San Diego’s Multiple Species Conservation Program with Karen Scarborough and Jim Whalen

The Finest City

As part of the Knowledge to Action series, this episode welcomes two expert guests who helped create the MSCP, San Diego’s Multiple Species Conservation Program, Landscape Architect and Natural Resources Manager Karen Scarborough, and Biologist and Land Use Entitlement Expert, Jim Whalen. Karen and Jim speak on the role of the MSCP in inspiring today’s climate action goals, what makes it so successful compared to other programs, and how the MSCP is the result of tremendous collaboration and compromise, which is increasingly difficult to attain in this day and age. They talk about the framework of putting together the MSCP, the related challenges along the way, and what they hope the program achieves in the future.

Timestamps:

[2:33] Karen and Jim introduce themselves and talk about their individual and collective links to C-3.

[4:00] The Alliance for Habitat Conservation.

[4:51] What is the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) and what role did Karen and Jim each have in establishing the program?

[6:52] The five driving factors behind creating and launching the program.

[9:14] What is the connection between San Diego’s sub-regional plan and the main plan?

[14:38] What is so special about San Diego that makes it different, especially in its political climate?

[24:43] How important has the MSCP been to attaining climate action goals today?

[26:09] What is next for the MSCP, and how can people get involved?

About C-3

In its 60 years of existence, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 (C-3) has brought together local thought leaders from planning, design, policy, academia, community development, and more to address our region’s distinctive and pressing land use challenges. In founding C-3 almost 60 years ago, architect Lloyd Ruocco’s vision was to bring together our region’s most creative minds from the arts, sciences, academia, and government to share ideas, learn new perspectives, and build fellowship around the idea of creating livable communities.

Opportunities for Advocacy and Engagement:

C3sandiego.org

MSCP (Multiple Species Conservation Program)

Quotes:

• “If we’re known for anything, it’s that we come up with solutions to tough problems that people can live with, and we tend to be a little more on the offbeat side.” — Jim [4:40]

• “It was the politics, species, timing, and environment that helped this all be ripe for success.” — Karen [5:54]

• “What was the special sauce? I joke when I see conservative enviros, but that is what it is.” — Jim [16:10]

• “It is so beautiful in San Diego that you can’t help but be swayed by it and want to protect it.” — Jim [16:25]

• “The concept of people sitting around a table and proactively putting together a plan that will address environmental issues is founded on the success of MSCP. Both from a framework engaged perspective and a programmatic approach to an environmental issue.” — Karen [26:43]