Mission and Vision
Mission: To help our communities equitably implement sustainable and regenerative practices that slow and adopt to climate change.
Vision: To inspire Pacific Grove to act as a model community for sustainable living
Unique Characteristics/Focus
Sustainable Pacific Grove (SPG) was the first local action group established in 2006 under the non-profit umbrella organization Communities for Sustainable Monterey County. Pacific Grove residents enjoy four square miles of mixed habitat with an amazing number of resident and migrating species of wildlife, and 5.4 miles of coastline. With a population of approximately 15,500, we are a small town that cherishes our natural resources. As a coastal town, we are vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise. Because our environment is so appealing, we must work diligently to mitigate the impact of the many tourists who visit our coast annually.
Sustainable PG strives to preserve our unique community by supporting implementation of city ordinances and practices that protect our natural environment and mitigate climate change. We also put substantial effort into educating residents and visitors about the impact of plastic pollution, climate change and emphasize the impact of individual actions.
COMMUNITY GARDENS
Founded in 2012, our Community Garden is a hive of activity and beautiful to behold with a pollinator garden and 40 individual plots brimming with vegetables and flowers. Local families are encouraged to grow organically, and plots are planted with a wide variety of delicious produce that grows year-round. We have two greenhouses and a Children’s Garden and a water catchment system. The garden is located behind the Pacific Grove Adult School, 210 Ridge Road, Pacific Grove. Contact the Community Garden to learn more or add your name to the waiting list by emailing feldman.heidi@yahoo.com
Who We Are
After moving to Pacific Grove, Colleen became involved in the effort to label GMOs in our food system by leading the Prop 37 Right To Know ballot initiative for Monterey County. As a result, she became involved with Sustainable Pacific Grove and has worked on the single use plastics ordinance, reduction of pesticides, climate action and many other initiatives. Colleen served on the Pacific Grove Beautification and Natural Resources Commission (BNRC), serves on the Board of Communities for Sustainable Monterey County, is a Community Emergency Response Team member (CERT), and volunteers for the City of Pacific Grove.
Nelly is a retired teacher, and currently volunteers at the Discovery center for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Lance and Nelly Wright developed and shared the Earth Friendly Households with CSMC, which is a valuable community climate action program. Nelly is also a member Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) for women’s educational advancement, a member of American Association of University Women (AAUW), advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research, and volunteers for City of Pacific Grove.
Susan began volunteering for SPG even before she moved full time to Pacific Grove. She currently serves as Vice-Chair on the Beautification and Natural Resources Commission. Susan also volunteers for Meals on Wheels
Heidi Feldman was born and raised in Wiesbaden, Germany. She immigrated to the United States as a teenager. Heidi worked for 9 years as the Public Education Manager for the Monterey Regional Waste Management District where she conducted site tours for visitors from all around the globe, and taught composting and gardening classes. She installed and managed the “Small Planet” Garden at the District, which led to mentoring and assisting many local schools with their own school gardens. In her volunteer work, Heidi serves as president and founding board member of the Didi Project, a nonprofit organization that helps to educate and protect the health of girls and women in Nepal and that conducts anti-trafficking education programs to keep girls safe and in school. Heidi is fluent in German, English, Spanish, and French.