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Bike to Work Day
The Air District continues to encourage people to reduce emissions by making changes in their daily lives, and biking to work is one of the many choices people can make in an effort to clean our air. Bike to Work Day will be taking place throughout the week from Modesto to Bakersfield.
Participants will be provided with refreshments and free gifts from the Air District, and be entered to win prizes. Healthy Air Living is a year-round initiative designed to help shine a light on air quality issues and show the simple things Valley residents can do to become part of the solution.
Come out and join us.
Community Clean Air Resources
Bike Bakersfield (http://www.bikebakersfield.org/)
California Bike Coalition (http://www.calbike.org/)
Fresno Bike Coalition (http://www.fresnobike.org/)
South Valley Bicycle Coalition (http://www.southvalleybike.org/)
Tree Foundation of Kern (http://www.urbanforest.org/)
The Tree Foundation of Kern is dedicated to the advancement of a sustainable urban and community forestry plan in Kern County.
Tree Fresno (http://www.treefresno.org/)
With community involvement, Tree Fresno advocates and participates in the revitalization of our cities throughout the Fresno region by planting trees, creating trails and educating the public about the proper maintenance and care of trees.
Valley Clean Air Now (http://www.valley-can.org/)
Valley CAN is an advocacy group committed to improving air quality in communities throughout the California San Joaquin Valley. Valley CAN helps publicize creative new approaches to reduce air pollution and sponsors pilot programs and educational efforts dedicated to providing solutions to high emissions sources.
Valley CAN Tune In, Tune Up Program (http://www.valley-can.org/tune_in_tune_up.php)
Valley CAN is proud to sponsor a car clean up outreach effort to help eliminate mobile source pollutants generated by older, "out of tune" cars in the San Joaquin Valley. It is well known that the Valley is home to a large number of older cars, many of which do not have current smog certificates. Through partnerships with local businesses, Valley CAN is able to provide a venue for the demonstration and coupons to a local certified smog shop for vehicles to be repaired.
Operation Clean Air (http://www.operationcleanair.org/)
Operation Clean Air, Inc. is a coalition involved in the overlapping issues of air quality and economic prosperity in the San Joaquin Valley of California. OCA is dedicated to identifying and implementing sustainable voluntary initiatives and incentives to reduce air emissions without damaging the Central Valley's economy.
Fresno-Madera Medical Society (http://www.fmms.org/)
The mission of the Fresno-Madera Medical Society is to promote the art and science of medicine, the care and well-being of patients, the enhancement of the public's health, and the general welfare of the medical profession. The Society regularly promotes awareness of air quality and measures to stay healthy. FMMS has also produced a brochure for the public highlighting strategies for healthy air living and information about air quality.
The Great Valley Center (http://www.greatvalley.org/)
The Great Valley Center manages leadership development programs, provides technical support, and holds events on issues important to the Valley's future. Air Quality continues to be highlighted in Great Valley Center activities.
US Green Building Council Central California (http://www.usgbc.org/)
The US Green Building Council Central California is composed of numerous organizations from across the building industry that are working to advance structures that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work.
Drive Clean (http://www.driveclean.ca.gov/en/gv/home/index.asp)
Drive Clean is a zero emissions vehicle guide developed by the California Air Resources Board.
Fuel Economy (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/)
Fuel Economy provides information on gas prices, driving more efficiently, and alternative forms of transportation.
Energy Star (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=challenge.bus_challenge)
The ENERGY STAR Challenge is a national call-to-action to improve the energy efficiency of America’s commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more. Energy Star provides a toolkit of resources and information to achieve better air quality and energy efficiency.
Flex Your Power (http://www.fypower.org/)
Flex Your Power's website is a resource for energy efficiency and conservation information with many links and tips on how to conserve energy and promote healthy air living.
Green Vehicle Guide (http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/Index.do;jsessionid=82307d2e438316393542)
This guide provided by the EPA allows users to research vehicles to choose the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets their needs and see how their current vehicle rates.
It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air (http://www.italladdsup.gov/index.html)
It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air is a unique public education and partnership-building initiative which seeks to inform people about the connections among their transportation choices, traffic congestion, and air pollution by emphasizing simple, convenient actions they can take to improve air quality and reduce congestion.
HOW CAN FAITH COMMUNITIES HELP TO CLEAN THE VALLEY’S SKIES?
The San Joaquin Valley is home to almost 3,000 churches, mosques, temples synagogues, and other faith communities, who represent virtually all of the world’s faith traditions. Recognizing that faith communities are concerned not only with their congregants’ spiritual well-being but also with their physical health, and understanding that faith communities are a major influence in their congregants lives, the Air District is reaching out to faith communities to strengthen the Valley’s engagement in Healthy Air Living. Faith community facilities and operations can be an inspiring example for environmentally responsible practices, such as ridesharing, green building, and sustainable lawn and garden care.
As a first step that is both meaningful and convenient, the Air District is asking pastors and lay leaders to make pledges on behalf of their congregations for Healthy Air Living Week. A letter from the Air Pollution Control Officer to the Valley’s Faith communities regarding Healthy Air Living pledges. Pastors and lay leaders making a pledge will need to print a Faith Community Pledge Card, fill it out, and mail it to the District office.
Pledging as a faith community can qualify community members for the drawing to win a Toyota Prius. Individuals making a pledge will need to print a Personal Pledge Card, fill it out, and mail it to the District office.
California Interfaith Power & Light is a group of religious groups that seek to respond to global warming through the promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
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