We returned to the La Jolla Village Square Community Room on June 25th to welcome Sierra Club San Diego chair Debbie Hecht and State Senator Marty Block for our June club meeting.

We also heard from San Diego City Council District 1 candidates Barbara Bry and Joe LaCava – both of whom are not only candidates, but San Diego County Democrats for Environmental Action members as well!

We'll hear more from Joe and Barbara at a District One candidate forum the environmental club is putting together for this fall.

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One Percent Land Fund Proposal

Fresh off a successful fundraising gala, Sierra Club San Diego chair Debbie Hecht joined is to talk about the proposed One Percent Land Fund to save and preserve habitat and open space in San Diego County.

With a land fund at last in place at the county level, the board of supervisors will have more opportunities to expand and preserve parkland, watershed lands, natural resources, conservation easements, trails, historic sites and neighborhood parks – all with some level of open space-style protection.

According to the Sierra Club, the proposal would set aside one percent of San Diego County property taxes each year to purchase and maintain open space and recreational land. The plan would not raise taxes, but would instead reallocate funds within the budget. For a quick cost comparison, one percent of county property taxes would be worth approximately $50 million per year.

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Senator Marty Block

Having previously represented the 78th Assembly district from 2008 to 2012, Senator Marty Block currently represents California's 39th State Senate district, and we were very pleased to have Senator Block join us for our meeting.

The senator shared an impressive array of environmental legislation, including several pieces co-authored by club friend Senator Kevin DeLeon, and a pair of legislative remedies to counter the circumstances that enabled the Santa Barbara oil spill.

Senator Block has long been a friend to the environment, lending assistance to help ban plastic bags, addressing climate pollutants, ensuring beach access is available, protecting wild bobcats, reducing toxic fire retardants in building insulation and ensuring solar energy options for consumers. We'll have a full list of the legislation Sen. Block discussed here shortly.

Don't forget, you can now join San Diego County Democrats for Environmental Action as a paying member on-line with your credit card, including full voting benefits come endorsement time. More at the Join page on this website.

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The Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve is managed by the San Diego County Parks and Recreation Dept.