The Finest City

In this episode, Jen sits down with Sid Voorakkara, Port of San Diego Board Commissioner, to discuss the many programs and initiatives shaping the future of San Diego Bay. Sid shares insights into the Port Master Plan update, efforts to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, and how the Port is leading the way in innovation. He also highlights key projects, such as the blue eco...

This episode features Pete Halmay, President of San Diego Fisherman's Working Group and one of the founders of the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market. With over 50 years of commercial fishing experience, Pete shares fascinating insights into the challenges of creating a fisherman's market, the diverse array of seafood available, and the cultural significance of maintaining a working fishing harbor in San...

This episode features Greg Murphy from Fugro, a world leader in providing geo-data consulting through mapping, modeling, and monitoring information about our planet and the structures built upon it. Greg is also Vice Chair on the Board at the San Diego Maritime Museum. In the conversation, Greg talks about the innovative future of blue technologies, the importance of ocean sustainability, and San...

This week focuses on San Diego's maritime heritage with Dr. Ray Ashley from the Maritime Museum of San Diego. As President and CEO, Dr. Ashley leads one of the most prominent institutions on San Diego Bay, recognized as one of the top three maritime museums globally. It includes one of the finest collections of historic vessels, including the oldest active ship, Star of India. In his talk with Jen...

In this episode, Jen welcomes Janaira Quigley, Executive Director of Ocean Connectors, a conservation non-profit program that connects youth with coastal wildlife. In their chat, Janaira talks about the mission of Ocean Connectors and how the San Diego Bay factors into their programs. She touches on the program's teaching topics, habitat restoration work around San Diego, and the knowledge exchang...

In this episode, Jen welcomes Sharon Cloward, President of San Diego Working Waterfront. Sharon first talks about the San Diego Bay's geography and jurisdictions before getting more into sustainable freight solutions and protecting the San Diego Bay's environmental and economic value. She then discusses the San Diego port master plan and environmental policies. Sharon also talks about Operation Cl...

In this episode, Kate sat down with our very own Jen Whitelaw, PR professional and former C-3 President. Jen first shares her career path from English studies to public relations and urban planning. She discusses a few of her favorite tools for reaching the public about important topics like density and sustainability through her work with organizations like C-3. Jen highlights some successful str...

This episode features Simon Andrews, neighborhood branding professional and former C-3 board member. Simon shares his personal journey from Detroit to San Diego in the 1960s and discusses his career helping to shape the identity of neighborhoods through signage and design. Simon also offers his insight into downtown redevelopment and its impact, the rise of sustainable community planning since the...

This episode features Paula Stigler Granados, Associate Professor in the School of Public Health at San Diego State University. Paula first discusses environmental health impacts along the San Diego-Tijuana border region and insights from her recent white paper on the public health crisis caused by Tijuana River contamination. She then explores the challenges of managing growth while addressing ag...

This episode features Nico Calavita, Professor Emeritus of City Planning at San Diego State University.  He shares his insightful perspective on the past, present, and future of urban planning and creating affordable and inclusive housing. Nico first shares his background growing up in Italy and his journey to San Diego. He goes into detail on the history of growth management and the city's Housin...

Jen welcomes Imperial Beach Mayor, Paloma Aguirre. Mayor Aguirre earned a Master of Advanced Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD and spent 10 years working for Wildcoast. She talks about her advocacy in the fight against sewage pollution and towards building a better present and future for Imperial Beach residents. Mayor Aguirre talks ab...

This episode focuses on the importance of the cross-border relationship with guest Hector Vanegas, SANDAG's Borders Program Manager. Hector first outlines SANDAG's role in coordinating cross-border transportation projects and traces his career path working in binational affairs from the Mexican Consulate to his current position at SANDAG. Hector emphasizes the economic interdependence between San...

This episode features Carlos de la Mora, immediate-past CEO of World Design Capital 2024, San Diego-Tijuana. Carlos brings a rich and varied professional background to the table, including his previous experience as the Executive Director for the Urban Land Institute in Mexico and Director of Land Development at CBRE. Throughout the conversation, Carlos talks about the intention of purpose and leg...

This episode features an informative and inspiring conversation with Larry Herzog, a Design Scholar-in-Residence at the UC San Diego Design Lab, and a lecturer in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at UCSD. Larry is also a writer and Professor Emeritus of City Planning in the School of Public Affairs at San Diego State University. Larry is the author or editor of 11 books on urban planni...

This episode features Serge Dedina, the executive director and co-founder of WILDCOAST, an international conservation team. Not only did Serge serve as the mayor of Imperial Beach from 2014 to 2022, but he also chaired the SANDAG borders committee for six years, demonstrating his commitment to cross-border collaboration. With a focus on transboundary planning and conservation, Serge has been a key...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Megan Jennings, a Conservation Ecologist and Co-Director of San Diego State University's Institute for Ecological Monitoring and Management. As a research scientist at SDSU, Megan is based in the biology department and a co-champion for a new initiative at San Diego State, the Community Climate Action Network. In the conversation, Megan talks about the main issues f...

In this episode, we welcome Amber Pairis, the founder and lead advisor of Climate Science Alliance. Amber's work is dedicated to increasing awareness of climate change impacts, advocating for solutions, and fostering collective action to protect both natural and human communities in the face of a changing climate. During the conversation, Amber sheds light on the Alliance's commitment to honoring...

In this engaging oral history episode, we have a visit from Frank Wolden, a prominent figure in the realm of urban design and architecture. Frank shares his journey from his upbringing in San Diego to his deep involvement in shaping the vision of downtown redevelopment. He discusses the fascinating gap between the planning and execution of urban spaces and the art of selling the concept of respons...

It's all about Volcan Mountain this week, with insight from guest Eric Jones, the President and Executive Director of the Volcan Mountain Foundation. Eric discusses the Foundation's innovative forest management strategies and its dedication to environmental education. He talks with Jennifer about how the organization preserves the mountain range through diverse ownership categories, its long-term...

This week showcases a conversation with David Van Cleave, who has dedicated almost 32 years to the state park system, serving as park ranger, ecologist, and superintendent, and also as senior project director at The Nature Conservancy. During David's tenure, he managed programs in Southern California, Northern Baja, and San Diego. In the episode, David talks about what makes the backcountry so spe...

In keeping with the backcountry theme, host Jen Whitelaw sits down with Michael Beck, the director of the Endangered Habitats League, a nonprofit organization committed to safeguarding ecosystems and promoting sustainable land use. In this conversation, Michael shares the League's origins, tracing back to its formation in 1991 to advocate for the protection of the California gnatcatcher. Discover...

This episode features Don Scoles, Executive Director of the San Diego Habitat Conservancy. Don shares his journey to becoming the Executive Director in 2009, leading conservation efforts in the region, and talks about how the San Diego Habitat Conservancy differs from other conservancy organizations. Don discusses the conservancy's unique approach to evaluating properties for management, including...

The first Knowledge to Action episode with urban planner Suchi Lukes in July of 2022 had so much good information to share that we think the episode is worth a revisit. Host Jen Whitelaw speaks with Suchi, who also spearheads C-3's Urban Core Knowledge Action Network. Suchi talks about her commitment to bringing together local thought leaders from planning, design, community development, and more...

We journey into the backcountry this week, with Bri Fordem, the Executive Director of The Anza Borrego Foundation. Bri talks about the park's remarkable conservation efforts, its ecological significance, and its role as a regional asset. From acquiring diverse properties to running educational programs and supporting groundbreaking research projects, Bri sheds light on the park's multifaceted cont...

The conversation about River Parks continues this week, as Jen welcomes Rob Hutsel, President and CEO of the San Diego River Park Foundation. Learn about the Foundation's mission to protect and enhance the San Diego River and its impact on the river's health. Rob discusses how the Foundation formed as a grassroots organization, focusing on access, education, and enjoyment of the river for the whol...