FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2026
B-roll and livestream footage included below.
MEDIA CONTACT: Cassandra Gonzalez-Kester, 279-220-0688,
Cassandra.Kester@californiavolunteers.ca.gov
East Bay Takes Climate Action for Earth Day
What you need to know: Thousands of volunteers and California Service Corps members came together during Community Climate Action Day – Oakland to beautify and cultivate stronger, more resilient neighborhoods.
OAKLAND, Calif. — Today, Josh Fryday, Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GO-Serve) Director and California Chief Service Officer, Yana Garcia, California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary, and Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee joined California Service Corps members and hundreds of volunteers for a Community Climate Action Day in Oakland.
In honor of Earth Day, volunteers joined in revitalizing neighborhoods and taking meaningful climate action. Projects included urban greening to revitalize key Oakland corridors, including planting trees and native plants and preparing sites for future improvements.
“Community Climate Action Days are a powerful reminder of what Californians can accomplish when we come together in service,” said Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GO-Serve) Director and California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “Climate Action Days bring community members and neighbors together for hands-on efforts to strengthen their community and take local climate action. We’re calling on all Californians to join us and be part of the solution.”
Oakland Councilmember Rowena Brown, GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, Oakland Councilmember Charlene Wang and Keep Oakland Beautiful Executive Director Christine Porter join California Service Corps members and volunteers for a Community Climate Action Day in Oakland to revitalize neighborhoods and take meaningful climate action in honor of Earth Day.
This Community Climate Action Day was made possible through state and local partnerships including with Keep California Beautiful and the City of Oakland: Adopt-a-Spot.
“On Earth Day we get to celebrate the collective action driving real progress in the fight against climate change,” said California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Yana Garcia. “That action is happening right here in Oakland and across our state in countless ways. We all play a role in delivering a better future for our communities — improving the air we breathe, enhancing green space and building resilient neighborhoods. And we are proud to be a model for the nation and for the world.”
As part of the event, state and local leaders joined Caltrans officials as the department presented Oakland’s Clean California Community designation and unveiled a newly installed official sign at 1734 E. 12th Street.
“Earning the Clean California Community Designation acknowledges Oakland’s long‑standing commitment to creating cleaner and healthier neighborhoods,” said Caltrans Director Dina El‑Tawansy. “The process for achieving this distinction also provides a clear organizational guidepost for other regional and statewide municipalities seeking to advance California’s Zero Litter goals for the benefit of their communities.”
The designation recognized the city’s leadership in advancing statewide efforts to remove litter, create jobs and transform public spaces into cleaner, safer and more vibrant community assets.
“Receiving the Clean California designation on Community Climate Action Day is a proud moment for Oakland and reflects our deep commitment to environmental stewardship and civic pride,” said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. “This statewide recognition reflects the real progress we’ve made through our Keep the Town Clean initiative — thanks to the dedication of our city staff and community volunteers — and underscores our broader climate goals by proving community-driven investments in public spaces deliver lasting results. We will proudly carry this recognition forward as a reminder of our ongoing work to build a greener, cleaner and healthier Oakland for generations to come.”
California Service Corps members, community leaders and volunteers take part in projects like urban greening and tree planting during the Community Climate Action Day in Oakland.
Community Climate Action Days, which the California Climate Action Corpsorganizes across the state, offer volunteers the opportunity to take climate action while enhancing quality of life and access to green spaces in their communities. Participants also had opportunities to learn about local climate initiatives.
California Climate Action Corps is part of the California Service Corps, which is the largest service force in the nation, larger than the Peace Corps. It is administered by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor and also includes #CaliforniansForAll College Corps, Youth Service Corps and AmeriCorps California.
INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH: GO-Serve Director Josh Fryday. Contact Cassandra Gonzalez-Kester, 279-220-0688, Cassandra.Kester@californiavolunteers.ca.gov
LIVESTREAM: YouTube.com/live/sRUUZLjXZRs
B-ROLL: Community Climate Action Day – Oakland
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:
Alameda County Supervisor Lena Tam:
“Community Climate Action Day in Oakland reflects the very best of our community, with neighbors coming together in service, sustainability and shared purpose. The transformation of East 12th Street is especially important to the community because it follows years of serious public health and safety challenges at this site. Through sustained outreach, partnership and investment, this corridor is now becoming a place of hope, safety and civic pride. Alameda County is proud that the City of Oakland supports efforts that both uplift our communities and connect people to the services and opportunities they deserve, while advancing long term environmental stewardship.”
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About California Volunteers, Office of the Governor
California Volunteers, under GO-Serve, empowers Californians to take action to improve their communities. California Volunteers is the state office tasked with recruiting Californians to engage in public service.
