Current Directors
Bryce Goldstein, Former Chair
Bryce Goldstein spent her youth in Redding before attending Humboldt State University to study Environmental Science with a focus on Energy and Climate. She moved to Butte County to assist the City of Chico with implementing its Climate Action Plan goals as an AmeriCorps CivicSpark Fellow and since then has worked for BEC and a local transportation planning consulting firm. She is passionate about reshaping the way we live using sustainable planning, education, and activism to combat and prepare for climate change as well as create a more equitable society.
Valerie Meza, Vice Chair
Valerie grew up in Chico, graduating from Chico High, Butte Community College and the University of Phoenix, with a Bachelor of Sciences in Business Management. She is the Alternate Board of Director Member for the Rural Counties Environmental Services Joint Power Authority (ESJPA)and sit on the Technical Advisory Group. Her commitment to the environment started on the farm when she was 4 years old creating a habitat for what she thought were butterflies-Moths. In 1976 her big sister took her to a BEC event and Valerie has never looked back on making changes to the world.
Rebecca Holden, Secretary
Rebecca Holden worked as Assistant Director at BEC until October 2017. She is dedicated to promoting waste-zero lifestyles and a cleaner environment. She works at Recology as the Waste-Zero Specialist, and would like to add to the momentum that BEC has in our community. She believes in the mission and wants to constructively insert her ideas and energy. BEC is a dynamic team of environmentally-minded community champions and she is honored to continue her service to this great organization as a Board Member.
Maggie Scarpa
Maggie Scarpa graduated Chico State with a degree in Political Science and an Environmental and Land Use Certificate. Her experience includes economic development, data analysis, policy analysis and development, climate resiliency planning, community organizing, environmental education and outreach, legal research, and is currently a county land use planner. She has been advocating with and for the Butte Environmental Council for the past couple years on behalf of the land, air, water and climate, and is BEC’s Advocacy Committee Chair. In her free time, you can find Maggie running, upcycling, crocheting and taking walks looking for neighborhood cats.
Eric Nilsson
Eric Nilsson is a retired educator who has made his life in Chico with his wife, Julie, since 1986. He started in education as a high school English teacher, was an Assistant Principal at Pleasant Valley High School and became the founding Superintendent/Principal of Inspire School of Arts and Sciences. Before his days in education, he worked in San Francisco as the west coast regional manager for a steamship company. Presently, Eric sits on the Boards of Inspire School of Arts and Sciences and the Butte Environmental Council. Eric has three children, Georgia, Taylor and Lilly and his first grandson, Tristan. He is grateful they all live in Chico at this time and thankful to be a part of this wonderful community.
Bill Loker
Bill Loker is an anthropologist with an interest in environment and development issues globally and locally. Bill moved to Chico in 1996 with his wife, Sally and three children, to take a job at Chico State. He teaches in in the Anthropology Department at Chico State and served as Dean of Undergraduate Education at the university for 12 years. Bill also served on the City of Chico Climate Action Task Force for 5 years. For fun, he likes to explore Bidwell Park and hike the nearby foothills and mountains, You can also find him on his bike, cruising around town or out in the orchards enjoying the sunshine.
Susan Tchudi
Susan and her family moved to Butte County 15 years ago to found TurkeyTail Farm in Yankee Hill. Shortly after arriving, she and her husband Steve became KZFR programmers, hosting Ecotopia, "exploring Ecosystems--environmental, social and technological." She served on the boards of the North Valley Housing Trust and the Chico Peace and Justice Center, and was chair of the CPJC board. She's worked with BEC for over ten years, convening the Environmental Coalition of Butte County and working with the Endangered Species Faire. She has especially enjoyed working with hundreds of children making puppets for the Procession of the Species, and has--with the help of children and other puppet makers--contributed some large puppets to the parade.
Kenneth Scherer
As the vibrant and charismatic owner of the esteemed sustainability business, KOrganics, they bring an unparalleled enthusiasm to the realm of ecological advocacy. Renowned for their outgoing nature, Scherer infuses dynamism into environmental initiatives. Their commitment to public education and awareness stands as a cornerstone of their advocacy, reflecting a deep-seated belief in the power of informed communities to drive sustainable change. In the world of environmental stewardship, Ken is a dedicated force, blending passion with a profound commitment to advancing sustainable and ecological preservation practices. He sees the journey towards a greener, more conscious future and feels that BEC is perfectly aligned, sharing and actively engaging in his core values.
Serve on BEC’s Board of Directors!
Make a difference on local and regional environmental issues that impact the health of the land, air, and water in Butte County by becoming a Butte Environmental Council Board Member — apply today!
The BEC Board of Directors determines policies, procedures and regulations for the conduct of the organization, helps in raising funds to finance BEC and its programs, promotes BEC in the community, and monitors its organizational performance. Job duties include attendance of at least half of the monthly board meetings each fiscal year, participation in at least one committee, and volunteering at BEC events. Terms are three years running with the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) with a maximum of three consecutive terms (9 years). Our annual BoD retreat is in July.
If accepted, you will be appointed to the Board, and then voted on by the BEC membership in the annual election. Board elections take place every June, and any current BEC member is eligible to vote.