In this edition of Air Aware:

Grant Update: 2026 Solicitation Still Accepting Applications
Clean Air Art Contest Now Open for TK–12 Students
District Spotlight: CAPCOA Engineering Managers Committee and TARMAC (Toxics and Risk Managers Committee)
2025 Annual Report
Community Engagement in Action
Outreach Events Calendar
Spare the Air Season Begins Friday, May 1
Don't Light Tonight Season Recap

Grant Update: 2026 Solicitation Still Accepting Applications

There’s still time to apply for the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District’s 2026 Solicitation. Funding is available to help replace diesel-powered equipment and vehicles or to install clean infrastructure such as EV charging stations. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 1.

The District has more than $1.6 million available for 2026 through the Carl Moyer, Community Air Protection (CAP) Incentives, Targeted Airshed Grant (TAG), and AB 923 programs. Eligible applicants must be located and operate within the District’s jurisdiction, which includes all of Yolo County and the northeastern portion of Solano County, including the cities of Dixon, Rio Vista, and Vacaville.

Applications for the 2026 Solicitation are available online here.

Separately, Clean Air Funds applications closed on April 10, and proposed projects will go before the District’s Board Committees in May for funding recommendations. A total of $470,000 is available this year—$120,000 for Yolo County and $350,000 for Solano County.

The Clean Air Funds program supports projects that reduce emissions from mobile sources. Grants are available across four categories: Clean Vehicle Technology, Alternative Transportation, Transit Services, and Public Education.

For more information, contact grants@ysaqmd.org or call (530) 757-3539.

Clean Air Art Contest Now Open for TK–12 Students

Artwork due May 8

The District is now accepting entries for the 2026 Clean Air Art Contest, open to students in TK–12. This year’s theme, “Heroes for Clean Air,” invites students to creatively show how they can help improve air quality.

Twelve winners will be selected across four grade groups and will receive gift cards and have their artwork featured on stickers and other items. Entries must be submitted on 8.5” x 11” paper by 4 p.m. on Friday, May 8, either online via digital entry form or in person at the District office.

Clean Air Art Contest Entry Form – English

Clean Air Art Contest Entry Form – Spanish

Full Details Here

District Spotlight: CAPCOA Engineering Managers Committee and TARMAC (Toxics and Risk Managers Committee) Meetings

We were pleased to host the quarterly meetings of the CAPCOA Engineering Managers Committee and the Toxics and Risk Managers Committee (TARMAC) on April 28–29, bringing together air quality professionals from across California for two days of collaboration and information sharing. The meetings included representatives from multiple local air districts, the California Air Resources Board, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with around 50 additional participants joining remotely.

Discussions covered a range of important topics, including regulatory and rulemaking updates, air quality training development, emissions inventory reporting, and technology advancements. Air toxics remain a key focus statewide, with ongoing collaboration around emission factor development, calculation methods for existing and emerging toxic pollutants, and permitting activities.

2025 Annual Report

The 2025 Annual Report, available on the District’s website, highlights key initiatives from the past year, provides information on air quality monitoring, and showcases the important work completed in 2025 to protect public health and property from the harmful effects of air pollution.

Read Here

Community Engagement in Action

It’s been a busy year of community outreach, and we’ve enjoyed connecting with residents across the District to share information about air quality!

One of the highlights has been seeing the creativity of children building mini air purifiers—or “air pollution catchers”— while learning about particulate matter and the Air Quality Index.

We’ve also been promoting our Clean Air Art Contest in classrooms throughout the District, and recently visited Shirley Rominger Intermediate School in Winters for multiple presentations.

Come See Us At These Upcoming Community Events!

Sunday, May 3 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.	City of Davis Loopalooza at Community Park - 14th and B Streets, Davis
Friday, May 8 from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	West Sacramento Senior Resource Fair - 1075 West Capitol Ave West Sacramento
Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Breathe Bike Festival - The Bridge District, West Sacramento
Thursday, May 28 from 9 a.m. - noon	Woodland Senior Resource Fair - Woodland Community & Senior Center, 2001 East St.

Spare the Air Season Begins Friday, May 1

Spare the Air alerts are issued when elevated ozone levels are forecast between May and October. On Spare the Air Days, you can reduce ozone by driving less. Please consider taking transit, carpooling, biking, walking, or telecommuting whenever possible.

May is also Bike Month—a great opportunity to leave the car at home, choose a healthier commute, and reduce emissions. Participants can also log miles for a chance to win prizes.

More information on May is Bike Month here.

Don't Light Tonight Season Recap

During the 2025–26 Don’t Light Tonight season, the Air District issued 25 advisories. This annual program runs from November 1 through the end of February, when common winter weather conditions—combined with increased use of fireplaces and woodstoves—can lead to elevated levels of fine particulate pollution in the air.

To protect public health, the District’s Don’t Light Tonight program asks residents to voluntarily refrain from wood burning on days when weather conditions contribute to higher concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) near ground level.

For the 2025–26 season, observed air quality in the District was in the “Good” AQI category on 24 percent of days and the “Moderate” AQI category on 76 percent of days. No days reached the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG)” level.

Learn More Here

YOLO-SOLANO AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

1947 Galileo Court, Suite 103, Davis, CA 95618

Phone: 530-757-3650 | www.ysaqmd.org