Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet

Directions Website

Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet Acterra is an environmental nonprofit that brings people together to create local solutions for a healthy planet.

Our programs encourage sustainability at home, work, on the road, and in the community. Acterra is a San Francisco Bay Area 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Palo Alto that brings people together to create local solutions for a healthy planet. We focus on what you can do locally to address current environmental problems. In the face of daunting environmental challenges, our science-based approach instills hope while building community.

🚿 Heat water more efficiently—and plan aheadWater heaters can use up to 18% of your home’s energy, second only to heatin...
10/13/2026

🚿 Heat water more efficiently—and plan ahead
Water heaters can use up to 18% of your home’s energy, second only to heating and cooling. Newer electric heat pump water heaters are 3–4 times more efficient than standard electric or gas models — and can help you reduce energy use while improving efficiency at home.

Thinking ahead matters. Knowing your options now can help you avoid a rushed, last minute replacement if your water heater breaks.

👉Get PG&E’s free Buyer’s Guide to explore your options and plan
with confidence.

https://bit.ly/building-electrification-guide

What a ride! 🚴‍♂️✨ A massive thank you to everyone who joined us for the East San Jose Bike Party!After six months of de...
10/07/2026

What a ride! 🚴‍♂️✨ A massive thank you to everyone who joined us for the East San Jose Bike Party!

After six months of dedicated research by Acterra’s Transportation Leadership — comprising community stakeholders and incredible students from East Side Union High School (Eastside Union School District) — we finally hit the streets to test out the brand-new bike route they helped develop.

Before the ride, our Active Transportation Leadership Committee presented their powerful findings on local biking and walking infrastructure. They highlighted crucial gaps in connectivity, accessibility, and safety, while sharing solutions to make eco-friendly transportation more practical for the East SJ community.

Then, we put those ideas into motion! Starting and ending at the Mayfair Community Center, our community ride cruised past the beautiful Coyote Creek Greenway and Yerba Buena High School before wrapping up with food, festivities, and great conversations about the future of our local transit.

We are so grateful to the students and community members who dedicated months to this project, and to everyone who came out to ride, listen, and support them.

A special shoutout to our partner, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, and our sponsor, MTC Bay Area, for making this program possible! 🚲💚

Meet the first group of homes on the 2026 Green@Home Tours! 🏡⚡This year, we are thrilled to feature 18 fully and partial...
10/06/2026

Meet the first group of homes on the 2026 Green@Home Tours! 🏡⚡

This year, we are thrilled to feature 18 fully and partially electrified houses across the Peninsula and South Bay. Whether you are in Millbrae, Redwood City, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Los Altos, San Carlos, or beyond - there is a real, lived-in green home near you to explore.

Swipe through to see our first spotlighted homes and their amazing electric upgrades! 👉

Don't miss your chance to see heat pumps, induction cooktops, and solar setups in person, and chat directly with your neighbors about their actual installation experiences and costs.

📅 Saturday, October 10th | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Across San Mateo & Santa Clara Counties
🎟️ Register for your FREE - link in the comments.

🙏 Thanks to our generous sponsors who make this free community tour possible: WestLight Energy, Silicon Valley Clean Energy, City of Palo Alto - Public Agency, and County of San Mateo - Government.

Acterra was thrilled to join the celebration of WestLight Energy 10th anniversary (formerly Peninsula Clean Energy), a ...
10/03/2026

Acterra was thrilled to join the celebration of WestLight Energy 10th anniversary (formerly Peninsula Clean Energy), a longtime sponsor and partner of Acterra.

Many fond memories were shared about the early days of the Community Choice movement and how quickly it grew. There was also a nod to the bright future ahead for clean energy and electrification in our region.

It was great to connect with so many friends, colleagues, advocates, and community leaders who are all working to make the clean energy movement broader, more inclusive, and even more unstoppable.

Last week, the Acterra team gathered in person for a special sound healing session led by Petra Houts. It was a unique a...
10/01/2026

Last week, the Acterra team gathered in person for a special sound healing session led by Petra Houts. It was a unique and grounding experience, and a wonderful opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and recharge together.

So much of our work happens remotely, which makes these moments of being together even more meaningful. We’re grateful to Petra for creating such a relaxing experience and to Sports Basement for providing the space for our team to gather. 💚

09/30/2026

🏡 Come see your neighbor’s green home! Acterra’s 2026 Peninsula and South Bay Green@Home Tour is happening Saturday, October 10, from 11 AM to 3 PM.

Explore sustainable homes, learn about electrification and other green upgrades, and get inspired by your neighbors’ experiences!

RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/peninsula-and-south-bay-greenhome-tour-2026-registration-1992533356908?aff=LinkedIn

Thanks to our generous sponsors who make this free community tour possible: WestLight Energy, Silicon Valley Clean Energy, City of Palo Alto, and County of San Mateo.

🚿 5 signs your water heater may be failingWater heaters are one of the biggest energy users in many homes — and after ab...
09/30/2026

🚿 5 signs your water heater may be failing
Water heaters are one of the biggest energy users in many homes — and after about 8–12 years, they can become less efficient and more expensive to run. Learn 5 warning signs for a failing water heater, so you can plan ahead before it breaks down.

👉Signs to look forhttps: bit.ly/water-heater-signs

What’s your squash score? 🎃Recently, students in San Bruno Park School District got to try a mixed squash tasting featur...
09/28/2026

What’s your squash score? 🎃

Recently, students in San Bruno Park School District got to try a mixed squash tasting featuring squash from Carine & Robert Hines in Guinda.

The verdict:
💚 76 loved it
👍 13 thought it was okay
🙅‍♀️ 16 said, “No thanks!”

This tasting is part of Acterra’s Farm Fresh Futures program, which works with local schools to build more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food systems — one bite at a time.

We love seeing students get the chance to discover new foods and connect with where their food comes from!

What a fantastic Marin Green@Home Tour! At the end of August, local residents opened their doors to showcase incredible ...
09/23/2026

What a fantastic Marin Green@Home Tour! At the end of August, local residents opened their doors to showcase incredible sustainable home upgrades.

With 11 homes and 255 visits, attendees got an up-close look at everything from heat pump HVACs and induction stoves to grey-water systems and rainwater catchment. 💧⚡️

The best part? Hearing how inspired you were! As one attendee shared: “It was helpful to see products implemented not just in new homes but in older homes that were renovated to accommodate them.”

Ready to get inspired for your own space? 💡 Join us for our next event:
📍 Peninsula & South Bay Green@Home Tour
🗓️ October 10 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Explore local homes, get ideas for your own projects, and learn directly from homeowners making a difference one step at a time.

🔗 Learn more & register at acterra.org/events

A huge thank you to our generous sponsors who made the free Marin tour possible: MCE, Marin Water, and Resilient Neighborhoods! 🌱

Acterra was proud to sponsor the filmography of last week in San Francisco!Our Executive Director, Lauren Weston, repr...
09/15/2026

Acterra was proud to sponsor the filmography of last week in San Francisco!

Our Executive Director, Lauren Weston, represented Acterra at the screening and enjoyed meeting so many like-minded people who are passionate about making our homes and kitchens healthier, more sustainable, and energy-efficient. The film sparked a great conversation about the benefits and challenges of induction cooking, as well as the resources and support that can help make it more accessible to households and commercial kitchens.

We’re excited to keep the conversation going — and Acterra will be sharing the film with the public soon! Stay tuned for details on how you can watch The Joy of Induction Cooking and learn more.

A special thank you to Teresa Jan for the collaboration and for helping bring this important conversation to the community.

Address

3921 E Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA
94303

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category