In this episode, Kate sat down with our very own Jen Whitelaw, PR professional and former C-3 President. Jen first shares her career path from English studies to public relations and urban planning. She discusses a few of her favorite tools for reaching the public about important topics like density and sustainability through her work with organizations like C-3. Jen highlights some successful strategies for engaging diverse audiences, emphasizing the power of the public to influence how our...

This episode features Simon Andrews, neighborhood branding professional and former C-3 board member. Simon shares his personal journey from Detroit to San Diego in the 1960s and discusses his career helping to shape the identity of neighborhoods through signage and design. Simon also offers his insight into downtown redevelopment and its impact, the rise of sustainable community planning since the early 2000s, and his involvement over many years with civic groups such as C-3. He and Jennifer...

This episode features Paula Stigler Granados, Associate Professor in the School of Public Health at San Diego State University. Paula first discusses environmental health impacts along the San Diego-Tijuana border region and insights from her recent white paper on the public health crisis caused by Tijuana River contamination. She then explores the challenges of managing growth while addressing aging infrastructure and transborder environmental issues, highlighting the need to better...

This episode features Nico Calavita, Professor Emeritus of City Planning at San Diego State University.  He shares his insightful perspective on the past, present, and future of urban planning and creating affordable and inclusive housing. Nico first shares his background growing up in Italy and his journey to San Diego. He goes into detail on the history of growth management and the city’s Housing Trust Fund and inclusionary housing policy. Nico and Kate reflect on San Diego’s successes in...

Jen welcomes Imperial Beach Mayor, Paloma Aguirre. Mayor Aguirre earned a Master of Advanced Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD and spent 10 years working for Wildcoast. She talks about her advocacy in the fight against sewage pollution and towards building a better present and future for Imperial Beach residents. Mayor Aguirre talks about the current environmental issues facing the city and the efforts to upgrade wastewater...

This episode focuses on the importance of the cross-border relationship with guest Hector Vanegas, SANDAG’s Borders Program Manager. Hector first outlines SANDAG’s role in coordinating cross-border transportation projects and traces his career path working in binational affairs from the Mexican Consulate to his current position at SANDAG. Hector emphasizes the economic interdependence between San Diego and Baja, and how we can increase civic participation in regional planning through...

This episode features Carlos de la Mora, immediate-past CEO of World Design Capital 2024, San Diego-Tijuana. Carlos brings a rich and varied professional background to the table, including his previous experience as the Executive Director for the Urban Land Institute in Mexico and Director of Land Development at CBRE. Throughout the conversation, Carlos talks about the intention of purpose and legacy behind the World Design programming, along with a few of the activations and installations he...

This episode features an informative and inspiring conversation with Larry Herzog, a Design Scholar-in-Residence at the UC San Diego Design Lab, and a lecturer in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at UCSD. Larry is also a writer and Professor Emeritus of City Planning in the School of Public Affairs at San Diego State University. Larry is the author or editor of 11 books on urban planning, design, and cross-border development. In the episode, Larry talks about San Diego and Tijuana...

This episode features Serge Dedina, the executive director and co-founder of WILDCOAST, an international conservation team. Not only did Serge serve as the mayor of Imperial Beach from 2014 to 2022, but he also chaired the SANDAG borders committee for six years, demonstrating his commitment to cross-border collaboration. With a focus on transboundary planning and conservation, Serge has been a key player in addressing the cross-border sewage pollution crisis in the San Diego-Tijuana region....

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Megan Jennings, a Conservation Ecologist and Co-Director of San Diego State University’s Institute for Ecological Monitoring and Management. As a research scientist at SDSU, Megan is based in the biology department and a co-champion for a new initiative at San Diego State, the Community Climate Action Network. In the conversation, Megan talks about the main issues facing San Diego’s backcountry, and the importance of collaboration between academic science,...

In this episode, we welcome Amber Pairis, the founder and lead advisor of Climate Science Alliance. Amber’s work is dedicated to increasing awareness of climate change impacts, advocating for solutions, and fostering collective action to protect both natural and human communities in the face of a changing climate. During the conversation, Amber sheds light on the Alliance’s commitment to honoring indigenous stewardship and building an inclusive community of partners, ensuring everyone has a...

In this engaging oral history episode, we have a visit from Frank Wolden, a prominent figure in the realm of urban design and architecture. Frank shares his journey from his upbringing in San Diego to his deep involvement in shaping the vision of downtown redevelopment. He discusses the fascinating gap between the planning and execution of urban spaces and the art of selling the concept of responsible design with thoughtful thinking.   Frank takes us through his extensive involvement in...

It’s all about Volcan Mountain this week, with insight from guest Eric Jones, the President and Executive Director of the Volcan Mountain Foundation. Eric discusses the Foundation’s innovative forest management strategies and its dedication to environmental education. He talks with Jennifer about how the organization preserves the mountain range through diverse ownership categories, its long-term planning efforts, and its unwavering vigilance in safeguarding this natural wonder. Eric shares...

This week showcases a conversation with David Van Cleave, who has dedicated almost 32 years to the state park system, serving as park ranger, ecologist, and superintendent, and also as senior project director at The Nature Conservancy. During David’s tenure, he managed programs in Southern California, Northern Baja, and San Diego. In the episode, David talks about what makes the backcountry so special, and conservancy through alternative energy sources and land acquisition. He talks about how...

In keeping with the backcountry theme, host Jen Whitelaw sits down with Michael Beck, the director of the Endangered Habitats League, a nonprofit organization committed to safeguarding ecosystems and promoting sustainable land use. In this conversation, Michael shares the League’s origins, tracing back to its formation in 1991 to advocate for the protection of the California gnatcatcher. Discover how the original six board members, including Michael, continue to work with the San Diego...

This episode features Don Scoles, Executive Director of the San Diego Habitat Conservancy. Don shares his journey to becoming the Executive Director in 2009, leading conservation efforts in the region, and talks about how the San Diego Habitat Conservancy differs from other conservancy organizations. Don discusses the conservancy’s unique approach to evaluating properties for management, including ecological viability and significance as habitats, while fostering collaboration with other...

The first Knowledge to Action episode with urban planner Suchi Lukes in July of 2022 had so much good information to share that we think the episode is worth a revisit. Host Jen Whitelaw speaks with Suchi, who also spearheads C-3’s Urban Core Knowledge Action Network. Suchi talks about her commitment to bringing together local thought leaders from planning, design, community development, and more to address San Diego’s distinctive and pressing land use challenges.   Timestamps: [2:19] We...

We journey into the backcountry this week, with Bri Fordem, the Executive Director of The Anza Borrego Foundation. Bri talks about the park’s remarkable conservation efforts, its ecological significance, and its role as a regional asset. From acquiring diverse properties to running educational programs and supporting groundbreaking research projects, Bri sheds light on the park’s multifaceted contributions to the community. Explore the magical wonders of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and...

The conversation about River Parks continues this week, as Jen welcomes Rob Hutsel, President and CEO of the San Diego River Park Foundation. Learn about the Foundation’s mission to protect and enhance the San Diego River and its impact on the river’s health. Rob discusses how the Foundation formed as a grassroots organization, focusing on access, education, and enjoyment of the river for the whole community. He talks about the importance of the San Diego River as a connecting point between...

This episode features Shawna Anderson, the Executive Director of the San Dieguito River Park, the agency responsible for creating natural open space in the San Dieguito River Valley. In this episode, Shawna talks about the mission of the organization and the rich tapestry of habitats and landscapes that grace the park, while exploring the vital connection it shares with the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. Shawna discusses the delicate equilibrium between the rights of private...

This episode features Eric Bowlby, Executive Director of San Diego Canyonlands, as part of the Knowledge to Action series. San Diego Canyonlands is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of San Diego’s canyons and creeks through ongoing education and community engagement. Eric talks about how our canyons play a very important role in battling climate change, how you can get involved in good stewardship of our canyons, and you’ll hear a great musical surprise...

As part of the Knowledge to Action series, we continue the conversation around San Diego’s Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) and welcome Holly Smit Kicklighter, a biologist and key figure around the program. Holly details MSCP’s historical significance, its international model status, and its role in achieving climate action goals for the region. Holly talks about how this game-changing land plan creates opportunities for new interaction with our nature and safeguards the existing...

As part of the Knowledge to Action series, this episode welcomes two expert guests who helped create the MSCP, San Diego’s Multiple Species Conservation Program, Landscape Architect and Natural Resources Manager Karen Scarborough, and Biologist and Land Use Entitlement Expert, Jim Whalen. Karen and Jim speak on the role of the MSCP in inspiring today’s climate action goals, what makes it so successful compared to other programs, and how the MSCP is the result of tremendous collaboration and...

As part of the Knowledge to Action series, this episode features two leaders from Ocean Discovery Institute, Board Member Vanessa Sandoval, and Carla Camacho, Manager of Business Development. They discuss their previous experience with the Institute and how getting involved at a young age helped shape their careers in adulthood. Vanessa and Carla discuss the mission of Ocean Discovery Institute, and the commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion while inspiring the next generation of...