Healthy, sustainable communities rely on collaboration and partnership, and against the urgent backdrop of climate change, partnerships are critical to Save The Bay’s mission to protect and restore the Bay for humans and wildlife.
We are excited to share our appreciation for our partnership with Valley Water (Santa Clara Valley Water District), which spans two decades.
“Our commitment to ensuring safe, clean water for Silicon Valley resonates deeply with the mission of Save The Bay. We believe collaboration is the cornerstone of effective community engagement and environmental stewardship,” says Nai Hsueh, Valley Water Board Chair. “Together, we champion environmental justice and equitable solutions in water management, from flood protection to safe drinking water initiatives.”
Save The Bay and Valley Water have worked together to protect local watersheds for 21 years. In that time, Valley Water has awarded Save The Bay over $300,000. This significant investment has allowed Save The Bay to restore and maintain over 40 acres of wetlands in the South Bay—sequestering over 300 tons of carbon per year, cleaning air and water, and protecting communities from flooding due to sea level rise and large winter storms.
Valley Water mentions being particularly proud of their South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Phase I Project, “a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies, designed to manage flood risks, restore local ponds, and create recreational opportunities for the Alviso community in north San Jose.”
Chair Hsueh also highlights a recent federal funding win, which Valley Water and Save The Bay both supported, “the successful appropriation of $54 million for the San Francisco Bay Geographic Program at the Environmental Protection Agency, a program that Save The Bay helped establish through the leadership of Rep. Jackie Speier. This program helps protect the local ecosystem from climate change, habitat loss, and pollution.”
This year, Valley Water deepened its partnership with Save The Bay by sponsoring two of our community events: Shoreline to Skyline: Rise to the Climate Challenge and Bay Day.
Events like these allow Save The Bay to educate Bay Area residents, a major pillar of our mission, and offer opportunities for the public to take part in our restoration efforts. This are possible because of our sponsors, and funds raised also support our programs throughout the year, including community education. “By engaging youth in hands-on experiences along our beautiful shoreline, we’re not just protecting our water supplies but inspiring a community that values and cares for our precious natural resources,” Chair Hsueh notes. “By joining forces for impactful events like Shoreline to Skyline and Bay Day, we not only enhance our outreach but also foster a sense of community responsibility in addressing the pressing climate change issues.”
