MOTHER LODE CHAPTER BALLOT STATEMENTS
2016 Sacramento Group
Executive Committee Ballot Statements
Anastasia Dodson
I am a policy wonk who loves nature and people. I was
raised in the bay area and spent many summers in
Trinity County (far northern California). I enjoy hiking,
camping, and backpacking in California and the western
US, often on Sierra Club outings.
I would like to serve on the Sacramento Sierra Club
Executive Committee to support the Club’s overall
activities, and to focus on two issues: protecting and
restoring forests, and connecting new members and
younger generations to Sierra Club activities. In recent
years I have participated in efforts to address OHV and
hiking trail conflicts in Trinity County, and the environmental impacts of marijuana grows in sensitive
natural areas. In 2009 I successfully led a group of neighbors in Pinole to stop Praxair from
constructing a hydrogen pipeline between the Richmond and Rodeo refineries. I have also served as
a foster parent for several years.
My professional experience includes 15 years of work on state policy in health and human services. I
have a master’s degree in public policy from the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy.
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Vanessa Emerzian
My name is Vanessa Emerzian. I am new to the Sierra Club.
It was suggested to me that I may be of use to your organization.
My personal and professional background has been focused on the
environment for 25 years. My degrees (B.S. and M.S.) are in Natural
Resources Planning.
I moved to the Sacramento area in 2008 and was an environmental
consultant for six years. I am now with the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation where, among other water-related projects, I manage the
water recycling program for the Mid-Pacific Region.
My paid work as a consultant was focused primarily on habitat conservation for special status
species, preservation of Delta area natural communities, and climate change adaptation strategies. I
led the drafting of California’s first climate adaptation strategy (2009).
My personal interests include infill development, protection of green space, tree preservation and
planting, control of invasive species, climate change mitigation and adaptation, local farming and
gardening, pollinator protection, water conservation, waste reduction, and recycling.
My recent personal projects have focused on Mather Field, a retired Air Force Base south of Rancho
Cordova. This has included formation of the Mather Neighborhood Alliance in 2015 (now Mather
Alliance) to help guide development at Mather Field towards preservation of vernal pools and wildlife
habitat. The Alliance meets monthly with Sacramento County Planning staff to further these goals.
I helped form and chaired the Mather Stewardship Network in 2013 and 2014 to address and
comment on Sacramento County’s Wetlands Management Plan for Mather Field. In 2016, with the
permission of Sacramento County, I began removing invasive weed species at Mather Field and led
volunteer groups in these efforts. Next year I hope to enlarge the volunteer base.
If I may be of service to your organization, I am happy to help.
Thank you for your time and consideration of my letter of interest.
--Vanessa Emerzian
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Barbara Leary
I have been a Sierra Club member since 1986.
My goals in seeking re-election to the
Sacramento Executive Committee are to
continue work on the retention of open space
and native species habitat in our area, inhibiting
urban sprawl, eliminating harmful chemicals from
our environment, and promoting policies that put
our environment first so that all of us thrive.
For the past year I have served as the
Chairperson of the Sacramento Sierra Club
Group, working to expand our partnerships with
local like-minded organizations, helping to organize and provide more outreach to our members and
improve our communication with our local members. In this capacity I have had the opportunity to
support likeminded local groups such as Trees for Sacramento, Friends of Del Paso Park, the
Citizens Climate Lobby, Californians Against Waste and others in their efforts.
I have initiated ongoing efforts since the early 1990’s to retain open space and native trees in the
Folsom area. I have been successful in retaining numerous native oaks and other native species,
ensuring mitigation measures for historic sites, and successfully promoting the retention of open
space in the face of rapid development. This year saw the culmination of a 20 year project that
resulted in the creation of a permanent open space entry to our City which allows for the retention of
a large number of genetically diverse Blue Oaks.
I have spent a great deal of the last two years working with a coalition of groups on behalf of the
Sierra Club and with the Sierra Club leadership on efforts to stop the Trans Pacific Trade Partnership
agreement, one of the greatest threats to our environment. There is still much work in this area to be
done as we apply pressure on our elected officials to vote in opposition to this agreement.
I continue to serve as a delegate to the California Democratic Party (CDP) and submitted a
successful amendment to the State Democratic Party platform, to curtail and eliminate the use of neonicotinoids and other pollinator killing pesticides in order to preserve our bee and other pollinator
populations. This is an area that needs additional work. I have participated in State Legislature
hearings to put a moratorium on fracking in California. I have worked to promote safe, clean and
affordable water for our residents and the preservation of the Delta.
In summary, I believe I have the experience in working on complex environmental issues and
knowledge of the challenges we are facing that can continue to benefit the Sierra Club.
Career: 1978-2009 Nurse Practitioner at UC Davis Medical Center; prior Critical Care RN at Stanford
University Hospital, Stanford and Queen’s Medical Center, Honolulu
Public service:
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Parks & Recreation Commissioner, City of Folsom 1994-1998, Chairperson 1998
Board member Friends of Folsom Parkways 2009 to present
Co-Founder and Current President, American River Democrats
Arts & Cultural Commission, City of Folsom 2010 to present, past Chair & Vice Chair
Conservation Committee member Sacramento Chapter, Daughter’s of the American
Revolution
• Historic Preservation Committee Chairperson D.A.R., 2012 to present
• Sierra Club, Sacramento Group Executive Committee, Secretary 2015; Chairperson 2016
• Sierra Club, Mother Lode Chapter Executive Committee member and Political Committee
Member
• Delegate, California Democratic Party; Member of the Environmental Caucus
Pastimes: Travel, scuba diving, hiking, photography
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Rick Guerrero
The Sierra Club is the premier organization for protecting
communities, wild places, and the planet. As the largest and most
influential grassroots environmental organization in the world, I am
honored to run as an incumbent candidate for the Sierra Club
Sacramento Group Executive Committee.
We’re in the midst of a new wave of eco/social activism that is
focused on creating a healthier planet, a green and just fossil-free
economy, and social justice. This new Green Wave is moving into
the epicenter of politics, culture, and economics and is helping to shape the values of the New
America, the New World. I will work hard to ensure that the Sierra Club Sacramento Group plays a
vital part in shaping this Green Wave in the Sacramento Region. We can help create a better
tomorrow where energy is renewable and the climate is safe for all; where Green jobs are not only the
norm but help lift up working people, poor people, and communities of color; and where the Green
Wave finally brings justice for all.
In order to move the Green Wave into the center of the Sacramento Region, I believe the Sierra Club
Sacramento Group needs leadership that is based on Collaboration, Communication, and
Commitment. As the former chair of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000
Environmental Committee and as the current staff organizer, I’ve worked with diverse people,
communities, and organizations to improve our climate and waters for all and to fight of
environmental, economic, and social justice by helping to formulate and pass legislation that made
California the first state in the nation to divest from holdings in thermal coal (SB 185 – De Leon, 2015)
and worked in coalition to stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). As President of the Green
Democrats, I helped lead regional efforts to protect our food supply by promoting labeling of GMOs.
As President of the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS), I worked hard in the region to
stand up against sprawl development, promote smart growth including affordable housing, improve
air quality, and establish a regionally coordinated conservation strategy. I was honored to be
awarded ECO’s 2015 Environmentalist of the Year for my efforts.
Having been a military officer for about 20 years, serving in submarines and ships, as well as in the
Pentagon and with Capitol Hill staffs, I know not only how to lead people and get things done. I also
am comfortable dealing with all types of people and in all levels of an organization.
The Sierra Club is the premier organization that cares about people, the earth, and all species. As a
Sierra Club Sacramento Group Executive Committee, I will work to make the Sierra Club Sacramento
Group a major contributor to a better greener future for all.