Our Green Team is fighting for equity-based environmental justice.

About the Green Team

United Latinos’ Environmental Justice Initiative

Since it was founded in 2016, United Latinos’ Green Team has taken a full-spectrum approach to fighting for environmental justice solutions in Sacramento. Our equity-first strategy centers the needs of marginalized communities because we know that these communities are often left out of the conversation, despite being the most affected by the current climate crisis.

Our goal to increase environmental equity in disadvantaged areas has shaped our work at every level and lead several key programs: tree planting, air quality monitoring, education and outreach, and distributing air filters to residents of low-income neighborhoods.

Fall 2024: Tree Planting & Composting Update!

Between composting, gardening, and planting trees in under-served neighborhoods, the Green Team has been hard at work this fall! So far, we’ve turned our first 800 pounds of compost and diverted another 650 pounds of organic waste from local restaurants for our community garden project. We also hosted a tree planting day in the City Farm/Woodbine area.

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Our Programs

Tree Planting

What we do: Our team of volunteers plants trees in carefully-selected locations to help mitigate some of the harmful effects of air pollution and climate change in disadvantaged areas. Our team of volunteers partner with groups like the Sacramento Tree Foundation to work directly with schools, churches, and community centers – they provide the space, and we take care of everything else.

Why we do it: Lack of tree cover is a huge contributor to increased levels of heat and pollution in under-served communities. Trees provide shade and reduce heat, which in turn reduces pollution concentrations and energy consumption in buildings. They also directly remove pollutants from the air. Overall, tree cover can reduce pollution and mitigate rising temperatures – but low income neighborhoods have 41% less tree canopy than other areas. Together, we can fix this. That’s why we plant trees!

Air Monitoring

What we do: The green team began with air quality monitoring. We train and dispatch volunteers to set up air quality monitors in underserved areas. We focus on areas that are underrepresented in official air quality data, and track and report the data we gather independently. We are also part of the South Sacramento Air Quality Steering Committee, and have expanded our Air quality program to include South Sac, North Sac, and EPA/vehicle emissions.

Why we do it: We measure air quality to shed light on the profound impact it has on disadvantaged communities. Low-income neighborhoods are more likely to be in close proximity to industrial, governmental, and commercial facilities that pollute the air and water. As a result, people in these neighborhoods suffer increased environmental health burdens. Air quality disparities are also not accurately measured by government and other official entities, simply because they often do not place air quality monitors in disadvantaged areas. We hope to change this by leading the way to a more accurate map of Sacramento air quality.

Air Filter Distribution

What we do: We partner with other community groups to assemble and distribute DIY home air filters to low-income households. These resources are especially important during fire season, and for families living in areas with poor air quality. We also hold workshops where families can come make their own air filters with provided supplies, while learning about how to stay protected from the harmful effects of poor air quality.

Why we do it: Sacramento has some of the worst air quality in the nation, much of it driven by traffic exhaust and wildfire smoke. Disparities in air quality also mean that low income communities are facing the worst of it. Exposure to polluted air is linked to higher risk for a variety of health issues, including lifelong respiratory illnesses like asthma. By raising awareness and providing low-cost, DIY air filters, we can empower families and give them the tools they need to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

Education & Outreach

What we do: We table at community events, host workshops, and co-sponsor educational events to raise awareness about environmental justice and air quality disparity. We partner with neighborhood associations, churches, schools, and other community groups to get the word out. We also work with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District to help them reduce pollution and improve air quality.

Why we do it: Our goal is to educate about the work we do, raise awareness about environmental issues and their impact on vulnerable neighborhoods, and empower our community to take action- through political and civic
participation, and through making changes in their homes (like using air filters) to protect themselves and their families’ health.