ACTERRA: Action for a Healthy Planet
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Acterra is a model for community involvement in care for the environment, providing leadership, training, and opportunities to participate. Acterra engages local political, educational and religious organizations without losing its focus, and so has earned universal respect (or as universal as any regional body can achieve).
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
consistent leadership in stream and watershed management - both professional and volunteer - and in restoration of public lands (Arastradero Preserve).
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
among the best you will find anywhere - dedicated, knowledgeable, patient, and yet still possessing a sense of humor.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
franchise itself everywhere.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
Best non-profit I have ever had the pleasure to know about. This organization is a shining example and a model for others to emulate. I'd like to start a grass-roots environmental organization in MY city, patterned after Acterra (though I still think of it as Bay Area Action, it's previous name).
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The City of Palo Alto is a leader in sustainability, no doubt a result of Acterra's leadership. The Mayor of Palo Alto is currently Peter Drekmeier, one of the founders of Bay Area Action, and he is leading the charge toward sustainable cities.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Do just exactly what they are doing now.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
The wonderful people Arastradero Preserve I met my (now) wife at an Acterra event! Laura Stec - she rocks!
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
The best people on earth
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Have a more secure future
Ways to make it better...
I could have stayed living in the area, but life took me away!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Bad economy / fundraising
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
This organization compromises dedicated, passionate, and superb people on staff and fellow supporters and volunteers. I have enjoyed numerous events (including the fundraisers!), the way Acterra communicates its value and needs, and its educational focus.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
awareness within community, including my own family
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the people
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
friendly, passionate, extremely well-educated
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
educate many more community members, establish endowment for more predictable revenue, possibly expand to a broader geography
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have worked with Acterra as a writer and environmental activist for nearly ten years and am continually amazed and delighted by how the leaders maintain their integrity and emenance as an oasis of environmental sanity on the Peninsula.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
maintaing successful community environmental activities.
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
dedicated and talented.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Whenever any environmental issue is at hand everyone in the region looks to Acterra which is seen as our regional environmental. As someone working in East Palo Alto (a low income community next to wealthier Palo Alto where Acterra is based) I've appreciated the clear message that they want to be a factor for change in East Palo Alto, such as bringing home energy audits there.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
being known as the environmental leader in the region
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
probably do very similar things as they are doing. I think they are right on in how they allocate their organizational resources.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
their interest in quality of life issues such as employment efforts for low income youth of color
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
I have the utmost respect for Program Director Debbie Mytels
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
massively increase public involvement in efforts to work against global warming.
Ways to make it better...
As someone in another agency involved in a collaboration with Acterra I don't really see any issues to point out.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
similar to other nonprofits - like of financial resources to make the maximum impact they could
One thing I'd also say is that...
The leadership of Acterra are career veterans of the environmental movement and bring unparalleled levels of experience
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Acterra has given a lot to the community by educating and inspiring youth with their highschools program, giving them the tools to take sustainability into their social lives and educating others to be more conscious with our precious Mother!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the beautiful native habitats that are being preserved throughout the area and meeting many youth that have been inspired by their work with Acterra and are taking what they've learned forward with them in life.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the dedicated staff and volunteers who come together to make things happen for all to benefit.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
knowledgeable and so positive in working together towards making change in this world through local community involvement
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have worked together with this group for about 5 years. I have learned a lot about environmental leadership and sustainable living. They are a great example of a small group of people making a huge difference in the area where they live. They now have 4 cities signed up for Green at Home which should reduce GHG by hundreds of thousands of CO2 equivalents.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
providing leadership to educate the public about environmental issues.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
be worn out trying to manage all the events.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the breadth of knowledge the staff has.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
warm, friendly and knowledgable.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
hire more staff and do more of what it already does well.
Ways to make it better...
I had more time.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
keeping up with all the things it does and making each event a quality venue.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Debbie Mytels is a gracious and talented leader.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Acterra is a leader in it's field! They're innovative, imaginative, and incredibly resourceful and efficient. Their programs are diverse—ranging from home energy audits to habitat restoration with native plants. Acterra's "Be the Change" environmental leadership program has trained dozens of people to take action in their community. Every one of their programs has had a huge impact on the communities they serve.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
our local communities. Its work has led to a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
meeting the fabulous, highly motivated, and energetic people involved.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
devoted, friendly, and helpful.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
spread its programs to other communities without having to depend on city funding.
Ways to make it better...
I had more time to volunteer!!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
resources (as with most nonprofits) and taking its carbon reduction programs to the next level.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Acterra has lots of great projects that change our world. Their Green at home volunteers showed me how to save electricity in my home without sacrificing comfort at all. One of their many other projects involve bringing a local open space back to native plants, which took many years, and it is gorgeous now!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
local open space lower electricity bill
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When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Great values, great people, great work, big impact on environmental issues in the community. I like their focus on engaging small groups of people to bring about community wide change
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
in action in the community
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the people, their values and their expertise
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
passionate, extremely knowledgeable, community focused
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
turn global warming on its head in Silicon Valley
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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