Rooted in Community: Reflections from Tracy Earth Day
On Saturday, April 27, Tri-Valley CAREs joined our friends and longtime collaborators at the Tracy Earth Project for their annual Tracy Earth Day celebration. People of all ages came out to connect with one another, learn about local environmental efforts, and take action for a healthier, more just future.
We were among the organizations tabling at the event, which was held in the heart of Tracy and drew residents from across the city and the broader West San Joaquin County. Neighbors stopped by to talk about air pollution, groundwater, Site 300, and what they’re noticing in their own backyards—there was a strong sense of shared purpose and care.
At our table, we focused much of our outreach on the Corral Fire, which broke out last year and raised serious concerns about environmental safety and government transparency in our region. The materials we shared included details about the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request we submitted to better understand how the fire started and whether any federal facilities played a role. Our investigation recently uncovered key findings — you can read more about them here.
This is a question that’s still on many people’s minds. Several residents stopped by to share their experiences during the fire, express frustration about the lack of answers, or simply thank us for pursuing accountability. We also handed out flyers with updates on our advocacy work, including our environmental justice organizing in Tracy and efforts to push for stronger protections for communities living near contaminated or high-risk sites like Lawrence Livermore National Lab’s Site 300.
While we continue pushing for transparency and long-term accountability, we’re also focused on building community power. That’s why another big part of our outreach centered around the revival of the Tracy Environmental Advisory Council (TEAC), a community-driven initiative being reinstated by Tri-Valley CAREs. Originally created to advise on environmental issues in Tracy, TEAC is returning with a bold new vision: to empower residents to speak out, organize, and advocate for a cleaner, safer city, together.
We were actively recruiting new members for TEAC at the event — and the response was enthusiastic! So many people expressed a desire to be part of something meaningful, to have their voices heard, and to take tangible steps toward protecting their environment.
Here’s what TEAC will focus on:
- Listening to community concerns about pollution, development, public health, and toxic site cleanups.
- Taking action when opportunities arise — whether that means opposing a harmful project or supporting one that improves quality of life.
- Helping residents write and submit public comments, so decision-makers hear directly from the people most affected. For example, we can support Tracy residents in advocating for stronger cleanup plans at contaminated sites or opposing weak air pollution permits.
It’s a powerful platform — and one that’s urgently needed. If you’re interested in getting involved with the Tracy Environmental Advisory Council, we’d love to hear from you. And if you missed us at Earth Day, we have lots of other events coming soon, including our next TEAC meeting on Tuesday, May 27 at 5:30 in Tracy!
We’re deeply grateful to the Tracy Earth Project for organizing such a meaningful event and for continuing to bring people together in the name of environmental protection and justice. And to everyone who came out and spent time with us—thank you. Your questions, stories, and support fuel our work and remind us why it matters.
In solidarity,
The Tri-Valley CAREs Team
