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A four person panel presented on providing affordable housing on sites owned by non-profit colleges and religious institutions, such as churches, mosques, and synagogues. Due to Senate Bill 4, starting in 2024, these facilities are eligible for a streamlined review that can bypass most local permitting and environmental review rules that can be costly and lengthy. This presentation was recorded on December 6, 2023.

Sacramento Mayor (former State Senate President) Darrell Steinberg presented to LandWatch supporters on how to address the dual challenges of housing equity and climate sustainability on October 6, 2022.

Through a partnership, LandWatch and Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) hosted a virtual workshop on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 to educate residents about how a rapid bus line can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, preserve ecosystems, and promote social equity. (2022)

Presenters:

• Carl Sedoryk, General Manager, Monterey-Salinas Transit
• Lisa Rheinheimer, Assistant General Manager, Monterey-Salinas Transit

LandWatch’s Michael DeLapa and Ben Gould with EcoDataLab describe strategies for creating a zero carbon future by 2045 for the City of Monterey. This presentation is in addition to the strategy report LandWatch developed and submitted to the City to reduce its climate impacts and improve resiliency. (2022)

Michael DeLapa, Executive Director of LandWatch, spoke to the The League of Women Voters of Monterey County about the affordable housing. Speaker topics included how to address affordable housing, the Regional Housing Needs Allocation process, challenges of affordable housing, and rental issues related to homelessness. (2022)

LandWatch held its second virtual event on Friday, November 5, 2021 entitled: California Climate Leadership and the Fate of the Planet. Elected officials (and/or their representatives) from national, state, regional, and local office joined the event, as well as board members, existing supporters, and new friends. We heard from four climate leaders: Annie Notthoff, former State Senator Fran Pavley, Adrienne Alvord, and Janet Brennan. (2021)

LandWatch held its first ever virtual event on Friday, November 13, 2020 entitled: How Will the 2020 Election Impact Sustainability in Monterey County? Elected officials from national, state, regional, and local office answered this question from their perspective. (2020)

Michael DeLapa, Executive Director of LandWatch, spoke to the The League of Women Voters of Monterey County about the impacts of climate change locally, including changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, projected rise in sea levels along the Monterey County coastline, and increased risks of wildfires throughout the County. (2019)

Concerns about tourism at Big Sur has been exacerbated by advertising, media, and social media inflating the problem to overtourism. There are many conflicts between residents and tourists due to lack of infrastructure (roads, parking, etc.), reduced response times to emergency situations by safety personnel due to miles-long traffic congestion on a single road through the region, increased hotel rooms nearby with no mass transit or shuttling to destinations, and the increased risk from more people causing destruction of the natural resources (like increase in wildfire ignitions and littering).  Partnerships, better planning, and improvements in Big Sur, and nearby communities, can help reduce the impacts and improve the visitor experience as well as the quality of life for local residents. (2019)

Our local groundwater is being depleted at a rate faster than it can recharge from rainfall due to overpumping and impacts from seawater intrusion. Most of the Salinas Valley is dependent on groundwater and water is pivotal to the success of the agricultural industry. In fact, one quarter of all jobs in the Valley are related to agriculture. We produce 424 million pounds of produce exported throughout the globe. But, our groundwater is a finite natural resource and the impacts of overuse can be seen already. Recent legislation was signed by the Governor in California focused on sustainable management of groundwater resources. The creation of the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency is tasked with planning for sustainable use of this precious resource. (2019)

LandWatch Monterey County and Sustainable Seaside held a workshop on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to inform residents about how the public can participate in CEQA by providing three expert panelists. (2014)

Part 1

The Portland State University Urban Sustainability Accelerator held a webinar called “Accessory Dwelling Units: Advising Homeowners.” This presentation was part of the Urban Sustainability Accelerator’s ADU Cohort Program for 2018-19. (2019)