Goleta Certified as First “Blue City” in Santa Barbara County

By the City of Goleta

The non-profit organization Project O is proud to certify the City of Goleta as a “Blue City” through the Blue City Network (BCN), a certification process using a data-driven approach to assessing communities’ efforts towards protecting oceans and waterways. At last night’s September 19 City Council meeting, the Council was presented with the City’s official certification.

“We’re honored to have Goleta join the Blue City Network. We know that Goleta will be a source of inspiration for other cities committed to protecting our oceans & waterways,” said Evelina Marchetti, Executive Director of Project O.

To receive this recognition, the City of Goleta completed a thorough assessment of its environmental initiatives and programs with Project O. Out of 500 points, the City scored 370 placing it in the Ocean Hero Tier. Some of the major accomplishments that helped Goleta achieve this recognition include:

• Launching the Plastic Free Goleta initiative to drastically reduce single-use plastic in the community through one of the most comprehensive plastic pollution reduction policies in California.
• Helping residents access renewable energy and battery storage systems in their homes, regardless of financial qualifications, through the PoweredUp Network.
• Developing a Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan to protect Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas in the Ellwood Mesa.
• Implementing a Creek and Watershed Management plan that outlines best practices to provide habitat for fish and wildlife, accommodate wildlife movement corridors, convey stormwater runoff and floodwaters, and furnish open space and passive recreational areas for City residents.

“I am so proud of our City for receiving this recognition. Protecting the environment and creating a sustainable community are priorities of the Council, and we look forward to continuing our legacy of stewardship and care for our oceans and creeks,” said Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte.

Upon certification, cities become part of the Blue City Network, a coalition of communities from around the world that collaborate in their ongoing quest to become true champions of the environment.

The Blue City Network Certification allows communities to credibly and transparently track progress toward overall sustainability objectives. The assessment focuses on four solution areas: Waste Minimization; Climate Protection and Community Resilience; Water Quality and Efficiency; and Healthy Ecosystems. Participants also gain access to proven resources and blueprints provided by top environmental nonprofits, cities, and governmental agencies working with BCN. Other certified Blue Cities include Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica, and Santa Cruz.

The Blue City Network is supported by Project O, a non-profit, 501c3 organization founded by noted entrepreneur Rich German and based in the coastal town of Laguna Beach, California. By restoring, protecting, and sustaining the ocean and all that lives in it, Project O ensures the wellbeing of humankind now and for generations to come through various programs and projects, such as developing and supporting innovative partner programs for ocean conservation, and educating the next generation to protect the ocean and make cleaning up plastic pollution a priority. Find out more at https://project-o.org.

For more information, please contact Evelina Marchetti at evelina@project-o.org.