Rocio Sanchez-Nolasco (pictured above) is the Monterey Bay Area Climate Justice Collaborative Program Manager at Regeneración and aims to support collaborative members and community members to help envision and create a more equitable and sustainable future for everyone in the Monterey Bay area.
She will be deepening relationships with Collaborative members who range from small community based organizations to large regional agencies, city and county jurisdictions and educational institutions and then working to connect Collaborative members with climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation project opportunities.
Rocio was born and raised in Watsonville and participated in various environmental education programs that served as valuable stepping stones in her appreciation and commitment to the environment including Watsonville Wetlands Watch’s Wetland Steward program, the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Young Women in Science program and Watsonville Area Teens Conserving Habitats program. She obtained her Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in Art History with a minor in Digital Humanities.
Prior to joining the team at Regeneración, Rocio worked with various educational and non-profit organizations in Santa Cruz County helping oversee and support community outreach and engagement, educational programs, administrative operations, and volunteer stewardship.
Jissel Antonio, (pictured below), a first-generation Oaxacan graduate student at San José State University, centers her academic and personal work on decolonial perspectives and the lived experiences of impacted communities.
This focus aligns closely with her role as Outreach/Program Assistant at Regeneración. Her undergraduate experience at the Service Learning Institute at Cal State Monterey Bay continues to shape her journey, informing her community service and guiding her ongoing graduate studies and professional trajectory.
Jissel will help carry out an upcoming survey of transportation needs and assessment of how electric vehicle charging infrastructure is vulnerable to climate impacts.
Rocio and Jissel will help ensure community voices are centered in all projects. Our growing team will be making a bigger impact on our region!
Please support our work to center community voices
in all local climate solutions.
Here are two easy ways to INVEST NOW.
-Donate securely through our year end community campaigns: Santa Cruz Gives or Monterey County Gives.
Your donation through either campaign will be increased by matching funds.
Gifts of every size contribute to our success.
OR
-Make a check out to Community Initiatives with Regeneration in the memo.
Mail to:
Regeneration
PO Box 1252
Freedom, CA 95019
People from all walks of life support our work and we value each and every donation.
This is an important moment for folks with means to step up and make deeper investments and ensure our work continues well into the future.
The future is truly in our hands. I am glad to be with you at this critical moment in history.
Nancy Faulstich, Director
Please contact me at nancy@regenerationpajarovalley.org if you are interested in exploring a large investment or a legacy gift.
Pajaro Photo Storytelling on display at Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History January 3 - February 2, 2025.
Visit the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and view an exhibition of images and stories by Pajaro Youth and Community Leaders about how climate change is impacting people in Pajaro!
The goal of the project is to use photojournalism techniques so that Pajaro residents tell lasting stories and express their fears, hopes and dreams in the real face of climate change.
Opening reception with free admission- January 3, 5-7 pm
Photo credit: Nicky Rosenberg
Pictured - Angelina, one of the 5 Pajaro residents whose work is featured in the exhibit.
Grant Award!
We are honored to announce a $30,000 award to support our general operations from the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, host of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee.
We are proud to be increasing our impact across the Monterey Bay as the Monterey Bay Area Climate Justice Collaborative strengthens and helps ensure equity engagement in a number of climate planning and implementation projects.
This kind of support is essential to keep us at the planning tables and we are very grateful to the Monterey Peninsula Foundation for their investment.
See graphic for an example of giving from 2022-23.
Battery storage system proposed for Minto Road, Watsonville
Learn about a proposed battery storage facility in unincorporated Santa Cruz County at 90 Minto Road.
Seahawk Energy Storage aims to help prevent power outages by releasing energy back into the grid during heavy demand times. An important benefit would be lessening the dependence on gas power plants.
They are at the beginning of the permitting process so please learn more and provide comments.
The project is being led by New Leaf Energy.
Good Climate News -UK Divests from coal
In September 2024, the UK became the first G7 nation to fully divest itself of coal-generated electricity when the doors of the last remaining coal-fired power plant closed for the final time.
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
Bad Climate News - Microplastics
Microplastics are now found throughout human bodies. Plastic comes from petroleum. Tips to reduce exposure:
- Avoid cooking with plastic
-Avoid heating up plastic containers
-Use a stainless steel mug and avoid disposable coffee cups.
-Swap your plastic containers for glass.
-Try not to buy household cleaners and cosmetics that are in plastic.
Image by Filmbetrachter from Pixabay
Upcoming Events
January 3 -February 2- Our Pajaro Photo Gallery will be on display at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History during January!
Visit the museum FREE on January 3 and enjoy reception as part of First Friday After Hours from 5-7 pm.