Make Your Next Party ECO-FRIENDLY!

Zero-waste parties are gaining in popularity. Why not borrow the items you need (to serve up to 40 guests) instead of buying single-use throwaways? https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd5fe3_ed92d43ab56a4e70a4a7dff0ab2834fd~mv2.jpg

Project Template | GreenTown Los Altos

Please enjoy these vegan chocolate chip cookies! https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cf80399d690a46bb918c0b425ef9f470.jpg The recipe was developed by GreenTown's 2023 summer interns.(https://www.greentownlosaltos.org/post/introducing-our-2023-summer-interns) They also developed many other recipes and have compiled a cookbook to get you stared on your "Eating Green" journey. Look for the cookbook soon... Many thanks to local baker Daphne Ross for baking and donating these delectable treats for our Annual Fundraiser. You can learn more about Daphne here: www.snack-dragon.com (https://www.snack-dragon.com)

Pick out a small sunny location on your property, about 100sf, or a circle about 11ft. in diameter, and we will suggest some plants that will look attractive and as a group will provide color that spans the entire blooming season. We offer two levels of support: • Premium Full Service: We consult with the homeowner, present our suggested plants, purchase the plants and mulch, and with the help of volunteers, plant everything. The homeowner will water the plants and weed as necessary. Cost: $250 • Do it Yourself: We consult with the homeowner, present our suggested plants, purchase the plants and mulch, but the homeowner plants everything and waters the plants and weeds as needed. Cost: $175 These prices cover most but not all of our costs. We will start planting in January and will cap the Premium Full Service at ten (10) recipients for this first year. If you are interested please sign up using the form on this page. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd5fe3_20515c08f9e241918c33c5556a34bf37~mv2.jpg

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup all purpose flour • 1/4 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp baking soda • 1/4 cup white sugar • 1/4 cup brown sugar • 2 tbsp oat milk/ milk of choice • 2 tbsp vegan butter • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract • 1/3 cup chocolate chip INSTRUCTIONS Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl, then add all wet ingredients If needed, add an additional tablespoon of milk Fold in chocolate chips Cover and place in fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes Line a sheet pan with parchment paper Form balls with approximately 2 tbsp of dough, and place at least 3 inches apart on the sheet pan Place pan back into fridge for additional 30 minutes, while waiting, preheat oven to 325° Bake for 12 minutes, rotating the pan half way through to ensure even baking Once out of the oven, leave untouched for 15 minutes then enjoy! Notes: We found that Miyokos cultured butter (https://miyokos.com/collections/plant-milk-butter)had the best results

GreenTown's 2025 Summer interns,(https://www.greentownlosaltos.org/post/introducing-our-2025-summer-interns) Luke Byrne, Huck Twerdahl and Sahana Srinivasan laid the groundwork for the pollinator gardens with their research in Sustainable Landscapes in Los Altos. They were mentored by Gary Hedden, Madhuri Davidson & KJ Janowski. Below are links to their presentation & Video https://youtu.be/cy7-QMDq01U?si=cCwnZVQHTRzwaAMY

Plant-based eating is good for the planet 1. A plant-based diet reduces greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) – Raising animals for human consumption is a major cause of climate change, generating 18 percent of all GHGs globally. 2. Eating green saves freshwater resources – Nearly 30 percent of freshwater is used for animal agriculture and animal agriculture is a large source of pollution of waterways, coastal areas and coral reefs. 3. Plant-based eating results in more sustainable land use – Three-quarters of all agricultural land is used for animal agriculture. Increased land use for animal agriculture is a key factor in deforestation leading to species extinction and biodiversity loss. Seventy percent of previous forested land in the Amazon is now pasture and feed-crops cover a large part of the remainder.

Eating green is good for your health 1. A low-fat, plant-based diet, combined with regular exercise and a healthy overall lifestyle, can prevent, delay and even reverse heart disease and other cardiovascular events. 2. Plant-based diets have been shown to control and reverse Type II diabetes. 3. Large healthcare organizations, like Kaiser Permanente now advise all of their 17,000+ physicians to recommend a plant-based diet to all their patients.

Plant-based diets are compassionate 1. Plant-based eating reduces animal death and enables animals to live out their full lives. For every person in the world, more than 10 animals are slaughtered each year. Animals are slaughtered at a fraction of their lifespan. Chickens naturally live for 10 years, but when bred for meat, they are typically killed at 6 weeks. Pigs, which live for 15 years, are typically killed at 6 months. 2. Plant-based eating spares animal suffering. The vast majority of chickens, cows and pigs are raised on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to maximize efficiency and profitability in living conditions that are not humane. Animals are denied their basic instincts, like roaming, nesting, and nurturing their young.

More than two-thirds of omnivores surveyed in Los Altos/Hills want to eat more plant-based foods. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Nearly half of the omnivores surveyed are not happy with the number of plant-based options at local restaurants. This number jumps to two-third when vegans and vegetarians are included. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Barriers to residents adopting more plant-based foods at home include a lack of recipes and concerns about nutrition. That’s where we come in. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined

1. Livestock’s long shadow (UN FAO 2006)(http://www.fao.org/3/a-a0701e.pdf) 2. The water footprint of poultry, pork and beef: A comparative study in different countries and production systems(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212371713000024) 3. Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2702436/) 4. Center for Biological Diversity(https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/) 5. Physicans Committee for Responsible Medicine on Heart Disease(https://www.pcrm.org/health-topics/heart-disease) 6. Physicans Committee for Responsible Medicine on Heart Disease(https://www.pcrm.org/health-topics/diabetes) 7. A low-fat vegan diet improves glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in a randomized clinical trial in individuals with type 2 diabetes.(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16873779) 8. Nutritional Update for Physicians: Plant-Based Diets(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288/) 9. Greenpeace “Less Is More” (https://www.greenpeace.org/international/publication/15093/less-is-more/)goal 10. UN FAO statistics(http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/)

Please enjoy these vegan chocolate chip cookies! The recipe was developed by the 2023 GreenTown summer interns.(https://www.greentownlosaltos.org/post/introducing-our-2023-summer-interns) A local baker, Daphne Ross baked and donated these delectable treats for GreenTown's Annual Fundraiser. A big thanks to her - please learn more about Daphne here: www.snack-dragon.com(https://www.snack-dragon.com)

Plant-based eating is good for the planet 1. A plant-based diet reduces greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) – Raising animals for human consumption is a major cause of climate change, generating 18 percent of all GHGs globally. 2. Eating green saves freshwater resources – Nearly 30 percent of freshwater is used for animal agriculture and animal agriculture is a large source of pollution of waterways, coastal areas and coral reefs. 3. Plant-based eating results in more sustainable land use – Three-quarters of all agricultural land is used for animal agriculture. Increased land use for animal agriculture is a key factor in deforestation leading to species extinction and biodiversity loss. Seventy percent of previous forested land in the Amazon is now pasture and feed-crops cover a large part of the remainder.

Eating green is good for your health 1. A low-fat, plant-based diet, combined with regular exercise and a healthy overall lifestyle, can prevent, delay and even reverse heart disease and other cardiovascular events. 2. Plant-based diets have been shown to control and reverse Type II diabetes. 3. Large healthcare organizations, like Kaiser Permanente now advise all of their 17,000+ physicians to recommend a plant-based diet to all their patients.

Plant-based diets are compassionate 1. Plant-based eating reduces animal death and enables animals to live out their full lives. For every person in the world, more than 10 animals are slaughtered each year. Animals are slaughtered at a fraction of their lifespan. Chickens naturally live for 10 years, but when bred for meat, they are typically killed at 6 weeks. Pigs, which live for 15 years, are typically killed at 6 months. 2. Plant-based eating spares animal suffering. The vast majority of chickens, cows and pigs are raised on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to maximize efficiency and profitability in living conditions that are not humane. Animals are denied their basic instincts, like roaming, nesting, and nurturing their young.

More than two-thirds of omnivores surveyed in Los Altos/Hills want to eat more plant-based foods. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Nearly half of the omnivores surveyed are not happy with the number of plant-based options at local restaurants. This number jumps to two-third when vegans and vegetarians are included. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Barriers to residents adopting more plant-based foods at home include a lack of recipes and concerns about nutrition. That’s where we come in. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined

1. Livestock’s long shadow (UN FAO 2006)(http://www.fao.org/3/a-a0701e.pdf) 2. The water footprint of poultry, pork and beef: A comparative study in different countries and production systems(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212371713000024) 3. Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2702436/) 4. Center for Biological Diversity(https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/) 5. Physicans Committee for Responsible Medicine on Heart Disease(https://www.pcrm.org/health-topics/heart-disease) 6. Physicans Committee for Responsible Medicine on Heart Disease(https://www.pcrm.org/health-topics/diabetes) 7. A low-fat vegan diet improves glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in a randomized clinical trial in individuals with type 2 diabetes.(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16873779) 8. Nutritional Update for Physicians: Plant-Based Diets(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288/) 9. Greenpeace “Less Is More” (https://www.greenpeace.org/international/publication/15093/less-is-more/)goal 10. UN FAO statistics(http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/)

Runoff is rain that falls onto hardscape such as the asphalt and concrete of driveways, walkways, and streets. These impervious surfaces in our urban environment prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground. Following 3 years of GreenTown advocacy, in November 2018 the Los Altos City Council voted to adopt eco-friendly solutions to capture dirty street runoff. The Shoulder Paving Policy, which applies to all new residential construction and major remodels, embraces permeable materials in the City Right of Way. Organic materials allow rain to sink into the ground, where toxins are captured and decompose. These “green streets” keep polluted water out of our waterways. The abundance of natural frontage in Los Altos, streets without curbs and gutters, offer tremendous opportunity to maximize stormwater capture.

Believe it or not, the single largest source of pollution in the San Francisco Bay is stormwater runoff. Runoff flows through the system of curbs and gutters to storm drains that empty directly into our watershed. Along the way, beautiful rain transforms into a pollutant. Stormwater runoff picks up oil, grease and metals from cars, chemicals that leech from asphalt, fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides from our landscape, and pet waste laden with bacteria and viruses. These pollutants pose health risks to humans, wildlife, and plants.

Minimize Hardscape. Maximize Greenscape. Be a part of the solution to stormwater pollution! Capturing rain where it falls helps to keep our waterways clean and healthy. Rain water is easily captured in rain gardens, vegetated swales, catch basins, dry creeks and other greenscapes. The water is purified as it gradually percolates through the soil and recharges our aquifers. To learn more watch the videos in the resources section: “Capture Rain Where It Falls”

The "Permeable Surfaces Handbook" is a comprehensive, innovative guide designed to educate readers on easy installation of permeable surfaces, aligning with the Los Altos city code for permeable surfaces for sidewalks, walkways, patios, driveways and/or uncovered parking lots. It provides practical advice on installation and maintenance, aiming to help both DIY enthusiasts and professionals implement these eco-friendly solutions. This handbook was developed by highschool student Aanya Dhruv and sought the help of with the city engineers to get it up to the Los Altos housing codes. She is also the founder of ejgrassroots.org (http://ejgrassroots.org/)that is focused on environmental justice and leveraging science to solve environmental issues.

This July, GTLA joined the global Plastic Free July movement and hosted its very first Plastic Free July Campaign. Thanks to everyone who participated! Dozens of members from the GTLA community pledged to learn more about plastic pollution, its health and environmental effects, and how to be part of the solution. Here are the key takeaways from the campaign.(https://www.greentownlosaltos.org/post/reducing-plastic-pollution-key-takeaways) We hope these efforts will continue!

Week 3 tips and information (https://www.greentownlosaltos.org/post/broaden-your-impact)on how to broaden your impact and take action against plastic pollution at the City, State, Federal, and Global Levels! Individual action is important, but legislation is even more so! Learn about local ordinances you should support, important state bills and federal acts, senators you should contact, and petitions to sign.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Plastic Free July is a global movement that provides plastic alternative suggestions to those who wish to reduce plastic pollution. This summer, GreenTown Los Altos is developing a local Plastic Free July campaign so YOU can get more involved! Join us during the month of July and beyond to eliminate single-use plastics from your life and your community. Suggestions, resources, and challenges are coming soon!

It is easy to prioritize convenience over sustainability. But many do not realize the long-term effects single-use plastics have on the planet. From production to purchase to pollution, single-use plastics serve one short-lived purpose, but remain as litter for millions of years. Instead of decomposing, they break into pieces called microplastics, which make their way into water, soil, wild organisms, and even our bodies. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Our planet cannot afford more plastic pollution. About 17.6 billion pounds of plastic enter the ocean each year - that's equivalent to one full garbage truck emptying trash into the ocean every minute of every day ( The Story of Plastic ). Fortunately, there are many easy ways to reduce your plastic consumption, such as using durable, reusable grocery bags rather than plastic ones when you shop. With our current plastic crisis and a multitude of plastic swap-outs, why wouldn't you go plastic free?

In 2011 GreenTown officially “adopted” the Permanente Diversion Channel through the Santa Clara Valley Water District (currently Valley Water). The channel runs from Heritage Oaks Park at Portland and Miramonte to Stevens Creek at Highway 85. Look for the sign at the corner of Portland and Miramonte declaring this a GreenTown “baby”. Our commitment? To organize and gather volunteers for biannual creek cleanup events in coordination with Valley Water. Ours is one of 50 sites countywide that participate in National River Cleanup Day, the third Saturday in May, and National Coastal Cleanup Day, the third Saturday in September.

GreenTown encourages volunteers of all ages to help support a healthy environment in our local creek through these educational and fun-filled experiences. Activities include education about watersheds and water pollution, removing debris from the creek bed and the creek banks, and sorting and weighing all that was removed. GreenTown reports back to Valley Water and the results are spectacular! You can check out the countywide numbers at cleanacreek.org, where you also can register to volunteer for the next cleanup event.

In 2011 GreenTown officially “adopted” the Permanente Diversion Channel through the Santa Clara Valley Water District (currently Valley Water). The channel runs from Heritage Oaks Park at Portland and Miramonte to Stevens Creek at Highway 85. Look for the sign at the corner of Portland and Miramonte declaring this a GreenTown “baby”. Our commitment? To organize and gather volunteers for biannual creek cleanup events in coordination with Valley Water. Ours is one of 50 sites countywide that participate in National River Cleanup Day, the third Saturday in May, and National Coastal Cleanup Day, the third Saturday in September.

GreenTown encourages volunteers of all ages to help support a healthy environment in our local creek through these educational and fun-filled experiences. Activities include education about watersheds and water pollution, removing debris from the creek bed and the creek banks, and sorting and weighing all that was removed. GreenTown reports back to Valley Water and the results are spectacular! You can check out the countywide numbers at cleanacreek.org, where you also can register to volunteer for the next cleanup event.

Graywater is lightly used water from clothes washers, showers, bathtub, and bathroom sinks. Although it contains some soap and detergents, it’s a safe water supply for most landscapes. A graywater system can save water, money and time. Learn about the types of graywater systems and if a graywater system is right for you. Attend a 4-part virtual graywater workshop and check out the rebates here.(https://www.valleywater.org/saving-water/outdoor-conservation/graywater)

Runoff is rain that falls onto hardscape such as the asphalt and concrete of driveways, walkways, and streets. These impervious surfaces in our urban environment prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground. Following 3 years of GreenTown advocacy, in November 2018 the Los Altos City Council voted to adopt eco-friendly solutions to capture dirty street runoff. The Shoulder Paving Policy, which applies to all new residential construction and major remodels, embraces permeable materials in the City Right of Way. Organic materials allow rain to sink into the ground, where toxins are captured and decompose. These “green streets” keep polluted water out of our waterways. The abundance of natural frontage in Los Altos, streets without curbs and gutters, offer tremendous opportunity to maximize stormwater capture.

Believe it or not, the single largest source of pollution in the San Francisco Bay is stormwater runoff. Runoff flows through the system of curbs and gutters to storm drains that empty directly into our watershed. Along the way, beautiful rain transforms into a pollutant. Stormwater runoff picks up oil, grease and metals from cars, chemicals that leech from asphalt, fertilizer, herbicides and insecticides from our landscape, and pet waste laden with bacteria and viruses. These pollutants pose health risks to humans, wildlife, and plants.

Minimize Hardscape. Maximize Greenscape. Be a part of the solution to stormwater pollution! Capturing rain where it falls helps to keep our waterways clean and healthy. Rain water is easily captured in rain gardens, vegetated swales, catch basins, dry creeks and other greenscapes. The water is purified as it gradually percolates through the soil and recharges our aquifers. To learn more watch the videos in the resources section: “Capture Rain Where It Falls”

The "Permeable Surfaces Handbook" is a comprehensive, innovative guide designed to educate readers on easy installation of permeable surfaces, aligning with the Los Altos city code for permeable surfaces for sidewalks, walkways, patios, driveways and/or uncovered parking lots. It provides practical advice on installation and maintenance, aiming to help both DIY enthusiasts and professionals implement these eco-friendly solutions. The handbook was developed by high school student Aanya Dhruv. She worked with city engineers and iterated the guide to get it up to Los Altos housing codes. Aanya leads the ejgrassroots.org initiative that is focused on environmental justice and leveraging science to solve environmental issues.

57 of California’s 29 counties — including Santa Clara County (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?fips_06085)— are in states of severe to exceptional drought conditions, according to the US Drought Monitor. Essentially, this means most California residents,(https://calmatters.org/california-drought-monitor/) at the very least, are experiencing water restrictions and shortages, and as drought conditions become more frequent, it’s necessary to lower residential water consumption. BACKGROUND 40-60% of California’s residential water is used for landscaping,(https://ucanr.edu/sites/UrbanHort/files/216568.pdf) which makes replacing lawns with drought-tolerant plants an effective and permanent way to reduce water usage. Choosing native plants can be beneficial because they are not only drought tolerant, but also low maintenance and provide habitats to local wildlife. Unlike lawns, drought-tolerant and native plant landscapes create biodiversity and attract essential birds and other species from the surrounding environment. Native plants also contribute to healthier creeks because they require no fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides: all top polluters to creeks.

For more information on drought-tolerant landscaping, native plants, and rebates, check out our case study, compiled by GreenTown’s 2022 summer interns. MAP of various projects in our neighborhood that demonstrate drought-tolerant landscaping & native plants (https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1b7DVMVFqI6v6VG1mKi-9_fTXgwE4VDk&usp=sharing) https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd5fe3_e4630da5029542e0a5f56879b2523318~mv2.png

Visit our projects (see below) to see all the drought-tolerant plants we have used. Consider replacing your lawn with these plants or adding them to your landscaping. Also check out the resources on the right to learn how to create a native plant garden and tips on sustainable gardening! Native plant consultant Nikki Hanson explains the process of planting drought-tolerant native plants at the Woodland Library garden in Los Altos. https://youtu.be/D0Xt7bHECig

1. Woodland Branch Library Drought-Tolerant Demo Garden Visit the Garden at the library: Location Map (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Woodland+Branch+Library/@37.3442064,-122.0775993,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x808fb6a93d708db5:0xdc51d483af477f69!8m2!3d37.3441308!4d-122.0754056?shorturl=1) https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd5fe3_400c9d28853947cc9f07d787965c2a86~mv2.jpg The garden was first planted in 2017 by GreenTown as part of a girl scout project. With the help of landscape designer Nikki Hanson (nikki@cal-sisters.com)(mailto:nikki@cal-sisters.com) of California Sisters Landscapes (http://cal-sisters.com/)and many volunteers, GreenTown in 2022 cleaned up the grounds, layered new cardboard, layered compost, planted some new plants and made some adjustments to the drip irrigation system. It will get some wood chips and some new labels soon, and be ready for another five years! You can see the plant list on CALSCAPE (https://calscape.org/myplantlist/32906/ord-species/page-all?srchcr=sc6254401b4376c)or download a PDF from the Resources section on the right for additional info about how to care for these plants. 2. Planting the Paseo Visit the installation in the paseo adjacent to Akane restaurant on Third St.(https://www.google.com/maps/place/250+3rd+St,+Los+Altos,+CA+94022/@37.3777566,-122.1149899,20.99z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x808fb0ef9cdd6515:0x74c7ee5f922613f0!8m2!3d37.377789!4d-122.1151417) https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bd5fe3_85734df62e4148bc9b5a6c99178ad7af~mv2.jpg GreenTown collaborated with E3 Youth Philanthropy (https://losaltoscf.org/e3)students interested in pursuing an environmental project. The goals of the project were: (i) to create planter boxes featuring drought-tolerant plants; and (ii) to use them to educate residents about reducing landscape water use. The colorful planters are now on display in downtown Los Altos as part of a flower-themed art installation (https://www.artslosaltos.org/paseo)curated by Arts Los Altos. Learn more about the work by The E3 Youth Philanthropy team here.(https://www.greentownlosaltos.org/post/drought-tolerant-plants-never-looked-so-good) Download a PDF of the list of plant species used in the planter boxes from the Resources section on the right.

2023 Summer Internship!

Click here to Apply for the 2023 Summer Internships

For 2023, GreenTown Los Altos is offering four paid internships in two project areas. Each internship is for 10 hours/week for 6 weeks at $16.40/hour.

Electrify Your Home, A Guide Book
Eating Green, A Cookbook

Please review the details and internship descriptions below carefully. Please email us if you have any questions at internship@greentownlosaltos.org

Key Dates:

Application is due April 28.
Interviews will be scheduled May 8-12.
Candidate selections will be announced May 19.
Internships start June 12 and end July 21.

Details:

The ideal candidate will be a rising junior or senior high school student passionate about environmental issues.
The skills required are effective communication, good research skills, good time management and familiarity with the preparation of documents, spreadsheets and slides.
Interns must be willing to work as a team.
Interns must be able to work with minimal supervision.
The work will generally be from home.
There will be weekly zoom meetings with a GreenTown mentor. The 500 Trees mentor is Gary Hedden, and the Drought-Tolerant Landscaping mentor is Glenda Chang.
The internship will culminate in a slide show presentation to the GreenTown Board and other interested parties on the intern’s summer accomplishments.

The Walk or Wheel! (WoW!) Program encourages biking, walking and carpooling to school. We've been working with schools since 2009. WoW!ing to school means fewer single passenger car trips, cleaner air, lower carbon emissions and more fun!

With kids back in school, we're ready to help ramp up WoW! activity. Will you be our next champion?

GreenTown provides support to school volunteers to work with students to embrace, educate and empower them to think “Walk or Wheel!” .

The City of Los Altos is working to build a more sustainable bicycle and pedestrian safety education program in local schools. Visit Los Altos' Safe Routes to School page for more information. Options for good bike safety education include:

School Assemblies for Elementary Schools
Hands-on Bike Rodeos for 3rd and 4th Graders
Drive that Bike Classes for Junior High
Raising Safe Cyclists for all Parents

Bicycle Safety Brochure for Parents & Students

GreenTown also works with the Los Altos and Cupertino School Districts and Bullis Charter School to survey Los Altos/Hills’ student travel modes two to three times during the year. Findings include:

More students WoW! to school in upper grades: approx. 40% of 6th graders; more than 60% of 7th and 8th graders.
Junior High top the charts: approx. 65% of Blach and 45% of Egan students WoW! to school.
Elementary Schools with greater WoW! student populations have high parent involvement and active WoW! programs.
Fewer students WoW! to/from elementary schools with attendance areas on the other side of a major thoroughfare (e.g., Foothill or El Camino).
Blach Intermediate consistently has the highest WoW! rates.

A Walking School Bus is a great way to encourage a healthy and environmentally friendly way of getting to school. This type of program is perfect for younger children who need supervision. It can be easily organized by parents and take place once a week, a couple times a week, or even everyday!

Steps for Starting Simple:

Families in the same neighborhood decide to walk together to and from school.
A route is designed and tested by adults for safety. Don’t forget to record how much time the entire route takes. Refer to the list of maps above to determine the best route for your walking school bus.
The group decides how often to walk together. Consistent walking school buses are often the most successful.
Create a phone list to ensure that all children have emergency contact numbers.

Let the Walking School Bus begin! Get Started with this planning guide!

Similar to the Walking School Bus concept, a Bicycle Train is a group of neighbors that ride their bikes together to and from school. This program involves more planning and training since children must understand bicycle safety and how to ride on a road.

Basic Considerations:

Bicycle trains are best suited for older elementary children.
We recommend that you start out by providing your children with a basic understanding of the rules of the road and bicycle safety. Practice as a group and have several parents on hand to help demonstrate.
Every child must wear a bicycle helmet. Check to make sure that your child’s bicycle is working properly and is an appropriate size.
More adult supervision is needed than for Walking School Buses. Consider having one adult for every three to six children.

See Bicycling to School Together: A Bike Train Planning Guide for an example of steps to implementing a bicycle train in your neighborhood.

Application for the 2025 Internship is now Closed. Please check back in the Spring 2026 for the 2026 internship.

For 2025, we are offering four paid internships in two project areas. Each internship is for 10 hours/week for 6 weeks at $18.20/hour.

Sustainable Urban Landscapes (3 Interns)
GreenScape Changemaker: Community and Climate Action (2 Interns)

Key Dates:

Applications are due Friday April 25.
Interviews will be scheduled for May 5-9.
Candidate selections will be announced May 16.
Candidate acceptances are due May 23.
The internships start June 9 and end July 18.

Additional Details:

The ideal candidate will be a rising junior or senior high school student passionate about environmental issues.
The skills required are effective communication, good research skills, good time management and familiarity with the preparation of documents, spreadsheets and slides.
Interns must be willing to work as a team.
Interns must be able to work with minimal supervision.
The work will generally be from home or at the project site (pls see internship requirements)
There will be weekly in-person or zoom meetings with a GreenTown mentor.
The internship will culminate in a slide show presentation and demonstration to the public and/or GreenTown members on the summer accomplishments.

The internships are open to: Students attending the MVLA schools

OR residents of Los Altos or Los Altos Hills attending other schools.

Mentor: Gary Hedden

Description: There is great interest in creating sustainable urban landscapes featuring native plants as such landscapes are resilient, drought-tolerant and support local wildlife, especially birds, bees and butterflies. This internship will involve researching other efforts and recommending a plan of action for Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. The findings will be presented to the GreenTown Board.

Work may include: The findings may also be presented to the Los Altos Environmental Commission and/or the Los Altos Hills Environmental Design and Review Committee.

Links & Resources:

https://collaborate.mountainview.gov/biodiversity

https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Public-Works/Public-Services/Palo-Altos-Urban-Forest/Urban-Forest-Master-Plan

https://www.fremont.gov/government/departments/urban-forestry/urban-forest-plan

https://lci.ca.gov/planning/land-use/urban-forestry/

https://sustainability.santaclaracounty.gov/ufmp

https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/natural-resource-management/urban-and-community-forestry

https://canopy.org/

https://www.ourcityforest.org/

https://vibrantcitieslab.com/toolkit/

https://onetreeplanted.org/blogs/stories/what-is-urban-forestry?srsltid=AfmBOoqolx9IZtNzaxC95_as9cBP5OYYM4etib-_b7hqyKGvll7zE90A

Mentor: Jane Packard

Description: Are you passionate about sustainability and looking for a hands-on way to make an impact in your community? Join us and help advance Los Altos’ climate action goals by engaging local leaders and community groups in sustainable green landscaping practices.

Work may include: As part of this internship, you will:

Learn how climate action is implemented at the Heritage Apricot Orchard, a local example of sustainable landscaping.
Research and develop strategies to engage youth in GreenScape community service
Promote & Advocate your insights by writing a blog, contributing an article to the Los Altos Town Crier, or posting on GreenTown’s social media to inspire broader community action.
Get dirty and dig in where you’ll help maintain the orchard while learning firsthand about sustainable landscaping.
Explore key environmental concepts, including:
- The role of healthy trees in producing oxygen and capturing carbon.
- The importance of water conservation in climate resilience.
- The value of cultivating soil fertility to reduce plant stress due to climate change.
- The impact of pollinator-friendly practices on local ecosystems.
- The benefits of sustainable landscaping for greener communities.
Assess the capacity and interests of youth-oriented service organizations to participate in GreenScape initiatives.
Present your findings and recommendations to the Environmental Commission to help shape future community programs.

Links & Resources:

Los Altos Climate Adaptation and Action Plan

What Can I Do Now?

Los Altos Environmental Commission

GreenTown interns research on making Heritage Orchard more inclusive

GreenTown Los Altos has put together two Party Packs (each serving 20 people) for loan to local residents who want their parties to be eco-friendly. Each Party Pack contains 20 reusable plates, bowls, flatware, and cups by Preserve brand (100% recycled plastic, BPA- and melamine-free, and dishwasher safe) plus 20 cotton easy-to-launder napkins. Borrow one or both Party Packs!

Party Pack items will be clean and ready to use when you pick them up, and we just ask that you return them clean and ready for the next borrower.

Help our community reduce single-use unrecyclable plastic that is littering our landscapes and polluting our oceans.

For more information, please email us at partypack@greentownlosaltos.org or use the form in the link under resources (to the right) to request to borrow a Party Pack.

GreenTown is looking for a new WoW! Project Lead! The Project Lead provides support to school leads in promoting alternative forms of transportation to school, including biking, walking and carpooling. These modes reduce greenhouse gases and toxic air emissions and help reduce traffic congestion around our schools. Plus, it’s a healthy and fun way for kids to bookend their school day! Check out our webpage at: https://www.greentownlosaltos.org/schoolswow

The GreenTown WoW! Project Lead:

Helps School WoW! Leads with Program Planning
Encourages and Supports Bike/Ped Safety Instruction
Provides Marketing Support
Conducts Data Analysis and Supports Program Evaluation

Please see here for a more detailed description

The Walk or Wheel! (WoW!) Program is about using “wheels” or walking to get around. Fewer single passenger car trips. Inspiring more kids to walk or bike to school where it is safe to do so.

With 11 local schools actively participating in the WoW! program it’s already a success. At these schools, parent-teacher organizations assign volunteers to work with students to embrace, educate and empower kids to think “Walk or Wheel!” .

GreenTown also works with the Los Altos and Cupertino School Districts to survey Los Altos/Hills’ student travel modes two times during the year: once in the Fall and once in Winter. See WoW! Survey Data – Feb 2012. Findings include:

More WoW! students in upper grades: 40% of 6th graders; > 60% of 7th and 8th graders WoW! to school.
Junior High Schools top the charts: 65% of Blach and 45% of Egan students.
Elementary Schools with greater WoW! student populations have high parent involvement and active WoW! programs – Oak (42%), Springer (44%), and Almond (35%).
Fewer WoW! students at elementary schools with attendance areas on the other side of a major thoroughfare (e.g., Foothill and El Camino).
Oak Avenue won Greenest Elementary School 2013, Loyola won most improved.
Blach Intermediate won Greenest Middle School 2013.

A Walking School Bus is a great way to encourage a healthy and environmentally friendly way of getting to school. This type of program is perfect for younger children who need supervision. It can be easily organized by parents and take place once a week, a couple times a week, or even everyday!

Steps for Starting Simple:

Families in the same neighborhood decide to walk together to and from school.
A route is designed and tested by adults for safety. Don’t forget to record how much time the entire route takes. Refer to the list of maps above to determine the best route for your walking school bus.
The group decides how often to walk together. Consistant walking school buses are often the most successful.
Create a phone list to ensure that all children have emergency contact numbers.
Let the Walking School Bus begin!

Similar to the Walking School Bus concept, a Bicycle Train is a group of neighbors that ride their bikes together to and from school. This program involves more planning and training since children must understand bicycle safety and how to ride on a road.

Basic Considerations:

Bicycle trains are best suited for older elementary children.
We recommend that you start out by providing your children with a basic understanding of the rules of the road and bicycle safety. Practice as a group and have several parents on hand to help demonstrate.
Every child must wear a bicycle helmet. Check to make sure that your child’s bicycle is working properly and is an appropriate size.
More adult supervision is needed than for Walking School Buses. Consider having one adult for every three to six children.

See the Safe Routes to School Resources: Bicycle Trains for an example of steps to implementing a bicycle train in your neighborhood.

The Walk or Wheel! (WoW!) Program is about using “wheels” or walking to get around. Fewer single passenger car trips. Inspiring more kids to walk or bike to school where it is safe to do so.

With 11 local schools actively participating in the WoW! program it’s already a success. At these schools, parent-teacher organizations assign volunteers to work with students to embrace, educate and empower kids to think “Walk or Wheel!” .

GreenTown also works with the Los Altos and Cupertino School Districts to survey Los Altos/Hills’ student travel modes two times during the year: once in the Fall and once in Winter. See WoW! Survey Data – Feb 2012. Findings include:

More WoW! students in upper grades: 40% of 6th graders; > 60% of 7th and 8th graders WoW! to school.
Junior High Schools top the charts: 65% of Blach and 45% of Egan students.
Elementary Schools with greater WoW! student populations have high parent involvement and active WoW! programs – Oak (42%), Springer (44%), and Almond (35%).
Fewer WoW! students at elementary schools with attendance areas on the other side of a major thoroughfare (e.g., Foothill and El Camino).
Oak Avenue won Greenest Elementary School 2013, Loyola won most improved.
Blach Intermediate won Greenest Middle School 2013.

A Walking School Bus is a great way to encourage a healthy and environmentally friendly way of getting to school. This type of program is perfect for younger children who need supervision. It can be easily organized by parents and take place once a week, a couple times a week, or even everyday!

Steps for Starting Simple:

Families in the same neighborhood decide to walk together to and from school.
A route is designed and tested by adults for safety. Don’t forget to record how much time the entire route takes. Refer to the list of maps above to determine the best route for your walking school bus.
The group decides how often to walk together. Consistant walking school buses are often the most successful.
Create a phone list to ensure that all children have emergency contact numbers.
Let the Walking School Bus begin!

Similar to the Walking School Bus concept, a Bicycle Train is a group of neighbors that ride their bikes together to and from school. This program involves more planning and training since children must understand bicycle safety and how to ride on a road.

Basic Considerations:

Bicycle trains are best suited for older elementary children.
We recommend that you start out by providing your children with a basic understanding of the rules of the road and bicycle safety. Practice as a group and have several parents on hand to help demonstrate.
Every child must wear a bicycle helmet. Check to make sure that your child’s bicycle is working properly and is an appropriate size.
More adult supervision is needed than for Walking School Buses. Consider having one adult for every three to six children.

See the Safe Routes to School Resources: Bicycle Trains for an example of steps to implementing a bicycle train in your neighborhood.

Residential methane (aka gas) appliances make up nearly 32% of city-wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Studies show that we need 14 million more electric appliances nationwide to achieve net-zero emissions
Rising atmospheric concentrations of methane and CO2 affect our environment
From the Los Altos Climate Action and Adaption Plan : "Los Altos will experience increased heat waves, floods, drought, and poor air quality from regional events... and...impacts of climate change"

Heat Pump Space Heating

More efficient, which means you can save money on your energy bills.
Quieter, which can make your home more comfortable.
Longer lifespan, so you won't have to replace them as often.
Better for the environment, as they produce no emissions.
A heat pump system can multitask: heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and filtering the air.
- This is your chance to get A/C if you haven’t already!

Heat Pump Water Heating

Over 3x efficient
- For every 1 unit of electric energy input, a heat pump produces 3 to 4 units of energy output. So a heat pump can transfer 300-400% more energy than it consumes. Most methane gas-powered furnaces are 80% efficient, with those above 90% considered high efficiency.
Safer—zero risk of gas leaks
Consider replacing it if your current heater is over 6 years old
Especially consider replacement if you are currently using a gas tank less heater, which leaks twice as much methane as gas tank models do.

Induction Stoves

Gas stoves carry several health risks: poor indoor air quality with particles/carcinogens
Fans provided with gas stoves do not properly ventilate
Most of your pans should still be usable if they’re cast iron
Induction stoves:
- heat faster than electric and gas counterparts
- offer more precise temperature control
- reduce the risks of burns since only the pan, not the cooktop heats up.

All-in-one Washer/Dryer

These can treat laundry gentler, prolonging life and maintaining quality of clothes
Is quieter and requires less space, maintenance
Ventless system, which is leads to lower construction costs and electricity bills

Lower priority, but still valuable modifications:

Fireplaces
Electric garden tools
Solar panels
- SVCE supplies us with clean energy so solar panel installation is not required for electrification. It can, however, drive down operating costs over time, put less strain on the grid, and provide you with onsite battery backup.

What if my gas appliances are new and I don’t want to replace them?

Consider that embarking onto the electrification journey now will be taking advantage of peak rebate season and would lessen emissions immediately.

Try small swaps, like purchasing a stand-alone induction hot-plate for your kitchen to reduce some of your gas use and indoor pollution. Models are available for under $100. There are also hacks to make installation cheap.

As a renter, what can I do?

Approach your landlord with these electrification suggestions. Make sure to highlight that electrification makes buildings more attractive to future renters
Check out these suggestions: https://www.energy.gov/save/renters

What if electrifying seems too inconvenient for my home?

Arrange for an energy audit and work closely with professionals to find workarounds unique to your home. Consult our case studies for some examples.

How do heat pumps work?

Simply put: they use electricity to move heat around and use refrigerant to store and release heat in the cycle. Here is a breakdown by MIT Technology Review.

Ok, so they need refrigerant. What kind do they use?

Some units use naturally occurring CO2 refrigerants, which provide the lowest global warming potential (GWP). Others use synthetic hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, such as R410A or R134A. Here is a more in-depth overview addressing safety concerns. The EPA recently mandated that US manufacturers and importers reduce HFC use by 85% in the next 15 years, a move supported by virtually all US manufacturers. Climate-friendly alternatives to HFCs are increasingly available for most uses: natural or non fluorinated substances with low GWPs, and fluorinated substances with low to mid-range GWPs.
For any appliance that uses refrigerants, check regularly for leakage.

Won’t this further strain the grid?

Planned and existing distributed and grid-level storage will be able to take excess energy and use it to manage the energy needs for the hours of transition in load.
California itself has worked to meet this demand, increasing utility scale battery storage ten-fold in the last two years. This is how the state avoided major blackouts in the heatwave of Sept. 2022–the most severe ever recorded. That storage capacity is set to double again in the next few years.
The state has also planned for an additional 20 Gw of offshore wind capacity.

What if there’s an outage?

Install solar panels with a solar battery backup. The best solution for cases of power failure is an all electric home with onsite battery backup. That allows the home to operate without interruption. In the future companies are exploring the potential to use the batteries in your electric vehicle as an electricity source for your home in times of peak usage or outages.
- It would also be possible to procure a solar-powered generator to keep critical appliances running during a power outage.
- AVOID petroleum-powered generators due to fire risks and dangers from carbon monoxide poisoning in enclosed spaces.

Does electrification mean that I need to upgrade my electrical panel?

Not necessarily: upgrading your panel can be a costly disturbance. The majority of all electric homes should be able to run off a 200-amp service or less. It’s important to choose power efficient electric appliances and utilizing power sharing devices that monitor circuit usage and control the power delivered to shared devices. This may help you avoid upgrading the utility service line or your circuit breaker panel. More details are provided in the Watt Diet Calculator

Aside from electrification, how can I conserve energy?

PGE demand-response programs connect you with third party programs that allow customers to save or earn money by adjusting energy usage.
- An example would be Ohm Connect
Put in a smart thermostat, an inexpensive solution that can save you money on your energy bills.
Make your ceiling/attic more energy efficient, using insulation to keep heat in during the winter, and attic fans to pull heat out during the summer.
Lower your energy bills and improve your air quality by repairing leaky air ducts.
If you have an EV, charge it during the middle of the day, when solar power is most abundant and sometimes over abundant. Your EV battery can store this “surplus” electricity, which would otherwise go to waste.
The US Department of Energy’s Home Energy Saver tool can also help you make a plan to improve your home’s building envelope.
Switch to LED bulbs, especially for the most commonly used bulbs.
Install outdoor shades or awnings, which can reduce solar heat gain by up to 65 percent on south-facing windows and 77 percent on west-facing windows
Plant a tree or shrubs to the west of your home to help keep it cooler.

You can get up to a 30% tax credit off a home energy audit via IRS Form 5695
SVCE’s FutureFitHomes allows you to receive up to 8,000 (up to 13000 if low-income qualifying)
- this is a program applying only to heat pump appliances
For more granular rebates based on individual products, see Golden State Rebates by PG&E
Rewiring America has resources dedicated to finding rebates funded by the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act)
BayREN provides Bay Area specific rebates and a free consultation with a Home Energy Advisor
Stack stack stack! Take advantage of all the rebates available now and apply several at the same time to shave down the price of electrification

Key takeaways from Redwood Energy's comprehensive guide to appliances:

When it comes to deciding between ductless and ducted space heating systems, split ductless heating can be more easily installed, provide advanced filtration, and is significantly cheaper
all in-one washer/dryers are the simplest upgrade, specifically 120v condenser washer/dryers, as they can be plugged into any 120v outlet
Get a heat pump water heater instead of a gas/electric tankless model, which can emit nearly twice as much gas as a normal gas tank model
120v heat pump water heaters are a new, extra-convenient option
- If you don’t currently have electrical resistance water heating (which requires a 240v outlet), this would be much more accessible than a 240v model
Try local lending programs for induction stoves to see if your pans work! If they are cast-iron, they will most likely be fine.

Gas-powered leaf blowers are bad for the environment and contribute to climate change. The California Air Resources Board states that by 2020, leaf blowers and other small gas engines will create more ozone pollution than all the cars in the state. For more information, please review this report by KQED News. Carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, and hydrocarbons escape in large quantities from the 2-stroke engines of gas-powered leaf blowers. Oxides and hydrocarbons contribute to smog formation.

In a comparison with a Ford F-150 Raptor truck, the 2-stroke gas blower generated 23 times more carbon monoxide and nearly 300 times more non-methane hydrocarbons than the truck. https://www.edmunds.com/about/press/leaf-blowers-emissions-dirtier-than-high-performance-pick-up-trucks-says-edmunds-insidelinecom.html

California officials said that the contamination from running a top-selling leaf blower for just one hour matches the emissions from driving a 2016 Toyota Camry for 1,100 miles, the distance from Los Angeles to Denver. www.arb.ca.gov/msorog/offroad/sore/sm_en_fs.pdf

Gas-powered leaf blowers are unhealthy for everyone, particularly children, seniors, pets, wildlife and especially the operator. They generate two very significant health hazards: toxic emissions and particulate matter. The gas leaf blower 2-stroke engines disturb neighbors and disrupt our quiet neighborhoods. For more information, please take a look at this informative website.

Hydrocarbons can be carcinogens and nitrous oxides can cause acid rain. Health hazards of gas leaf blower use are documented by the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, Bay Area Air Quality Management District and California Air Resources Board.

In addition to toxic emissions, leaf blowers blast particulate matter of fungi, pollen, spores, animal feces, pesticides, mold and more into the air. Exposure to particulate matter is an important contributing factor in hundreds of deaths in the Bay Area each year. (CAARB) Fine particulates measuring 2.5 microns and coarser materials measuring 10 microns are readily absorbed in the lungs. 2.5 microns can migrate hundreds of miles and stay in the air for days or weeks. Microns measuring 10 can travel up to 30 miles and stay aloft for hours. (USEPA)

The use of gas leaf blowers is prohibited in Los Altos at any time. Fines for violations range from $100 to $500.

In 1991, Los Altos was the first city in the Bay Area to prohibit the use of gas leaf blowers. Recent changes to enforcement of this municipal code ordinance occurred in November 2022 when the responsibility for enforcement was moved from the Los Altos Police Department to the City staff. A new code enforcement officer was hired in April 2023. On July 11, 2023, the City Council approved a new “stand alone” ordinance (section 11.15) in the municipal code. The major change in the ordinance is to assign the responsibility of liability for the operation and use of a gas-powered leaf blower to the recorded property owner of the site where the violation has occurred.

You can help promote cleaner air in our community. Report the use of gas leaf blowers through the online complaint form, phone, or email.

Online: https://www.losaltosca.gov/developent-services-webform/online-codeenforcement-form

Email: codeenforcement@losaltosca.gov

Phone: (650) 947-2775

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NATURE IS CALLING!

Where will the Living Electric Fair take place?

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies!

NATIVE POLLINATOR GARDEN PROGRAM

Will there be a bike valet?

Recipe

Will potable water be available?

RESEARCH

BACKGROUND

Healthy Planet = Healthy People

Healthy Bodies = Happy Bodies

Happy Animals = Happy Planet

Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents want to eat more plants

References

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies!

BACKGROUND

Healthy Planet = Healthy People

Healthy Bodies = Happy Bodies

Happy Animals = Happy Planet

Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents want to eat more plants

References

BACKGROUND

THE PROBLEM

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Permeable Surfaces Handbook

WEEK 4: KEY TAKEAWAYS

WEEK 3: BROADEN YOUR IMPACT

WEEK 2: EASY SWAPS TO REDUCE EVERY DAY PLASTIC USE

WEEK 1: THE PLASTIC POLLUTION CRISIS

WHAT IS PLASTIC FREE JULY?

WHY GO PLASTIC FREE?

BACKGROUND

THE PROBLEM

HOW YOU CAN HELP

BACKGROUND

THE PROBLEM

HOW YOU CAN HELP

BACKGROUND

THE PROBLEM

HOW YOU CAN HELP

BACKGROUND

THE PROBLEM

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Permeable Surfaces Handbook

BACKGROUND

GreenTown's 500Trees program reaches its Goal!

THE PROBLEM

CASE STUDY

HOW YOU CAN HELP

VISIT OUR PROJECTS

BACKGROUND

2022-23 Tree Planting Campaign

2023 Summer Internship (Applications Open)

BACKGROUND

BENEFITS

BICYCLE SAFETY EDUCATION

STUDENT TRAVEL MODES

WALKING SCHOOL BUS

BICYCLE TRAIN

Summer Internships!

1: Sustainable Urban Landscapes

2: GreenScape Changemaker: Community & Climate Action (2 interns)

Make Your Next Party ECO-FRIENDLY!

Reusable Party Packs Available to Borrow from GreenTown Los Altos

Schools WoW Program Coordinator

Volunteer Development Leader

Bike/Walk Events

Help Plant Trees!

Marketing Events Outreach and Social Media & Blog Poster