Learn about the drought now plaguing California and steps being taken to abate the impacts at our annual Water Summit later this month, and gain a deeper understanding of the state’s biggest watershed relied on by millions for drinking water during our Northern California Tour this Thursday.

On the tour, you’ll journey along the Sacramento River, visiting rice farms and wetlands where you’ll hear from environmentalists and farmers about efforts to restore runs of endangered chinook salmon and help birds along the Pacific Flyway.

You’ll also get up close to Oroville Dam, a key component of the State Water Project that serves water to 27 million people in California, and learn how its two spillways were repaired following a catastrophic 2017 storm. In addition, you will visit other major infrastructure such as Shasta Dam, part of the Central Valley Project.

This tour will run from 2:30-5:30 p.m. PT this Thursday. ’Seats’ on this virtual tour bus are limited, so get your ticket here for our Northern California Tour.

Water Summit

Hear Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources, and others discuss the drought now gripping California, what is being done in the short-term and what longer-term projects and partnerships are aiming to make the state more sustainable.

Author Faith Kearns will kick off the Oct. 28 afternoon Water Summit with a talk on “Getting to the Heart of Water Communications.”

The Foundation’s Water Summit will be followed by an optional in-person reception during an open-air cruise along the Sacramento River.

Find more details and register here. Members of the Foundation get discounted prices to attend. 

Fall Tours

Plus, don’t forget the Foundation’s other online water tours this fall that will whisk you away to explore California’s key rivers and water regions.

Virtual Central Valley Tour: Thursday, Nov. 4
Explore water supply challenges in the San Joaquin Valley, one of the nation’s most productive agricultural regions. You’ll hear from farmers, water managers, disadvantaged communities and others about how they’re meeting those challenges, including drought and requirements under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Register here!

Virtual Headwaters Tour: Tuesday, Nov. 9
This virtual tour travels through portions of the American River watershed, beginning at the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountains and heading down into the foothills and eventually ending at Folsom Lake near Sacramento. Along the way, you’ll visit rivers, forests and meadows that make up this region to hear from experts on the challenges being experienced in our headwaters and the work being done to address them. Register here!

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available for tours and events. Contact Programs Director Nick Gray with any questions via email.