Since its founding in 2009, the Citizens Environmental Council (CEC) has become a regional catalyst for sustainability, educating the public on critical environmental issues, advocating for planet-friendly policies and empowering young people to become environmental leaders.

Our mission is to champion regional sustainability through education, advocate for environmental and climate policy, and empower young environmental leaders.

We have four signature programs:

  • Speaker Series CEC offers free “Green Programs on Hot Topics” on current issues that generate conversation and new ideas. Past programs have explored the impact of climate change on health, gray water, sea level rise and native plant landscaping.

  • CEC Student Film Fest San Mateo County students in grades 4 through 12 are invited to submit 5-minute videos about sustainability issues in this annual competition, which awards cash prizes.

  • Youth Climate Ambassadors Leadership Program This countywide program grew out of one that CEC started in 2018. High school students learn about environmental issues and lead sustainability initiatives at their respective campuses.

  • Scholarships Burlingame High School seniors who have demonstrated a strong interest in environmental issues are eligible for CEC scholarships that are awarded each spring.

Directors

Mike McCord, Chair
Marc Yelnick, Vice Chair
Steve Cady, Treasurer
Shirley Lee, Secretary
Hallie Gilmore
Lisa Happich
Eileen Kim
Jeff Londer
Terry Nagel
Steffen Rochel
Megan Strain
Desiree Thayer
Carol Vollen

Sponsors

We are indebted to Sterling Franklin of the Morris S. Smith Foundation for his steadfast support of our annual Scholarship Program and our Youth Climate Ambassadors Leadership Program.

We are also grateful to the City of Burlingame and the Burlingame Public Library for their support. We welcome other sponsors who would like to help fund existing programs or work with us to design new ones. And, of course, we welcome donations to help us continue our ongoing initiatives. Contributions are tax-deductible.
For details about sponsorship opportunities, contact
info@cecburlingame.org

Partnerships

The Citizen Environment Council of Burlingame collaborates with many local and regional organizations on sustainability programs and projects, magnifying our collective power to educate the public, create opportunities and drive positive change.

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History

Community volunteers started CEC in 2009 after the Burlingame City Council adopted its initial Climate Action Plan (CAP). Many of the founding members of CEC were members of the Green Ribbon Task Force that shaped the CAP.

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