Celebrating Outstanding Service: Honoring Noah Galgan and Stephanie Oelsligle Jordan

May 5, 2025

Stephanie Oelsligle Jordan, center left, accepts the award on behalf of Sustainable Solano’s Local Food team

By Taylor Collins, Development & Communications Coordinator

In recognition of their exceptional work to reach Solano County youth through Sustainable Solano’s Youth Wellness Program, Local Food program managers Noah Galgan and Stephanie Oelsligle Jordan were recognized Monday night at the 19th Annual CAC Recognition Awards.

The awards celebrate individuals and organizations who go above and beyond in supporting students with disabilities, and are presented by the Solano County Special Education Local Plan Area (or SELPA) Community Advisory Committee. This honor shines a light on the kind of dedication and hard work that Noah and Stephanie bring to the Youth Wellness Program, particularly in bringing the program to Golden Hills Education Center in 2024.

Through hands-on experiences in the kitchen and the garden, Noah and Stephanie have guided numerous students in harvesting, preparing, and sharing nourishing meals at the table. Cooking and gardening are incredible tools for teaching patience, responsibility, and resilience. These experiences also spark curiosity and confidence in students who may have never planted a seed or cooked a fresh meal before. By showing students that food doesn’t just come from a store shelf, but from the Earth and our collective care for it, the program builds both life skills and a sense of stewardship.

Since its inception in 2022, the program has served more than 160 Solano high school students.

Please join us in congratulating Noah and Stephanie for this well-deserved recognition!

Why Understanding Air Quality Matters More Than Ever in California

Feb 27, 2025

By Taylor Collins, Development & Communications Coordinator

Interns with the Vallejo Environmental Leadership Fellowship build DIY air purifiers after attending a virtual class on air quality

Air quality is something many of us take for granted — until it becomes a problem. In California, we know that wildfires can happen at any time of year, filling clear skies with thick, hazardous smoke. But wildfires aren’t the only cause of poor air quality. Vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and even household sources like gas stoves contribute to indoor and outdoor air pollution that can make us sick.

Over the past few years, Californians have experienced extreme air quality events. From the urban fires in Los Angeles at the start of this year to the record-breaking wildfire season in 2020 that forced people indoors for weeks. Indoor air pollution can be just as harmful, especially for those with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions. However, with careful planning, we can protect ourselves while indoors. Learning about air filtration, monitoring air quality indexes, and improving indoor air circulation can help you stay safe.

Last month, we held a Virtual Air Quality Workshop with Dr. Nicholas Spada of the UC Davis Air Quality Research Center. We covered the basics of what is in the air and the science of keeping ourselves safe.

 

We’ll be holding an in-person workshop in Dixon on April 17 that will feature a live demonstration on how to construct an easy home air purifier. Materials to create the DIY purifier will be available, however, supplies are limited to the first 10 people who register. Register here for the class.

If you’re interested in helping your community monitor your air quality, sign up to receive a PurpleAir monitor using our Air Quality Interest Form. Due to limited supply, air monitors will be distributed based on neighborhood and geographic need first, and then in the order requests were received.

This work, including public air quality classes, the Vallejo Environmental Leadership Fellowship and air purifier and monitor distribution, are generously funded through support from the Solano Community Foundation.

Fairfield in Full Bloom

Feb 26, 2025

As part of our work in Fairfield around air quality, community members have asked about ways to create more walkable spaces. Some of this work has to be done through large changes, such as the ideas envisioned by our Youth Air Protectors in their street redesign projects. But other changes can be done on a smaller scale, such as planting trees in front yards that will shade sidewalks and improve the air, as was done through two Fairfield garden installations through this program. Then there is what can be done on a community scale. We are excited that this spring we will be coordinating with the city, the community and Fairfield artist Sheree Rayford to create a community mural along Linear Park Trail. We hope this mural will invite residents to use, enjoy and care for the trail more often. We thank Sheree for sharing her blog, below, on this project and process.

By Sheree Rayford, creative artist

A couple of weeks ago, we put out a call for feedback on what the new Fairfield mural should represent. The responses were truly inspiring, painting a beautiful picture of what Fairfield represents. Every word, phrase, and flower submitted reflects the heart of our city and the values that make it feel like home.

Words That Shined Through

These words highlight what people cherish about Fairfield — a place where people care for one another, where kindness and connection thrive, and where there’s always room for growth and possibility.

The Most Loved Phrases: 

  • All are welcome here
  • A diverse community that cares for all
  • Unity in diversity
  • Where dreams take flight
  • Forever United… Forever Strong!
  • El sol sale para todos / The sun rises for everyone

Each of these phrases speaks to the heart of Fairfield — a place of belonging, resilience, and shared dreams.

The Flowers of Fairfield & Their Meaning 

The community also shared floral symbols that reflect Fairfield’s spirit:

  • California Poppy – Resilience and renewal, much like our ever-growing city.
  • Sunflower – Warmth, unity, and perseverance, always turning toward the light.
  • Daisy – Fresh beginnings and joy, celebrating the vibrancy of our home.
  • Mustard Flower – Strength in numbers, just like our strong community bonds.
  • Marigold – Gratitude and perseverance, honoring the past while moving forward.
  • Forget-Me-Nots – Connection and community, ensuring everyone has a place.
  • Dahlia – Diversity and strength, reflecting Fairfield’s unique and beautiful mix of people.

The Process: From Ideas to Sketches

Taking that inspiration, I sketched up three rough design concepts that reflect these ideas. After sharing them with our partners at the city and getting approval from the building owner, we are moving forward with a design that embodies the idea of Fairfield’s potential blooming in full color.

Why This Mural Matters

Public art does so much more than just make a space look pretty (though, let’s be real, it’s about to be stunning). Studies show that murals:

  • Improve walkability, making people more likely to explore and engage with their community.
  • Reduce crime, creating safer, more inviting public spaces.
  • Boost local pride and identity, giving residents a deeper connection to their city.

This project is all about that — bringing color, joy, and a sense of belonging to our city, and I can’t wait for all of us to see it come to life together.

March 22: Community Mural Collaboration and Celebration

Mark your calendars because on March 22, we’re throwing a community celebration like no other! This mural isn’t just for Fairfield — it’s by Fairfield, and I want as many of you as possible to be a part of it. We’ll be inviting everyone out to add some final personal touches, making sure this piece is something we can all see ourselves in. More details are coming soon, but just know — it’s going to be beautiful.

Register to be part of the community mural event here

This mural project and Sustainable Solano’s Fairfield air quality work is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Celebration Gratitude from Sustainable Solano

Sep 30, 2024

By Sustainable Solano

Attendees could view a timeline of SuSol’s 25-year history (Photo credit (all): Luke George)

We would like to extend a warm thank you to everyone who attended our 25th Anniversary celebration! Your presence truly made the evening special, and it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and meet new friends who share our passion for the mission of our organization.

A special thank you to Assemblymember Lori Wilson, and the representatives for Congressmen Mike Thompson and John Garamendi for attending our event. We are grateful for the state Legislature recognition, Congressional commendation, and recognition from Wanda Williams with the Board of Supervisors. Your support means the world to us and helps us continue our work!

Assemblymember Lori Wilson recognizes SuSol / Attendees enjoy a farm-to-table dinner from Chef Lindsey Chelini

It was fantastic to witness everyone coming together, sharing their insights, and contributing to our vision board. Your ideas and perspectives are invaluable as we shape the future of our programs. Look for a blog in November where we will share some of the insights we received from attendees, how they intersect with our current work and where they guide us to look in our future work.

We’d love for you to stay involved! Whether it’s attending future events or making a donation to keep this work going, your support is crucial in helping us continue our mission. Every little bit counts and makes a difference.

SuSol staff and a Youth Leadership Council alum discuss programs with attendees

Thank you once again for being part of our journey. We’re excited to move forward together, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds!

Internship Addresses Climate Change, Sea Level Rise, Solutions

Aug 2, 2024

By Alan Candelario, Suisun City Nature-Based Solutions intern

Our Nature-Based Solutions internship in Suisun City focused on the risks posed by sea level rise and possibilities with nature-based solutions to flooding. Interns learned about these approaches and brought their insight to community gatherings to get resident insight about risks, how they use the waterfront, and what types of solutions they prioritize. Here, Alan shares about his experience in the internship.

Interns offer feedback on a map of downtown Suisun City during a community workshop

I’ve learned many things regarding climate change and what to expect for Suisun if nothing is done to combat rising sea levels. If we do nothing, Suisun could be practically submerged in 50 years time. I also learned ways to combat flooding – for example putting seawalls or a levee or nature-based solutions like marsh restoration, which restores the wetlands so animals can have a better habitat and the area around can be better. This could mean people being able to walk to it and just relax, and also for wildlife to have an area to call home.

I also made new friends here at the internship. Everyone at the internship was nice and explained things to us clearly. Some of my favorite events were the flood walk, which helped paint a picture of what parts of Suisun would be flooded if action isn’t taken. A flood walk is a great event to attend if you want to learn more about what the city is already doing to prevent flooding and what they could do in select areas to combat flooding.

Outside of Raley’s we helped hand out flyers to people in hopes that they would attend a workshop and get information about flooding and sea level rise in Suisun. The workshop was an event people could attend and learn about sea rise levels, ask questions if they had any concerns and share their perspectives. I also attended a garden walk where people went to get information on how to make a good garden for the environment which uses rain and rainwater. It also helps prevent floods if enough people do it.

At the end of the day my experience with the internship was amazing. I met cool people, I learned valuable things about climate change, and I had fun. If I were asked if I would do this again, I would say yes 10/10 would recommend. I also joined this internship since I wanted to see what the city was doing to combat climate change so people could have a better future here in Suisun.

This internship opened my eyes more to the world of environmental science. I was already interested in it since I had taken a class my junior year, but the internship helped me see the bigger picture like flood prevention. So I plan to hopefully study environmental science later in life and help prevent things like sea level rise.

SuSol Celebrates its 25th Year with Milestone Event

Jul 1, 2024

By Sustainable Solano

This year marks a significant milestone for Sustainable Solano as we celebrate 25 years of fostering sustainability, resilience, and community well-being in Solano County. To commemorate this achievement, we invite you to join us Sept. 21 for an unforgettable evening in the picturesque Suisun Valley. Set amidst a beautiful vineyard, our anniversary celebration promises to be a night of reflection, celebration, and forward-looking vision. We will take time to share memories from the past 25 years and talk about our impacts in community resilience, local food, green infrastructure, and youth empowerment.

The equinox, with its perfect balance of light and dark, provides an auspicious backdrop for our event. This time of equilibrium is ideal for making important decisions about the future, and it is symbolic of the balanced and sustainable future we envision for Solano County. As we gather on this special night, we will take time to recognize the collective efforts and special people that have brought us to this point. Most importantly, we will look forward to the next seeds being planted for resilience in Solano County and invite you to be involved in shaping our work ahead. We’ll officially launch our new business recognition initiative, Doing Good, which will provide an opportunity to spotlight local businesses that are making a positive impact on our environment and community.

The evening will feature a farm-to-table dinner prepared by local Chef Lindsey Chelini of BackDoor Bistro, showcasing the best of our region’s bounty. Each dish will highlight fresh, locally sourced ingredients, emphasizing our commitment to sustainable agriculture and community health. Paired with local wines from Backroad Vines, the meal will be a culinary journey celebrating the flavors and richness of our county.

Mark your calendars for Sept. 21 and get ready for an evening of great food, inspiring conversations and dancing. We look forward to celebrating with you and charting the course for our next 25 years.

General tickets will be available in August. Tables of 8 will be offered by request. Keep an eye out for more details!