What a fantastic day we had on the first official Richmond Green Tour! The high school students from West County Community High School dressed in green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and the Green Tour.

The Tour showcased the wide panorama of ways that Richmond is a leading green city, and the tremendous civic pride is woven into the City's businesses, non-profits, educational groups and civic agencies.

Most importantly, the Tour provided an excellent educational experience for the students in the Green Collar Economy.  Many aspects of workforce development and future employment opportunities were showcased, including several programs that could potentially employ them during the upcoming summer break.

Here is the first round of images from the day.

Alex Cotton, marketing coordinator for Rising Sun Energy Center, explains the organization's pioneering energy efficiency employment program for the Bay Area. 

The first stop on the Tour featured the unique education and outreach non-profits focused on renewable energy and building : Solar Richmond and Richmond Build, whose Program Manager Fred Lucero is show above addressing the group.

Learning how a house is built, one hard hat at a time!

Zoey Burroughs from Solar Richmond poses with a member of the Richmond Build program after her presentation to the high school students.

City Councilmember Tom Butt provided a comprehensive view on the history of Richmond and the Ford Building regarding green innovation. 

Alyssa Newman of the SunPower Corp. Foundation teaches the students about their state-of-the-art solar geo-tracking system outside the Ford Building.

Explaining the creation of some of the most luxurious countertops made in a sustainable fashion - right in the City of Richmond - is Vetrazzo's Karen Righthand.

A fully green certified business, Vetrazzo uses 100% recycled, reclaimed glass to create their colorful and practical works of art.

Two students show the fashion fun of being on the Green Tour!

An expert in sustainable household products, Allen King from Excellent Packaging explains the flow of garbage in our community,  and about his household bags made from sustainable bagasse plastic.

Mark Perrilliat, facilities and safety manager at Mountain Hardwear, demonstrates the testing site for the company's rugged tent gear.

A good time was had by all!

Division manager Jerrold Hatchett of Sim's Metal Recycling explains the dollars-and-cents behind the nuts-n-bolts of recycled household electronics and appliances.

l

In front of mountain of recycled plastic, ready to be shipped off to Japan.

The Tour got a glimpse of the Dinosaur as it destroyed a recycled train car!

Ms. T, a teacher at the high school, enjoying the Solar Farm at the West County Wastewater Treament facility (even though it was a bit smelly!).

The Peace Garden, essential to the vitality for the community around the Iron Triangle. was a favorite stop on the Tour.

Iyalode Kinney, Richmond's herbal nutritionist, explains the healing power of food to the students.

A renaissance spot in Richmond - the Green Way - is a source of pride and connection for the community, as explained by Urban Tilth creator Doria Robinson.

A beautiful mural of the Green Way wall.

Nicole Valentino, assistant to the Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, gives a bi-lingual explanation about the city's Green Corridor initiatives, and the desire to be one the lead edge of the sustainable wave.