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Local Organizations in California Awarded $500,000 for Environmental Stewardship Initiatives

On October 30, 2025, the PG&E Corporation Foundation announced it will distribute a total of $500,000 in grants to five local organizations dedicated to environmental stewardship in Northern and Central California. This funding is part of their Better Together Nature Positive Innovation Grant program, aimed at fostering projects that enhance local ecology by focusing on biodiversity and community engagement.

Each recipient organization will be awarded $100,000 to implement their respective initiatives. PG&E's commitment to environmental projects reflects its broader mission to support sustainable practices while addressing critical environmental issues within the communities it serves. It’s important to note that the funding comes directly from PG&E shareholders and not from customer rates, ensuring that the initiatives have a localized impact while minimizing costs to consumers.

One of the grant recipients, Sorrel Leaf Healing Center in Humboldt County, expressed great enthusiasm about how this funding will enable them to blend traditional Native land management techniques with contemporary healing practices. Executive Director Shireen Varga emphasized the importance of restoring native species and creating spaces that honor cultural traditions, which will also contribute to the resilience of the youth and families they serve.

Furthermore, Butte Environmental Council will utilize its grant for the Next Generation Water Stewardship project. This initiative is aimed at empowering youth by enhancing their understanding of water conservation while protecting salmon habitat in their local communities. Through the Classroom Aquarium Education Program, students will gain hands-on experience, furthering their education and promoting sustainable practices.

In San Francisco, Literacy for Environmental Justice is set to leverage its grant to tackle environmental inequities. With a specific focus on San Francisco's Bayview Hunter's Point, the project aims to address the disinvestment issues faced by the community. Initiatives will encompass land restoration, culturally relevant education, and environmental workforce training, ultimately contributing to the overall eco-literacy of the younger generation.

Another recipient, Watsonville Wetlands Watch, in Santa Cruz County, will implement a project designed to engage community members in restoring and preserving wetland and watershed areas. Their Parajo Valley Watershed Stewardship and Climate Adaptation Project will foster volunteer engagement and provide valuable internship experiences for local youth, aiming to enhance the ecological integrity of these crucial habitats.

Lastly, Fresno Metro Ministry's Yo'Ville Community Garden project in Fresno County will encourage urban agriculture and food sovereignty. This initiative supports communities struggling with poverty, environmental degradation, and limited access to nutritious food. By promoting a nature-based approach, the garden serves as a critical resource for fostering local food systems and green spaces in an area that greatly needs them.

The PG&E Foundation's Better Together Nature Positive Innovation Grant program prioritizes projects that cater to the needs of disadvantaged communities, which fosters a landscape for innovative solutions to environmental issues. The overarching goal is not only to make habitats more sustainable but also to strengthen local and regional partnerships.

Eligible applicants for future grants must qualify as government organizations, educational institutions, or nonprofit organizations under 501(c)3 guidelines. The foundation encourages collaborative efforts among these groups to ensure comprehensive support for promoting environmental stewardship and enhancing community resilience.

As PGE Corporation continues to expand its support for environmental initiatives, these grants represent a significant step towards sustainable community engagement and collaboration. For more information about PG&E and its environmental projects, interested parties can visit pge.com and pge.com/news.