IMPORTANT

Hundreds of PG&E Volunteers Pitch in to Protect the Planet

Date: June 11, 2024
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They pulled weeds, raked, painted, planted and filled way too many trash bags to count with debris to count. PG&E coworkers turned out in force — sometimes bringing along a few family members and friends — to help preserve our state parks and outdoor spaces throughout our service area.

 

This year, with more events to choose from, PG&E coworker volunteers nearly tripled the time they gave in service to the environment during the company's annual Campaign for the Environment anchored by Earth Day events.

 

Throughout April and May, there were 19 events that were part of this year’s campaign. This included seven in partnership with the California State Parks Foundation’s Earth Day Climate Action events (which also included other corporate and community volunteers) and the remaining PG&E-sponsored events for coworkers.

 

But that’s not all. Some local PG&E teams took the initiative to organize seven of their own events focused on the environment — even though not part of the official campaign managed by the company's Community Releations team — in places like Oakland and Chico.

 

Together, 371 coworkers gave nearly 1,300 hours of their time. And when you include the 55 friends and family members who joined them to help, it was more than 1,500 hours between April and May for the volunteer events. That's three times the volunteers and twice the volunteer hours contributed in 2023 at seven events in April, all but one in partnership with the California State Parks Foundation. 

 

There were more events planned this year and it was an impressive show of support and engagement from coworkers.

 

Coworkers like Malou Innocent, regional operations specialist (Principal), based in Santa Rosa, took part for the first time this year.

 

Innocent gave up her Saturday to volunteer at China Camp State Park on April 20.

 

“Very happy I participated,” she said. “Getting involved increased my connection with nature. It strengthened my appreciation for our state’s gorgeous landscapes and the importance of preserving them.”

 

She said she now understands more about the park and the region: “I learned about China Camp’s fascinating cultural history as a Chinese fishing village, dating all the way back to the 1860s.”

 

“I hiked to our refurbished 200 kV towers at the top of Powerline Fire Trail. Seeing the towers up close made me feel proud to be part of such an impactful company,” Innocent added.

 

Earth Day Events Draw Coworkers Across Service Area

 

PG&E’s annual campaign is rooted in the company's 25-plus-year partnership with the California State Parks Foundation, a statewide volunteer effort that began with Earth Day volunteerism. The parks foundation campaign is now spread throughout the month of April and is now known as Earth Day Climate Action.

 

Company events kicked off in early April as more than 50 PG&E volunteers cleared vegetation and brush at Angel Island (Marin County) and spruced up trails at Monta Montaña de Oro state parks (San Luis Obispo County) — in partnership with the California State Parks Foundation.

 

PG&E coworkers also joined state parks volunteers at Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park in Sacramento County and Millerton Lake State Recreation Area in Fresno County.

 

Executive Vice President Jason Glickman, who is also a board member for California State Parks Foundation, got his hands dirty alongside PG&E coworker volunteers at China Camp State Park. Meanwhile, Vice President Teresa Alvarado, (South Bay and Central Coast), joined coworkers to help restore an historic orchard and gardens at Guadalupe River Park Conservancy in downtown San Jose.

 

Alvarado was joined by PG&E volunteers like Joe Estrada Jr., an operating clerk based in Cupertino, who said it was satisfying to be able to pitch in and help.

 

“It brings smiles to everybody,” he said. “Like in this case, those that will come to these gardens will get to, you know, not have to walk in weeds and bugs.”

 

This year, PG&E’s campaign grew larger and lasted longer as its Community Relations team decided to add events through May allowing coworkers more time and opportunities to serve our planet. The first event took place April 6 and the last one wrapped up on May 30.

 

But local teams get credit, too. Among the locally organized volunteer events: North Valley and Sierra Region coworkers improved a trail at Chico’s Bidwell Park while others planted trees at Greenville High Schools softball field in Plumas County.

 

There was no shortage of opportunities to get involved.

 

There were fun animal-infused locations as well, like Farm Animal Sanctuary Care at Goatlandia in Sebastopol and the Oakland Zoo.

 

“We had no idea what to expect when we added additional events for the campaign and stretched it into a second month, but coworkers came through far beyond our expectations,” said Jessica Smith, Community Relations Specialist (Expert), who oversees PG&E’s Campaign for the Community programs.

 

She said it’s nice when she hears back from the organizations where coworkers volunteered.

 

“I always receive such positive feedback from our community partners about how efficient and hard-working PG&E volunteers are, and they are looking forward to welcoming us back in the future.”