SSMC is an important voice that supports sustainability in our county. Its programs have been accelerating positive change on the ground and its staff has been working tirelessly to bring innovative solutions to the forefront. Keep up the good work!
Over the past decade, I have had the pleasure of being involved with Sustainable San Mateo County (SSMC) – from a mere attendee at the annual Sustainability Awards to a lifetime supporter of this very valuable organization! SSMC has grown over the years and have provided our community with annual Indicators Report and have taken on ambitious endeavors such as the Sustainability Dashboard and Sustainability Ideas Bank. SSMC has also brought our community together for discussions around relevant and local sustainability topics during the Virtual Sustainability Happy Hour. SSMC has some of the most dedicated community members who have and continue to spearhead the sustainability movement in the Bay Area.
This group knows how to look at where we have been, where we are now and what are the possible futures. They know what choices we have to make now and make educating the community a priority.
One of the most critical existential crises of our time is being mindful of our human impact on our environment with what we do and how we do it with a goal to help build a sustainable future. We urgently need local leadership, resources, education and support to help make our collective and individual positive differences. SSMC is a very important non-profit to help us address these issues and become part of the solution. Each act and connection counts.
Sustainable San Mateo County is a committed partner in the community, provided solutions and highlighting important progress on issues that will help us address the climate crisis and other challenges.
SSMC has been a huge part of the community. I have been volunteering for years with this organization. From their “Green Happy Hours” to their annual awards dinners, they recognize great lol cal companies making changes for a better community.
As a long-term -- several decades -- volunteer-driven organization focused on improving sustainability in San Mateo County, CA, this organization has no peers. Its unique focus -- working with cities, the county, other public agencies, and passionate stakeholders -- gives it an impact far beyond its size. Among its many innovations is a sustainability dashboard that gives everyone -- the communities implementing sustainable practices and their residents -- an easy to understand snapshot of where things stand. Definitely worth supporting, with time, effort and money!
Sustainable San Mateo County is a great community organization that facilitates measuring how well San Mateo County is operating based indicators of the economy, environment, and social equity. This is helpful to governmental agencies, businesses and individuals to make changes in their decision making to further sustainability. They sponsor public workshops to educate and promote networking and collaboration to accelerate efforts. As the longest serving sustainable indicators project in the United States we are very lucky to have this organization help lead our community.
I have been supporting SSMC for 3 years now and I really appreciate their approach to education on climate change, electrification, and social equity. They focus on the things that are going to make the biggest impact. Their monthly happy hours are fun and informative and I can tell the leadership has a genuine passion for sustainability.
Sustainable San Mateo County has a 30-year track record as a steadfast nonprofit committed to working with San Mateo County cities on the three E’s of sustainability (Economy, Environment and Social Equity), through their Dashboard and Indicators Reports. SSMC’s Ideas Bank is an exciting collaboration of ideas and solutions that are accelerating sustainability within our local agencies and businesses. Monthly virtual Happy Hours feature different speakers and thought-provoking topics. Their yearly Awards event showcases local individuals and organizations that are advocates in sustainability. Dedicated staff and volunteers are the true heart of this organization who continue to focus on giving San Mateo County a more sustainable future!
Sustainable San Mateo County has done an excellent job in promoting sustainable design for our County by partnering with our local AIA chapter on the annual Green Building Awards. They are a valuable resource and collaborator for our profession and fabulous to work with.
I started interning for Sustainable San Mateo County in June. They provide a number of educational opportunities for members of San Mateo County!
Sustainable San Mateo County tracks how each of its cities rate on a dozen sustainability matters such as water usage, greenhouse gas reduction,
electric vehicles, affordable housing, etc. , and works with city officials to improve their ratings.
Sustainable San Mateo County (SSMC) has been driving sustainability adoption in San Mateo County - and beyond! - for 3 decades. A pioneer in systems-thinking, this organization makes a positive difference on the ground every day. SSMC's unique focus on integrating all three E's - namely social equity, a healthy environment and a green economy - when considering sustainability and its focus on highlighting solutions and seeking partnerships to amplify its impact makes the organization a key player in its field. If you're looking for an organization to help advance sustainability in your community, look no further. Contact SSMC today!
Climate change is an existential threat which we all must work together to overcome. Sustainable San Mateo County is a small, but mighty organization in San Mateo County working with our cities, business leaders, and community members to ensure a sustainable future for everyone. As a board member, I am proud of the work we do to produce data-centric reports and proven solutions to local sustainability challenges, to recognize and lift up organizations and individual sustainability champions and to stimulate discussion and collaboration within our community to combat climate change.
SSMC is a fantastic non-profit with a wonderful mission, numerous meaningful projects, and a hard-working staff. I had the privilege of interning with them during the Summer of 2021 and got to see first hand the tremendous work they do, from detailing implementable sustainable technologies and practices to producing an annual Indicators Report—in my case it was the jobs/housing imbalance. The entire staff is truly committed to bringing about a more sustainable San Mateo County and world, and that passion shows. Christine, the executive director, really made me feel welcome and introduced me to many knowledgeable individuals. The monthly happy hours on an assortment of sustainability topics—from EVs to fast fashion—draw in large crowds and the speakers are always excellent. I can not recommend SSMC enough!
We’ve worked with SSMC the past six years (since we first started up) and have a tremendous amount of respect and appreciation for the organization. We look forward to attending the awards ceremony everyone year; it is a joyous celebration of the amazing sustainability work locally and a great way to learn about different projects and efforts in the region. SSMC was a founding member of the Campaign for Fossil Free Buildings in Silicon Valley, and their participation is a big reason for the success of the campaign.” - Diane Bailey, Executive Director, Menlo Spark and Founder, FFBSV
Sustainable San Mateo County has a laser focus on making the county more livable - not just environmentally, but socially and financially. It measures sustainability progress by local cities via its Dashboard and Indicators Reports and captures solutions that have successfully enhanced sustainability with its Sustainability Ideas Bank. Every month it invites speakers to discuss current issues during Happy Hours on Zoom, and every year it honors sustainability champions.
SSMC is the county leader in providing education about Sustainability and more importantly, demonstrating how individuals can become involved.
This is an inspiring organization! The annual awards event highlights inspiring individuals, organizations and environmentally sustainable projects that keep our communities sustainable.
I have volunteered with Sustainable San Mateo for the past two years, and I’m so glad that a random google search brought me to them.
I wanted to find an organization that would help to support my community in more than one way, and I believe SSMC does that. Their focus is on a sustainable future for everyone!
They have a few great programs to continue their mission, including an indicators report that tracks the progress of SMCo using key sustainability indicators and an awards dinner that recognizes local sustainability standouts.
I am looking forward to continuing my volunteer work with SSMC!
I was an intern at Sustainable San Mateo County this past summer and was so grateful to be in the presence of incredible people who are truly dedicated to sustainability! Every program and event SSMC holds is organized with utmost care and positive intentions for the community.
I have been involved with this organization in different levels from volunteer to board member through out several years . SSMC is a small ,lean and mean non profit. It has been extremely influential in helping the elected officials to bring about policies based on their flag ship program called Indicators report since 1994 . SSMC's Awards Gala every year celebrates and acknowledges any business, individual ,for profit or non profit organization for their contribution to sustainability to this County. I would give this organization 10 stars if it was possible. I am very proud to have been involved with SSMC.
SSMC walks the talk of “three E’s” of sustainability, the Economy, the Environment and social Equity which must be in balance in order for communities to be healthy and thrive.
As the pandemic hit, the coronavirus postponed SSMC’s Annual Awards dinner to July, but it didn’t stop the community from coming together virtually for an amazingly successful auction and awards ceremony in support of SSMC.
During the pandemic, we have enjoyed 9 virtual sustainability Happy Hours. After a round of introductions, including features of impressive home-made green drinks, and an overview by a guest speaker on a sustainability topic, the group breaks into three smaller discussion groups for discussion. There is so much insight!
I am delighted to be part of this very energetic non-profit, making a difference in sustainability. Please review the SSMC website for lots more information: https://sustainablesanmateo.org
Participated at various events of SMMC's - always interesting, thought-provoking and also great to connect with others.
Can't wait for the next event - hopefully soon again in person.
Frank
SSMC really cares about their county. They are actively seeking information and relaying it to the public and govt. entities to help the county become one of the most sustainable areas to live in. I have just recently found this nonprofit and I'm impressed by the commitment they have to inform and help spread the word on how each city within the County is doing with their green goals. Working along side the staff of this nonprofit I could see how well they work with other volunteers and create a feeling of inclusiveness for all who would like to contribute.
I have been a supporter of Sustainable San Mateo County since it was founded 20 years ago. SSMC was ahead of its time in recognizing the need for greater understanding about the importance of making sustainable life choices. For more than 20 years SSMC has educated and inspired new thinking about choosing a life style that will help heal our living system and assure a planet that works for all in generations to come. The stories shared in the annual awards event about individuals, businesses,and organizations that model a life style that is possible and necessary has inspired our county and beyond to be part of the solution.
Sustainable San Mateo County is great at spreading the word about sustainability in our county. The Sustainability and Green Building Awards highlight our successes. The Indicators Report is a valuable resource for knowing where we stand and how we could improve. SSMC's outreach efforts to get city councils to enact Reach Codes will really help with climate change. SSMC provides real benefit to our county.
I have been a part of and watched the many progressive programs SSMC has been a leader of including their groundbreaking Indicators Report, their annual sustainability awards presentations, and their recent Ideas Bank. Over the last 20 years SSMC has brought the concept of sustainability to the forefront of public policy discussion and public goals.
Nearly 3 decades ago, Sustainable San Mateo County started helping our county understand that decisions we make now affect our residents for years to come. If it weren't for SSMC, we'd be way behind where we are now. I've been a volunteer since the beginning and am so proud to see all the support and respect we have from governments, business and our neighbors. The Sustainability Awards Celebration is like a Who's Who of people in the county who are interested in sustainability.
Sustainable San Mateo County works in a number ways to engage and inform residents, businesses and elected official about sustainability. The outstanding annual Indicator's Report is the go to tool for data on the social, economic and environmental health of the county. The annual awards event highlights local achievements, providing motivation and recognition for leaders moving forward on the journey to sustainability. A great resource for information -- thank you Adrienne and Sustainable San Mateo County for what you do.
Sustainable SM County has just developed a new data base of information to help people -- and businesses -- be sustainable in very practical ways. Using the Sustainability Hub, you find out very practical ways to make your garden more water efficient, to find a "green" auto mechanic, to find better transportation options besides driving your own car, and lots more. It's all about making the 3 E's of sustainability -- environment, economy, and equity -- practical to everyday people. And it grows from a history of more than 15 years of doing research on sustainability and recognizing people who do it. And it all started with 6 people who had an idea in the mid 1990s.
I am the Board Chair for this nonprofit. We educate about all 3 E's of sustainability - Economy, social Equity and the Environment. We stay true to our purpose, limit ourselves to the County of San Mateo, California, and publish an annual Indicators Report which rates the County on 32 different Indicators. We also have an annual Awards event which recognizes those in our County who are putting sustainability into action. The primary focus is to influence the city councils (there are 20 cities in our county) and the County Board of Supervisors to promote sustainability by recognizing that their decisions today will impact generations to come. We also work with other organizations and the community at large to further these concepts.