Previous Programs and Events have included:
- Mitigation Measure Workshop: Lunchtime online webinar to review the 'DOs' and 'DON'Ts' of deferred mitigation and how to tailor mitigation measures that allow for flexibility.
- Latest Developments in Federal Environmental Law: Lunchtime online webinar to learn about updates to federal regulations pertaining to the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Environmental Policy Act.
- Pinnacles Hike for Environmental Professionals, Friends, and Family (annual): We try to arrange this group hike at our newest National Park, right in your backyard in the spring each year to take advantage of the wildflowers in bloom, the soaring condors, and to avoid the hottest temperatures of summer. haven’t yet become hot.
- CEQA Case Law Updates (annual): This case law update designed to help consultants, regulators, applicants, and industry professionals stay current on legal trends and key topics affecting the application of CEQA law and guidelines.
- CEQA Legislative Update (annual): AEP Lobbyist, Matt Klopfenstein, provided an update on recent happenings in the State legislature related to CEQA, housing, and related bills of interest. Typically held in the fall.
- Networking Happy Hour Socials: We aim to hold these approximately quarterly in each of the key geographies of our chapter (Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Jose).Local Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Strategies and Implications for CEQA Practitioners -- San Jose: A lunch discussion on on GHG reduction strategies at the local level and their implications for CEQA practitioners.
- NEPA Advanced Workshop: AEP and NAEP join forces to held a NEPA Advanced Training, to inform consultants, regulators, applicants, and industry professionals on the advanced aspects of NEPA practice, as well as emerging trends and issues in practice, policy and case law.
- AEP Holiday Party: Mark your calendar for some good food and cheer our yearly holiday parties are not to be missed!
- Protecting the Night Sky: Planning Techniques and Environmental Review: AEP hosted a dinner event with Pinnacles National Park Ranger Elizabeth Hudick who discussed efforts being undertaken at Pinnacles National Park to become certified as a dark sky park and the importance of maintaining a dark sky. Monterey County Senior Planner Anna Quenga presented on efforts of Monterey County over several decades to control light pollution and what role land use jurisdictions can play in that effort. Jennifer Ban of ICF, a landscape architect with 18 years experience with visual resource analysis (CEQA and NEPA), closed the event with a discussion of how to address this issue in environmental documents.
- Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Dinner: The Monterey Bay Chapter of AEP hosted a dinner event with a presentation on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The speakers discussed the state of the law, the implications of the legislation and on local agencies and the public, and how environmental professionals should analyze this legislation in environmental documents.
- CEQA Basics Workshop for Students: The Monterey Bay Chapter of AEP hosted a half-day workshop focusing on the basics of CEQA. This workshop provided a basic understanding of the fundamentals of CEQA and featured a curriculum developed specially for students who would like to get involved in the environmental review process, including consultants, regulators, applicants, or industry professionals. Careers in the environmental planning field were also discussed.
- Tribal Cultural Resources and CEQA: Come and learn about the new requirements under CEQA and the Government Code related to addressing important tribal cultural resources. Mark your calendars for the evening of Monday, February 1st, for an interesting discussion. Monterey County Planner Craig Spencer will discuss the requirements for CEQA and Ohlone/Coastanoan/Esselen Nation Tribal Chairwoman Louise J. Miranda Ramirez will discuss the importance of these resources to the tribes, the public, and the importance of the cultural analysis in environmental documents.
- Monterey Bay Planning Symposium: The Monterey Bay Chapter of AEP, in coordination with the Northern California Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA), is hosting a one-day planning symposium to educate and inform planning commissioners, elected officials and planning practitioners about current planning practices and trends, with a specific focus on the three-county Monterey Bay region. The morning sessions will focus on planning basics and effective coordination between planners and decision makers. The afternoon sessions will include a panel of elected officials to discuss planning issues facing the Monterey Bay region on critical issues such as water supply, agriculture practices, traffic congestion, and economic development. The Symposium will close with an update on recent case law and future reform efforts to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
- Student Resume Writing Workshop: The AEP Student Chapter at CSUMB conducted a resume writing workshop led by a panel of experienced professionals. The panelists took turns giving advice about the do's and don'ts of writing resumes, CVs and cover letters. With the variety of experience and background the panelists offered, they were able to provide stylistic critique for many career path opportunities. The last portion of the workshop included groups of students sharing and critiquing each other’s resumes, as the panelists walked around and helped as needed.
