All resources on this page are listed as they have value to rural communities. Any resources on here that uses the term “urban” has be reviewed to ensure that it has relevance to rural communities, and the resource can be replicated at a rural level.
Capacity Building:
CivicSpark is a combined effort of the Governor’s Office and AmeriCorps, administered by the Local Government Commission, the program is designed to address local governments capacity to respond to climate change and water management by completing mitigation and adaptation projects on topics including sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, solar procurement, urban forestry, sea level rise, implementation of climate action plans and water efficiency.
Disaster Recovery:
Community Planning and Capacity Building Recovery Support Function (CPCB RSF) is a program that is coordinated through FEMA but with the primary agency being HUD. Its mission is to enable local governments to effectively and efficiently carry out community-based recovery planning and management in a post disaster environment. CPCB RST) also have a very useful Community Recovery Management Toolkit. The toolkit is a very useful, step-by-step process.
Funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), RestoreYourEconomy.org provides resources and best practice information for public and private stakeholders seeking to rebuild their local economies after a disaster as well as assisting the business community in preparing for a disaster.
It is a one-stop shop of disaster preparedness, post-disaster economic recovery, and disaster resiliency resources and tools. There is a very useful toolkit for Disaster Planning for Economic Recovery also avail on their website.
Drone Services:
Michael J. Hansen Photography. Full service photography, videography and editing. Aerial Photography including both stills and video. Promotional stills and video for your small business. Fine art photography featuring landscapes, city scapes, macro photography and more. Portraiture; outdoor and studio. Real Estate photography and video. Full editing services including video production. FAA Certified sUAS pilot (drone photography). 916-534-0328, mhansen52@gmail.com
Environmental:
California Urban Forest Council is a nonprofit council that are made up of professionals associated with municipalities and public works, urban planning and design, arboriculture and the nursery industry, and community-based and public health organizations. They support seven Regional Councils across California. Additionally, CUFC has developed a step by step Urban Forest Management Plan (toolkit) that could be very useful for rural communities wanting to increase their tree population or review their present community forest plan, policies.
Air Resource Board has some useful tools on their webpage: There is also a very useful mapping tool available that is adding data points continually. Additionally, the Air Resource Board along with others, has a website call Cool California which providers tools for individuals, small business and governments to help them take action to protect the climate (save money too!) and keep California Cool.
Farming:
California FarmLink supports beginning, limited-resource, immigrant and other underserved farmers. The organization works across the state, with a focus on the Central Coast, Sacramento and the San Joaquin Valley, and the North Coast regions of California.
Funding:
Cool California has a Funding Wizard that combs the internet weekly for funding opportunities to help support a sustainable future. You can set filters by funding type, category, eligible applicants or using keywords. Additional improves are expected in the future.
Health:
The Public Health Institute Center for Wellness and Nutrition (CWN) is a national leader in developing campaigns, programs, and partnerships to address food security, reduce obesity and access to healthy food in the most vulnerable communities across the country. We have established relationships with local, state, and national organizations, and through education, engagement, environmental changes and polices, we work to make health accessible to all. We have a long standing and successful history of working in rural counties, to assist them build their capacity in meeting the specialized needs of their community. We can help you set, achieve, and evaluate your goals and develop effective and innovative programs for your clients. For more information, please visit our website at Public Health Institute Center for Wellness and Nutrition or email Lisa Tadlock at Lisa.Tadlock@wellness.phi.org .
Housing:
California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH) is a statewide nonprofit organization that works to ensure affordable housing opportunities for low income households in California. Through advocacy, community organizing, technical assistance, research and education, CCRH goal is to make the case for rural housing improvement and strengthen the capacity of the nonprofit and public sectors to provide affordable housing and related facilities.
Water and Sewage:
Many rural and small systems throughout the country face significant management and operational issues. These may include aging or inadequate infrastructure, recruiting and retaining qualified staff, growing or establishing financial reserves, and setting rates that are reflective of their operational costs and capital needs. The EPA has a new guidebook on water: Rural and Small Systems Guidebook to Sustainable Water and Wastewater Utility Management.
California Rural Water Association provides training, technical assistance, resources and information to assist water and wastewater utilities in achieving high standards of service.
Website Development and Branding:
Silver Rockets Web & Graphic Design specializes in web and graphic services for non-profit and small government organizations. For non-profits, they offer flexible rates and, for those who qualify, can arrange for free web hosting. Along with website creation, Silver Rockets provides print and graphic design (including logos, business cards, etc.), branding, corporate identity creation, and social media services.