Inland Empire Waterkeeper is proud to announce the launch of a brand-new program aimed at helping Inland Empire residents stay safe during the growing number of extreme heat events. The program, called Building Resilient and Empowering Zones for Everyone (BREZE), will identify and map existing and potential green spaces that can serve as natural cooling areas throughout the region.
This innovative mapping project is in its planning phase, with outreach set to begin by late 2025 in partnership with the equity-based nonprofit Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice. BREZE was made possible through funding from the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program, managed by the California Governor’s Office. Inland Empire Waterkeeper is one of 46 communities in 24 counties across California to receive this essential climate adaptation grant.
“Extreme heat will impact every community in California and is a public health, climate resilience, and social equity issue,” states the Governor’s Office’s website. “Climate change is causing more frequent and severe consecutive, unusually hot days and nights – known as extreme heat events.”
A recent national study found that 86% of Americans say increased temperatures, leading to heat waves and extreme heat, have made them more concerned about climate change. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, Inland Empire Waterkeeper has spent the past two years working alongside the State of California’s Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications to learn about and raise awareness around extreme heat in the Inland Empire. That knowledge laid the foundation for Waterkeeper’s new BREZE initiative.
“This major expansion of our work reflects how climate resilience has become central to Inland Empire Waterkeeper’s mission,” said Johanna Ramos, Managing Director at Inland Empire Waterkeeper. “By identifying natural cooling zones, we can help ensure Inland Empire residents have equal access to cooling green spaces during dangerous heat events.”
Inland Empire Waterkeeper is a grassroots, non-profit water quality organization dedicated to protecting water resources and promoting watershed resilience in the Upper Santa Ana River Watershed. Through advocacy, education, research, restoration, and enforcement, Waterkeeper works to build healthier and more climate-resilient communities for all.