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New to the Board
Dr. Sherry Ryan is an associate professor of city planning in San Diego State University’s School of Public Affairs. She conducts research on transportation-land use relationships, and health and community impacts of transportation systems. She teaches graduate courses in transportation planning, land use planning and geographic information systems (GIS).
She is passionate about mentoring and working with students in the urban planning field on real world projects to prepare them for a career in planning and community transformation. In addition to her academic career, Sherry has maintained close connections with planning practice through consulting work and volunteer work for advocacy groups.
She has worked as a practicing transportation planner in the San Diego region for almost 15 years, and served as project manager on high visibility projects such as the San Diego Regional Bicycle Plan, the City of San Diego’s Pedestrian Master Plan, and the City of Chula Vista’s Pedestrian Master Plan. She is the owner and principal of Chen Ryan Associates.
AmeriCorps*VISTA Program Developers
Joining us for the upcoming year are two women with the vision to get Chollas Creek youth interested, involved, and invested in their watershed. They were selected from a pool of qualified applicants interviewed in November; they've been approved by Groundwork and AmeriCorps for the two positions and will attend a Pre-Service Orientation in Los Angeles in January. Their first day of service is January 27, 2012. They will serve the first of three year-long positions granted to Groundwork SD by AmeriCorps, building systems, procedures, and bringing sustainability to the organization's youth programs, and both are beyond enthused to be working together with Groundwork! Here's a little about each and her program:
Genevieve Parker has been with Groundwork since June 2010 as an administrative support intern. In June 2011, she began recruiting youth ages 13-18 from the watershed for Service Actions in community parklands, leadership development, and community outreach, to culminate with an annual service learning trip to a National Park over summer. She will continue in this capacity as the VISTA Green Team Coordinator. Genevieve earned her Bachelors from the University of Redlands in 2011 and is a native San Diegan.
Julia Gifkins, soon-to-be VISTA Youth Coordinator, will develop and direct programming focused around habitat-based science and mentoring for 5th through 8th-graders. Julia has an impressive background related to the position including training and experience in student health, childcare, youth ministry, tutoring, and volunteer engagement. She is firmly dedicated to community service and we are so lucky to have her!
Groundwork "Staffs Up" for the Fall!
The Groundwork San Diego office staff has bulked up recently with several amazing new staff. Joining Executive Director Leslie Reynolds in the office are a full-time Director of Youth and Community Development and six - count them, six - incredible interns. Groundwork has also been approved for two fulltime Vista positions to be filled in late Fall, and our Board has been joined two new members who bring extensive experience and, like their fellow Board members, unlimited dedication and energy. Here’s a bit about them all.
New to the Board
 Bill Ponder brings extensive experience in higher education administration, higher education counseling, teaching, and urban and regional planning. He served as a senior administrator at Eastern Washington University, Shoreline Community College, and University of California at Riverside, and as a member of the Spokane Boundary Review Board, and the City San Bernardino Building Commission, and was appointed by former Governor Gary Locke to the Combined Fund of Washington. His current book, “In the Eyes of God, American Public Education in the 21st Century,” focuses on the profound issues in America and will be in the fall edition of the New York Review of Books.
 Khalisa Bolling received her Masters in Public Health from San Diego State University, and brings extensive experience in the management of federally-funded grants, including the National Institute of Health. She led the HUD-sponsored Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Home Program for National City, and developed and implemented strategic initiatives for the Outdoor Outreach at-risk youth recreational and leadership development efforts. She is currently leading a senior citizen healthy living initiative at the University of California at San Diego.
Fall Staff
 
Kimberly Blough is the Director of Youth and Community Development. She received her degree in Geography (Natural Resource Conservation) from San Diego State University and has an abundance of experience leading youth in a variety of hands-on programs. She resides in Southeastern San Diego and strives to empower her community to make positive change.
Intern Keryna Johnson provides environmental planning consultation for Groundwork, with the goal of increasing recreation opportunities for Southeastern San Diego families and building a network of connected pedestrian trails throughout the region's canyons and creeks. Keryna received her B.S. in Business Management from San Diego State University, with a specialization in Entrepreneurship. She is currently pursuing her Master in City Planning from San Diego State, with an emphasis in Sustainable Development. As a native and resident of Southeastern San Diego, Ms. Johnson is passionate about helping her community realize its full potential.
Intern Kim Jones recently received her Bachelor’s Degree in Geography with an Emphasis in Natural Resources and Environmental Geography - Environmental Policy from San Diego State University. She has come on board as an intern to assist in the planning and execution of the Coastal Cactus Wren & California Gnatcatcher Habitat Restoration Project in the Encanto and Radio Canyon areas. She brings project management and event planning experience to Groundwork. Kim is very excited to be part of the Groundwork team, working toward achieving sustainability and stewardship of the Chollas Creek environment through community involvement.
Intern Olivia Tinney, LEED AP, holds a Bachelor's degree in Design from the University of California at Davis with an emphasis in sustainability. She brings 7 years of experience in community design and planning to her work. She serves on the San Diego APA Board of Directors and is a Community Planner for the AES/Mooney Planning Collaborative. She worked as the Program Director for James Hubbell's Ilan-Lael Foundation. Olivia is currently a Master of Arts candidate in City and Regional Planning at San Diego State University.
Intern Menuhati Kemma'atah is dedicated to changing and rebuilding his community. He’s a member of The Earth Center and teaches at the World Beat Center. Menuhati considers himself to be a servant of his native Southeastern San Diego community. He has worked on special projects with various organizations that include Second Chance, The Jacob Center, Project New Village and the C.H.I.P. He comes to Groundwork SanDiego as a Community Outreach Intern eager to learn and support Groundwork in any way he can.
Intern Cameron Newell comes to us from Australia, where he earned his BS in Zoology and Botany and certification in native seed collection and propagation. He also worked in Australia for the Department of Sustainability and Environment, and as a nursery manager. Cameron is working in San Diego as a biological monitor, and is single-handedly erecting the Groundwork Earthlab plant propagation center where students will grow plants as part of the Green Team restoration community service projects.
Intern Genevieve Parker has been assisting Groundwork San Diego in administration for two summers and plans to apply for an AmeriCorps*Vista position when it becomes available. She received her B.A. in English Literature, with a minor in Asian Studies, in May of this year from University of Redlands. She resides in La Mesa with her family. Genevieve enjoys planning events and youth trips with Groundwork, and is currently working to expand her scope of duties to include a more prominent focus on outreach in Southeastern communities.
Groundwork’s Green Team efforts get wings as Southwest Airlines contest winners
Southeast San Diego nonprofit is one of 40 national winners
 Local high school students involved in the Southeast San Diego-based Green Team will be going even farther to study climate change as winners of 40 roundtrip airline tickets from Southwest Airlines.
Part of the nonprofit Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek family, the Green Team was among 40 nonprofit organizations awarded 1,600 airline tickets during Southwest Airlines’ 40th anniversary contest. The carrier, with services in San Diego, selected winners based on their focus on community initiatives that concentrate on education, diversity, military, environment and families facing serious illnesses.
According to Southwest Airlines’ blog announcing the win: “Students on the Green Team participate in citizen science and service activities, including habitat restoration and wildlife surveying. They bring the inspiration, knowledge, and skills they gain at national parks to projects in their communities.”
Made up of 20 area high school students from the Elementary Institute of Science, Second Chance and Morse High, this year’s Green Team recently returned from four days in California’s Santa Monica Mountains and Channel Islands National Park. The students experienced their first wilderness camping through a Groundwork USA partnership with National Park Service Research Learning Centers. During their expedition, the students learned about the role invasive species play in habitats, and they engaged in an invasive species removal project. The students will apply that knowledge and those skills to improvements in their own Chollas Creek watershed here in San Diego. As a result of their excursion, the students were able to see the connectivity between invasive species, habitat, wildlife and, ultimately, humans.
According to Groundwork Executive Director Leslie Reynolds, the 40 Southwest Airlines roundtrip tickets will be used to continue the Green Team’s citizen scientist research and education. Two Green Team members, Yvezee Lapada and Lerno Sarno, will first travel to the Groundwork USA Youth Summit in Denver next month to meet with Green Team members from across the country. There they will begin to formulate their 2012 service project at one of the National Park Service Research Learning Centers. One opportunity may exist with an exchange at Biscayne National Park in Florida. Biscayne area students would be hosted by the San Diego Green Team to study the effects of climate change at Cabrillo National Monument and San Diego students will go to southern Florida to study the impacts of climate change on that ecosystem.
Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek is an independent nonprofit business that strives to improve the environment, economy and quality of life in Southeast San Diego. Groundwork works in partnership with the City of San Diego and with the assistance of volunteers, communities and businesses to restore creeks and open spaces, provide educational outreach on water conservation and climate change issues.
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Groundwork San Diego welcomes William Ponder to Board of Directors
William S. Ponder, whose diverse background includes urban and regional planning as well as numerous leadership and consulting roles as an educator and academic, has joined the board of directors at Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek. 
The environmental non-profit organization serving Southeast San Diego has relationships and partnerships with several local schools, an important quality for the San Diego resident with a passion for educating the next generation.
“I believe in the goals and vision of Groundwork, especially focused around young people,” said Ponder, who was born and raised in San Diego. “I am pleased to join with others who are involved and actively engaged in helping Groundwork to be a major force around the restoration and preservation of our natural resources which will greatly impact how the community takes care of its creeks, wetlands, canyons and other natural resources.”
With 25-plus years of experience in higher education administration, including fiscal management, enrollment and student services, Ponder most recently served as vice president of student affairs at Eastern Washington University. He helped develop student affairs programs to support diversity on campus, and increased enrollment, retention and student success. He also maintained strong community relations.
“The election of Bill Ponder to our board comes at a significant time, as the issues of poverty, violence and environmental justice in Southeast San Diego demand the engagement of the best minds our city has to offer,” said Leslie Reynolds, executive director at Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek. “Bill shares Groundwork’s commitment to environmental education and creek and watershed restoration.”
Throughout his career, Ponder has been involved in various extracurricular activities, such as committees and professional associations, including the Joint Labor Management Committee, Quality Service Initiative, the Intercollegiate Relations Commission and many others.
He has worked with community members around urban and regional planning, consulted with the College Board, ACT, and has experience with fundraising capital campaigns. In addition to Groundwork, Ponder continues to work with the US Department of Educations APIP grant, which focuses on advance placement courses and student achievement.
As a new board member, Ponder will help Groundwork San Diego carry out numerous initiatives, including environmental service learning, school-to-career efforts, and community development through the organization’s Green Team.
Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek is an independent non-profit business that strives to improve the environment, economy and quality of life in Southeast San Diego. Groundwork works in partnership with the City of San Diego and with the assistance of volunteers, communities and businesses to restore creeks and open spaces, provide educational outreach on water conservation and climate change issues.
Light bulb exchange, creek cleanup and free barbeque set for April 30 in Southeast San Diego
Local nonprofit Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek will host a community light bulb exchange and creek cleanup in Southeast San Diego on April 30 from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., followed by presentations and entertainment from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Participants will gather at Southcrest Recreation Center, located at 4149 Newton Ave in San Diego. The event is open to the public and will include:
- Cleanup of Chollas Creek: Gloves will be provided; jeans and closed-toe shoes are advised.
- Light bulb exchange: Bring in old household light bulbs and receive energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs provided by Groundwork.
- Interactive sessions with experts on household energy savings
- Face painting, crafts and a fun jump
- Free barbecue
The event is being held in conjunction with I Love a Clean San Diego’s 2011 Creek To Bay Cleanup day and is hosted by Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek and San Diego City Council District 8. Other supporters include the honorable County Supervisor Greg Cox, the honorable San Diego City Councilmember David Alvarez, Sempra, NASSCO, United States Navy, and the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department. For more information about the event, please contact Groundwork executive director Leslie Reynolds at 619-543-0430.
No RSVP required.
Former California State Assembly Member Mary Salas Joins Groundwork San Diego’s Board of Directors
Former California State Assembly member Mary Salas has joined the board of directors at Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek, an independent, not-for-profit, environmental business headquartered in southeast San Diego.
“As a member of the Joint Agency Water Task Force and a board member of the Sweetwater Water District, Mary is extremely knowledgeable about local environmental initiatives,” said Leslie Reynolds, Executive Director for Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek. “She is a perfect fit for this board, and we are extremely lucky to work with her.”
While in the California Legislature, Salas served on the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. Salas was also selected by the Speaker of the Assembly to participate on the Working Water Group. With this group, Salas helped craft legislation for a bond measure that included a comprehensive strategy for ensuring water reliability for California, and restoration of the San Joaquin Sacramento Delta.
Locally, Salas has worked tirelessly to find a solution to San Diego’s water supply issue. “A clean reliable water supply is only assured if we protect our watersheds and clean up our groundwater,” said Salas.
As a director at Groundwork, Salas hopes to utilize her knowledge, experience and connections to advise Groundwork of funding opportunities to carry out area-restoration projects.
Founded in 2007, Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek works in partnership with the City of San Diego and the Chollas Creek communities of Southeastern San Diego to improve the environment, economy and quality of life there. With the assistance of students, families, businesses, and partner organizations, Groundwork restores creek and open space, tracks and saves species, and provides educational outreach around conservation, clean water, and climate challenge issues. Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek is part of the Groundwork USA national network of trusts, in partnership with EPA and National park Service.
$20,000 Sempra Energy Foundation Grant to Catalyze Local Climate Change Program
Sempra Energy Foundation has awarded a $20,000 grant to Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek to support an urban forestry and conservation program to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Initiated by Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek, the Chollas Creek Climate Change Ambassadors collaborative will involve residents and students in southeast San Diego.
The collaborative program intends to achieve measurable energy and water savings in the community, introduce energy awareness lesson plans and service-learning activities in selected schools, kick off new a new middle school environmental after- school program, improve shade tree coverage, and increase community outreach. Participants include more than 200 fourth- to eighth-graders from several area schools and nonprofit organizations.
The Foundation's generous $20,000 grant will be used for classroom instruction, project management and coordination, trees and supplies. Students will use the resources to plant trees at schools and neighborhoods. In addition to their physical efforts, participants will gain knowledge on the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and urban forestry, home energy and water use, and food packaging and recycling.
The grant money will also support the following upcoming events:
1. On March 26, Cesar Chavez Service Clubs will engage students in a variety of tree-planting and garden construction projects.
2. On April 30, Groundwork San Diego will host a community light bulb exchange and creek program at the Southcrest Recreation Center.
The Chollas Creek Climate Change Ambassadors is a collaborative effort of Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek, Cesar Chavez Service Clubs and Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, which are prominent environmental educators in San Diego. The organizations will join efforts to ensure a coordinated, strategic, and sustainable approach to climate change information and outreach.
For more information, please contact Groundwork executive director, Leslie Reynolds, at 619-543-0430.
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