Ecology Center (Berkeley)
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| Founded | 1969 Berkeley, CA, United States |
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| Focus | Urban sustainability, Environmental education, Climate change |
| Location | |
| Method | Farmers' markets, Bookstore, Curbside recycling |
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Key people
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Martin Bourque, Executive Director, and Raquel Pinderhughes, Board President |
| Website | http://ecologycenter.org |
The Ecology Center is a non-profit organization based in Berkeley, California to provide environmental education and reduce the ecological footprint of urban residents.
The Ecology Center coordinates the California Alliance of Farmers’ Markets, a newly formed coalition of farmers’ markets from around the state of California, committed to working together for the betterment of the farmers' market industry.
The Ecology Center coordinates the Berkeley Climate Action Coalition (BCAC), a strong and growing network of local organizations and community members joining together to help implement the City of Berkeley’s ambitious, forty-year Climate Action Plan. The BCAC includes residents, non-profits, the City of Berkeley, neighborhood groups, faith based organizations, schools, businesses, UC Berkeley, and others.
Ecology Center launched the first curbside recycling program in the nation in 1973. The Ecology Center has since contracted with the City of Berkeley to continue to provide curbside recycling service to residents.
EcoHouse is a demonstration home and garden located in a North Berkeley residential neighborhood. Classes, workshops, and tours of the house and garden are designed to teach people from all walks of life how to make their living spaces healthier, more productive, energy and water efficient, and ecologically friendly. EcoHouse demonstrates ecological ways of living that are accessible and affordable to people of all ages, ethnic/racial backgrounds, and income levels.
The Ecology Center runs the Downtown Berkeley, South Berkeley, and North Berkeley farmers' markets. The North Berkeley market offers 100% organic products, with the other markets focusing primarily on organics, with all of them having imposed a ban on GMOs. The markets host local farmers, many of these small family farms, and food artisans from the greater San Francisco Bay Area, all year round. Frequent shoppers include local restaurants and different houses of the Berkeley Student Cooperative.
Farm Fresh Choice is the Ecology Center’s food justice program that engages low-income East Bay residents in reclaiming their optimal health through youth empowerment, nutrition education, and weekly produce stands. We make fresh, organic, regionally grown, and culturally appropriate foods convenient and affordable. Adult mentors and teen leaders facilitate peer-education workshops that raise critical health awareness.
The Ecology Center provides information on a wide range of environmental issues from toxics to composting to activism. Staff are available to answer questions over the phone, via e-mail, or on a walk-in basis. Staff handle questions on a wide range of issues. If unable to answer a question, the Ecology Center can make a referral.
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