ACTIVATE! Programs
Urban Tilth is passionately committed to advocating for human rights, including racial and gender justice, in addition to environmental and climate justice. We believe that all people deserve to thrive and have equitable access to a healthy life. With a diverse and colorful group making up our staff, we are very familiar with the various systemic injustices that stand in the way of that healthy life for many individuals and communities.
For that reason we have cultivated different initiatives and bodies of work under the ACTIVATE! Programs banner to help us hold space for creating solutions to combat these different systems of oppression.
What do we mean when we say “Just Transition”?
In the framework of Just Transition, we have key pillars that will help us transition from the extractive economy we live in today into a more regenerative economy where we will live in healthier, accessible green spaces.
When we think of the word economy, we usually only think of money and finances because of what we are taught. But the word “economy” actually means much more. The Greek root word “eco” means “home”. The second part of that word, “nomy,” means “management,”. So actually, economy is quite literally the management of the home. With that definition, it is our intention to help bring about a better, more sustainable, healthier management of our home. For us this kind of management includes using deep democracy as a guiding value and practice so that as many residents as possible are included in decision-making.
Just Transition Priority Projects
North Richmond at the Table
Bringing Just Transition to Life
Racial and Gender Justice Projects
Get ACTIVATED!
Get involved with current actions, community meetings, and justice initiatives.
The Air District has issued a Public Hearing Notice and is requesting comments on proposed amendments to Regulation 6: Particulate Matter, Rule 3: Wood-Burning Devices (Rule 6-3) and Regulation 5: Open Burning.
The comment period closes on August 13, 2025 and the public hearing is scheduled for October 1, 2025.
Written comments should be addressed to Rule Development, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, 375 Beale Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94105.
Comments may also be sent by e-mail to woodsmokerule@baaqmd.gov.
Working in Coalition
Beyond the projects we are leading at Urban Tilth, our Just Transition team is also working together as members of 3 coalitions and alliances to move forward local and national campaigns, initiatives, and policy efforts. In this way we contribute to groups such as:
Current Coalition and Alliance Campaigns
Do you have a Just Transition Project for Richmond?
Check out the grant opportunities offered by Richmond Our Power Coalition’s Just Transition Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation…
Meet our Just Transition Team
Rafael Rafael Castro-Chavez
Hello, my name is Rafa, I am a North Richmond resident. I was 13 years old when the explosion at Richmond Chevron refinery happened. This experience made me interested in looking into environmental and climate justice, and I found that the housing crisis, racism, and extractive developments are all a climate issue. As a Just Transition organizer, I focus on educating and empowering my community for a better future in North Richmond.