A conference and workshop discussing the fate of Placer County
“While the exploding growth in South Placer County is a certainty in coming decades, the question of how to preserve the region’s open space and endangered species is a recurring question with varying answers.” - Jason Probst, the Press-Tribune.
On Saturday, November 19, from 9:00 am -12:00 noon, Sierra College hosted a conference and workshop to discuss the questions and concerns that face Placer County’s residents and business community as growth continues at a rapid and furious pace.
Topics included land use and the major changes that have occurred in Placer County over time and plans for insuring a future of sustainable economies, environmental health, adequate open space, ample agricultural land, biological diversity and general well-being.
Speakers included:
- Opening & closing remarks by Joe Medeiros, Conference Coordinator
- Gary Noy on history, Joe Medeiros on natural history, and Sean Booth on populations and land use change.
- Christine Turner, Placer County Agricultural Commissioner on agriculture in the county
- Tosh Kuratomi, Otow Orchards, a farmer's perspective
- David Mattocks, Sierra Business Council, on drivers of change in the Sierra Nevada
- Don Whitaker, Ceronix, a business owner's perspective
- Mike McKeever, SACOG and the Blueprint, on regional perspectives
- Fred Yeager, retired Placer County Planning Director, on conservation and the future
- Robert Weygandt, Placer County Board of Supervisors, on conservation and the future
- Howard Nakae, Twin Peaks Orchard, a lifelong Placer County farmer's perspective
Slide Show Presentations:
| Gary Noy & Joe Medeiros | Sean Booth | Mike McKeever |
|---|---|---|
| Powerpoint show (15.2 MB file). | Powerpoint show (21.7 MB file) | Powerpoint show (15.6 MB) |
| Flash show (4.1 MB) (requires Flash player plug-in) | Flash show (6 MB) (requires Flash player plug-in) | Flash show (1.5 MB) (requires Flash player plug-in) |
| Christine Turner | Robert Weygandt | |
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| Powerpoint show (17.4 MB) | Powerpoint show (not yet) | |
| Flash show (1.75 MB) | Flash show (5.3 MB) (requires Flash player plug-in) | |
| Click on each screen in the presentation to advance to the next screen. | ||
Lunch was provided by PlacerGROWN.
Conference coordinators included; Sierra College Natural History Museum, The Center for Sierra Nevada Studies, Departments of Geography, History, Agriculture, Biology, the Associated Students of Sierra College and the Sierra Business Council.

