Acterra realizes that leaders don’t just materialize. Leadership is an ever-evolving process built upon personal growth and real-world experience.  Through its various programs, Acterra offers opportunities for individuals to develop their own leadership potential.

For those individuals who want to take their first steps toward leading a more sustainable life, Acterra offers a range of courses and workshops. The Green Teams program, for example, teaches practical ways to live in harmony with the earth. 

Acterra's Be The Change Environmental Leadership program engages diverse participants - from business leaders to trade union members to scientists to social activists - in a year-long training program.  Through lectures, workshops, student projects, panel discussions and field trips, participants build the skills necessary to engender environmental change where they work, live, worship and play.

As one of our Environmental Leadership services, Acterra also provides up-and-coming grassroots groups the opportunity to operate under our nonprofit 501(c)(3) umbrella.  This incubation service — sometimes referred to as "fiscal sponsorship" — allows new groups to start operating and accepting tax-deductible contributions and grants as a nonprofit, long before they could normally acquire their own tax-exempt status from the IRS.  In most cases, fiscal sponsorship includes administrative and bookkeeping support, as well.

Finally, Acterra recognizes local business leaders for their innovative environmental programs. For over a decade, Acterra’s Business Environmental Awards has recognized the outstanding environmental achievements of many Bay Area companies, government agencies, and nonprofits.