By Jade Stevens, Founder, 40 Acre Conservation League
Summertime holds a special place in our communities. It is the season of cookouts in the park beneath old oak trees, beach days that stretch into golden California sunsets, and family reunions that remind us of who we are. These moments — rooted in joy, tradition and connection — are deeply tied to the land, which is more than a backdrop; it’s part of the bond that unites our community.
These lived experiences helped shape my passion and purpose in co-founding the 40 Acre Conservation League, California’s first Black-led land conservancy. Our mission is simple: to ensure that everyone, particularly Black and African American communities, has access to outdoor spaces and leads efforts to protect them. We focus on land conservation, environmental stewardship, and empowering our communities to become land ambassadors.
As land ambassadors, we encourage people to participate in forest restoration, trail cleaning and habitat protection, building both ecological knowledge and a personal connection to the land. Small acts, like picking up waste, sorting recyclables and choosing reusable containers, can spark lasting change.
That’s why I appreciate and stand with the work of CalRecycle, which brings together the state’s recycling and waste management programs to move California toward a waste-free, circular economy. Starting with simple, everyday actions like recycling drink containers and sorting food scraps, we can build cleaner, healthier and more sustainable communities.
When we don’t recycle or care for the land around us, waste pollutes our air, water and land, harms people and wildlife, and sends the wrong message to the next generation.
But we can all be part of the solution. When we recycle bottles and cans at certified recycling sites to redeem the California Redemption Value (CRV), we reduce landfill waste and litter and support California’s bottle deposit program, which helps keep valuable materials in use. When we place food scraps into compost bins instead of trash, we help reduce methane pollution and return nutrients to the soil.
Becoming waste-free and taking part in a circular economy isn’t only about preserving nature — it’s about legacy, culture, and healing. It’s about reclaiming our relationship with the Earth and remembering that we’ve always had a place in this movement.
So, as we gather, laugh, rest and celebrate what’s left of this California summer, let’s also honor the spaces that make those lasting memories possible. I encourage us all to be good
stewards of the land we all share by taking small steps, like recycling and composting. Because when we protect the land, we’re not just preserving nature, we’re reclaiming culture, nurturing community and passing forward a legacy of care.
Visit 40AcreLeague.org to learn more about upcoming tours and help shape the future of our shared outdoor spaces.
Visit CalRecycle.ca.gov for tips on redeeming CRV bottles and cans, sorting food scraps, and making your everyday choices count for the environment.
