Blue Zones Project tells Petaluma board about youth volunteer and school well‑being work

Representatives of the Blue Zones Project Petaluma gave the board an update on a multi‑sector community well‑being initiative and its work with Petaluma City Schools.

Nicole Warwick, executive director of Blue Zones Project Petaluma, told trustees the effort has engaged about 5,000 community members in health and well‑being activities and has worked across 12 local sectors. In school‑focused work the organization said it had taught a “purpose” curriculum to freshmen at Casa Grande High School to connect students with volunteer pathways and with local nonprofit partners. The project hosted a volunteer summit at Casa Grande that engaged more than 800 students and over 20 nonprofit organizations, and Blue Zones said the event helped students sign up for volunteer opportunities and increased civic connections.

Warwick also described nutrition, cooking and garden initiatives. She said a pilot cooking‑skills series used a train‑the‑trainer model with a local chef (referred to as Chef Kaye) and the Redwood Empire Food Bank to create recipe and food‑distribution packages; a seven‑student pilot class also participated in distributing resources. Blue Zones said plans are underway to expand cooking and nutrition offerings at other sites including Petaluma High School and junior high campuses, and to support walk‑and‑roll and outdoor‑education efforts.

Warwick told the board the organization is under contract to provide teacher training and some implementation support at district sites; she asked the board to consider how the district would like to recognize schools once they reach Blue Zones approval status.

Board response and next steps: Trustees thanked the presenters and asked staff for follow‑up on opportunities to align Blue Zones workshop offerings with district needs. Warwick offered to partner on teacher training, volunteer summits and parent/community education as budget realities allow.