Thank you for a big year of regional coordination!

Reflecting on a 2023 with TOGETHER Bay Area

Dear Community,

I love the winter solstice. It’s the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Starting today, and for the next six months, the days will get longer little by little. There will be more light. And with the light comes possibility, potential, and hope.

Every year I take this opportunity, on this hopeful day, to reflect on TOGETHER Bay Area’s health and impact. We are now a coalition of 78 member organizations in all 10 counties. Collaborating with our members and partners, we have evolved into a respected resource, effective champion, and change catalyst for the region. Guided by our new Strategic Direction, we are meeting the needs, rising to the challenges, and taking advantage of the opportunities to create a climate resilient and equitable Bay Area.

Join me for a look back at what we’ve done – all of us, in big and small ways – over the past year as a region.

Whether you joined us online or in person, attended one program or participated in many, read one of our emails or followed us on social, you have contributed to regional coordination. When you shared resources with partners, collaborated on projects, and lifted up others so they can do their best work, you contributed to regional coordination. And we are grateful for everything you do with and for TOGETHER Bay Area.

Thank you for all you do for a healthy, resilient, and equitable Bay Area. On behalf of everyone at TOGETHER Bay Area, I wish you a peaceful winter solstice and a bright year ahead.

February

  • We observed salamanders and other fauna at a Bioblitz as part of the Connecting Urban Biodiversity project with our project partners YES Nature to Neighborhoods and the California Academy of Sciences.

  • The sixteen TOGETHER Bay Area member organizations participating in Right Relations took their first field trip to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Watch Redbud Resource Group’s video “Steps to Land Back: Wappo and Sugarloaf Ridge State Park” to see who we met and hear some of what we learned on our visit.

  • Hosted by Marin Municipal Water District, over 30 professionals from around the region went on a field trip to Mt Tamalpais to learn about wildfire resiliency.

  • Dr. Patrick González, a lead author for four reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, joined the Wildfire Data Working Group to discuss climate change, wildfire, and solutions.

March

April

  • The TOGETHER members participating in the Right Relations program practiced respect and reciprocity on their second field trip to Coyote Hills Regional Park, co-hosted by Sogorea Te Land Trust and East Bay Regional Park District.

  • The Wildfire Data Working Group met to discuss fire management and ecological outcomes with Danny Franco from Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and Anne Crealock from Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority.

May

  • Over 450 people attended our annual Spring Conference, featuring our online kickoff (watch this with State Parks Director Armando Quintero!), in-person day at the Craneway, and two days of field trips.

  • TOGETHER Bay Area members returned for a second TOGETHER in Sacramento Day to develop relationships with legislators and advocate for our 2023 Policy Priorities. It wasn’t just productive, it was also fun!

“As someone new to the Bay Area, it was great to learn about the various conservation and land stewardship organizations around. I was able to network with other young people passionate about serving outdoors and our community, in addition to meeting members who we actively partner with!”
2023 Spring Conference attendee

June

  • Around 40 people headed to eastern Contra Costa County for a field trip and brainstorming session co-hosted by East Bay Regional Park District and East Contra Costa Habitat Conservancy. We discussed balancing the needs of biodiversity protection and public access at Roddy Ranch.

  • The pilot program of Right Relations concluded with strategic and heartfelt presentations from all 16 participating organizations about their action plans. Right Relations is all about learning, community, and action for tribal alliances.

  • We discussed shaded fuel breaks at the Wildfire Data Working Group with guest speaker Ed Orre from CalFire.

August & September

  • We hosted Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia and Bay Area legislators for a virtual listening session with TOGETHER Bay Area members and partners to discuss a potential state-wide natural resources bond.

  • TOGETHER members presented their projects and programs related to biodiversity conservation for our first Together Tuesday of the year. There were connections made through games and fast friend breakouts! Plus guest speaker Interim Deputy Secretary Madeline Drake!

  • The State Coastal Conservancy approved our proposal to update the Conservation Lands Network! And the David & Lucile Packard Foundation approved funding to expand the Right Relations program!

August & September

  • We co-hosted a webinar to explore the connections between organizations, scientific approaches, and geographies in the work for conserving urban biodiversity with the Connecting Urban Biodiversity project team.

  • First-ever Open House! Watch to learn about this coalition’s work and hear from actual TOGETHER Bay Area members (not paid actors!).

  • We convened the second Together Tuesday of 2023 which showcased member projects & programs about equitable access to the outdoors. Plus guest speaker CA Deputy Secretary for Access Katherine Toy!

  • We launched our blog to tell stories that illustrate how local efforts contribute to regional climate resilience and work towards our coalition’s priorities.

  • The Wildfire Data Working Group got off the screen and onto the trail with a field trip to the San Vicente Redwoods to learn about wildfire preparation and prevention, forest health, ecological benefits, and public access.

October

  • At our annual Policy Summit, our members set Policy Priorities for the coming year. We invited Summit attendees to share their highlights from 2023: check out this scrapbook of what they shared!

  • We convened our final Together Tuesday of 2023 featured members’ projects and programs about climate resilient lands and waters. Plus guest speaker CA Deputy Secretary for Climate Change Amanda Hansen!

  • The Bay Area Legislative Caucus invited TOGETHER Bay Area to share project information we collected from members and partners at one of their meetings. We discussed regional funding needs, the importance of State Coastal Conservancy funding, the need for bond and budget funds, and other related topics.

December

  • We notified participants in the expanded Right Relations program, convened our last Board of Directors meeting of the year, hosted guest speakers at our Policy Committee meeting, and made plans for 2024.

Looking ahead to 2024

TOGETHER Bay Area is kicking off 2024 strong. New Right Relations cohorts will kick off, and our Policy Learning Sessions are open to our nonprofit, Tribal, and local agency members. With more ways to engage coming soon!

Keep an eye on our calendar for upcoming events, and please reach out any time to set up a conversation about how you can get involved. Email Laura Rosenthal, [email protected], for more information. One thing you can do now? Save the dates for the TOGETHER Spring Conference!

TOGETHER Spring Conference
May 7–10, 2024

  • Tuesday, May 7: Virtual kickoff
  • Wednesday, May 8: In-person conference at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco
  • Thursday & Friday, May 9 & 10: Field trips hosted by TOGETHER Bay Area members

More information coming in the new year!