New Nonprofit Moving to Downtown Petaluma

By Erin Axelrod

A nonprofit committed to helping people grow their own food, reduce waste and energy consumption and develop “do-it-yourself” skills through classes and community events, is moving to downtown Petaluma. Transition US, formerly based in Sebastopol, has relocated to 245 Kentucky Street and will now share offices with .

For those who may not know, Daily Acts is a local organization that provides specific, easy-to-grasp skill-building to residents, including teaching how to install greywater systems, keep chickens, grow your own food, keep bees and more.

Transition US is part of the global Transition Network, with 60 cities around the U.S., organized around initiatives that work to create viable communities. These groups meet regularly to discuss issues such as climate change, food security, water and habitat restoration.

Let the sustainable hubbub begin!

“We are excited about sharing this space with Daily Acts and the real potential of feeding off of each other’s collective creativity,” said Carl Shuller, a Petaluma resident and Transition US program manager.

“Petaluma is a wonderful community with so many powerful organizations working towards building local resilience. Who knows, maybe the Transition model will take root here like it has in hundreds of other communities across the country.”

At the moment, Transition US is busy preparing for the 350 Home & Garden Challenge on May 14 and 15th, an annual event organized by Daily Acts that encourages people to participate in “actions.” This can be retrofitting a home to make it more energy efficient, planting a garden or setting up a rain catchment system to recycle water. No matter how big or small, each daily action counts!

“As each year passes, we help caring citizens just like you make real changes in your own homes, gardens, and lives,” said Daily Acts' Operations Director Susan Price. “We help you personally save water, energy and money while you enrich your own sense of wellbeing and aliveness.”

Transition US and Daily Acts are also seeking another sustainably-minded business or nonprofit to move into the vacant suite next door, solidifying 245 Kentucky as a new hub of sustainability in downtown Petaluma.

So come check out the two powerhouses engaged in local and national transformation and get involved!

Erin Axelrod is a Program Director at Daily Acts, where she organizes classes, workshops and other community events that encourage sustainable practices.