Green City San Francisco

On my trip to San Francsico a couple of weeks ago (28 September - 1 October 2006) I learned that the City of San Francisco has a whole Department of the Environment, dedicated completely to improving the environment in San Francisco. I thought this was such a great idea, I wanted to tell you about it. There may be other such city programs (if you know of one, please tell me about it), but I know we don't have one here in Clearwater, Florida.

There are many independent environmental programs throughout the city, but because there is a city effort, there is some coordination and collaboration that is really getting the citizens of the city interested in many different aspects of green living and ecological awareness. Bravo San Francisco!

The Department of the Environment

I serendipitously walked right by the Department of the Environment office at 11 Grove Street and couldn't resist stopping for a few minutes. In the lobby were various displays and handouts to help San Franciscans lead a more eco-friendly life, such as less-toxic pest management and where to recycle. They even had a pamphlet about mercury thermometers (mercury is such a problem pollutant in San Francisco Bay that they have banned the sale of mercury thermometers and have a thermometer exchange program).

The purpose of the San Francisco Department of the Environment "is to improve, enhance, and preserve the environment and to promote San Francisco's long-term environmental well being." Wow!

They have programs on energy issues, environmental justice, environmental policy, green building, green business, less-toxic pest management, less-toxic purchasing, recycling toxics disposal and reduction, transportation and clean air, and more. They provide public education and outreach to the community on environmental issues, review and make recommendations on proposed City legislation to include long-term environmental goals, work to increase visibility of local environmental issues, and coordinate the work of city environmental services for increased effectiveness.

Their website has a wealth of information for citizens, including their educational fact sheets, a page on green city services (such as household hazardous waste program, recycling center, and air quality office).

Yes, every community should have this office. San Francisco has an excellent model.

Urban Nature

One of the educational projects I was charmed by in San Francisco was the Market Street Ecological Expidition. As part of an "art on the street" program, various local artists are invited to create original posters that are installed in kiosks along Market Street, one of the busiest streets in downtown.

The Market Street Ecological Expidition makes passing pedestrians aware that "the urban ecology of downtown San Francisco supports not only human beings, but continues to be a viable habitat for plants, birds, animals and insects, as well. A Peregrine Falcon uses a building ledge on Mission Street as a cliff on which to hatch its young and hunt pigeons on the street below. Plants manage to grow downtown, not only in landscaped areas but also in cracks in the concrete." One artist created a series of posters showing how six life forms survive right there on Market Street: a Peregrine Falcon, a moth, a hornet, moss and stunted grasses, a rat and a cowbird.

Also, at the Department of the Environment office, I picked up a "Nature in the City" map--something every community should have. I know how difficult these are to make because I was part of a project making one in the community in which I lived in California before I moved to Florida. This map is a wonderful guide for any other community to wishes to make one. It shows natural lands and habitat restoration sites, parklands, environmental education sites, campgrounds, public transportation stations and routes, public hiking trails, and bike routes. On the back, there are descriptions of the natural ecological communities of the city and miscellaneous facts about the inhabitants of the local habitant. Plus they have a corresponding website that includes more details on the local habitat and particular issues, such as invasive plants, biodiversity, and details on prominant natural areas. Fabulous!

I'm Inspired

Though I live green in my own house, I live in a community that is very environmentally unaware. Now that I've seen what can be done by looking at San Francisco's program, I'm going to take action and see about starting a similar program here. I'd like to see every town and city do the same.