Community collaboration is the foundation for creating a sustainable and livable city. And what's happening in Claremont is a model to be replicated. Known as "The City of Trees and PhDs," Claremont sits on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County against the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Sustainable Claremont serves the 37,000+ residents of Claremont, as well as the neighboring cities of the greater Southern California region. The organization traces back to October 28th, 2008, when the Claremont's sustainable city plan recommended the formation of a citizen group to work with city government - independently, but in cooperation on issues of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. In March 2009, Sustainable Claremont formed as an independent 501??????(C)3 nonprofit organization. Their mission: to engage people in education and action to create a more sustainable community - environmentally, socially, and economically - in the City of Claremont and beyond.

Engaging the community to participate in sustainable initiatives along with the city's sustainable program has proved very successful in achieving multiple milestones. Programs and services include:

 

• The C. Freeman Allen Sustainability Resource Center
• Green Crew Urban Forestry and Beautification Program
• Environmental Education and Community Engagement Programs
• Community Advocacy
• Creating and supporting school gardens

In 2019 alone, Sustainable Claremont's Green Crew engaged more than 1,800 volunteers to plant 1,408 trees and 591 waterwise shrubs at 34 events. The program is funded primarily through California ReLeaf. Sustainable Claremont also runs its community compost program to divert the food waste of 30-50 families from landfills. Sustainable Claremont engages the community in ecological awareness by advocating for sustainable living, reducing carbon footprints, and contributing towards making local changes that have a global impact.

Website: https://sustainableclaremont.org/.

As seen in LASN magazine, March 2019.