Sustainable Riverside
Take a tour of all the sustainable things happening in Riverside, CA.
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1
California Citrus State Historic Park
The California Citrus State Historic Park is a living museum. It showcases the importance of the citrus industry while preserving it. The park covers over 250 acres of citrus groves, historic buildings, interpretive exhibits, and more.
2
The Santa Ana River
The Santa Ana River and its watershed makes up 2,418 square miles across the San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange counties. The Santa Ana River provides a diverse habitat filled with coastal sage, riparian forest, and scrub. It is also home to different special status plants and animals. Protecting this space is vital not only for the health of the ecosystem but for the cultural heritage the river brings to millions of Californians.
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Riverside Gateway Project
The goal of the project is to develop Park Master Plans for sites along the Santa Ana River Trail in Riverside, CA. These sites will contribute to the Santa Ana River Parkway and Open Space System, increasing access to the river and contributing to conservation efforts in the area.
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Riverside Public Utilities (RPU)
Riverside Public Utilities has developed various programs and rebates to not only help residents save money but also, make their homes more energy efficient. Programs such as the Energy Savings Assistance Program, partner with private utility companies to assist income-qualifying residents with their monthly bills.
5
LED Streetlights
Riverside will be converting all streetlights to LED streetlights, which will honor the historic integrity of streetlight aesthetics, while providing a safer, longer-lasting light.
LED Streetlights will provide extra safety, security, and energy-savings.
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The Orange Terrace Library
The Orange Terrace Branch is the City's first 'green' library. The LEED certification was made possible by a $3 million contribution from Riverside's Public Utilities Public Benefits Fund. Sustainable features were integrated throughout the project, inspired by the four themes of earth, wind, fire, and water.
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Riverside Water Quality Control (RWQCP) Plant Anaerobic Digester
In accordance with SB1383, the City’s Public Works Department introduced a new Food Waste Diversion Program to allow every resident to easily recycle food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard trimmings and do their part to help the environment. By recycling organic waste, we transform it into valuable resources such as compost for our gardens and parks, and renewable natural gas for energy.
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The City of Riverside Office of Sustainability
The Office of Sustainability is dedicated to leading and supporting climate action and planning that benefits our community both now and in the future. We aim to enhance the environment, stimulate the economy, and improve the overall quality of life for all. Our commitment lies in providing resources, fostering leadership, and encouraging collaboration in the climate space. Together, we strive to create a thriving, livable future that ensures equitable access to natural resources for all of Riverside's residents, plants, and wildlife.
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The Clean Air Day Mural
In 2023, City of Riverside, Metrolink, and UC Riverside partnered with artist, Ekaterina Orlovie, to erect a “smog-eating” paint mural at the R’Garden.
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Trails and Bike Paths
The City of Riverside is enhancing transportation options with accessible and affordable initiatives. Riverside has expanded bikeways, offering 17 miles of Class I bikeways, 26.4 miles of Class I Non-Standard trails, and 101.5 miles of Class II Bikeways. For pedestrians, a 2030 Trails Master Plan is expanding 31 miles of multipurpose trails across scenic hillsides and natural areas.
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California Air Resources Board (CARB) Southern CA Headquarters
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has its Southern California headquarters in Riverside. Its building is the largest Zero Net Energy building in the United States and has the largest collection of permanent public artworks addressing climate change worldwide, bringing together art and innovation.
A More Sustainable Future
The City of Riverside is a longstanding leader in environmental stewardship and sustainability as evidence by numerous accolades, substantial grant awards and meaningful work in a broad range of areas that matter to the quality of life and economy of the city!
To support the development of more sustainable work in and across the City, the City of Riverside Office of Sustainability (OoS) was established. The OoS focuses on a wide range of projects including a green economy, water quality, climate resiliency, air quality, quality public lands, local food system vitality, renewable resources, waste reduction, and other related endeavors. The first big lift is the lead on the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) effort that is happening in parallel with the General Plan Update . Part of the CAAP effort includes tracking the city’s carbon footprint, developing an action plan for addressing emissions with the community's support, and adapting to changing climate conditions like increased heat.
At the heart of Riverside's commitment to a greener, more resilient future. Here, we embrace the challenge of balancing environmental responsibility with community prosperity. Through strategic partnerships and innovative initiatives, we aim to reduce our ecological footprint while enhancing the quality of life for all residents. From promoting renewable energy adoption to fostering sustainable transportation solutions, our office serves as a catalyst for positive change. Together, we're shaping a city where sustainability isn't just a goal—it's a way of life.