President's Message - Feb 2025

We are wishing our AEP Membership a safe and happy 2025! Less than two months in, we recognize it has already been a challenging time for our state. The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have been nothing short of devastating. Our thoughts are with the individuals and families who have lost so much, as well as the brave responders who have worked tirelessly to contain the fires.

Here is a brief review of our busy year so far:

Our AEP Board kicked off the year with a two-day retreat in January. As a group, we donated to the American Red Cross of Los Angeles. If you would like to donate or volunteer time, please go to https://www.redcross.org/local/california/los-angeles.html.

Our Board retreat took place at the beautiful and serene venue for our 2025 Annual Conference – Hilton Zachari Dunes at Mandalay Beach. We hope you can join us there on April 6-9. We are still accepting sponsorships for the event, so if you would like to showcase your services to over 400 environmental professionals, this is the best way to get your brand exposed. Online registration is still open but filling up quickly. More information is available in this issue of the EM and at www.califaep.org. Thank you to the Conference Committee for bringing it all together!

You should have already received your 2025 CEQA Statutes and Guidelines in the mail – all paid members in good standing receive a complimentary copy of the book each year. Huge thanks again to ICF International and specifically Terry Rivasplata and Elizabeth Irvin for their hard work in producing and editing AEP’s CEQA Statute and Guidelines. We are extremely appreciative for Mr. Rivasplata’s summaries of CEQA court cases and legislative actions. Many thanks also go to Grant Reddy with PlaceWorks for graphic design support. To order extra copies, visit our CEQA Bookstore at https://mms.califaep.org/members/store.php?orgcode=CAEP.

The 2025 Legislative year began on January 6th and the deadline to introduce bills for this session is February 21st. Our Legislative Review Committee will continue to work with our Lobbyist, Matt Klopfenstein in Sacramento to review and comment on legislation that affects our profession. We are also planning our annual Day-at-the-Capitol, March 10-12, where our committee members will meet with various legislators to discuss this year’s CEQA bills.

Our California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Advanced Workshops are scheduled for late February. Special thanks to Chris Mundhenk with Ascent Environmental for serving as the Curriculum Coordinator. Each year, Chris reaches out to a network of CEQA professionals to collaborate on the selection of relevant topics and preparation of the workshop materials. The agenda and locations are available in this issue of the Environmental Monitor and online at https://www.califaep.org/2025_advanced_ceqa_workshop.php.

Keep an eye out for announcements about our first Affinity Group Meeting next month: the Early Career Meet-Up is meant for members who are just starting their careers, just entering the job market after graduating, or making a shift. That said, all AEP members are welcome at this virtual meeting and all future Meetups. Participants can guide and shape it to their needs as it continues throughout the year.

Also keep an eye out for virtual programs coming in May and June, including our annual AEP Institute (to be renamed the AEP Symposium), which will focus on Renewable Energy.

I hope that you continue to enjoy and appreciate the benefits and services that AEP provides, including: CEQA Portal, AEP Mentorship Program, the Environmental Assessor, CEQA and NEPA Essentials Workshops, and the AEP Podcast – Environmental Leadership Chronicles. We strive to keep our members updated with the most current information in the environmental profession as well offer numerous in-person and webinar trainings to make your careers more fulfilling and rewarding.

If you would like to get more involved with AEP, we have many opportunities at the local and state levels. We also welcome input and suggestions. Please do not hesitate to talk with any chapter or state board member if you have comments on the organization or questions on involvement.

We appreciate your continued dedication to AEP and thank you for being a member!

Sincerely,
Mindy Fogg
AEP President

Updated Feb 16, 2025 by Reid Walley