San Diego

In the San Diego Region CivicSpark is partnering closely with San Diego Climate Collaborative, and is receiving support from the San Diego Foundation in targeting and implementing adaptation projects.

The San Diego team, made up of Stephen Bafumi, Basma Gaber, and Laurel Oolie, has completed two projects during the 2015-16 service year, and is ready to dive into new projects! Laurel recently completed a project working with the Port of San Diego, which compared work identified and completed on local Climate Action Plans to determine regional similarities and best practices.  Laurel said ‘It was important to note the limitations and value of this type of project, as it was hard to compare climate action plans as they all included different information.’ Laurel will now be starting an EV program benefiting the City of Chula Vista and National City.

Stephen Bafumi has been out in the community discussing alternatives to driving during outreach for the regional iCommute program. Stephen will be providing education to residents and small businesses to encourage sustainable commuting methods.  Basma is completing a greenhouse gas inventory for the city of Oceanside, and helping to organize a Green Infrastructure Workshop with the Port of San Diego.

CivicSpark Central Coast Region Projects

South Bay San Diego EV Readiness Implement recommendations from the recent San Diego Regional EV Readiness Plan. Specifically, provide critical support to two South Bay cities, by (1) tailoring state & regional EVSE permitting guidance to each jurisdiction’s, (2) organizing a South Bay training session for planners, building inspectors, and contractors, and (3) coordinating “EV Ride & Drive” opportunities. Beneficiaries: City of Chula Vista, National City

City of Oceanside GHG Emissions Update with Reduction Targets Update the GHG emission inventory prepared in 2011 in order to establish a thorough and defensible basis for GHG emissions forecasts and reduction targets. Beneficiary: City of Oceanside

iCommute San Diego Promote the existing SANDAG iCommute program, which is a regional, County-wide program promoting ridesharing, public transit, and bicycling resources, within the North County coastal communities of Del Mar, Solana Beach, and Encinitas, targeting small to mid-size employers and residents. Beneficiary: City of Del Mar, Encinitas, Solana Beach

San Diego Climate Plan Analysis To assist the Port of San Diego and by extension, the full set of San Diego Climate Collaborative partners with climate action planning and preparing for climate change impacts. Beneficiary: Port of San Diego

It has been really interesting to be behind the scenes and observe professionals getting together to brainstorm about what advancements could be made to propel the mitigation and adaptation efforts.

– Laurel Oolie, San Diego CivicSpark Member

Meet our Team

Laura Engeman, Regional Supervisor Laura Engeman, Manager of the SD Climate Collaborative, brings over 6 years of experience in building coastal resiliency, including addressing climate change, renewable energy policy and project management. Laura supports the CivicSpark team and implementation of CivicSpark projects.

Megan Slack, Regional Supervisor Megan Slack is the Regional Supervisor for the San Diego region’s CivicSpark members. Under Laura Engeman of the San Diego Climate Collaborative. Megan got involved with the program as a Graduate Assistant at the University of San Diego, the home office of the San Diego Climate Collaborative.

Stephen Bafumni Originally from Meriden, CT, Stephen Bafumi received his B.A. in Psychology from the State University of New York at New Paltz, and was a member of the university’s men’s soccer team. He completed a year-long AmeriCorps service in Washington, DC with the National Park Service.

Basma Gaber Basma Gaber studied International Relations as an undergraduate and recently completed a Masters degree in Urban Development and Planning She is interested in sustainable urban development, specifically municipal climate action and adaptation plans.

Laurel Oolie Laurel Oolie recently graduated from San Diego State University with Bachelor’s degrees in Public Health and Spanish. In the last year of her program, Laurel conducted an air quality research project in conjunction with Engineers Without Borders in a rural village in Honduras.