CalVTP Practitioner Panel: Tips and tricks for early entry into the CalVTP
February 7th, 2023 12:00 - 1:30pm
Link to Webinar Recording
Senior Environmental Planner at SWCA Environmental Consultants, Jacqueline Markley, explained the connection between a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and the CalVTP and provided streamlining tools/checklists to help navigate the process. CAL FIRE Unit Forester, Dawn Pedersen, discussed how the CalVTP process can be overwhelming and how to take it step-by-step. Senior Resource Management Specialist at Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Coty Sifuentes-Winter, discussed the partnerships that work for neighbor synergy and what the CalVTP does and does not cover.
Topics covered in this webinar included step-by-step navigation of the CalVTP process, creating partnerships, and exploring what the VTP does and does not cover.
| Time | Item |
|---|---|
| 12:00pm | Webinar begins |
| Jacqueline Markley: Lessons Learned Navigating the CalVTP Tiering Process | |
| Dawn Pedersen: CAL FIRE's CalVTP process - step by step | |
| Coty Sifuentes-Winter: Partnerships, because you shouldn't do it alone | |
| Q & A/Discussion | |
| Optional breakout session | |
| 1:30pm | Webinar ends |
Trainers:
Jacqueline Markley, Senior Environmental Planner at SWCA Environmental Consultants
Jacqueline has a B.A. in Environmental Studies, an M.S. in Environmental Management, and is a certified planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners. She also serves on the Superior Chapter Board of the Association of Environmental Professionals as the Student Liaison and Scholarship Chair. Jacqueline is a Senior Environmental Planner at SWCA Environmental Consultants and has over 10 years of environmental consulting experience. She manages projects of all sizes and types located throughout California that require California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance. In 2022, Jacqueline assisted the Tulare Resource Conservation District and Kern County Fire Department navigate the California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP) tiering process for multiple large-scale fuel reduction projects in the Central Valley.
Coty Sifuentes-Winter, Senior Resource Management Specialist at Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Coty Sifuentes-Winter is the Supervisory Vegetation Ecologist for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District with over 17-year experience protecting and restoring the natural environment. He received his BS from San Francisco State University in Ecology and his MS in Environmental Management from the University of San Francisco. Prior to working at Midpen, he worked for both the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. His role includes acting as a Resource Advisor on wildland fire events by providing advice to incident commanders on protecting natural and cultural resources prior to, during, and after suppression activities.
Dawn Pedersen, Forester II, Unit Forester Tehama-Glenn Unit - CAL FIRE
Current employer; CAL FIRE – Tehama Glenn - Unit Forester, Registered Professional Forester. Responsibilities include program oversight for CEQA compliance for CAL FIRE funded projects, Forest Practice Program, Vegetation Management Program, Unit Fuels Reduction Program and administration of the Wildfire Prevention Grants.
Graduated Mira Costa High School, attended Collage of the Siskiyous, graduated with AA in Wildlife Management. Seasonal employee with US Forest Service as a timber cruiser, member of a reforestation crew and YACC crew leader. Obtained permanent position with the Forest Service in 1987 as a timber cruiser, wildlife survey specialist, reforestation crew leader, timber contract administrator and district Lands Specialist. Transferred to CAL FIRE 2001.
Very involved in a national charity group, just finished three years as the Ca, Nv. Hi, State President. Enjoys photography and gardening. Married with three stepchildren and four grandchildren.
