Matthews and Castellano Named 2022 Environmental Champions

Press release from the Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility (RCCER):

The Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility (RCCER) is pleased to announce that it has named Arcata City Councilmember Meredith Matthews and Eureka City Councilmember Leslie Castellano its 2022 Environmental Champions. The designation honors local elected officials who have gone above and beyond in moving forward a climate action and environmental justice agenda.

Arcata City Councilmember Meredith Matthews

In the relatively short time she has served on the Arcata City Council, Meredith Matthews has already earned a reputation as an environmental leader of distinction. She successfully championed adoption of the region’s first Complete Streets Policy based on a model provided by RCCER, and has consistently supported responsible infill development which promotes carbon reductions, housing affordability, and protection of green space. She recognizes the urgency of climate action and its important connections to housing, transportation, and social justice. Meredith Matthews richly deserves the title of Environmental Champion.

Eureka City Councilmember Leslie Castellano

In her four years on the Eureka City Council, Leslie Castellano has proven herself a dedicated supporter of climate and environmental justice, taking action both in City Council chambers and throughout the community. She has not only been a champion of efforts to develop much-needed housing in and around downtown Eureka, but also fought to make those projects even better by providing more units, more affordability, and more bike, pedestrian and transit amenities. She is also a leading advocate for the downtown EaRTH Center transit hub which will soon provide both much needed housing and low carbon public transportation. Leslie Castellano is clearly an Environmental Champion for Eureka and Humboldt County.

About RCCER

The mission of the Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility (RCCER, pronounced “rocker”) is to ensure that local elected officials and government agencies on California’s North Coast take robust, just, and equitable actions to address the climate crisis and other key environmental issues. More information can be found at www.rccer.com.