2019 Fall Speaker Series:  Climate Change – Butte County Issues       

Thursday, November 14

Where Are We Now – A County-wide View

 “What’s Happening in Chico, Progress & Plans” Ann Schwab, Chico City Councilmember

Ann Schwab has served on the Chico City Council since 2004, and as Mayor from 2008-2012.  Her public service has included all aspects of local government including security, economic development, intergovernmental relations and environmental issues.  She brings a comprehensive view to the need for sustainability in these times of climate crisis.  Schwab will bring us up-to-date on the recent City actions regarding climate change, including The Chico Green New Deal which was announced by fellow council members Brown and Ory just last week.

 “Climate Change Education in Butte County Schools” Julie Heath, Schools for Climate Action

Discussion of the climate crisis must include how are we educating our children to understand and prepare.  Julie Heath is a retired research chemist and volunteer with Schools for Climate Action, an organization whose efforts empower school boards to speak up in a non-partisan way for climate action on behalf of their vulnerable charges.  Heath will talk about what’s going on in Butte County schools.  What is the current state of climate-change-related science curriculum and extracurricular activities?  How are schools addressing their own carbon footprints through building and food-service programs, the addition of electric buses and solar panels?  How will these efforts impact their footprints and budgets?

 “Progress in Paradise” Susan Dobra, member of Camp Fire Long Term Recovery Group

Susan Dobra will round out the county-wide view with an update on progress in Paradise.  Dobra and her husband were among the many who lost their home in the Camp Fire.  Last March, Dobra, along with three nurses from The Feather River Hospital, were guests of Senator Bernie Sanders at a Town Hall Meeting about the Camp Fire in Washington D.C. where they also met with Nancy Pelosi.  Since the fire, Dobra has worked with the Camp Fire Long-Term Recovery Group whose official designation is recognized by FEMA, Cal-OES and local governmental agencies in the recovery and re-building of Paradise.  The Long-Term Recovery Group is involved in strategic planning to assure that recovery funds are used wisely to create a safer and more sustainable community.  

Thursday, December 5

Regenerative Agriculture:  Tools to remove & Sequester C02

A panel presentation on multiple, scalable tools:

"Non-tillage"  Cynthia Daley, Director Center for Regenerative Agriculture & Resilient Systems

“Hedgerows”  Roy Ekland, Co-owner, C & R Ranch, Paskenta

“Plant Diversity and Grazing”  Charlotte Ekland, Co-owner, C & R Ranch, Paskenta

“Fiber Crops” Sandy Fisher, Flax farmer