Inaugural Community Clean Air Day!

This past weekend, the Valley Air District gathered with more than 100 San Joaquin Valley residents and stakeholders to celebrate their collective effort to achieve cleaner air and meaningful community engagement. The Community Clean Air Day event highlighted the significance of the multi-agency collaboration that has been achieved through the District's Community Air Protection Program, while celebrating the progress that has been made towards improving air quality in underserved Valley communities.<_o3a_p>

"We've built good momentum through our Community Air Protection program and fostered strong relationships between businesses, environmental justice groups and residents to accomplish clean air projects in the San Joaquin Valleyl. Community Clean Air Day allowed us to celebrate the work we have invested in improving air quality and the quality of life in underserved communities," said Jessica Olsen, Director of Community Strategies and Incentives for the Valley Air District. <_o3a_p>

The event was developed in collaboration with community members and stakeholders and aims to unite communities across the Valley and emphasize the importance of building strong relationships with residents, businesses, community groups, and agency partners. Participants heard from community experts, fellow residents from across the Valley and enjoyed the talents of a graphic recorder who created a mural in real-time during the event that reflected the conversations, decisions and themes that arose from the day. Event participants left event energized with a newfound knowledge of air quality improvements, resources and goals to pursue and collaborate in their respective communities. <_o3a_p>

For more information, visit www.valleyair.orgor call a District office, Fresno (559-230-6000), Modesto (209-557-6400) or Bakersfield (661-392-5500). District Outreach and Communications personnel are also available for media interviews.<_o3a_p>

The Valley Air District covers eight counties including San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and San Joaquin Valley air basin portions of Kern. For additional information about the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, visit www.valleyair.org or call 559-230-6000.