Symposium panelists reflect the Planning and Conservation League’s commitment to developing environmental policies and legislation that serve the interests of all Californians while protecting the wild places and open spaces that are our shared natural heritage. This year’s Symposium features over seventy experts specializing in at least one of the following areas: environmental science, legislation, activism, business innovation, social, environmental and economic equity, environmental law, affordable housing, air quality, land trusts, water policy, land use, climate change, outreach to non-environmental groups, and public health. For instance:

Dr. Peter H. Gleick is co-founder and President of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security in Oakland. His research and writing address the critical connections between water and human health and the hydrologic impacts of climate change.

Mark Carlson works as Director of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy and helps oversee California Interfaith Power & Light, an effort to address climate change through promotion of energy conservation, efficiency, and renewables.

David H. Anderson, an attorney specializing in environmental law and land use planning, presently serves as General Counsel for the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County.

Elizabeth “Izzy” Martin, CEO of the Sierra Fund, served on the Nevada County Board of Supervisors, where she led the effort to clean up an abandoned copper mine in her district.

Senator Michael Machado was reelected to represent the Fifth Senate District. One of the Senator’s most notable accomplishments has been authoring Prop. 13, the Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, Watershed Protection and Flood Protection Bond Act.

See the full list of panels and panelists on the Symposium schedule.