 175 N. Redwood Dr, San Rafael. Assemblymember Damon Connolly will speak about his legislative agenda for 2026. He will discuss bills and actions that address energy, wildfires, equity, decarbonization, insurance, sea level rise, parks, and open space. He'll also provide an update on the dangers and impacts of climate change and his vision for moving forward.

Saturday, February 21 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PST. Belvedere Tiburon Seed Swap. Marin Master Gardeners. Venue: Belvedere-Tiburon Library. This seed swap and plant exchange will feature vegetable, herb, and ornamental seeds. They will discuss what to plant in the spring/summer garden, including seeds for pollinators. There will be planting activities for all ages.

Thursday, February 26 | 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm PST. Ventless Combo Washer Dryers. Electrify Now. Explore: What is a combo washer + heat pump dryer, and how does it work? What are its pros and cons? What models are available, and how do they perform regarding service and warranty? How have current models improved laundry processes? What are the expected time and energy savings with these appliances? Register Here.

Saturday, February 28 | 10:10 am - 12:30 pm PST. Irrigating Efficiently: How Much Water Does Your Garden Need? This course is part of College of Marin's Watershed Approach to Landscaping Program, based on the handbook by Marin Water. A plant’s type, location in the landscape, and the local climate all play a major role in determining its irrigation needs. Learn to determine how much water your plants need and when they need it. Learn the basic components of an irrigation system, which types are best for your garden, and how to set an appropriate irrigation schedule.ID #26228- Fee: $87

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