Jody Benson Sharp’s Vision for Greener Urban Living on Earth Day
Earth Day 2025 brings a new wave of inspiration to communities around the world, and in
Newport Beach, California, one local advocate is reimagining how we design the places we
live. Jody Benson Sharp, a lifelong environmentalist and community builder, is calling
attention to the vital connection between urban planning and ecological health. Her campaign
this year, titled “Nature and Neighborhoods,” aims to inspire greener, healthier, and more
sustainable city life.
“Cities are where most of us live, work, and raise families,” Jody explains. “That means our
cities must become partners with the planet—not obstacles to it.”
Building Eco-Conscious Communities
Jody’s Earth Day vision begins with rethinking how urban neighborhoods are designed. She
advocates for a model of community development that integrates:
 Green spaces like parks, community gardens, and nature trails
 Bicycle lanes and pedestrian-friendly zones
 Rainwater capture and natural drainage systems
 Solar panels on public and residential buildings
 Mixed-use zoning to reduce car dependency
In Newport Beach, she’s partnered with local officials, architects, and environmental engineers
to pilot “green blocks”—streets that prioritize nature, sustainability, and community connection.
Urban Rewilding in Newport Beach
One exciting initiative Jody is championing is urban rewilding—the act of restoring natural
ecosystems in city settings. For Earth Day, volunteers will join together to:
 Plant native shrubs and trees along sidewalks and medians
 Create butterfly and bee habitats in underutilized lots
 Restore soil and water features in neighborhood parks
 Remove invasive plant species from coastal green areas
This effort not only helps local biodiversity but also educates residents about coexisting with
nature, even in dense areas.
The Role of Community Gardens
Community gardens are central to Jody’s Earth Day plans. She’s helping launch three new
gardens across Newport Beach this spring, providing:
 Fresh, organic produce for residents
 A space for children to learn about farming and nutrition
 Composting stations to reduce household waste
 Pollinator-friendly plants to support bees and butterflies
“Gardens are more than food—they’re education, healing, and sustainability all in one,” Jody
says.
Eco-Friendly Transportation Advocacy
In urban areas, car emissions are a major contributor to air pollution and climate change. That’s
why Jody is working with local transit officials this Earth Day to:
 Expand bike-sharing programs

Improve electric vehicle charging infrastructure
 Create awareness around carpooling and public transit
 Launch “Car-Free Sunday” events to reduce traffic and promote walkability
Her Earth Day events include a “Green Ride Rally,” where families and students bike together to
highlight the benefits of clean transportation.
Greening Schools and Public Spaces
Jody is also focused on schools as sustainability hubs. She’s working with parent groups and
school administrators to implement:
 School gardens
 Native plant landscaping
 Outdoor classrooms
 Recycling and zero-waste lunch programs
Parks and libraries are also joining the initiative with Earth Day programming like:
 Storytime in the Garden
 Park Clean-Up Challenges
 Tree-Planting Ceremonies
These small actions add up to a big community impact, building a culture of everyday
environmentalism.
Reducing Urban Heat Islands
As climate change intensifies, Jody is raising awareness of a growing issue: urban heat islands,
where concrete and asphalt trap heat, making neighborhoods significantly warmer than
surrounding areas. Her Earth Day response includes:
 Tree-planting drives for shade and cooling
 Promotion of reflective roofing materials
 Green wall installations in apartment complexes
 Public education on staying cool and energy-efficient
“Climate solutions don’t have to be distant or high-tech. Often, they’re as simple as a tree in the
right place,” Jody notes.
Earth Day Neighborhood Walks and Tours
To connect people to her ideas, Jody is organizing a series of “Eco-Walks” across different
Newport Beach neighborhoods. These guided walking tours highlight:
 Successful sustainable home designs
 Local wildlife and native plants
 Community-led green projects
 Everyday habits that reduce carbon footprints
Each tour ends with a workshop or open discussion, encouraging residents to share solutions
and spark new collaborations.
A New Standard for Urban Living
For Jody Benson Sharp, Earth Day is more than a celebration—it’s a community blueprint. She
believes urban areas like Newport Beach can lead the way toward a more sustainable future by
weaving environmental values into daily life.
“We have to see every sidewalk, every rooftop, and every yard as part of the climate solution,”
she says. “Green living doesn’t mean giving things up—it means designing better, living smarter,
and caring more.”
Through her Nature and Neighborhoods campaign, Jody is proving that urban living and
ecological responsibility aren’t opposites—they’re partners.