Technology
The Technology pillar focuses on leveraging innovative solutions to monitor environmental conditions, collect data, and empower communities with the tools they need to advocate for environmental justice.
Particulate Matter
Through our “Particulate Matter” initiative, we strengthen climate resilience by deploying low-cost air quality sensors in Title 1 schools that lack access to environmental data. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is linked to asthma, cardiovascular disease, and other serious health harms—risks that intensify during climate-driven events such as wildfire smoke surges and extreme heat.
We use GIS and machine learning to analyze traffic exhaust, warehouse activity, wildfire smoke patterns, and socioeconomic indicators to identify schools at highest risk. With support from educators and families, we deploy sensor networks that provide continuous data on air quality fluctuations driven by both local emissions and regional climate events.
By making pollution visible, we equip communities to advocate for cleaner air and hold polluters accountable. The sensors also guide local leaders and policymakers to target emissions reductions and protect public health.
Education
The Education pillar focuses on empowering communities through knowledge, awareness, and skill-building. We provide educational resources and programs that help people understand environmental issues and take action in their communities.
STEM Kits
We develop and deliver STEM kits to local elementary schools to equip students with the tools they need to learn about environmental science. These programs are designed to be accessible to all age groups and educational backgrounds.
Our educational materials include hands-on activities and interactive workshops that make environmental science engaging and understandable.
Through partnerships with local schools and nonprofits, we reach hundreds of students each year, cultivating curiosity and building the next generation of environmental leaders.
Advocacy
The Advocacy pillar focuses on empowering communities to speak up for environmental justice and sustainable practices through education, awareness, and community organizing.
Advocating for Organic Agriculture
ConServe works alongside organizations like CORA (Campaign for Organic Regenerative Agriculture) to end the use of toxic pesticides in large-scale farming. Based in California's Pajaro Valley, CORA collaborates closely with Latino farmworker communities to protect both workers and nearby students from pesticide exposure.
Pesticides used by industrial farms have been linked to serious health problems including reproductive issues, neurological disorders, and cancers. Even children who attend schools near these farms have developed leukemia and learning disabilities due to chemical drift.
Together with CORA, we are advocating for major growers to transition to organic farming practices, starting with farms near schools.
You can support this movement by reading and signing CORA's petition here:
https://farmworkerfamily.org/cora
Support
The Support pillar strengthens climate resilience by assisting individuals and families who are already facing the impacts of climate change. We work alongside partners to deliver timely support where it is needed most and help frontline communities recover, adapt, and thrive.
Nourish San Jose
Through our Nourish SJ initiative, we address food insecurity and climate impacts by rescuing edible surplus food from local grocery stores and redistributing it to families across San José. Grocery stores routinely dispose of fresh, edible food due to overstocking and approaching “sell by” dates. When this food enters landfills, it breaks down and produces methane, a greenhouse gas more than 80 times more powerful than CO₂.
We partner directly with grocery retailers to recover surplus produce, dairy, and pantry items, package them into nutritious care-kits, and distribute them through food banks and community organizations. Each kit includes a recipe card to encourage healthy preparation and reduce waste at the household level.
