An enthusiastic crowd filled Felton Community Hall for the 22nd Environmental Town Hall, sponsored by the Valley Women’s Club Environmental Committee, on Saturday, October 28. Attendees had the opportunity to listen to Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, whose discussion about her wide-ranging work at the State level, honing in on environmental issues and newly passed laws that will have local impact, demonstrated a high level of knowledge and involvement, and engendered challenging questions and comments from attendees during the Q&A.

For example, Pellerin worked closely with other legislators to help provide protection from pollution by old oil wells, helping pass Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo’s AB 1167 well-plugging bill. A bill by our State Senator John Laird, SB 292, mandating coastal sea-level resiliency planning from those areas being affected by sea-level rise. It was passed and signed into law by Governor Newsom. Assemblymember Pellerin mentioned many other bills, giving insights into the State’s priorities regarding Climate Change.

Ten of Assemblymember Pellerin’s bills were passed and signed into law, considered an excellent record for a first-year Assemblymember.

The excitement for Pellerin’s presentation matched the enthusiasm for the informational displays provided by 18 environmentally focused organizations, County departments, and City agencies. Displays were read, brochures picked up, and, most importantly, hundreds of questions were asked and addressed, such as what the “prescribed burn” program for our local State Parks entails, what Environteers is, and what its excellent newsletter provides. Water issues were addressed at all levels, from watershed and groundwater management to supply and demand issues.

The Valley Women’s Club was honored to have Assemblymember Pellerin there, along with many dedicated volunteers and staffers from the exhibitors.

EXHIBITORS AT 22nd ENVIRONMENTAL TOWN HALL

SANTA MARGARITA GROUNDWATER AGENCY oversees groundwater management activities of the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin in Santa Cruz County. Sierra Ryan: email | smgwa.org

CITY of SANTA CRUZ WATER DEPARTMENT provides safe, high-quality water service that protects public health and is essential to everyday life.
Maryna Sedoryk: email | 831-420-5475 | website

RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT inspires and assist people and communities of Santa Cruz County to protect, conserve, and restore our natural resources. Angie Gruys: email | www.rcdsantacruz.org

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION develops and delivers transportation solutions for a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable community. Brianna Goodman: email | sccrtc.org

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY MOSQUITO and VECTOR CONTROL protects public health and quality of life through County-wide professional, responsive and efficient services. Nader Sidhon: email | website

SANTA CRUZ FLY FISHING CLUB to promote, educate and enjoy the sport of fly fishing. Bob Gabarino: email | 831-247-2045 | www.santacruzflyfishing.org

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SIERRA CLUB GROUP conserving our region’s natural resources and beauty. email | www.sierraclub.org/ventana/santa-cruz

SAN LORENZO VALLEY EMERGENCY NETWORK, COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT), & AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICES (ARES) educate our community to prepare for and respond to natural disasters and emergencies. www.SLVEN.org

SAN LORENZO VALLEY WATER DISTRICT supplies water to the communities of SLV through a network of distribution lines, pump, and reservoirs serving more than 7900 connections. 831-430-4639 | www.SLVWD.com

ENVIRONTEERS Weekly Update environmental newsletter & volunteer opportunities. Andy Carman, Director: email | www.environteers.org

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT provides safe, well-designed, maintained parks, and a wide variety of recreational and cultural opportunities for our diverse community. Jesse Williams, Parks Superintendent | 831-454-7958 | www.scparks.com

SANTA CRUZ CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK climate change communication, education, and solutions. Pauline Seales: email | scruzclimate.org

FRIENDS OF SAN LORENZO VALLEY WATER A positive and collaborative resource for the SLV community promoting understanding of local water issues. https://www.friendsofsanlorenzovalleywater.org/

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS, NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT The State Parks resource management program aims to protect, restore, and maintain the natural resources in the State Park System. Portia Halbert, Senior Environmental Scientist  831/335-6386  website

FRIENDS OF JURISTAC A public group of non-Indigenous community members who work closely with the Amah Mutsun tribe to support the protection of Juristac, a sacred place. Juristac (pronounced HUR-i-stock) is the local Indigenous tribes, most sacred ceremonial site and it’s threatened by open pit sand mines and other developments. It’s located in the hills behind Watsonville and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band is asking for support to protect this sacred landscape. www.ProtectJuristac.Org