***PRESS RELEASE***
Climate Action Projects Benefit Neighborhood Corridors as Environment Department’s Volunteer Program Hits One-Year Milestone
San Francisco’s Partnership with California Volunteers seeds climate volunteerism across San Francisco to promote urban greening, neighborhood cleanups, and citywide climate resilience.
San Francisco, CA – Today, the San Francisco Environment Department (SF Environment) celebrates the one-year anniversary of its volunteer program to bring residents together to make neighborhoods cleaner, greener, and more environmentally friendly. SF Environment, alongside city leaders, took the Climate Action Counts pledge in June 2025, and partnered with California Volunteers to provide opportunities for residents to directly impact quality of life and improve access to green spaces in their communities through volunteerism.
"Our partnership with the San Francisco Environment Department is a powerful reminder that meaningful climate action starts at the community level. Through Climate Action Counts, we’re giving residents simple, tangible steps that add up to real impact. In one year, they have been able to make a significant difference, and we are looking forward to seeing what else can be achieved,” said Jacqueline Yannacci, California Volunteers Executive Director.
The program launched in June 2025 at McLaren Park with the inaugural Community Climate Action Day. Since then, SF Environment has hosted 25 events, with 15 community and city partners bringing together a total of 201 volunteers, resulting in 828 hours of service.
These volunteer events included waste clean ups and organics diversion, native planting, and invasive species removal. Community volunteers planted 227 native species and transformed 40,733 square feet of greenscape in the Excelsior, Bayview, Oceanview, Merced Heights, Portola, Ingleside, Treasure Island, Parkside, SOMA, Bernal Heights, and Visitacion Valley neighborhoods.
“This first year has shown us what’s possible when neighbors come together with a shared purpose,” said Tyrone Jue, Director of the San Francisco Environment Department. “Each event strengthens our connection to one another and to the natural spaces that make San Francisco unique. We are deeply grateful to the volunteers who have invested their time and energy, helping to bring climate stewardship to neighborhoods across our city.”
“Working with SF Environment’s volunteer program has been a wonderful experience, said China Bushell, Executive Director for A Living Library. “Their team is organized, diligent, and consistently follows through, making them an outstanding partner in community-based environmental work. Together, we have engaged volunteers in creating greener, healthier public spaces while fostering a deeper connection between residents and the natural world around them.”
“Over the past year McLaren Native Plant Garden and our long-neglected community have greatly benefitted by our partnership with San Francisco Environment’s volunteer program, said Fran Martin, Park Steward for Visitacion Valley Greenway and McLaren Native Plant Garden. “Together we have beautified and transformed a formerly blighted, unsafe space into a new habitat promoting biodiversity and fighting climate change. The valuable work San Francisco Environment’s incredible staff is doing to create a healthy environment for our city is critical for all San Franciscans.”
“City Gurlz Hike thoroughly enjoyed volunteering with the San Francisco Environment Department during a special Earth Month BioBlitz, said Daisy Prado, Founder of City Gurlz Hike. “The SFE team was incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable, and intentional in creating an engaging experience; from sharing insights about our city's native flora and fauna to providing participants with educational resources they could take home. Partnerships like this make environmental stewardship more accessible, and we're grateful for the opportunity to connect with San Francisco's outdoor spaces in such a meaningful way.”
Volunteerism, as an expression of civic pride and service for San Francisco, is gaining momentum. On July 11, 2026, SF Environment volunteers will join other city departments and community groups to participate in One City Day.
This citywide day of service will bring San Franciscans together across all 11 districts to serve our community, strengthen connections, and show what’s possible when we show up for our city.
"Service is transformational — for families, colleagues, our neighborhoods, and for San Francisco itself," said First Lady of San Francisco, Becca Prowda. "One City Day is an open invitation to every San Franciscan. Sign up, show up, and let's come together for our city on July 11."
From neighborhood beautification to supporting families, youth, and seniors, One City Day highlights and expands the incredible work already happening across San Francisco—from picking up trash and planting trees to packaging food for our neighbors. One City Day will strengthen communities, connect neighbors, and cultivate a shared sense of responsibility for and ownership of our city.
Volunteers can browse One City Day projects and sign up here.
Ongoing SF Environment volunteer opportunities can be found here.
Now in its 30th year, SF Environment advances climate protection to enhance quality of life for all San Franciscans. SF Environment is recognized worldwide for its environmental policies and programs, which center on reducing emissions, achieving zero waste, reducing toxic chemical hazards, advancing environmental justice, promoting sustainable transportation modes, expanding clean energy infrastructure, greening our built environment, and protecting our urban forest.
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SF Environment Contact: Joseph Piasecki, [email protected]