In September, YEP hosted a panel discussing resources, best practices, opportunities to mitigate the impacts of wildfires in the short-term and simultaneously build long-term resilience. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the ways in which planners have increasingly played a role in proactively assessing and strategizing how wildfire’s negative impacts on the health of communities, ecosystems, and economies can be mitigated.

In July, YEP hosted a panel event, featuring speakers sharing their insights on ways to prevent crime and create safer and healthier communities through environmental design!

Attendees had the opportunity to learn about best practices for promoting safety through environmental design (CPTED). CPTED is a multi-disciplinary approach of crime prevention that aims to reduce victimization, minimize fear of crime, and build a sense of community through the design and management of built and natural environments, community education, and community collaboration.

In June, YEP hosted a virtual webinar for students and emerging professionals gearing up for a job search. The webinar featured a panel of professionals discussing how to best market yourself for jobs in the planning industry, including aligning your personal strengths and values while conducting the job search, navigating the interview process and how to showcase your skills and experiences to potential employers, and networking and building meaningful connections with other professionals. Featured speakers included: 

• Jeff Heiser, Owner – See the Forest Solutions
• Carl Cahill, Executive Recruiter - Peckham and Mckenney Executive Search
• Harriet Ross, Associate Deputy Executive Officer - Delta Stewardship Council

In May, YEP hosted a bike tour of the Historic District of Sacramento. Speakers included the City of Sacramento’s Preservation Director, Preservation Commission Chair, and preservation practitioners, who shared about the history of preservation in California’s capital city during Preservation Month!

Attendees biked by several landmark buildings and through multiple historic districts, learning about the development of Sacramento’s neighborhoods and the efforts to preserve them. This tour offered a well-rounded view of the program, provide insight into the development of the award-winning Historic District Plan in 2019, and shared the perspectives of architects who interpret the guidelines and work directly with owners of historic buildings.

In May, YEP hosted a May is Bike Month event at Hop Gardens featuring a panel discussion on the latest bicycle-related planning projects in the region and connect with local planners learn how these projects will impact your daily life. The panel featured expert insight into new bike infrastructure, programs, and bike-friendly initiatives. Featured speakers included:

• Jennifer Donlon Wyant, Transportaton Planning Manager - City of Sacramento 
• James Corless – Chief Executive Officer, Sacramento Council of Governments

In April, YEP held an Earth Day Clean Up in partnership with the Putah Creek Council. Volunteers had the opportunity to enjoy nature, network, and support restoration and stewardship efforts at the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve. 

In March, YEP hosted a panel of esteemed speakers with expertise spanning from emergency and floodplain management, climate resilience and conservation planning, and more. These speakers shared their insights on recent flooding events and discussed ways to plan for future weather events.

During this informal conversation, attendees had the opportunity to learn best practices for protecting, restoring, and managing land and water in and near floodplains. The panel also described the work of local agencies, non-profits, and residents in identifying and implementing solutions to address the challenges of extreme weather events.

In February, YEP hosted a walking tour of recent and in-progress developments in the City of West Sacramento. The tour included stops at office developments, multifamily projects, historic buildings adapted for modern uses, a bridge conversion to allow more bike and pedestrian facilities, and even an urban farm. David Tilley, Principal Planner, and Seamus Laffey, Senior Planner, with the City of West Sacramento, led the tour and share the fascinating stories behind these projects. Afterwards, all are welcome to stay to continue the conversation at the quaint (and delicious) Tree House Café.