The RRC has a rich array of local nonprofit, municipal, and statewide partners that are collaborators on sustainability focused and environmentally transformative research, design, advocacy, and education.
The Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) is a progressive, base-building, non-profit organization bringing communities together to find opportunities for cooperation, agreement and problem solving in improving their social and natural environment. Pitzer has placed students with CCAEJ, working on land use issues, policy proposals, opposition to local projects, as well as a major report on air quality and public health. We have also been involved in a legal case they took on related to farmland preservation.
The Inland Empire Resource Conservation District is a special district responsible for the preservation and wise management of the resources of 823,390 acres, or approximately 1,286 square miles, of public and private land in the Inland Empire of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Pitzer has placed students with the IERCD to work on special projects, to make ecodocumentaries, and to engage in collaborative conversation around land and species conservation.
Inland Southern California Climate Collaborative-ISC3 is a diverse, cross-sectoral network of agencies, organizations, companies, and institutions working together to advance equitable solutions to create a resilient and thriving Inland Southern California in the face of climate change. Recognizing the critical need for collaboration across sectors and jurisdictions in order to effectively address climate change, leaders from across the region came together to form the Inland Southern California Climate Collaborative (ISC3). We are on the board of the ISC3.
IE RISE is led by a broad and diverse group of leaders in the Inland Empire region of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, united in the commitment to an inclusive, sustainable, and equitable future for the region. The leadership group draws heavily from the cross-regional and cross-sector collaboration Relevant issues include environment, environmental justice, food and agriculture, homelessness, housing, transportation. RRC is part of the food and agriculture section.
American Farmland Trust’s California regional office supports California farmers and ranchers and promotes climate-smart agriculture through groundbreaking research and policy making. We have collaborated with the American Farmland Trust on grant proposals and connections to local IE farmers.
Right next door to the Conservancy, the California Botanic Garden is the largest botanic garden dedicated to California native plants, promoting botany, conservation and horticulture to inspire, inform and educate the public and scientific community about California’s native flora. We have worked with the CBG on seed collection and storage from our campus Outback and the Bernard Field Station.
Southern California Agricultural Land Foundation/Amy’s Farm aspire to cultivate community life, friendship and social justice. Educate the local community on health and sustainability and preserve agricultural lands and organic ways of growing food. We are tight partners with Amy’s Farm, and have collaborated on several documentary films, as well as conservation efforts around farmland in South Ontario and beyond.
Riverside Food Systems Alliance, enhances food security by growing a resilient, productive, and sustainable local food and agricultural system in inland Southern California valleys. The Riverside Food Systems Alliance (RFSA) supports local food and agriculture for a healthier community. We have placed students with RFSA and sit on the board of their organization.
City of Riverside. We have worked with Riverside on writing policies for their Climate Action Plan to bolster their current carbon reduction goals. Two thesis students have been placed with them to write thesis papers on policy initiatives they have been involved with.
City of Adelanto. We have worked with Adelanto staff and elected officials to create a climate vulnerability assessment for the high desert city. We have also worked with them on water issues as part of our role in the Adelanto Water Justice Coalition.
City of Colton. We have supported Colton in their resistance of an intermodal transfer facility, collaborated with the city on a climate vulnerability assessment through Keck Science, and a Department of Energy Grant (in progress). We have also supported recent efforts to maintain a warehouse moratorium in the city.
Adelanto Water Justice Coalition. Fights for water justice in the city of Adelanto. Consisting of partners Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, El Sol, and Unidos por un Adelanto Mejor, Keck Science, CEC, and Redford Conservancy, we have collaborated on a major report about water quality as well as advocacy for a community water ad hoc committee.
