Announcements

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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

Latest Western Water Article Examines A “Hatch-and-Release” Program That Aims to Save Delta Smelt From Extinction
Layperson's Guide to the Delta and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Map aid understanding of California's most crucial water and ecological resource

Once uncountably numerous, the native Delta smelt since 2016 has largely vanished from most annual sampling surveys in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. But in December, state and federal biologists began for the first time ever releasing captively bred adult Delta smelt into the Delta’s waterways in a three-year effort to draw the species away from the brink of extinction.

Announcement

Water 101 Workshop Offers Rookies and Veterans Alike a Chance to Gain a Deeper Understanding of California Water
April 8 Workshop in Sacramento to include optional one-day Groundwater Tour on April 7

One of our most popular events, Water 101 offers a once-a-year opportunity for anyone new to California water issues or newly elected to a water district board — and really anyone who wants a refresher — to gain a deeper understanding of the state’s most precious natural resource.

Water 101, to be held April 8 at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, details the history, geography, legal and political facets of water in California, as well as hot topics currently facing the state. The workshop is taught by some of California’s leading policy and legal experts.

Lower Colorado River Tour poses in front of Hoover Dam on the Colorado River.
Announcement

Registration Now Open for In-Person Water 101 Workshop & Central Valley Tour; Save the Date for Bay-Delta Tour
Broaden Your Water Knowledge this Spring with the Foundation's Engaging Educational Programs

As COVID-19 restrictions start to loosen up for most indoor settings, we are cautiously moving toward a return of our popular in-person programming this spring starting with our Lower Colorado River Tour in March, our Water 101 Workshop and Central Valley Tour in April and our Bay-Delta Tour in May.

Announcement

Enjoy a Scenic Fresh-Air Boat Trip on the Southwest’s Most Iconic River
Join March 16-18 Tour on the Lower Colorado River to Explore Wildlife Habitat In Topock Gorge and Havasu Wilderness Area from River Level

Participants on our in-person Lower Colorado River Tour March 16-18 will enjoy a scenic journey on the iconic river aboard an open-air vessel traveling through the natural wonders of Topock Gorge and the Havasu Wilderness Area.

Itineraries for this year’s slate of water tours have been adjusted to maximize the use of outdoor/open-air venues when possible, in addition to other precautions, including enhanced sanitation protocols and a mask requirement aboard the motorcoach and within indoor spaces until further notice by health officials. Find more details here.

Seating is limited, so register here to reserve your spot today!

Announcement

2022 Water Leaders Class Evaluates Bay-Delta Water Quality Efforts
Rising stars in the water world chosen for highly competitive leadership program

2022 Water Leaders class members gathered for a group photoTwenty early to mid-career water professionals from across California have been chosen for the 2022 William R. Gianelli Water Leaders Class, the Water Education Foundation’s highly competitive and respected career development program.

This Water Leaders class, which marks the program’s 25th anniversary, includes engineers, lawyers, resource specialists, scientists and others from a range of public and private entities and nongovernmental organizations from throughout the state. The roster for the 2022 class can be found here.

Announcement

Four New Board Members Bring A Range of Experience To Water Education Foundation
Former Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman, Celeste Cantú, former Reclamation Commissioner Bob Johnson hold key board posts on preeminent nonprofit focused on water education

Four new members bringing a wide range of water resource experiences and perspectives have joined the Water Education Foundation Board. They include representatives from a Native American Tribe and the Nature Conservancy, a lawyer specializing in water resources and a communications and outreach manager for a Southern California water agency. 

They join a board led by Mike Chrisman, who served as California natural resources secretary for seven years under former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Logo for Colorado River Water Leaders program
Announcement

Two Days Left to Apply for Colorado River Water Leaders; Register for Lower Colorado River Tour; Improve Your H20 Knowledge

As 2022 unfolds at the Water Education Foundation, we are planning for a cautious return to in-person events starting in March with our Lower Colorado River Tour. Save the dates for our other spring tours that are noted below. We’ve also got some new publications to beef up your water knowledge and a job opening for a writer. 

Announcement

A Week Left to Apply for Our Inaugural Colorado River Water Leaders Class
Foundation launching new program modeled after successful California program

California Water Leaders at Palo Verde DamThere is just about a week left to apply for our inaugural Colorado River Water Leaders program in 2022, which marks the 100th anniversary of the Colorado River Compact.

The biennial program is modeled after our highly successful Water Leaders program in California, now 25 years strong.

Our Colorado River program will select rising stars from the seven U.S. states and tribal nations that rely on the river - California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico – to participate in the seven-month class designed for working professionals. Class members will explore issues surrounding the iconic Southwest river, deepen their water knowledge and build leadership skills. 

Get more information, tuition costs and application materials here to apply by the Jan. 28 deadline.

Announcement

Registration Now Open for In-Person Lower Colorado River Tour
Take the Pulse of the ‘Lifeline of the Southwest’ March 16-18

Grab your ticket now for the return of our in-person Lower Colorado River Tour March 16-18!

In the centennial year of the 1922 Colorado River Compact that established a framework for management of the river, the tour will take participants from Hoover Dam downstream to the Mexican border and through the Imperial and Coachella valleys to learn firsthand about the challenges and opportunities now facing the “Lifeline of the Southwest” a hundred years later.

Announcement

Foundation Seeks Insightful Writer to Join Our Journalism Team and Cover West’s Most Important Natural Resource – Water
Our latest Western Water article examines how drought & climate change in the Colorado River Basin threaten to upend collaborative efforts to equitably share a shrinking river

We’re looking for a special kind of writer to join our team who is eager to produce the kinds of insightful and challenging stories we pursue, such as our latest Western Water article on how drought and climate change are threatening to upend collaboration in the Colorado River Basin.

Are you a journalist enthralled by the history, policy and science behind Western water issues? Then you might be just the right person to join our team. We’re looking for a full-time writer who is deeply knowledgeable about the West’s most precious natural resource in California and the Colorado River Basin, enjoys a fast-paced environment and possesses strong multimedia skills. Learn more about the job here.

Logo for Colorado River Water Leaders program
Announcement

Join Jan. 13 Q&A for Colorado River Water Leaders Program; Staff Writer Position Open; Save the Date for Our Lower Colorado River Tour in March

The West is experiencing extraordinary and historic turmoil surrounding water resources and drought, despite recent storms that plumped up much-needed snowpack in the mountains. At the Foundation, we are gearing up this year to focus even more on the Colorado River Basin, the West’s iconic river that supplies 40 million people from Denver to Los Angeles and irrigates more than 4 million acres of crops.

Check out a few things going on: 

Logo for Colorado River Water Leaders program
Announcement

Join Colorado River Water Leaders Q&A; Last Day for Holiday Deal on Water Book; Save the Date for the Lower Colo. River Tour

As the year comes to a close and the holidays approach, don’t forget to get your deal on our water book. Right around the corner is our Lower Colorado River Tour in March; get the details below to save the date. And don’t miss your chance next Tuesday to learn more about applying for our inaugural 2022 Colorado River Water Leaders program.

Announcement

Apply for Our Inaugural Colorado River Water Leaders Class
Foundation to launch new program during the 100th anniversary of the Colorado River Compact; join Dec. 21 virtual Q&A session

California Water Leaders at Palo Verde DamKnown for our popular Water Leaders program in California – about to mark its 25th anniversary – we are now launching a Colorado River Water Leaders program in 2022, the 100th anniversary of the Colorado River Compact.

The biennial program will select rising stars from the seven U.S. states that rely on the river – California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico – to participate in the seven-month class designed for working professionals. Class members will explore issues surrounding the iconic Southwest river, deepen their water knowledge and build leadership skills. 

Announcement

Completely Redesigned Layperson’s Guide to California Water Is Hot Off The Press!
10th edition of our popular guide includes new section on human need for water & updates on water conservation, drought, the Delta, the Salton Sea & more

Image of the cover to Layperson's Guide to California WaterOur Layperson’s Guide to California Water has been completely redesigned and updated throughout for 2021, providing an excellent overview of the history of water development and its use in California today.

The 10th Edition of our popular guide to California water includes the latest information on the state’s changing hydrology, recent water conservation legislation, and a new section on the human right to and need for water, highlighting issues of water access and affordability that have drawn increasing attention in California.

Announcement

2021 Water Leaders Class Releases Policy Recommendations for Achieving Water Equity In California

2021 Water Leaders ClassOur 2021 Water Leaders class completed its year with a report outlining policy recommendations for achieving water equity in California.

The class of 23 up-and-coming leaders from various water-related fields – engineers, attorneys, planners, environmentalists and scientists – had full editorial control to choose recommendations.

Announcement

Don’t Miss This Sweet Holiday Deal on a Beautiful Water Book
Get 35% off Water & the Shaping of California, the perfect holiday gift for anyone interested in water

Here’s a sweet deal for the holidays that won’t last long: Get our paperback “Water & the Shaping of California,” a treasure trove of gorgeous color photos, historic maps, water literature and famous sayings about water for just $22.75 – a 35% discount.

“Water & the Shaping of California” is a beautifully designed book that discusses the engineering feats, political decisions and popular opinions that reshaped nature and society, leading to the water projects that created the California we know today. The book includes a foreword by the late Kevin Starr, the Golden State’s premier historian.

Announcement

Today On Giving Tuesday, Support Water Education in California and the West
Our programs help train the next generation of water leaders and consumers

Today on Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity, consider supporting the Water Education Foundation by making a donation.

The Foundation, an impartial nonprofit that has garnered the highest level of recognition (platinum rating) by GuideStar, has been educating people about water issues in California and the West since 1977.

Announcement

Apply for California’s Premier Water Leadership Program by Dec. 7
Deepen water knowledge, build leadership skills during program's 25th anniversary; ACWA fellowship available

Apply by Dec. 7 for our 2022 Water Leaders class and be part of the cohort that will mark the 25th anniversary of California’s pre-eminent water leadership program.

The Water Leaders class, which started in 1997, is aimed at providing a deeper understanding of California water issues and building leadership skills by working with a mentor, studying a water-related topic in-depth and crafting policy recommendations on that topic with your cohort.

The deadline to apply for the 2022 class is Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. Find the online application form and other required items for your application package here.

Announcement

Last Chance to Register for Today’s Virtual Headwaters Tour
Final Online Event of the Year Features Live Q&A with Sierra Nevada Headwaters Experts

Our water tours are lauded because they are both fun and educational, so don’t miss your chance to experience our last online tour event of the year. Register now for our Tuesday, Nov. 9, Headwaters Tour and we’ll take you on an engaging virtual journey across the upper watershed of a major Sierra-fed river to learn the important role forests play in California’s water supply.

The virtual Headwaters 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.

Announcement

Last Chance to Register for Thursday’s Water Summit; Join Online Q&A for 2022 Water Leader Apps; Journey into the Central Valley and Headwaters

As we wind down 2021 at the Water Education Foundation, we are hosting a few more educational events and fun virtual journeys to boost your water knowledge.

Water Summit, Oct. 28:

Aerial photo of a portion of Lake Oroville in July 2021 showing almost no water, the result of a two-year drought.Despite the deluge of rain sparked by an atmospheric river in Northern California this week, the state is still gripped by an unprecedented drought.

Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources, and others will discuss how the drought has impacted wildlife, farms, cities and more at our Water Summit on Thursday, and explore what longer-term projects and partnerships are aiming to make the state more drought resilient.

Click here to find out more and register for Thursday’s Water Summit virtual forum and the optional in-person reception cruise aboard an open-air yacht on the Sacramento River. Foundation members get discounted prices to attend.