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Foundation News

Find out what the Water Education Foundation is up to with announcements about upcoming events, tours, new Western Water articles on key water topics and more! 

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Announcement

Seeding Clouds and Atmospheric River Research Among Efforts Explored on Edge of Drought Tour that Starts in Burbank
Get Your Early Bird Ticket Before They’re Gone to Learn About the Challenge of Persistent Water Scarcity on Central Coast August 27-29

Understanding how atmospheric rivers affect the location, duration and intensity of storms could help managers in the water-short Santa Barbara area make better decisions about operations. Some are even using cloud seeding to increase precipitation in the region’s watershed.

During our Edge of Drought Tour Aug. 27-29, we’ll visit an atmospheric river observatory in Santa Barbara that specifically monitors the meteorological phenomenon and also visit Lopez Lake to hear from the County of San Luis Obispo on their cloud seeding efforts.

Announcement

Registration Now Open for the 36th Annual Water Summit; Take Advantage of Early Bird Discount by Registering Today
Join us Oct. 30 for key conversations on water in California and the West

Registration opens today for the Water Education Foundation’s 36th annual Water Summit, set for Oct. 30 in Sacramento. This year’s theme, Water Year 2020: A Year of Reckoning, reflects fast-approaching deadlines for the State Groundwater Management Act as well as the pressing need for new approaches to water management as California and the West weather intensified flooding, fire and drought. To register for this can’t-miss event, visit our Water Summit event page.

Registration includes a full day of discussions by leading stakeholders and policymakers on key issues, as well as coffee, materials, gourmet lunch and an outdoor reception by the Sacramento River that will offer the opportunity to network with speakers and other attendees. The summit also features a silent auction to benefit our Water Leaders program featuring items up for bid such as kayaking trips, hotel stays and lunches with key people in the water world.

Announcement

Latest Western Water Rounds Up Summer Reading That You Won’t Want to Miss
Articles range from rethinking Southern California water portfolios to a downside of water conservation

In the weekly sprint through work, it’s easy to miss some interesting nuggets on water resource issues in California and the West that you might want to read.

So we want to help you catch up on Western Water articles from the first half of this year that you might have missed. They include Q&As with key water leaders such as California’s Natural Resource Secretary Wade Crowfoot and articles that spotlight efforts to achieve water sustainability or highlight unintended consequences of conservation.

Announcement

Learn About a Range of Solutions to Persistent Water Scarcity on Central Coast during Edge of Drought Tour August 27-29
Early-bird tickets end July 29th for this new tour through water-challenged Santa Barbara region; tour starts and ends in Burbank

Lake CachumaDespite Santa Barbara County’s decision to lift a drought emergency declaration after this winter’s storms replenished local reservoirs, the region’s recovery often has lagged behind much of the rest of California due to the nature of its watershed.

Our new Edge of Drought Tour Aug. 27-29 explores this connection between the area’s distinctive hydrology and the lurking threat of drought with an up-close look at water projects and programs across the southern Central Coast.

Announcement

Explore a Scenic But Challenged California Landscape on Our Edge of Drought Tour
August 27-29 Tour Examines Santa Barbara Region Prone to Drought, Mudslides and Wildfire

Pyramid LakeNew to this year’s slate of water tours, our Edge of Drought Tour Aug. 27-29 will venture into the Santa Barbara area to learn about the challenges of limited local surface and groundwater supplies and the solutions being implemented to address them.

Despite Santa Barbara County’s decision to lift a drought emergency declaration after this winter’s storms replenished local reservoirs, the region’s hydrologic recovery often has lagged behind much of the rest of the state.

Announcement

2019 Water Summit Theme Announced – Water Year 2020: A Year of Reckoning
Join us October 30 in Sacramento for our premier annual event

Sacramento RiverOur 36th annual Water Summit, happening Oct. 30 in Sacramento, will feature the theme “Water Year 2020: A Year of Reckoning,” reflecting upcoming regulatory deadlines and efforts to improve water management and policy in the face of natural disasters.

The Summit will feature top policymakers and leading stakeholders providing the latest information and a variety of viewpoints on issues affecting water across California and the West.

Announcement

Support the Foundation’s Mission While Becoming a Member or Shopping Online
Monday and Tuesday are Amazon's "Prime Day" for epic deals

Amazon Prime Day July 15-16Like all nonprofits, the Water Education Foundation is mission-driven but revenue-dependent.

You can support our mission to raise awareness of water issues in California and across the West in several ways:

Announcement

FLASH SALE: Save 25% Today Only on All Water Maps and Layperson’s Guides During Summer Solstice Sale
Build your water library with limited-time discounts on all our educational maps, guides and publications about this critical resource

Today is Summer Solstice, and to celebrate the longest day of the year we’re offering a special 25% discount on our beautiful poster-size water maps, Layperson’s Guides and other water education materials.

Don’t miss out! This summer sale runs until midnight tonight (Friday). Use the promo code SOLSTICE2019 at checkout to get your discount.

Announcement

New Stops and Speakers Give a Fresh Look at Sierra Nevada Watershed on Headwaters Tour June 27-28
Last chance to grab a seat on this two-day tour with overnight stay at Lake Tahoe

Our Headwaters Tour next week will feature a new route, new stops and some new speakers who will provide a fresh look at the Sierra Nevada watershed so vital to California’s water supply.

Only a few seats are left for the June 27-28 tour and registration ends soon, so sign up here to ensure your spot!

Announcement

FLASH SALE: Save 25% Starting Friday on All Water Maps and Layperson’s Guides During Summer Solstice Sale
Build your water library with limited-time discounts on all our educational maps, guides and publications about this critical resource

Summer Solstice happens Friday, and to celebrate the longest day of the year we’re offering a special 25% discount on our beautiful poster-size water maps, layperson’s guides and other water education materials.

Don’t miss out! This summer sale runs until midnight Friday. Use the promo code SOLSTICE2019 at checkout to get your discount.

Announcement

Latest Western Water Examines Consequences to Wastewater Systems and Recycling From California’s Drive to Save Water
Lower flows damage equipment, concentrate waste and stink up neighborhoods; should water conservation focus shift outdoors?

Californians have been doing an exceptional job reducing their indoor water use, helping the state survive the most recent drought. With more droughts inevitable, Californians are likely to face even greater calls to save water in the future.

However, less water used in the home for clothes washing and toilet flushing means less water flowing out and pushing waste through the sewers. That has created a host of complications (including stinking neighborhoods and damaged treatment equipment), some of which add to the cost of treating wastewater. It also means less recycled water for such things as irrigating parks, replenishing groundwater or keeping rivers vibrant for fish and wildlife.

Announcement

Summer Tours Explore Forest Challenges in the Sierra and Lurking Threat of Drought Along the Coast
Follow our June 5-7 Bay-Delta Tour on Twitter

Get an up-close view of California’s diverse water resource issues with two of our summer tours — to the Sierra Nevada headwaters where wildfires and tree mortality pose significant challenges to the upper watershed and a Southern California coastal region chronically prone to drought.

But first, we are on the road today through Friday on our Bay-Delta Tour, and you can follow our travels on Twitter. We’re taking participants into the heart of California water policy - the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay. Along the way we’ll share photos and interesting facts from the diverse array of speakers we’ll hear from. Track us with the hashtag #BayDeltaTour.

Announcement

Summer Tours Explore California’s Plentiful Mountain Snowpack and a Lurking Threat of Drought Along the Coast
Follow our June 5-7 Bay-Delta Tour on Twitter

Get an up-close view of California’s diverse water resource issues with two of our summer tours — to the Sierra Nevada headwaters that were blessed this winter with a plentiful snowpack, and a Southern California coastal region chronically prone to drought.

But first, we hit the road June 5-7 for our Bay-Delta Tour, and you can follow our travels on TwitterWe’ll take participants into the heart of California water policy – the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay. Stops include Clifton Court Forebay and the federal pumping plant, a Delta farm tour, Suisun Marsh and a ferry ride across San Francisco Bay to the Bay Model in Sausalito. Along the way we’ll share photos and interesting facts from the diverse array of speakers we’ll hear from. Track us with the hashtag #BayDeltaTour. 

Announcement

SAVE THE DATE! Water Education Foundation’s 36th Annual Water Summit Set for Oct. 30
Mark your calendar and consider grabbing a coveted sponsorship spot for the Water Summit

The 2019 Water Summit will take place in a new location on the Sacramento riverfront on Oct. 30, 2019. At this event, attendees will have the opportunity to hear the latest information on key issues affecting water in California and the West from leading experts and top policymakers.

We hope to see you there. Look for more details and speaker announcements for this exciting daylong event coming soon!

Announcement

Latest Western Water Assesses John Wesley Powell’s Legacy in the West
150 years after Colorado River expedition, a scholar praises Powell as an early visionary of wise water use in an arid region

John Wesley PowellOne hundred and fifty years after John Wesley Powell’s expedition down the Colorado River, the magnitude of his accomplishment remains a fascinating chapter in the history of the American West and a key moment in the understanding of the region’s geology and hydrology.

But Powell’s imprint on the West hardly ends there. He had strong opinions of how the West should be settled and how people should use its water, views that often set him in conflict with those at the time who pushed for unbridled development. In a Q&A with Western Water’s Gary Pitzer, Emeritus Professor Charles Wilkinson from the University of Colorado Law School and a scholar of the American West, assesses Powell’s legacy on the 150th anniversary of his expedition to explore the Colorado, a river that 40 million people now depend on.

Announcement

Learn About Atmospheric River Research and Forest Management on Headwaters Tour June 27-28
Two-day tour with overnight at Lake Tahoe includes new route & stops; early-bird tickets end May 27th

Water supply for California’s cities and farms is largely dependent on snowmelt from the upper watershed in the Sierra Nevada, but that pattern is being challenged by wildfires, climate change and widespread tree mortality. Fire damage in an upstream watershed can last for decades with the effects felt far downstream through increased risk of flood and erosion.

Our Headwaters Tour June 27-28 highlights this connection between fire and water with an up-close look at the critical role healthy Sierra forests play in water supply and quality across California.

Announcement

Headwaters Tour Explores the Role of Forest Management in Watershed Health From Research to Application
June 27-28 tour will include stops at forest research station and a pilot project aimed at forest restoration

Sixty percent of California’s developed water supply originates high in the Sierra Nevada, making the state’s water supply largely dependent on the health of Sierra forests. But those forests are suffering from ecosystem degradation, drought, wildfires and widespread tree mortality.

On our Headwaters Tour June 27-28, we will visit Eldorado and Tahoe national forests to learn about new forest management practices, including efforts to both prevent wildfires and recover from them.

Announcement

Latest Western Water News Looks At Challenges Ahead in Next Round of Colorado River Talks
Climate change, growth, tribal water rights and shrinking Salton Sea expected to be among issues facing negotiators

Stakeholders throughout the Colorado River Basin just wrapped up arduous negotiations on a drought plan considered critical to keeping water levels in Lake Mead, the nation’s largest-capacity reservoir, from falling to unacceptable levels.

There’s little time to rest, however. Stakeholders are expected to begin the even more difficult task of hammering out sweeping new guidelines for delivering water and sharing shortages that could re-imagine how the overworked river is managed. The existing interim guidelines, first adopted in 2007, are due to expire in 2026.

Announcement

August Tour Examines Lurking Threat of Drought Along the California Coast
Sign up today for the 'Edge of Drought' Tour Aug. 27-29

Lake CachumaThe California coast is known for its scenic landscape, but the beauty belies a region chronically prone to drought, mudslides and wildfire.

On our August Edge of Drought Tour, we’re venturing into the Santa Barbara area to learn about the water challenges and the steps being taken to boost supplies.

Announcement

Summer Tours Explore California’s Plentiful Mountain Snowpack and a Lurking Threat of Drought Along the Coast
Headwaters Tour June 27-28 and Edge of Drought Tour Aug. 27-29 Offer a Firsthand View of Diverse California Water Issues

Get a firsthand view of California’s diverse water resource issues with two of our summer tours — to the Sierra Nevada headwaters that were blessed this winter with a plentiful snowpack, and a Southern California coastal region chronically prone to drought.

On tap this June is a new route for our Headwaters Tour as we head into the Sierra Nevada mountains, where 60% of California’s developed water supply originates. With the health of our Sierra forests suffering from ecosystem degradation, drought, wildfires and widespread tree mortality, we’ll examine water issues that happen upstream but have dramatic impacts downstream and throughout the state. Among our stops is a pilot project for thinning the forest in the Yuba River watershed.