Commission approves Environment Department grants for climate, youth and community greening

Acting Director Tyrone Zhu and program leads presented a grants package requiring Commission approval under the department's transparency policy. Commissioners heard details from each program area before a motion to approve.

Highlights included a $100,000 extension to SFUSD to support sustainability staff and field-study programming; two $12,500 awards for youth internship and environmental awareness programs (Enterprise for Youth and Charity Cultural Services Center); three community greening grants (Portland Neighborhood Association, Friends of Alemany Farm apprenticeship expansion, and Citizen Film's Bernal Cut restoration); and multiple climate and compost-related grants administered under SB 1383 implementation and local assistance funds. Hilary Neer described a pilot with the Resource Conservation District to deliver compost to small underserved farms (targeting up to 4,000 tons for 50 farms over 18 months) and a partnership with 0FoodPrint to scale distribution.

Toxics and healthy ecosystems staff proposed roughly $50,000 in grants to UCSF Office of Sustainability for outreach to pregnant and new mothers about endocrine-disrupting chemicals and a toolkit for safe food containers, targeted to the top 30% EJ burden ZIP codes. Climate program staff described a decarbonization public education campaign with CANNA (Cultura Iarte Nativa de las Americanas) that will include induction cookware giveaways and in-language outreach during Carnival.

Commissioners sought more clarity on funding sources, grant durations, and metrics for reporting. Staff identified three primary funding sources across the package: the Department's carbon fund, a $2.6 million "add-back" from the prior budget cycle, and state monies for SB 1383 implementation. After brief discussion and no in-room public comment, Commissioner Wald moved approval, Commissioner Wan seconded, and the Commission approved the grants on roll call (Commissioner Bermejo excused).