Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Business Council partners with CivicSpark both as a Regional Partner and a project lead.

Partnering with the Sierra Business Council, Kriselda Bautista, Olivia Hara, and Evan Pierce are supporting seven communities with climate action planning and the advancement of energy action plans.  After the completion of Energy Action Plans for the communities in late 2014, Kris and Evan have started work on developing or updating greenhouse gas inventories. The team has also had the opportunity to support adaptation planning for the Sierra Region with the Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Partnership (CAMP) project. Olivia is leading the CAMP project, helping to run the Climate Solutions University, increasing networking opportunities and disseminating information across the region.

The Sierra team enjoys working with the community providing support and service when time allows.  So far this year, the team participated in the Truckee Santa Fly-in event, organized the distribution of hygiene products for low-income residents of Kings Beach, assisted with a citrus harvest for MLK day, and managed in waste conservation during a local festival.

CivicSpark Sierra Nevada Projects

Climate Planning for the Sierra Region Support Climate Action Planning and community climate research and climate risk analysis for Sierra region local government as well as support implementation of newly-established Energy Action Plans. Also, Civic Spark will support local jurisdictions through the Sierra Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Partnership (“Sierra CAMP”) – a partnership intended to to catalyze Sierra leaders towards great climate resiliency and preparedness. Beneficiaries: Amador County, Town of Loomis, City of Jackson, City of Plymouth, Nevada City, Sutter Creek, Mariposa County, Placer County

How we react to the issues we’re faced with makes all the difference… So here’s to all the problems that lie ahead: may we do our best to find solutions to all of them. Let’s get things done.

– Evan Pierce, Sierra CivicSpark Member

Meet our Team

Barbara DeLorenzo DeGraaf, Regional Supervisor Barbara DeLorenzo DeGraaf retired after 30 years of public service to the state of New Jersey, working in a variety of settings in the Department of Human Services. 2013, Barbara began working for Strategies, a non-profit organization that provides training and technical assistance to programs serving children and families in California. Barbara is the state lead for the Strengthening Families program, working to promote the development and implementation of the Strengthening Families Framework throughout the state.

Kriselda Bautista Born and raised in southern California, Kriselda graduated from the University of California Irvine with a background in Urban Studies and Criminology Law & Society, which sparked a passion for environmental sustainability. Kriselda spent a year working as an associate environmental consultant and gaining professional certification in Sustainable Resource Management.

Olivia Hara Olivia Hara recently graduated from Portland State University with a degree in Environmental Studies and a focus on GIS as a tool for climate change mitigation and natural resource management. As an active member of her community, she has volunteered with local environmental and climate focused non-profits in the Sierra Nevada, the Great Basin, and the Pacific Northwest.

Evan Pierce Evan recently moved from the East Coast to join CivicSpark. He recently graduated from St. Lawrence University in northern New York with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Mathematics. Following graduation and prior to CivicSpark, he got his start working in Boston to bring more socially and environmentally conscious energy solutions to non-profits across Massachusetts.