Water 101, sponsored by the Water Education Foundation was held  February 18-19, 2014, on the UC Davis campus. This day and a half course was designed for anyone interested in learning more about the history of and the management structure of water in California, and about the key water issues facing the state. The course is especially beneficial to water resource industry staff, engineering and environmental firm personnel, legislators, legislative staff, press, advocates, stakeholders, environmentalists, public interest organizations and water district directors.

Educational sessions February 18 included discussions on:

• California’s natural water environment
• Water demand and use
• Current issues in California water management
• The legal and institutional management framework
• The role of alternative water supplies

On February 19 participants were provided with:

• A governance primer for water district directors that will include the roles and responsibilities of a director, legal requirements of board members and points on understanding the news media.

Top speakers included:

• Lester Snow, state and federal appointee and veteran of the California water wars, discussing the declining ecosystem in this drought year and the crisis of ground water management
• Dennis O’Connor, Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, giving insights on working with and understanding the state legislature in the current interesting year
• Byron Buck, State and Federal Contractors Water Agency, addressing the state’s water geography, hydrology and major water delivery systems