A multipronged effort to engage with economically disadvantaged and underrepresented communities in the Santa Ana River watershed to learn what their water needs are and how those needs could be met will be highlighted March 29 at the Santa Ana River Watershed Conference in Orange County.

An array of speakers will discuss the innovative work they’ve been doing, some of the things they’ve learned and tools they’ve developed during a panel discussion at the daylong event, Moving Forward Together: From Planning to Action Across the Watershed, being held at Cal State Fullerton.

The speakers are part of a team of academic and outreach experts pulled together by the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA). The team is engaging with members of local communities, tribal members, mutual water companies, elected officials and others in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties as part of SAWPA’s multiyear Disadvantaged Communities Involvement program.

During the panel discussion, project leaders from the University of California, Irvine, the California State University system, Local Government Commission and California Rural Water Association will talk about their varied roles in the project, how they’ve explored both the needs and the strengths of communities they’ve engaged with, and what still needs to be done as part of the project.

Find more details about the conference and register here to attend.

It is your last chance to: 

• Become a sponsor of this key water conference. Contact Patrick Dunlap with any questions.
• Exhibit at the conference. Contact Kasey Chong with any questions.
• Apply for a scholarship if you are:
  • a low-income community member living in the watershed and want to attend the conference.
  • a nonprofit that serves the watershed and wants to exhibit free of charge and/or send up to three employees to the conference.

The event is convened by SAWPA and coordinated by the Water Education Foundation.