Becca Fenwick

I've been a life-long supporter and advocate for the environment. Living on three continents, having a PhD in Marine Geology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and a career in Ecology and Land Management with the University of California has allowed me to integrate this into all aspects of my life.

For the last 8 years I've been managing UC Natural Reserves in the San Jacinto Mountains and most recently in Yosemite/Sequoia Kings Canyon. From that seat on the front lines I've been able to truly appreciate how effective stewardship of our lands and environment is important to our everyday, and vital to our future.

Most recently I moved to Santa Cruz to run a research institute based at UCSC that's focused on the impacts that climate change is having on the ecology of the state, and am looking forward to getting involved in local community based efforts to look after our natural spaces.

I'm an avid crafty do-it-yourselfer, and bring a practical approach to all that I do! I feel that I would bring a great land management perspective to both the Executive Committee and the Conservation Committee.

Gillian Greensite

It has been a privilege to serve on the Sierra Club Executive Committee and chair the Conservation Committee for the past year and a half. I have been a Sierra Club member for over a decade and this is my first experience in a leadership role. One of my goals coming into this position was to improve communication with the membership, now well underway through the splendid work of former outreach coordinator, Melissa Ott. Another goal was to amplify the Sierra Club’s voice in a wider range of local environmental issues. Some examples: I initiated the Sierra Club position that the city of Santa Cruz postpone vegetation clearing on the San Lorenzo River to outside of bird nesting season; I coordinated debates between opposing viewpoints on the San Lorenzo paddling issue to find common ground to call for environmental review; I represent the Sierra Club at the county Board of Supervisors’ meetings on Zoning revisions that threaten the rural nature of the county’s unincorporated areas; I represent the Sierra Club on the city’s Cowell Beach Water Quality Task Force; I wrote the Sierra Club’s position opposing the weakening of heritage trees’ protection by the city of Scott’s Valley. I’ve supported all of the Sierra Club’s positions on climate change and transportation. On a personal note, I’m a year-round ocean swimmer, love sailing, hiking, cooking, reading, painting, writing, am a certified California Naturalist and have been involved in local environmental politics for the past 40 years. I hope for your support!

Jack Nelson

I’m proud the Sierra Club has taken up the climate action challenge in recent years.  I understand the climate science: humanity is at a hinge point in its history, determining now how much climate change will be forced upon the future.  While this is an awful thing to contemplate,  it is also an argument for creating a better civilization, one that conserves its planetary life support sytems.

With atmospheric CO2 at 400 ppm and climbing, humanity has created a greenhouse effect that has not existed in the precise measurements of the last 800,000 years of ice core records.  For now, 93% of that extra heat is being absorbed by the oceans, but that’s only a temporary brake on more change.

Locally, I am active with the Campaign for Sensible Transportation and the Citizens Climate Lobby, and will bring collaborative energy on related issues to the Sierra Club ExCom.

Might we revive the Club’s local Transportation Committee?  Currently, the Regional Transportation Commission is looking to fund further widening of Highway 1 that would grow traffic and increase greenhouse gas emissions, and has a Draft EIR out for public comment.  The Club should be vigorously engaged.

I ask members to consider getting yourselves more involved at whatever level you can.  A few determined activists are not enough!

I hold a B.A. in Environmental Studies with Highest Honors from UC Santa Cruz.  I spent many years as a land use planner and environmental planner for the County of Santa Cruz.

Nikki Bryant

I moved from Texas to Santa Cruz because I was tired of being the weird vegetarian who drove her garbage to the recycling center. As my new community embraced me, I was quickly introduced to Environmental Education. Today, I have worked as a leader and director in environmental education for over 10 years.

Back in my teaching days my favorite lessons discussed local animals and their interdependence with the ecosystem they lived in. The excitement and wonder that students would experience was just one small step to helping them connect their personal impact on the earth. Today I work for Hidden Villa, a 70-year-old program and non-profit, and get the opportunity to fold Social Justice and multicultural community building into my environmental work.

Working toward a sustainable future is not only a professional objective for me but also a way of life. Every day I am conscious of my impact and strive to model what I hope to see in my community. I am excited about this opportunity with the Sierra Club because I can take this passion in a new action focused direction.

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Answers to additional questions from each of the candidates:

1) How long have you been a member of the Sierra Club?
Becca: Since 2009, and my family have always been supporters of the club.
Gillian: Ten years a member. Year and a half on the Executive Committee. Year and a half as Chair of the Conservation Committee.
Jack: I have been a member of the Ventana Chapter since 1987.
Nikki: My relationship with the Sierra Club began as an environmental educator when I was asked to teach on John Muir’s Legacy over five years ago. I became a member about a year ago and decided to become more active in the groups events and issues to build a stronger connection with my community.
 
2) What do you view as the most pressing environmental issue facing Santa Cruz County?
Becca: I think that transportation and the stresses placed on the county with increasing population are going to be some of the biggest challenges in the near future.
Gillian: All environmental issues are ultimately connected. Climate issues are of global urgency. At the same time, smaller environmental issues such as the struggle to save the Beach Flats Community Garden inspire and connect people and this is how movements for change evolve. Overdevelopment and land use issues are also huge.
Jack: If we don’t deal with climate change, other issues we do care about could become moot.  So, this changes everything, as in the title of Naomi Klein’s book.
Nikki: I am really passionate about water, plastic consumption and carbon emissions but when I really think about the most pressing issue I believe it is the need for individuals to changing their personal behavior; not just by recycling but by holding their city and county accountable to bring about change.
 
3) What is one of your favorite places to Explore in our County?
Becca: As I'm new to the area I'm still exploring, but I love hiking in Big Basin and playing on the beaches.
Gillian: Hard to choose just one!  We are blessed with so many.  I guess I'd choose Gray Whale Ranch, which I explored before it became a State Park.  It's now an example of how overuse creates environmental challenges.
Jack: I’m going to cheat and mention my love of backpacking in the Ventana Wilderness, which is actually in Monterey County.  Including, off trail to the most wild places.  Beauty beyond words.
Nikki: When I first moved to Santa Cruz I moved into a place that was across the street from Henry Cowell. It was my first experience with Redwood trees and an actual river that was clean and alive. Today, I still enjoy exploring the park and the San Lorenzo River as it brings out my sense of wonder just as the first time I entered the park.
 
4) What aspects of the Club’s work are you most drawn to:
Becca: I'm interested in working on the Conservation Committee.
Gillian: I’d be honored to continue the work on the Conservation Committee.
Jack: I will continue my advocacy for climate action, sustainable transportation, and livable communities.  Those go together!  I’d like to get more Sierrans informed and engaged.
Nikki: I am excited about growing our membership and having more people involved in events and issues brought to the Sierra Club. I believe this will build a stronger community that takes action toward a sustainable future.