Erosion from sea-level rise is affecting coastal communities like Santa Cruz, where many houses are built upon cliffs.
I met, we started working on how we could take some of the land that was, for example, in the hands of timber companies and look at whether there was a possibility of those areas becoming a park—a state park. And here we are today—thousands of acres have been added to state parks. You always think over your lifetime, what will you remember as something that you really feel good about? I would say it was my involvement in the acquisition of the Willow Creek property. [In 2005, more than 3,000 acres of Willow Creek alongside the Russian River was acquired by and folded into the state parks system; prior to that LandPaths had been its steward.] Why is Willow Creek so near to your heart? It was really just being part of the transition of a property that is as magnificent as Willow Creek. It’s essentially a huge watershed, that part of the property is 5,500 acres. But we started working on the whole area, which is now maybe up to 20,000-plus acres. Willow Creek is one of the most spectacular areas, it’s a big redwood property with big meadows and it goes from the top of Coleman Valley Road all the way down to the Russian River. It has an incredible wetland area, it has beautiful meadows, old growth redwoods and it has trails all over. I just love it so much out there and I feel really happy that ended up [within state parks]. It still hasn’t been opened as a state park, which is a disappointment, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that it has been protected permanently. All the creatures that live there and the redwoods can now go about their business of continuing to grow and thrive. ..... Throughout her career with LandPaths, county parks and in other local land-use advocacy roles, Hart engaged regularly with the California Coastal Commission—so the commission was very much on her radar
when a seat opened in 2019. Two years removed from her tenure with regional parks, she decided to pursue a spot on the powerful coastal board, earning her appointment from then-Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon later that year. According to the CCC website at coastal.ca.gov, “the commission is committed to protecting California’s coast through careful planning and regulation of environmentally sustainable development, rigorous use of science, strong public participation, education and effective intergovernmental coordination.” Of all the service opportunities open to you, why the Coastal Commission? I had such an incredible admiration for the work of the commission and everything they have done. I began to explore how it was possible—how the appointment process worked. The Senate, the Assembly and the Governor each have four appointees—and at the time the commission was full. But I had some friends that worked in the Speaker’s [Anthony Rendon] office and another friend of mine that worked in Sacramento on parks issues and they reached out to me and said that the Speaker might have an opening. So, I went and met with [Rendon] and talked to him about it. I pursued it by the usual route—with recommendations and people sticking up for me. Finally being awarded the appointment must have been very satisfying. When I got the award, I was super excited—but I really didn’t know what I was in for, [only that] it was an opportunity for me to really dig in and get involved in protecting the coast of California. I’ve been on for a little over four years and it’s been great. What are your other commitments beyond the commission? Since the legislative session has started—I’m part of the Legislative Committee—there’s been some legislation that was concerning to the commission, and I have had to engage on that. And on top of the coastal commission, I am now on the Coastal Conservancy
June 2024
NorthBaybiz 25
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