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We are excited to introduce our 2026 summer interns! Our summer intern program is now in its 9th year and we are delighted to welcome this year - Ishika Anand, Kyle Chang, Ayaan Dwivedi, Manya Sikka, Amanda Wang, and Nico B. Westter. Left to Right: Kyle, Ayaan, Ishika, Niko, Amanda and Manya Nico, Amanda and Manya will be working on the "Understanding the food waste pyramid" project. Food waste is a big contributor to climate change. When food ends up in landfills, it creates powerful greenhouse gases like methane. If food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter in the world. Through this internship, interns will learn why food waste matters and how communities can reduce it. They will work with real data from local waste haulers, research solutions used in other cities and organizations, and explore how composting can cut emissions. By the end of the internship, they will build skills in research, data analysis, and communication, and share their findings with the GreenTown board and the community. They will be mentored by Madhuri Davidson (GreenTown board member) & Margie Suozzo (Zero waste leader, Schools WoW leader and former board member). Ishika, Kyle and Ayaan will be working on "Promoting Responsible Use of the Batteries That Power Our Lives" project. Our world is full of electronics and many of these devices are powered by lithium-ion batteries. But what happens to those hazardous batteries when they reach the end of their useful life? Hopefully they are properly recycled through a program like the Rotary Climate Action Committee’s Lithium-Ion Recycling Program. Through this internship, interns will help promote this program to local residents by creating short-form videos and other media content demonstrating what items can be recycled through the program, what happens to batteries when they are properly disposed of, and the dangers when they are not. They will be mentored by Laura Teksler (GreenTown board member and Electrification Lead) and Clari Nolet (Chair, Los Altos Rotary Climate Action Committee) Ishika Anand My name is Ishika Anand and I'm a rising junior at Los Altos High School. My interest in sustainability stems from my experience as a member of my school's Green Team. In addition to sustainability, I'm also incredibly passionate about engineering. I am a part of my school's FIRST Robotics Competition team, which drew me to the Lithium Ion Battery Recycling project. Outside of sustainability and engineering, I'm also a goalie on my school's varsity field hockey team and I learn an Indian classical dance style called Kathak. Kyle Chang Hello! I’m Kyle, a rising senior at Hillbrook Upper School. I’ve always loved nature, but my passion for climate action sparked in 9th grade while visiting an Alaskan homestead where we used composting toilets, we foraged for food, and our energy came from micro-hydropower & woodstoves. Under the umbrella of sustainability, my particular interest is in renewable energy systems, such as wind turbines and batteries. To understand these particular systems, I went to Brown pre-college for a summer. Throughout my years in high school, I have done multiple environmental and pollution-based analyses, examining the effects of diesel pollution on asthma rates, PM 2.5 on the Urban Heat Island Effect, and the discrepancies between the locations of EV chargers and roads commonly frequented by vehicles. I interned at Tidelines Institute in Alaska, learning about sustainable indigenous practices and documenting the culturally modified trees in the area. I’ve also gotten the chance to help my community by working with organizations like the Trash Punx, where I picked up trash around San Jose; People Assisting the Homeless, where I organized community events for the unhoused and interim-housed community; and Community Cycles of California, where I repaired and provided bikes to those facing economic challenges. Outside of the climate space, I enjoy photography, sports, and robotics. In the future, I hope to study and build energy systems necessary for environmental conservation. Ayaan Dwivedi Hi, my name is Ayaan and I’m a rising junior at Los Altos High School. My interest in environmental topics stems from early memories of exploring our city’s beautiful parks and spending time outside playing sports. Preserving these local natural spaces for future families to enjoy is a core goal of mine. Furthermore, I began venturing deep into the STEM field in high school, particularly through robotics. With many of my new engineering experiences, I thought more about sustainability questions related to electronics and their environmental impact. I hope to have a unique impact by using the intersection of this knowledge to improve the sustainability of batteries and all other electronics. Outside of school, I love to play tennis, cook, and listen to music! Manya Sikka Hello! I’m Manya, a rising senior at Los Altos High School. I’m passionate about public health and using data to improve the well-being of my community. I’ve been working with students in underserved communities for almost 3 years, which has shown me the effect that environmental conditions can have on groups of people. These experiences made me interested in the intersection of public health and sustainability. Through Greentown, I hope to mitigate the amount of food waste in our town while ensuring that we can implement sustainable, realistic measures to create lasting change. Outside of sustainability and advocacy, I love to hike and listen to music. Amanda Wang Hi! My name is Amanda, and I’m a rising senior at Los Altos High School. I’ve always been interested in using math and data to better understand real-world problems, especially those related to the environment. At school, I founded the Applied Modeling and Data Club, where we’ve participated in competitions like the Modeling the Future Challenge and have worked on projects analyzing the impact of wildfires on public school funding. On campus, I’m also involved in the Women in STEM Club as Co-President and the Math Club as Treasurer. Outside of school, I’ve volunteered with Grassroots Ecology as a Youth Steward, and I’m excited to work with GreenTown to address food waste in the community. In my free time, I enjoy baking, listening to music, and skiing! Nico B. Westter Hello! I’m Nico, a rising senior at Mountain View High School, I like to draw and listen to music, I’d say I’m a creative person. I was inspired to focus on the environment after volunteering with Grassroots Ecology, an organization dedicated to maintaining nature’s natural environment. Next, I was part of the Filoli Historic Museum & Garden Horticulture Internship, taking care of the public garden, continuing my journey of promoting ways to protect nature. I like researching topics I’m interested in, which is what led me to being a part of the Green Town Los Altos’ team in an attempt to understand the food waste problem in our area.

By Glenda Chang This summer, I came home from our family vacation to an unexpected surprise: our washing machine had sprung a leak. What looked like a small puddle turned into a bigger plumbing puzzle, and before long my husband and I were hauling out laundry water by the bucket. It was a workout neither of us planned for. And because most mainstream detergents are high in sodium, we couldn’t just dump the water onto the garden or into the storm drain. Every load had to be carried and disposed of carefully. Not exactly the homecoming we imagined. But somewhere between the buckets, the troubleshooting, and my husband muttering under his breath about pipes and fittings, I realized something. This was the perfect moment to finally try something I had been curious about for years: graywater, specifically a simple Laundry‑to‑Landscape setup. Now that we’re entering our empty‑nest season, no more heavily soiled athletic uniforms or gym bag mysteries from our three sons. Our laundry is lighter, simpler, and a lot more compatible with graywater use. Step 1: The Detergent The first thing I learned is that detergent matters. A lot. Most conventional detergents contain salts, boron, and additives that are tough on soil and plants. So I started with ECOS Free & Clear, a plant‑based, hypoallergenic detergent that fits our family’s needs and is easy to find at Whole Foods. It’s one of the detergents recommended for graywater systems because it’s low in sodium and free of synthetic fragrances. I also learned something reassuring: oxygen bleach (“Oxy”) is graywater‑safe, because it breaks down into oxygen, water, and a mild form of soda ash. That means it won’t harm soil microbes or plants when used in normal amounts. Chlorine bleach, however, is not safe for graywater because it can damage roots and soil biology. Thankfully, I don’t use chlorine bleach anyway, so that part was easy. Step 2: The DIY Setup While we wait for a permanent fix to the washing machine, we connected a temporary hose from the washer to our garden. Definitely a DIY moment. Our dog watched the whole thing with deep suspicion, as if we were rearranging the laws of nature. We’re still in the early stages, and I’m still evaluating whether our clothes feel clean enough with the new detergent. But I’m optimistic. And honestly, it feels good to know that every load of laundry can support our landscape instead of going straight down the drain. Source: Valley Water What’s Next: A Smarter System In my research, I learned about a simple but brilliant addition: a three‑way diverter valve. It lets you switch each load between: Graywater mode for everyday laundry Sewer mode for heavily soiled or disinfecting loads This flexibility is a game‑changer for families who want to conserve water without compromising on cleaning power. It might be our next step once the plumbing situation settles down. Why This Matters for Los Altos Laundry‑to‑Landscape systems are one of the easiest, most affordable ways for homeowners to reuse water. They require no storage tanks, no pumps, and in Santa Clara County, no permit. And in a region where every drop counts, small household experiments like this can add up to meaningful community impact. What started as a plumbing headache has turned into a hands‑on lesson in resilience, conservation, and creativity. And maybe a little muscle building too. More info on Graywater systems Gray Water Rebates I would love to hear from others in our community who have tried graywater or are curious about starting.

On April 29, the Los Altos Complete Streets Commission proclaimed May as “Bike Month,” kicking off a series of events to promote and celebrate cycling in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. Thousands of cyclists pass through our communities each month, enjoying Santa Clara County’s roads and trails. Hundreds of children and teenagers cycle to our schools every day, while recreational cyclists travel north and south along Foothill Expressway and east and west to and from the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains. What is it about Los Altos and Los Altos Hills that makes cycling so popular? Perhaps it's our flat streets and bike-friendly routes for commuting, our challenging foothills for recreation, or our near-perfect weather! And once people start cycling, they discover a sense of joy and freedom in the experience. Students quickly learn that one of the fastest–and most fun–ways to get to class is on two wheels. Students at Springer and Santa Rita have now also experienced the joys of riding in a “bike bus” (see sidebar). To share the joy, the City of Los Altos and the Town of Los Altos Hills, together with coalition of community partners, is highlighting a number of events to encourage folks to saddle up and ride during Bike Month: Bike Buses are Coming to Town Springer’s March 6 WoW! Day featured an organized bike bus—the first coordinated bike commute of its kind at the school. It drew 40 participants, with five adults supporting the ride and dozens of students enjoying the journey to school together. The result? Happy kids and a full bike rack! The bike bus returned for Springer’s April 3 and 24 WoW! Days, building even more momentum. And Springer isn’t the only school benefiting. Avid bike commuter and Earth advocate Terry Barton helped spark and organize a bike bus at Santa Rita, as well. Terry worked on a route for the school’s late March WoW! Day focusing on the north side of El Camino. When they arrived at school, bike bus participants were greeted with a bike skills course, lively music, and fun giveaways. Interested in starting a WoW! program or organizing a bike bus at your school? Email us at info@greentownlosaltos.org. May 6 and all month | Bike to school May 6th is National Bike & Roll to School Day 2026, which invites participants to celebrate the joy of active commuting while building a sense of community and school spirit. Many schools are celebrating biking to school with Walk or Wheel (WoW!) encouragement days. WoW! is a project of GreenTown Los Altos, which works with school PTA leads to encourage greener alternatives to the single family car, such as biking, walking, and carpooling, for school commutes. Local school WoW! Days during Bike Month include: May 1 - Covington, Loyola, and Springer Elementary May 6 - Gardner Bullis Elementary May 7 - Bullis Charter School North and South; and May 29 - Oak Avenue Elementary. May 9 | Ride to run The Los Altos Hills Pathways Run/Walk is a great excuse to get on your bike and try out some hills. Go early and run (1st race starts at 9am) or go later and spectate. May 15 | Bike to dinner Downtown Los Altos Bike ‘n Dine is back for the fourth year in a row, from 5-8pm! Bring your bike, friends, and family, and join us for a fun-filled evening of biking, dining, and community-building at the Veteran’s Community Plaza on the corner of State and Main Streets! There will be music, activities for children, and a “bike valet” to safely park your bike while you explore the vibrant downtown area on foot. We'll also share event swag including exclusive dining discounts and offers from downtown restaurants. May 23 | High School Student Bike Tour of Stanford Get to know bike and train routes to Stanford and learn more about university life and programs from local students. For more information on these and other events that promote and celebrate cycling during Bike Month, visit bikelosaltos.com and bikelosaltos.org. Bike Month is organized by a coalition including the City of Los Altos, the Town of Los Altos Hills, GreenTown Los Altos, Safe Routes to Downtown Los Altos, Los Altos Village Association, and the Anne Wojcicki Foundation.

Delicious Vegan Cookie Eating Green Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies! Please enjoy these vegan chocolate chip cookies! The recipe was developed by GreenTown's 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 Recipe 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 had the best results RESOURCES 2023 Summer Interns For inquiries about the "Eating Green" program or to share yoiur thoughts and recipes, contact us at: info@greentownlosaltos.org

About Us Mission OUR MISSION To protect and enhance the environment of Los Altos & Los Altos Hills through community engagement, education, and advocacy while contributing to and leveraging regional and global environmental efforts. OUR VALUES Leaving the environment a better place for the next generation Policy and decision-making based on data and scientific research Inclusion and partnership, and conducting our activities in a fair, ethical (and, when appropriate, fun) manner Education, mentorship and the inclusion of youth as much as possible in our activities Honesty and respect when presenting fact-based research and educating our community OUR BELIEFS A clean and healthy environment is vital to the health of our communities. Human activities impact the natural environment and contribute to climate change and pollution that directly affects human health Individual, community and governmental actions can mitigate the negative environmental impacts of human activities We can arrest human caused climate change and environmental degradation by individual, community and legislative action GreenTown is a project of the Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation’s Local Impact Collective Team OUR TEAM Suresh Venkatraman President, Board Suresh’s daughters’ engagement in environmental causes were a major influence to join GreenTown. Youth all over the world are asking us, the current stewards, to do everything we can to reverse our effect on the planet’s environments and climate. Actions by individuals, communities, and governments must all come together to accomplish this monumental but achievable task. Suresh is passionate that we become acutely conscious of our consumption – from energy to products, from how they are manufactured, packaged to how they are disposed of – and make decisions and take actions to minimize our footprint. Connie Miller Clean Air Lead As a Bay Area native and Los Altos resident who has spent her entire life enjoying the abundance of nature our region offers, Connie sees the urgent need to act boldly to create a sustainable and thriving environment for our children. All actions start with one person and grow into a collective wave of change. Connie believes Los Altos and Los Altos Hills are perfectly poised, with their educated residents, affluence and regional influence, to be the leaders of change and leave a lasting positive legacy for our planet. Through GreenTown Los Altos programs, education and policy influence, Connie hopes to be a resource for and inspire positive environmental change in others. Don Weiden Treasurer Don’s career as a civil/environmental engineer and his personal enjoyment in wilderness camping since grade school have led to his interest in minimizing the impacts of our engineered and human activities on the natural environment. He became interested in GreenTown Los Altos when investigating residential solar panels for his home and is now a proponent of converting vehicles and equipment from using fossil fuels to clean electrical energy. Gary Hedden Past President, Board Member Conservation Lead Gary joined GreenTown in 2011 and now leads the effort to protect our natural resources. That means planting trees, cleaning creeks and advocating for sound conservation policies. He still likes to bike, and leads the Historic Homes Bike Ride, the Native Garden Bike Tour, the Hardy Jones Memorial Bike Ride, and the Summer & Winter Solstice night bike rides. Glenda Chang Board Member Water Lead, Woodland Library Garden Lead Glenda is a long-time reef and ocean conservation advocate, and pursues the Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals. Change for a healthier planet can start at home, by young and old alike. As such, she is eager to learn, collaborate, and engage together as a community. Her interests include SCUBA diving, technological innovation, disaster relief, island nations and their people, discovering the outdoors, photography, and being foodies with her family. One of her recent projects is providing clean water to an indigenous mountain tribe. Laura Teksler Board Member Clean Air, Electrification Laura first became involved with GreenTown as the Almond parent lead for the Walk or Wheel (WoW) program over a decade ago. She is a life-long environmentalist and lover of the outdoors who has dedicated her paid and volunteer careers to sustainability efforts. Recently through her work on the Los Altos Environmental Commission and Acterra she has become an advocate for home electrification. Madhuri Davidson Board Member Schools WoW!, Zero Waste Madhuri has been a volunteer in many of GreenTown's conservation projects. Recently, she has taken on a pivotal role, working alongside Jana to maintain, update, and clean up our membership database. Madhuri is a Living Classroom Docent at Springer Elementary where her two children are students. She is also working with GreenTown and the City to revive the WoW program and Safe Routes to School education program at Springer Elementary! Cary Anderson Eating Green Lead Cary enjoys an active lifestyle as a retired CPA and as CFO in private equity and commercial real estate industries. Cary currently volunteers for the YMCA basketball programs, the LAHS Mentor/Tutor program and, recently, a vegan farm / animal sanctuary. Cary enjoys learning how things work, being hands-on and has a strange attraction to performing manual labor ("brawn over brains"). As the Eating- Green lead, he aims to have fun challenging himself and encouraging others to better understand how our food choices impact all forms of life. Kim Jelfs Adopt-A-Highway Lead Past Board Member, Kim first became involved with GreenTown through our "Skip the Straw' campaign and hasn't looked back! She loved our hands-on, "can do" approach and immediately felt at home. A former H.R. Manager, she has volunteered in schools and local communities and is passionate about waste reduction, eliminating single-use plastics, and living sustainably. When not growing food in her garden, you can find Kim hiking local trails and traveling. Kris Jensen Consulting Director, Development Kris is our quintessential perfect match. The living embodiment of an advocate, starting at age 13 by penning a note to Pres. Reagan protesting removing the White House’s solar panels. He lives sustainably, is a certified permaculture designer, gardens, cooks and does woodwork when he’s not guiding our community efforts. Michele Gerstel Marketing Lead Michele admits joining the GreenTown team was a no brainer. Why? Who wouldn’t want to be a part of a team of passionate, brilliant residents working to improve our community’s future? Marketing its programs are just plain fun. Not to mention rewarding. Enough to keep anyone smiling. Jana Schlanker Organization Lead Jana is our organizational go to. Her smiling face makes it easy to make any request and know it will be readily handled. From managing our growing database, organizing volunteers and coordinating events, she has an eye for details that we enjoy having on board.

500 TREES Conservation BACKGROUND Trees help you, our city and the planet. They look attractive, their shade will keep your home cooler in the summer and trees sequester carbon while producing oxygen. Trees can play a pivotal role in the response to climate change and you can make a difference. GreenTown's 500Trees program reaches its Goal! GreenTown Los Altos is happy to report that we planted tree #500 in December 2024 and the last tree, #538, in April 2025. We celebrated meeting our goal of 500 trees on Arbor Day, April 2025. Below are pictures of volunteers helping us along the journey! 500 Trees Planted! RESOURCES Tree List Resilient Trees