Sustainability Award Winners 2019

Congratulations to all the individuals and organizations working to build sustainable communities. The award winners were honored at the 11th Annual Leadership in Sustainability Awards Gala on September 17th, 2019.

Chris Dundon, Contra Costa Water District

Chris Dundon is the water efficiency supervisor for the Contra Costa Water District and is a passionate and committed leader in sustainability. His programs have saved over 20 billion gallons of water and served as models for similar programs throughout the state. One example is the Lawn to Garden Rebate Program, which has replaced nearly 3 million square feet of water-thirsty lawns with water-wise landscaping. Chris’ work aligns with the One Planet Living principles of Sustainable Water and Zero Carbon Energy.

Michael Cass

Michael is a champion of all ten One Planet Living principles. He co-founded the Lafayette Open Space Project, which resulted in generous donations to Save Mount Diablo and the John Muir Land Trust. Michael drafted the plastic bag and Styrofoam bans in the City of Lafayette and implemented the Styrofoam ban in the City of Concord. He is the only city planner in the county that successfully brought a community choice energy program to two jurisdictions –Lafayette and Concord—and designated MCE as Concord’s default electricity provider. Michael’s work aligns with the One Planet Living principles of Land & Nature, Zero Waste, and Zero Carbon Energy.

Richmond Housing Renovation Project

The City of Richmond has had many housing challenges since the housing market crash of 2008. The Richmond Housing Restoration program acquires properties, rehabilitates them, and sells them to graduates of the First Time Homebuyers Program using Zero Net energy standards and solar systems. All rehabbed homes use green materials, low VOC paints, dual pane windows, energy efficient fixtures & appliances, and drought tolerant plants. These homes are now affordable to purchase and affordable to maintain. The program aligns with the One Planet Living principles of Equity & Local Economy, Materials & Products, and Culture & Community.

Kathy Kramer, Bringing Back The Natives Garden Tour

Kathy Kramer has been involved in environmental education for more than thirty years. Her signature contribution is the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, an award-winning event that showcases forty pesticide-free, water-conserving gardens that provide habitat for wildlife and contain 60% or more native plants. More than 3,000 people have attended the tour every year since its inception. One woman’s passion has grown into an event that inspires thousands of people to appreciate the value of growing and preserving native plants. Kathy’s work aligns with the One Planet Living principles of Land & Nature and Sustainable Water.

Springhill Elementary School Garden

The Springhill Elementary School garden is run by volunteers Heidi Doggett and Jessica Chandler. They provide short tutorials on various gardening topics, as well as the critical concept that everyone involved in food production needs safe, dignified working conditions and a fair living wage. Jessica Chandler works with multiple experts to create a lasting program with sustainability in mind: building soil, creating habitats for wildlife, using repurposed materials where possible, and avoiding chemical inputs. Springhill’s garden aligns with the One Planet Living principles of Heath & Happiness, Culture & Community, and Local & Sustainable Food.

Category: Rising Stars

Charlie Keohane

Rising Star Charlie Keohane is 17 and going into her senior year at Acalanes High School. She is a committed vegan and has created “Cooking with Charlie” video segments for the online version of her school newspaper. She makes plant-based food more acceptable in a world that often scoffs at vegan options, and she is a joyful example of a happy and healthy person who follows a compassionate, sustainable lifestyle. She plans on studying environmental science at college so she can be a part of the solution to the many problems our planet faces. Charlie’s work aligns with the One Planet Living principles of Health & Happiness, and Local & Sustainable Food.

Category: Lifetime Achievement

Cindy Gershen

Cindy Gershen is the founder of Sunrise Bistro in Walnut Creek and the founder of the non-profit Wellness City Challenge, but many know her as a chef and teacher at Mt. Diablo High School in Concord. Her Sustainable Hospitality Program, which focuses on culinary, hydroponics, and nutrition education, has become an integral part of the curriculum at Mt. Diablo High and can be replicated throughout the district and state. Cindy’s senior class focuses on farm-to-table and farm-to-cafeteria practices and provides experiences in planting, growing, and harvesting produce as well as catering. Her students promote health and wellness through a district-wide “Water Drinking Campaign.” In her latest project she has launched “Educatering,” which supports healthy food through student driven recipes and reducing waste with non-packaged and non-processed healthy food. Cindy’s work aligns with the One Planet Living principles of Local & Sustainable Food, Health & Happiness, and Culture & Community.