The Community Education Forum series was created in June of 2000 and has hosted over 30 forums. The goal of our series is to inform the public in specific areas as they take action on local issues and to provide our general community with information to inspire creative thinking and dialogue about the future of the Pajaro Valley region.

Here is a sample list of our speakers:

• Paul Zykofsky of the Livable Communities Program of the Local Government Commission — Paul discussed topics such as: transit oriented and infill development, walkable communities, street design, higher density housing and much more.
• Matthew Taecker a Community Designer from Calthorpe Associates — Matt shared examples of compact, mixed-use development communities that are environmentally sound, and economically diverse.
• Carl Hauge from the Department of Water Resources — Carl led a discussion about groundwater supplies and groundwater management.
• Ken Gray of Marina 2020 — Ken gave a talk about a citizen driven "urban growth boundary" initiative that was approved by the voters in 2000.
• Doug Jackson of the Great Valley Center — Doug was our host for the opening of the exhibit called "Housing the Next 10 Million" a partnership of the Great Valley Center and the American Institute of Architects. The exhibit illustrates alternative land use models, creative solutions to housing dilemmas, and provides communities with options for meeting their growth challenges.
• Neil Havlik, Natural Resources Program from the City of San Luis Obispo — Neil focused on hte great possibilities for eco- tourism in the Pajaro Valley.
• Karena Pushnik of Santa Cruz County Regional Transportaion Commission- Maria Carranza of City of Watsonville Public Works and Mary Orrison of the Transportation Association of Monterey County gave an update on transportation projects coming on line in the Pajaro Valley.
• Bob Curry — Bob gave an in-depth history and possible solutions for the future of the Pajaro Valley Watershed.
• Governor Schwarzenegger's Cabinet Undersecretary Barry Sedlick and Secretary Tom Johnson — Economic Vitality Conversation — a regional dialogue to stimulate action-oriented ideas for improving regional and statewide economic prosperity.