The Conservation and Open Space Element includes a total of nine goals that are supported by 80 policies and 47 actions, all of which are aimed at conserving natural resources and protecting open spaces and habitat areas in and around Brentwood.  The nine goals are as follows:

1. Ensure the provision and preservation of diverse and accessible open spaces throughout the Brentwood Planning Area.
2. Preserve designated agricultural lands in Brentwood's Planning Area.
3. Protect and enhance Brentwood’s ecosystem and natural habitats.
4. Protect and enhance water resources in local creeks, riparian habitat, wetlands, the Marsh Creek Watershed, and aquatic habitat.
5. Utilize Brentwood’s mineral resources while preserving development and conservation options for the future.
6. Preserve and enhance prehistoric, historic, and cultural resources in and around the Brentwood community.
7. Protect hillsides and ridgelines from visual impacts and erosion.
8. Reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
9. Promote conservation of energy and other natural resources.

The City Council has been proactive in its efforts to ensure that as many of the goals, policies, and actions are implemented.  These efforts are reflected in part by the information and links provided in the subsequent sections.  There are also other City initiatives, such as the Solid Waste Organics project, that have been discussed and if they move forward would (by way of example) generate significant positive impacts related to greenhouse gas reduction as a result of biosolids and organics in landfills.

City of Brentwood  Resources

• Composting at Home
• Water Conservation
• Recycled Water Fill Station

Additional Resources

• East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy: The East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, formed by the cities of Brentwood, Clayton, Oakley, and Pittsburg along with Contra Costa County, aims to implement the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan (HCP/NCCP). This plan offers a framework for protecting natural resources while streamlining environmental permitting processes for endangered species impacts. It allows regional authorities, including Contra Costa County and various districts and cities, to manage endangered species permits more efficiently. The Plan promotes comprehensive conservation of species, wetlands, and ecosystems, aiding the recovery of endangered species in northern California and avoiding the inefficiencies of project-by-project permitting.
• Delta Conservancy: Established in 2009, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy aims to balance environmental and economic protection in the Delta through integrated programs and grant-funded projects. Collaborating with local communities, interest groups, scientific experts, and governmental agencies, the Conservancy seeks innovative solutions to Delta challenges and is part of the Delta Plan Interagency Implementation Committee (DPIIC) for better coordination. The Conservancy prioritizes and funds projects geographically and legislatively, focusing on effective project completion, identifying restoration priorities, and achieving optimal outcomes for the Delta community.
• 511 Contra Costa: A county-wide program that strives to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality by providing the public with information, resources, and tools that promote mobility options beyond driving alone
• Bay Area Air Quality Management District: (BAAQMD): A public agency tasked with improving air quality and protecting the health and well-being of residents in the San Francisco Bay Area. Its primary purposes are to reduce air pollution, ensure compliance with air quality regulations, and provide a healthier environment for all.
• California Regional Water Quality Control Board – Central Valley Region: The CRWQCB's mission is to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of the Central Valley’s water resources for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses for the benefit of present and future generations.
• California Delta Protection Commission: The Delta Protection Commission is committed to the protection and health of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in California. We protect, maintain, enhance and enrich the overall quality of the Delta environment and economy. We do this with a focus on agriculture, heritage, recreation, and natural resources while remaining mindful of the importance of the Delta to all Californians. Valuing the needs of the Delta as well as the needs of the State is fundamental to achieving the Commission’s vision: an ideal synthesis of cultural, ecological, and agricultural values in a sustainable, healthy, and celebrated way of life.
• Delta Stewardship Council:  The Delta Stewardship Council was created to advance California's coequal goals of ensuring a reliable statewide water supply and maintaining a healthy, protected Delta ecosystem. To achieve these goals, the Council developed the Delta Plan, an enforceable long-term management strategy adopted in 2013 that includes regulatory policies and non-binding recommendations. The Council plays a crucial role in facilitating and coordinating actions across various levels of government, supported by its Delta Science Program, which provides unbiased scientific information to inform water and environmental management decisions.
• Measure Q: During the November 2022 election, Brentwood residents approved a “Voter-Protected Open Space Overlay Ballot Measure.” Measure Q amended the City’s General Plan, establishing a new “Voter-Protected Open Space” land use designation, also known as the Open Space Overlay (“Overlay”). Measure Q applied the Overlay to a set of parks, open spaces, and recreational areas. Areas included within the Overlay can only be used for open space, parks, agricultural, and recreational uses. Proposals to use land within the Overlay for uses other than open space, parks, agriculture, or recreation would require approval by a majority of Brentwood voters, subject to certain exceptions.

• California Department of Conservation: The California Department of Conservation provides resources on land conservation, geological hazards, mineral resource management, forest and fire management, recycling, and waste management. It offers educational materials, regulatory information, and interactive maps and data to support sustainable practices and environmental stewardship in California.
• CalRecycle: The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery provides information on recycling, waste management, and sustainability programs. Their website offers resources on recycling laws and regulations, guides for reducing waste, information on managing hazardous materials, and details on various recycling programs and grants.
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife: The Department of Fish and Wildlife's mission is to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.
• California Department of Water Resources: The Department of Water Resources' mission is to sustainably manage the water resources of California, (in cooperation with other agencies) to benefit the state’s people and to protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.
• California Wildlife Conservation Board: The primary responsibilities of the WCB are to select, authorize and allocate funds for the purchase of land and waters suitable for recreation purposes and the preservation, protection and restoration of wildlife habitat. WCB approves and funds projects that set aside lands within the State for such purposes, through acquisition or other means, to meet these objectives. WCB can also authorize the construction of facilities for recreational purposes on property in which it has a proprietary interest. WCB's three main functions are land acquisition, habitat restoration and development of wildlife oriented public access facilities, which are carried out through its programs.
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the sole federal agency dedicated primarily to the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the American people. It offers a variety of opportunities for enjoying the outdoors and the nation's shared natural heritage. Through its conservation efforts, the Service contributes to healthier environments, clean water, flood control, and a strong economy for communities.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, established as a separate branch in 1802, has been integral to the nation's development, from building coastal fortifications and surveying roads to constructing landmarks in the capital. It is the leading federal provider of outdoor recreation and environmental engineering, operating over 600 dams and maintaining extensive inland navigation channels and harbors. Additionally, the Corps supports military installations, provides global technical support, and manages significant construction projects while advancing technologies to protect the environment and enhance quality of life.

• Department of Toxic Substances Control: DTSC’s Mission is to protect California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products.
• California Department of Pesticide Regulation: The DPR's mission is to protect human health and the environment by regulating pesticide sales and use, and by fostering reduced-risk pest management.
• California Air Resources Board: CARB is charged with protecting the public from the harmful effects of air pollution, and developing programs and actions to fight climate change. From requirements for clean cars and fuels to adopting innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, California has pioneered a range of effective approaches that have set the standard for effective air and climate programs for the nation, and the world.
• United States Environmental Protection Agency:  The EPA's mission is to protect human health and the environment by ensuring Americans have clean air, land, and water. It bases efforts to reduce environmental risks on the best available science, enforces federal environmental laws fairly, and integrates environmental stewardship into U.S. policies across various sectors. Additionally, the EPA ensures that society has access to accurate information for managing environmental risks, oversees the cleanup of contaminated lands, and reviews the safety of chemicals in the marketplace.