In a recent government meeting, officials highlighted the collaborative efforts between the equity and inclusion coordinator, Gabriela Santoyo Gutierrez, and the city’s climate initiatives. The focus is on integrating equity into climate action, with regular biweekly check-ins to align their work with the council's goals.

A key initiative discussed is the development of climate equity indicators, spearheaded by the city manager's office. These indicators aim to create a community dashboard that will serve as benchmarks for implementing the city’s strategic plan, ensuring transparency and accessibility for residents. The indicators will be shaped by community input and will reflect the city’s vision for equitable climate action.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the need for enhanced community engagement in urban forestry and climate goals. Historically, limited resources have hindered consistent outreach, often resulting in punitive interactions with the community, particularly through code enforcement. The team emphasized the importance of fostering positive relationships with residents to cultivate stewardship and enthusiasm for urban forestry initiatives.

Plans are underway to develop a comprehensive community engagement strategy, including culturally relevant educational materials and a climate dashboard that complements the equity metrics. The team aims to revive the strong community engagement practices seen during the development of the climate action plan and tree code.

Further updates on these initiatives are expected in December, as the team continues to explore the intersections of climate action and equity.