August 2016
CivicSpark Fellowship: Third Priority Deadline is September 15th!
Visit our website to learn more and apply to become a CivicSpark fellow! Like us on Facebook to get the latest news and to see what our fellows are up to.
Become Part of CivicSpark! 
Fellows
CivicSpark fellows gain valuable work experience while acquiring technical skill-sets, building their professional network, and creating a lasting impact. If you or anyone you know is a recent college graduate or young professional who is interested in the program, visit our website to apply online!
Local Government Agencies
CivicSpark provides local government agencies with the support they need on a variety of projects focused on water resource management, climate action planning, adaptation, sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, drought response, and more! Visit our website to learn more and apply to receive project support!

State Agencies
CivicSpark provides state agencies with a unique opportunity to engage with local communities and advance state goals for water resource management, emissions reduction and climate adaptation. Learn more about how state agencies can partner with and sponsor CivicSpark by going to our website.
Regional Spotlights
Sustainable Waste in Los Angeles
As a CivicSpark fellow for Pitchess Detention Center (PDC), Megan Hines has been leading various waste management initiatives to decrease the detention center's reliance on landfills while maximizing the recovery of products, materials, and energy from waste that would have otherwise been disposed of. PDC aims to follow LA County`s Road Map to a Sustainable Waste Management Future, prepared by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works. The road map outlines the key drivers to a sustainable waste management future, encompassing AB 32, AB 341, and AB 1826. Some of Megan`s tasks this service year have included: identifying areas of improvement, amending and implementing new operational procedures for waste reduction and diversion, tracking program successes, and fostering involvement within facility personnel. Megan is excited for the upcoming week, when the recycling center receives its brand new industrial waste conveyor system! She has been working on preparing the recycling center for the new equipment and will spend her last couple weeks working on the operational procedures to incorporate it.

Fellow Spotlights
Question of the Month: "How do you plan to continue your social and environmental impact post CivicSpark?"
Mitchelle De Leon, Central Valley Region
A: "CivicSpark has deepened my passion for building climate equity in the San Joaquin Valley. Through my profession and beyond, I hope to use the skills and knowledge I have gained this year to help advance climate change adaptation initiatives in economically and environmentally distressed communities in the Valley."

Mitchelle graduated from CSU Bakersfield with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a concentration in finance. During college, he engaged his fellow students on environmental justice issues in Kern County. He aspires to work on policies on state and federal levels, ensuring fair and equitable solutions to climate change. In 2016, he plans to start a nonprofit organization focused on building youth leaders' capacity to address climate change.

Sergio Avelar, Los Angeles Region
A: "With the unique experience I had working at LA County Public Health, I plan to apply the public health connections to climate change issues in my future studies, volunteer efforts, and career. Having worked in a local government, I also intend to get more involved with my local neighborhood council to connect with leaders in my community, be aware and take part in community issues, and bring sustainability to the table."

Sergio is from Los Angeles, CA and has had some experience working in education, local government, and sustainability after graduating from USC with a B.S. in Environmental Studies. 


Arya Moalemi, Southern California Region
A: "Working alongside the planning departments at two water agencies this past year has allowed me to learn and grow from the teams responsible for water planning decisions in Southern California. As a result, I have gained a comprehensive insight into the nexus connecting water and energy and how land-use planning is inherently connected to this nexus. Once I move on from the CivicSpark fellowship, I am eager to further expand on further connecting various agencies and ensuring collaborative projects from various community, agency, industry, and all other groups. Ideally, I will be based in an organization that highlights water, but given that everything is so interconnected, I am certain I won't be too far away."

Before earning his masters' degree in City Planning and Regeneration at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, Arya went to the University of California, Irvine for International Studies. He has lived in Le Mans and Lyon, France and has since lived in Montreal, Canada. He is passionate about the urban planning field.

CivicSpark Great Stories
Jamie Zouras, North Coast Region
"In high school, I remember being overwhelmed by having to choose a Major as I applied for college. How was I supposed to know what field I would be happy working in for the rest of my life?!..."

Roman Johnson, Bay Area Region
"Last week I had to have the "don't call me an intern" talk. A few weeks ago, Benicia held its periodic City Council meeting, this time to discuss increasing water rates...."

Katie Webster, Central Coast Region
"San Luis Obispo is an incredibly progressive town. The city government has banned drive thrus, plastic bags, Styrofoam, and the legislature has essentially created a tobacco-free space for its citizens. Bike lanes line every street that isn't a designated bike boulevard or bike path...."

Read these Great Stories and more at http://civicspark.lgc.org/blog.
Upcoming Events
Are you working on climate change in California? Join us for the 2nd California Adaptation Forum on September 7-8, 2016 in Long Beach!

Registration is now open for the 2nd California Adaptation Forum - the premier convening of leaders, practitioners, and advocates to gather, discuss, debate, and consider how we can most effectively respond to the impacts of climate change.

Click here to check out all the exciting sessions lined up for this year's Forum!

The 2017 New Partners for Smart Growth Conference is coming to St. Louis, Missouri! The conference will take place February 2-4, 2017 at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel.

About CivicSpark
CivicSpark is a statewide Governor's initiative AmeriCorps program implemented by the Local Government Commission in partnership with the Governor's Office of Planning and Research. Eight regional hubs host 48 fellows across California, building capacity for local government agencies to address climate change. The 2015-16 service year started on Oct. 19th, 2015 and will go through Sept. 16th, 2016.
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