Mill Valley, Tiburon hire joint climate policy official - Marin Independent Journal

Mill Valley, Tiburon hire joint climate policy official

A new hire will split time between Tiburon and Mill Valley to guide public outreach on climate and sustainability policy.

Grace Ledwith, 22, a resident of Berkeley, started as the new climate action sustainability coordinator on Aug. 14. Her salary is $73,764.08 annually.

The position was created through an interagency agreement. Mill Valley is the host agency, meaning Ledwith is an employee of the city. The cost will be split between the two jurisdictions, with Tiburon reimbursing the city.

Ledwith will manage greenhouse gas emission reduction measures and initiatives established in each of the municipal climate plans. The coordinator will be required to lead community conversations and will be the primary driver to implementing climate-related policy set by the respective councils.

Ledwith is also spearheading a mutual sustainability newsletter for the municipalities, which debuted on Thursday.

“I’m here to provide resources, support and guidance to those with questions and those who want to get involved,” Ledwith said. “I’m also here to do outreach and education so I want to be as open and accessible as possible.”

The municipalities sought applicants for the position in February.

In Mill Valley, Ledwith is set to manage a reusable foodware ordinance, modeled on an ordinance adopted last year by the county, which bans single-use plastic foodware in unincorporated areas. The foodware includes utensils, plates, cups and related items.

Danielle Staude, a senior planner with Mill Valley, said Ledwith’s hiring allows the city to strengthen its commitment to sustainability with a staff person dedicated to the issue.

“In order to achieve these goals, we are going to need the community’s support and involvement, including modifying their behaviors and choices in terms of transportation, energy use and purchasing,” Staude said. “It will also be important for Grace to establish connections with local stakeholders and provide ongoing information to the community on various sustainability matters.”

Tiburon Town Manager Greg Chanis said Ledwith would implement goals in the town’s climate action plan.

“Some of the priority areas we anticipate Grace working on are ensuring compliance with the requirements of SB 1383, building community support through enhanced public outreach and working with our County partners in encouraging the transition to EVs,“ Chanis said.

SB 1383 is an organic waste and composting law that requires organic waste facilities to report organic waste material activity and for municipalities to conduct outreach on composting.

Ledwith received her bachelor of science degree in environmental economics and policy from the University of California at Berkeley. She has previously worked in the field of environmental education and outreach with the East Bay Regional Park District, the Gill Tract Community Farm and the Environmental Health and Safety Office at UC Berkeley.

Ledwith said she was guided by three principles in sustainability: the environment, the economy and social equity.

“I love this work because I really enjoy the science and policy technical aspect but also engaging the public and seeing the impact of the work,” Ledwith said. “My job is essentially balancing out those three.”