YPG had a fantastic evening this month learning about how the City of Sacramento is implementing and integrating environmental justice into its General Plan Update and Climate Action Plan. Thank you to our speakers who were able to provide insight on this important topic. Keep up with YPG for more events like this!

 We rang in 10 years of YPG on October 10th in style at Cafeteria 15L. Past and present YPG subcommittee members and supporters of YPG came together to celebrate the first YPG in nation and its successful decade of programming, networking, and support for emerging professionals in the Sacramento area. We also honored the inaugural winners of the Emerging Planner Award. Thanks to all who have made YPG what it is today! Cheers to the next 10 years!

YPG joined YLG (of ULI), EPG (of ASLA), and the Capital Science Communicators in hosting a professionals happy hour on September 25th at Bottle and Barlow. Folks had the opportunity to network with professionals from diverse backgrounds ranging from planning, housing, landscape design, land use development, and more in the Sacramento region. We were fortunate to enjoy one of the last warm days of the season with cold drinks, light snacks, and our attendees' smiling faces! Thanks to everyone who participated, keep an eye out for future joint events!

On Wednesday, August 14th, YPG held a Planners Pint Night at Kupros Craft House. We heard from wildfire planning experts Edie Hannigan, statewide Land Use Planning Policy Manager at CAL FIRE/Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, and Juliana Lucchesi, Mayor for the City of Dunsmuir, City Planner for the City of Mt. Shasta in Siskiyou County. They spoke about the role of the planner in addressing wildfire risks before, during, and after a wildfire event. With good participation, and discussion throughout the event, these speakers provided excellent insight into how planners can work to educate the public, and contribute to addressing wildfire risks in our day-to-day work.

On Wednesday, July 17, YPG sat down with Jessica Law (Chief Deputy Executive Officer, Delta Stewardship Council) at Sac Yard Community Tap House. Jessica led an engaging dialogue on land use planning for the Delta, taking YPG through the Delta’s history, the intersection of scientific research and planning, the coordination of stakeholders across the State, and planning for the future in the face of climate change. The conversation was enjoyed over appetizers and beers from Sac Yard’s wide selection of local brews.

YPG was joined by Katie Yancey, Community Investment Manager for the City of West Sacramento’s Economic Development and Housing Department, and Tristan Osborn, Project Manager for MIG to discuss the special intersection of economic development and placemaking. Drake’s at the Barn provided a perfect venue for the discussion with displays and examples all-around of excellent planning work and engaging placemaking interventions. Thank you to those who joined us for a beautiful June Planners Pint Night. We hope to see you at the next one!

On Saturday, June 8th, YPG joined the North Valley Division for a hike at Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve. The hike was led by Jon Aull, Outdoor Education Coordinator for the reserve, who provided some of the history of the reserve and discussed management strategies such as prescribed burning and habitat restoration to reduce soil erosion. The weather was perfect for the hike, and we had a great time with planners from Chico, Butte County, and Redding!

YPG and community members had a great time exploring and learning about the history, current challenges, recent improvements, and upcoming projects along Del Paso Boulevard. Participants played Boulevard Bingo along the walk and enjoyed brews and food at King Cong Brewery at the end of the walk. Thank you to those who were able to make it out despite the date change - we sure enjoyed the beautiful weather!

YPG along with YPE and YPT hosted a happy hour on April 25th at Device Brewing Company at the Ice Blocks. We packed the outdoor patio and had the chance to network with other emerging professionals from organizations outside of the planning realm. The event was accompanied by great warm weather and smiling faces as attendees enjoyed snacks and cold beverages. Thanks to everyone who participated, be sure to keep an eye out for more joint events in the future!

YPG held a Planners Pint Night: Student Mixer at de Vere's in downtown Davis. Matt Dulcich, AICP, Director of Environmental Planning and Local Government Relations Manager for UC Davis spoke about his role with the campus Long Range Development Plan. He explained how the campus makes predictions on future enrollment and his role in preparing the campus for those students. Chris Mundhenk, Environmental Principal from Ascent Environmental spoke about the environmental review process for the LRDP. He touched on anticipating setbacks throughout the CEQA process and how to stay on track with such a large project. The event was enjoyed by both students and young professionals alike!

On March 26th, YPG heard from two experts in the built environment and epidemiological field about how individual and community well-being is derived from and impacted by the communities we live in. We explored how historic disinvestment in communities have created disparities in both physical health and mental health, limiting access to opportunity. We discussed the role of planners today in building and retrofitting communities for resilience and gained insights into ways to only engage, but partner with communities to tackle these challenges through planning.

On Thursday, March 7th, YPG held a Planners Pint Night at Bike Dog Brewing. We heard from Marco Gonzalez and Ellen Sullivan, Development Project Managers with the City of Sacramento. They spoke about the work being done by the City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Innovation, focusing on the ongoing Waterfront Idea Makers program and the current competition to submit ideas to reimagine the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Be sure to vote for your favorite entry from now until March 20 on the City website.

On February 6th, YPG hosted an info session at UC Davis campus. Students across various planning and sustainability majors stopped by to learn more about YPG’s activities, the benefits of joining APA (including free membership for students!) and scholarships to attend the upcoming National Planning Conference in San Francisco.

On Thursday, January 31, YPG hosted a Planners Pint Night at Alaro Brewing Company. Speakers Gail Feenstra (Food Systems Coordinator for Food and Society, UC Davis Agricultural Sustainability Institute), Trish Kelly (Managing Director, Valley Vision), and David Shabazian (Rural-Urban Connections Strategy Manager, SACOG) provided engaging dialogue on issues related to food systems and sustainability in the Sacramento Region, as well as food for thought on what can be done to improve our existing systems. Over 50 people, including members of the California Planning Roundtable, joined the conversation that night, and enjoyed drinks and farm-to-table appetizers from Alaro's kitchen. Alaro's Head Chef, Jason Azevedo, also made a guest appearance at the beginning to chat about their food philosophy!

We joined our friends from planning-related professions at Constructing the Future to hear about exciting plans for some of Sacramento’s Property and Business Improvement Districts (PBIDs), including the River District, Stockton Boulevard, Del Paso Boulevard, and Greater Broadway. Presentations covered affordable housing projects, commercial corridor redevelopments, and riverfront utilization. We can’t wait to see these PBID plans in action!