Ascent

Elaine Martinez-Lopez has joined Ascent’s Sacramento office as a People Resources Specialist. She focuses on talent acquisition, collaborating with hiring managers and panelists throughout the recruitment and interview process. Elaine coordinates hiring logistics, maintains the Applicant Tracking System, and fosters candidate pipelines for future needs. In addition, she supports day-to-day people resources tasks, special projects, and programs at Ascent. She is excited to play a pivotal role in enhancing and advancing Ascent's recruiting and hiring strategies. Welcome to the team, Elaine!

Cultivating Connections: A Southern California Celebration   When our San Diego and Irvine teams gather, magic happens! Against the backdrop of perfect Southern California weather, colleagues and their families came together for an afternoon of meaningful connection and fun. The scene: impromptu basketball games, delicious Mexican cuisine, and the excited squeals from our littlest Ascent family members enjoying the bouncy house, shaved ice, and DIY science activities (those dinosaur eggs and slime kits were a hit!). This is how we build a collaborative culture – one shared experience at a time.   Thank you to everyone who made this day special! Looking forward to our next gathering.

Are you passionate about helping communities become more resilient to the effects of climate change? Do you have a strong background in urban planning, an in-depth knowledge of California climate legislation and guidance, and experience managing climate action and adaptation plans?   If you answered yes to these questions, we invite you to join our Climate Action and Adaptation Planning (CAAP) team as a Senior Climate Project Manager. Be part of a collaborative, curious, and committed team working to drive meaningful change for a climate-resilient future. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gEBX7Ean.

On October 10, 2024, the California Fish and Game Commission accepted a petition to list western burrowing owl (𝘈𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘩𝘺𝘱𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘦𝘢) under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and designated the species as a candidate species. This decision has triggered a 12-month status review by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). A decision on whether to list this species is expected by spring of 2026; however, as a candidate species, western burrowing owl is afforded the same protections as a listed species under CESA, including prohibition of take of individuals. For a description of the next steps by CDFW and the Commission, practice pointers for addressing burrowing owl in environmental review and permitting, and hyperlinks to CDFW and Commission documents, please see the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gYGuN3kH

Ascent is committed to educating students about the importance of diverse voices in the environmental and planning industry. Taylor Morgan, MSHRM, SHRM-CP, and Elaine Martinez-Lopez from our People Resources team recently engaged with students at Sacramento Charter High School, discussing potential degree pathways and the benefits of pursuing majors in environmental sciences, urban design, and more.   #SaveThePlanet

Reminder! Tomorrow is the Superior Chapter of AEP's webinar discussing Federal and California Endangered Species Act Consultations. There is still time to register and join the discussion! We hope to see you (virtually)!

We are thrilled to be a sponsor of the AEP 2024 NorCal Conference in Anderson. This conference is a great opportunity to network with fellow planners and learn about best practices and innovations in our field. Don’t miss Patrick Angell, AICP teaching at the following sessions: • CEQA Essentials Workshop • At this workshop, Pat will present the fundamentals of the California Environmental Quality Act and the State CEQA Guidelines. The session will also include intermediate-level practice pointers and case studies. • Evolution and Current State Cannabis Regulation • This session will provide an overview of the evolution of the regulation of cannabis operations from voter approval of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, voter approval of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act in 2016, and the subsequent regulations and licensing actions by the state. See you there!

Join Linda Leeman from Ascent and other experts for a deep dive into federal and California Endangered Species Act consultations. The Superior Chapter of AEP is hosting a two-hour workshop discussing the background, similarities, and differences between ESA and CESA, and understanding the processes and procedures for navigating consultations. 📅 October 10, 2024 🕙 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 📍 In-person (Sacramento) & Webinar options Learn about: • ESA & CESA backgrounds and processes • Preparing biological assessments and incidental take permit applications • Practical scenarios for impact analysis This program is free for AEP members and $30 for non-members. Don't miss this chance to sharpen your ESA and CESA skills! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gvK9hvwx

On September 22, 2024, Governor Newsom signed AB 2091 creating a new CEQA exemption for nonmotorized public access. The bill adds Section 21080.28.5 to the Public Resources Code. The new exemption applies to park districts and the Great Redwood Trail Agency (GRTA) when providing new nonmotorized public access to existing roads, trails, parking areas, and similar areas owned by the park district or GRTA. To use the new exemption, the lead agency must hold a public meeting to solicit input, consider effects on natural and tribal cultural resources, make required findings, and file a notice of exemption. Read our full analysis on AB 2091 here: https://lnkd.in/ejcmyJep

We're looking forward to seeing our planning friends at the APA California 2024 Conference in Riverside on September 28–October 1, 2024. Our team members will be participating in four insightful sessions that reflect our commitment to community, sustainability, and inclusive planning: 1.🌱Empowering Underrepresented Students: A Look Inside the Environmental, Engineering, and Planning Internship and Charrette (EEPIC) Program Featuring: Taylor Morgan, MSHRM, SHRM-CP | Sept 29 @ 1:15 PM 2.🤖Planning with Artificial Intelligence: The Opportunities, Challenges, and Ethics of It All (Parts I & II) Featuring: Mike Parker | Sept 30 @ 9:45 AM & 11:00 AM 3.🔥Striving for Fire-Adapted Communities Through Evacuation Planning Featuring: Sean Bechta | Sept 30 @ 1:30 PM 4.📋Annual Legislative Update Featuring: Erik de Kok, AICP | Sept 30 @ 2:45 PM Visit our exhibit booth – your hub for insights, opportunities, and connections! • Meet our diverse team of designers, planners, and environmental specialists • Explore our innovative approaches to planning challenges, including infill development, housing, and equitable engagement • Learn about our comprehensive climate action and adaptation planning services • Connect with our experts on emerging topics like carbon sequestration, building decarbonization, and equitable access to open space • For job seekers: explore exciting career opportunities in our growing team and get information on the 2025 EEPIC Internship Program Plus, get ready for an exciting twist on networking! We're hosting a fun, interactive activity that'll have you meeting Ascent team members in a whole new way. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with our experts, learn about career development, have some fun, and discover the latest developments in planning! We look forward to seeing you in Riverside!