SACRAMENTO
Statement on security from California’s Homeland Security Advisor
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Director Nancy Ward, who serves as California’s Homeland Security Advisor, released the following statement on the efforts underway to protect the well-being of all Californians:
“As California’s Homeland Security Agency, we are actively monitoring the developing situation in Israel and Gaza and closely coordinating with our security partners to track potential impacts on the domestic threat environment.
“The situation remains dynamic and evolving. I continue to actively brief the Governor on the current situation and state intelligence and law enforcement officials are working around the clock to safeguard the safety and security of all Californians.
“We are in touch with faith leaders and communities across the state to provide support, listen to their concerns and offer the full resources of the state.
“While we are aware of statements made about potential threats on Friday, October 13, I want to emphasize that no specific and credible threat to California has been identified at this time.
“As with any potential threats to our state, Cal OES will coordinate with our partners at the local, state and federal level to ensure they have the resources and information necessary to keep our communities safe.
“All Californians have an important role to play in protecting our communities, and I encourage everyone in our state to be alert, vigilant and prepared and immediately report any suspicious activity through proper channels.”
—Submitted
SACRAMENTO
Cal Fire releases Green Schoolyards Grants Guidelines for nonprofit child care facilities
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Urban and Community Forestry Program announced the opening of the 2023 Green Schoolyards Grant solicitation for nonprofit child care facilities. An historic $30 million will be available specifically for implementing Green Schoolyard projects at nonprofit child care facilities receiving government funding which includes state funded/public child care facilities.
Green Schoolyards grant projects include the planting of trees and other vegetation, converting pavement to green spaces, and other activities at California nonprofit child care facilities to help alleviate extreme heat, improve the immediate environment for students, and improve accessibility to nature and nature-based learning for the youngest population in the state.
Projects are also intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve the functionality of urban forests, arrest the decline of urban forest resources, address climate change resilience, improve the quality of the environment in urban areas, and optimize co-benefits to children and surrounding urban residents.
Focus is on child care facilities in and/or serving disadvantaged communities in urban areas. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations, cities, counties, and districts but projects must be at nonprofit child care facilities.
“This $30 million in Green Schoolyards Grant funding for nonprofit child care facilities demonstrates CAL FIRE’s continued support for schoolyard greening projects for traditionally underserved communities,” said State Urban Forester, Walter Passmore. “Trees and greening at child care facilities provide shelter from extreme heat and the impacts of climate change, as well as access to nature-based learning that is often not readily accessible in urban settings.
The Schoolyard Greening application portal is open now with an application deadline of December 1. The CAL FIRE Urban and Community Forestry Program offered a grant webinar at the end of September to help interested entities better understand the grant opportunity and navigate the application process. A recording of the webinar can be found HERE.
More information can be found on the Urban and Community Grants Program page at https://files.constantcontact.com/fac05d5d601/98e16d9c-d675-4b7f-bf87-2927ab1f75b5.pdf?rdr=true
This $30 million in grant solicitation compliments the more than $100 million in Green Schoolyard Grant funding that was made available by CAL FIRE in March of this year. This unprecedented level of investment in schoolyard and child care facility greening has been made available to traditionally underserved communities throughout the state to help lessen the impacts of climate change and provide nature-based solutions where California’s next generation often needs it most.
—Submitted
