Caltrans Clean California Program

Making Tam High a Clean California Community

Led by TAM AIR and supported by school leadership, we're pursuing the official Clean California Community designation for Tamalpais High School — a free statewide program by Caltrans that recognizes communities committed to staying clean and beautiful.

15
Total Criteria
10
Required to Qualify
10
Already Met
May '26
Achieved
In partnership with
Designation Achieved

All Required Tasks Completed

TAM AIR met all required Clean California criteria on May 14, 2026, with over 30 hours committed to this goal.

What is the Clean California Designation?

Clean California is a statewide initiative by Caltrans that rewards communities for their commitment to cleanliness and beautification. Once designated, communities receive personalized signage, recognition on state websites and social media, and access to national grant opportunities through Keep America Beautiful.

The designation is completely free. Communities must meet at least 10 of 15 criteria within one year of signing the pledge. Based on TAM AIR's existing environmental programs and school infrastructure, Tamalpais High School is well-positioned to achieve this designation by the end of the 2025–2026 school year.

Initiative Leadership

  • TAM AIR Club
    Student-Led Initiative — Advisory Body & Project Lead
  • Mr. Brow
    AP Environmental Science Teacher — Incoming Faculty Support
  • Mae Nisbet
    Clean California, Caltrans — State Point of Contact
  • Mr. Pasarow
    Principal, Tamalpais High School — Pledge Signer

Official Signage

Personalized "You Are Entering a Clean California Community" sign posted at the school

State Recognition

Featured on state websites, social media, and state-partnered media outreach

Grant Access

National grant opportunities, educational materials, and volunteer cleanup kits from Keep America Beautiful

10/15

Designation Checklist

Must meet at least 10 of 15 criteria. Green = met, orange = in progress, gray = not planned.

Sign the Pledge

Principal Mr. Pasarow to e-sign the official Clean CA pledge on behalf of Tamalpais High School.

Complete

Advisory Body

TAM AIR Club serves as the Clean CA advisory committee, with faculty support from Mr. Brow (AP Environmental Science).

Complete

Community Input

Student and staff survey on campus cleanliness and beautification priorities.

Complete

Litter Assessment

Campus litter baseline assessment using drone imagery, with potential involvement from AP Environmental Science class.

Complete

Community Cleanups

TAM AIR conducts regular beach cleanups and campus cleanup events. 4+ per year documented.

Not Planned

Measure Progress

Tracking volunteer count, cleanup events, and pounds of litter removed per event.

Not Planned

Community Education

TAM AIR delivers STEM education and environmental awareness programs across Mill Valley schools.

Complete

Youth Education (K–12)

School visits to Mill Valley Middle, Park Elementary, and Strawberry Elementary with anti-litter and environmental curricula.

Complete

Anti-Litter Infrastructure

Tam High campus has trash and recycling bins at key locations, emptied regularly by facilities staff.

Not Planned

Enforcement / Deterrence

Anti-litter signage campaign on campus and student-led accountability program.

Complete

Long-term Plan

Sustainability strategy to maintain cleanliness year-over-year, including passing the initiative to future TAM AIR leadership.

Complete

Greening & Beautification

Campus beautification project: planting a garden or flower beds in coordination with school administration.

Complete

Collection Drives

E-waste and hard-to-recycle item collection day hosted on campus for students and families.

Not Planned

Local Partnerships

Established partnerships with Caltrans, Clean California, and Keep California Beautiful. Engaging local Mill Valley businesses.

Complete

Cigarette Litter Receptacles

Install receptacles at campus perimeter areas in coordination with school facilities.

Not Planned

Long-Term Planning (2026–2027)

How TAM AIR will sustain Clean California status and strengthen enforcement through the next school year

Fall 2026 — Goal 1
Put Up Anti-Litter Signs on Campus

Place clear, friendly reminder signs near the quad, lunch areas, and main entrances to keep cleanliness top-of-mind.

2026–2027 School Year — Goal 2
Host Four Campus Cleanups

Run one documented cleanup each quarter (September, December, March, June) and track volunteers, hours, and litter collected.

Ongoing — Goal 3
Partner With ASB on Peer Reminders

Work with ASB to encourage students to pick up after themselves and gently remind peers when they see litter.

Summer 2027 — Goal 4
Submit Annual Report & Renew Designation

Compile cleanup data and submit a yearly report to Caltrans to keep Tam High's Clean California Community status active.

Help Us Keep It Going

Sustaining a Clean California Community takes ongoing support. Donate to help fund signage and cleanup supplies, or volunteer with TAM AIR at our next event.

How You Can Help Enforce It

Simple actions every student, family, and community member can take to keep Tam High clean

4 Ways to Keep Your Community Clean: Sort Properly, Pick Up After Yourself, Join Cleanups, Reduce Waste

Share this infographic to help spread the Clean California message at Tam High.

Our Goal

Have the official Clean California Community sign posted at Tamalpais High School and celebrate the designation with the entire school community before the end of the year.

Target: June 2026

Want to Help?

Whether you're a student, teacher, parent, or local business — we need your support to make Tam High a Clean California Community.