Santa Cruz County Sierra Club Group
Executive Committee Candidate Statements
2018: Vote by January 14th!
Only 5 seats are available and ballots are due by January 14th, 2018!
Meet your candidates:
Karsten Mueller
I’m running for the Sierra Club Executive Committee because my life mission is to Cause Vibrant Health for People and the Planet. And I intend to promote positive environmental and socio-economic solutions. I hold a BA in Environmental Planning, an MS in Nutrition and a PhD in Environmental Studies. For almost 30 years I have served as an Environmental Consultant, University Instructor of Environmental Science and Environmental Studies, Green Building Consultant and Nutrition/Health Professional.
During my 22 years in Santa Cruz I also participated in various local political bodies, including: (Chair) City of Santa Cruz Water Commission, Water Conservation Subcommittee, Integrated Water Plan Subcommittee, San Lorenzo Urban River Project Working Group and (Chair) City of Santa Cruz Green Building Working Group. If elected I will champion solutions for some of our most critical issues such as: appropriate development, reducing traffic, affordable housing and regenerative water management. Sustainability used to be the goal. Our task now is to regenerate Earth. It starts locally and there are a lot of possibilities.
Nina Donna
After retiring in December 2016, I wanted to focus on civic engagement. By serving on the Executive Committee of the Santa Cruz Sierra Club, I could realize that goal.
Shortly after arriving in Santa Cruz January 1978, I joined a local women’s backpacking group, thus began my outdoor education. I joined the Sierra Club in 2001 to support their work and enjoy local hikes and national trips.
What I hope to achieve if elected to the Executive Committee is; 1) membership expansion into the South County and 2) a focus on safe, healthy environments for walkers and cyclists in our communities.
1) The wetlands in South County are reservoirs of biodiversity, including a large bird population, both permanent and migrating. With the growing human population and impact on wetlands, more representation seems advisable.
2) Residents of Santa Cruz County enjoy the ease and relative safety of walkable communities. What better way to decrease greenhouse gases and sustain our good quality coastal air than supporting this lifestyle? Managing our walking and bicycling paths also fosters the interconnection between nature and human communities.
As we continue to grow within the County, hopefully we can keep our Mountain to Sea perspective alive. Can we continue our “slow growth” policy without invasion or destruction of key bioregions?
If elected, I look forward to working with other members of the Executive Committee on current initiatives, upcoming projects and achieving my stated goals. I have ideas for membership engagement and look forward to input from the membership.
Jane Mio
My lasting commitment to nature was initiated by my grandfather, who always took time to admire the ‘majestic wonder of nature’. As a teenager I experienced that personal participation in local, State & Federal issues creates more balanced government policies for people and wildlife.
Guided by these insights, I focused on environment protection and learned that dedicated, determined people/organizations can change the course of plans, developments, policies to prevent environmental and social harm.
My involvements include: mobilized opposition to sonar cables placement in the Monterey Bay, Downtown Commissioner, the Beach flats movement, SC Neighborhood group’s moderator(organize meetings and clean-ups), San Lorenzo River(SLR) Taskforce member, Desal opposition / SLR Paddle Pilot Program Advisory Group / SLR Summit participant, Valley Women Club(VWC) Native Restoration Committee co-presenter of ‘ SLR Estuary Stretch Revegetation Project’, on Board of VWC / Santa Cruz Bird Club(Conservation Officer), Sierra Club Executive Committee member.
My re-election run for the Executive Committee is kindly endorsed by fellow Committee members Rick Longinotti, Jack Nelson and Erica Stanojevic:” Since joining the Executive Committee, Jane has been an enthusiastic and steady leader. She has completed work on many projects, from working on the Downtown Recovery Plan to gaining support for the Bird School Project to creating Bird Safe Building standards for Santa Cruz. She does it all with an easygoing smile!"
Your vote would honor me to keeping working tenaciously on environmental causes, so that nature receives well-thought-out, much needed protection. Gratefully, Jane Mio.
Keresha “care-sha” Durham
I would appreciate the opportunity to continue to protect our precious natural beauty, health and environment. Please consider my experience, initiative and dedication.
Recent research documents that the two most powerful solutions for the climate crisis are: educating girls and providing family planning. I have worked in these areas for years. Along with our consumption, skyrocketing population growth is the primary driver for the massive plant and animal extinction crisis occurring now.
I live my environmental values: making this area home for 37 years, I greatly value our open spaces and wildlife like members of my family. I have learned to express my nurturing through educating youth and caring for land, animals and plants. I chose to be child-free to help ensure that our future generations still have a nature-filled, hospitable world. Another big sacrifice was selling my car 12 years ago to support our climate and inspire others to create less carbon.
In the last 6 years with our Sierra Club, I have worked tirelessly and accomplished a lot: I served as Vice Chair; I have authored many letters and newsletters; I created and chaired the Events Committee, organizing educational presentations every month for many years; I started the student intern program supervising several students; I spearheaded the first fundraiser in 27 years which honors elder Eco-activists; I have created content and notices for our web pages; I tabled and gathered volunteers; I served actively on every committee.
I offer my expertise as an effective activist, speaker and writer.
Mark Mesiti-Miller
Stewardship of and care for our common home is a primary responsibility I have taken seriously throughout my life and in my profession as a professional civil engineer. During my 30+ years of living and working in Santa Cruz, I have gained the knowledge to understand and effectively address the environmental problems we humans face as we make our homes in this beautiful place. My many years as a planning commissioner has shown me the vital role of developing effective public policies that enhance the quality of life while protecting the environment.
As a Water Supply Advisory Committee member, I was strong advocate for the endangered fish in our river by arguing we give them 110% of what they need rather than cutting it close. I advocated for a fail-safe back-up plan and hard deadlines to guarantee the fish don’t become extinct. I believe we must do more than simply protect, we must proactively help species thrive.
I volunteer with and financially support the Coastal Watershed Council in protecting and enhancing the San Lorenzo River watershed. I’m on the Friends of the Rail & Trail board where I advocate for sustainable solutions to our transportation needs and increased facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.
With your vote, I will bring my experience and knowledge to bear on the important environmental advocacy work of the Sierra Club while addressing the need for affordable housing, sustainable transportation and ample opportunity for all of us to explore, protect and enjoy our natural environment.
Steve Bakaley
In an 1895 speech to the Sierra Club John Muir said, “if people in general could be got into the woods, even for once, to hear the trees speak for themselves, all difficulties in the way of forest preservation would vanish.” Inspired by that quote, I have been a member of the Sierra Club since 1981 and a hike leader for the Club for the past 35 years. For me, the only thing better than getting out into the beautiful wild is to share that experience with others to foster in them a love and desire to protect our open spaces.
My wife and I recently moved here from the Bay Area where I had the privilege to serve a term on the SF Bay Chapter Executive Committee, and I served as their Outings Chair for nearly 20 years. I am currently serving as Outreach and Events Committee Chair for the Santa Cruz Group.
The Executive Committee is well represented by advocates for conservation, transportation, and wildlife but no one is representing outings. Outings are an effective tool for outreach and were a major part of John Muir’s original vision for the Sierra Club. I want to expand the Group’s outings program and greatly widen its demographics while offering fun, safe, educational programs that support local environmental initiatives.
As a retired Business Systems Engineer of 45 years, I hope to use that perspective to make our Executive Committee ever more effective in addressing the needs of our members as well as those of our beautiful and precious Santa Cruz County environment.
Rachel O'Malley
With recent changes in the federal political landscape, environmental work at the local level has become more critically important than ever. I have worked with individual members of the Santa Cruz Group of the Sierra Club for many years; I have been involved with many local conservation initiatives; and I have seen how critical the Sierra Club voice can be in these efforts.
After earning my doctorate in Biology at UCSC in 1997, I have spent 20 years researching and teaching about environmental issues as a Professor and sometime Chair of the Department of Environmental Studies at San Jose State University. I believe it is now my responsibility to give back to my local community more by connecting these academic endeavors with the Sierra Club, and the most valuable place to contribute my service would be through the executive committee of the local Chapter. My academic training has allowed me to study conservation of rare and endangered animals and plants of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Zayante Sandhills, sustainable agriculture on the Central Coast, wetland and riparian restoration throughout the SF and Monterey Bay Areas, environmental impact assessment and environmental justice. I have also led research trips to Africa, Latin America, India and Southeast Asia, and I lived for two years in Central America.
I would be happy to contribute my voice and experience to ongoing Sierra Club projects and, most importantly, to help strengthen the scientific basis for Sierra Club conservation activities.
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Additional Questions:
1) How long have you been a member of the Sierra Club?
Nina: Since 2001, as a Sierra Club member I’ve supported the Club by letter writing to my State and Federal legislature and participating in the Sierra Club’s lobbying event in Sacramento. At the lobbying event I saw first hand the dogged efforts of the Club’s staff advocates!
Jane: 1996
Karsten: 30 years off and on.
Steve: 36 years and I am a life member
Keresha: I became a lifetime member as a young person. Local leaders asked me to join the leadership committee. In the last 6 years worked tirelessly as an activist. I have been Vice Chair, organized monthly social events, enjoyed many backpacking trips and trained to be an Outdoor Trip Leader.
Rachel: I am a life member. I have worked with individual members of the Santa Cruz Group of the Sierra Club since the mid-eighties; I have been involved with many local conservation initiatives, and I have been a member of the national Sierra Club on and off since I was young.
Mark: I first became a member more than 40 years ago and, with a few lapses, have been a member ever since.
2) What do you view as the most pressing environmental issue facing Santa Cruz County?
Nina: Sustainable development in our growing community is the most pressing environmental issue for our county. Sustainability in transport is already attended to by our Club’s Transportation Committee. As for water security, 100% of our water supply comes from rainfall. I see conservation and prudent management as key to water security.
Jane:
a) Development & rezoning need adequate evaluation/study of impact on community & environment.
b) Inclusion of environmental considerations in the planning processes.
c) The implementation of existing Park & Open Spaces Master Plans has to be addressed.
d) Focus on adhering to the environmental recommendations of the City’s General Plan is important.
Karsten: Affordable housing, traffic and appropriate development – which are all closely related.
Steve: There are too many people with insufficient infrastructure to support them. The most obvious manifestation is the horrendous traffic, so I would have to say that transportation is the most pressing issue. The number of cars on the road belching exhaust is leaving one hell of a carbon footprint.
Mark: The lack of adequate and thoughtful planning and effective public policy to sustainably manage the impacts of growth on water, energy, housing and transportation resulting in continued sprawl, decreased affordability, deteriorating quality of life and loss of natural habitat. We can and must do much better!
Keresha: Our environmental challenges stem from unsustainable population growth. Growth negatively impacts our quality of life. More people mean city stress, more traffic congestion, more water depletion, forest clearing, development, excelerated climate change and disappearance of vital habitat. Population pressure forces us to sprawl and we lose beloved Santa Cruz biodiversity.
Rachel: Protection of wildlands, open spaces and agricultural lands that provide habitat for endemic species, both outside of the urban core and within the urban matrix. I am particularly interested in bringing underrepresented communities in to the fight to preserve the local ecosystems.
3) What is one of your favorite places to explore in our County?
Nina: Wilder Ranch State Park is a favorite and an example of a multi-use park in our County. Wilder provides quiet access to nature as well as hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trail use. In addition the park captures the history of ranching in the early 1900s, including thematic events several times a year.
Jane: All the places that include waterbodies
Karsten: Pogonip since it’s close to my home and beautiful.
Steve: No contest: Big Basin is my favorite park ANYWHERE, not just in our county. I’ve been leading hikes there every year starting in 1985. My wife and I were married in the park amphitheater in 1989. I love the trails, the big trees, the flora, and the waterfalls.
Keresha: There are so many special ocean and mountain places, I can’t pick one. May we respect these quiet sanctuaries and learn to tread lightly when we visit our local natural treasures. I am so grateful for my mentors who worked to preserve these unique places and protect them from development!
Rachel: It is impossible for me to choose a favorite among Quail Hollow’s Zayante sandhills, Big Basin and Delaveaga’s redwoods, Elkhorn Slough’s wetlands, Coast Dairies’ prairie, the organic farms of the Corralitos hills, and the urban oases of the Beach Flats Community Garden, Jessie Street Marsh and the San Lorenzo River.
Mark: One of my many favorite places is Wilder Ranch State Park where ocean meets land in a timeless demonstration of nature’s power and where a richness and diversity of wildlife and habitats can be enjoyed throughout the seasons. It is also the only place I have seen a mountain lion.
4) What aspects of the Club's work are you most interested in being involved with?
Nina: Advocacy for conservation interest me. To maintain the Club’s work in conservation we should engage our membership and find ways to raise monies for our investigative and promotional needs by having more events.
Jane: I am drawn in by the various environmental aspects that are addressed & then followed up after agreed on actions from the Executive & Conservation Committee. I greatly appreciate the democratic co-working w/the other Committee members to find an appropriate approach to a pertinent topic.
Karsten: Promoting positive solutions in collaboration with government and stakeholders.
Steve: The Club has begun major initiatives to marry outings with conservation, to get more people outdoors: families, active duty military, veterans, diverse cultures, races, and religions. The Santa Cruz Group’s use of social media such as Meetup and Facebook to publicize events is very much aligned with those initiatives.
Keresha: I’d like to continue my contributions of writing letters, educating the public and sharing important environmental information. I want to lead outdoor weekend trips. I am also interested in helping organize another member dinner fundraiser to honor local Eco-Activists and for our member’s to enjoy each other’s fellowship.
Rachel: The role the Sierra Club plays in reviewing and commenting on land use plans and proposals, as well as educating the public about effects of proposed government actions, draws me the most.
Mark: I am most interested in working with the Club to advocate for improving public policy such that human impact on the environment is minimized. I am especially concerned that we further reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, the single greatest threat to all life on earth.