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One of our most popular events, our annual Water 101 Workshop details the history, geography, legal and political facets of water in California as well as hot topics currently facing the state.

Taught by some of the leading policy and legal experts in California, the one-day workshop on April 10 gives attendees a deeper understanding of the state’s most precious natural resource.

Speakers Include:

• Thomas Harter, UC Davis professor, speaking on groundwater resources, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act & more
• Jennifer Harder, McGeorge School of Law professor, speaking on the various water rights in California, public trust law & more
• Jenn Bowles, Water Education Foundation executive director, speaking on California’s geography, water development history & more
• Pablo Garza, chief consultant for the State Assembly Committee on Water, Parks & Wildlife, speaking on the legislative process, current water legislation & more

The workshop, hosted at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, will be beneficial to water district directors, water resource industry staff, engineering and environmental firm personnel, city council members, county supervisors, legislators, legislative staff, press, advocates, attorneys, environmentalists, public interest organizations and others.

Sponsorship opportunities are available! View the details here.

Optional Watershed Tour

Workshop attendees are also invited  to hit the road with us around the region the next day – Friday, April 11 – for a ‘watershed’ journey from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, along the American River and into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Led by Foundation staff and other experts, the tour in part will highlight efforts to replumb the local water management system to better handle the effects of climate change in a “Supershed Approach” that stretches from the headwaters to the valley floor.

Contact Programs Director Nick Gray via email with any workshop or tour questions.

What attendees say about our Water 101 Workshop & Tour:

“Informative, fun, broad, varied! Super great introduction to the complexity of issues surrounding water in California.”

“I’ve worked in water for about 4 years now and I feel the information provided really helped tie together several areas of knowledge I knew a little bit about into a complete narrative about water in California.”

“Great workshop. Loved it! Learned a lot and I feel inspired.”

“You folks put on phenomenal events: Well thought-out agenda, logical order, fantastic speakers, and ample breaks/networking opportunities.”

Topics During the April 10 Workshop Sessions Include:

• History & geography of California water
• Water rights
• The big water projects, including State Water Project & Central Valley Project
• Groundwater use & the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
• The legal & institutional management framework
• Water use & demand
• Water bills in the Legislature & the legislative process

Topics During the April 11 Watershed Tour Include:

• Forest health & high-elevation reservoirs
• Updated reservoir-operation strategies
• Salmonid migration & fisheries health
• Groundwater recharge & conjunctive use
• ‘Super-shedding’ a watershed against climate change
• Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta water quality & water supply reliability
• Importance of the Delta ecosystem to migratory species
• Delta agriculture & legacy communities

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Current Foundation member organizations receive access to sponsorships opportunities for the workshop, which is a prime networking opportunity for the water professionals in attendance! Both exclusive and general sponsor options are available. View details of the various sponsorship levels and benefits here.

Why sponsor the Water 101 Workshop?

• Gain publicity for your organization during a unique and valuable experience that educates water management professionals, public decision-makers and future leaders in water resources
• Receive complimentary tickets to attend the workshop for members of your organization and/or your guests
• Enjoy exclusive sponsor benefits including increased visibility during networking portions of the workshop

Location:

The workshop on April 10 will be held inside the Lecture Hall at McGeorge School of Law, 3327 5th Ave., Sacramento, CA. Street parking is free; lot parking is $8 and can be purchased through a downloadable app at Passport Parking.

The optional one-day Watershed Tour on April 11 will start and end at the Water Education Foundation office, 2151 River Plaza Drive, Suite 205, Sacramento, CA. Check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will return no later than 6:30 p.m. Free parking is available during the tour.

Nearby Hotels:

Near McGeorge School of Law, site of the April 10 workshop:

• Courtyard Sacramento Midtown
• Hotel Med Park

Near the Water Education Foundation, start & end point of the April 11 tour:

• Courtyard Sacramento Airport Natomas
  
  The Foundation has a discounted rate arranged at this hotel that is within walking distance of the office and also offers a shuttle to/from Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Self-pay booking options are provided upon registration for the tour.

Pricing Details:

April 10 Workshop Only: $259 and includes refreshments, lunch and materials

April 10 Workshop + April 11 Watershed Tour: $495 and includes refreshments, lunch and materials during both the workshop and the tour

Please note: The optional tour is only open to those who also attend the workshop the previous day.

A limited amount of scholarship funding is available to pay for a portion of the April 10 workshop. Scholarships are awarded based on a few factors, including:

• Financial need
• Reason for scholarship request
• How the education and experience will be used after the event

Contact Nick Gray via email for more information.

Cancellation & Refund Policy:

The deadline to cancel and receive a refund is two weeks prior to the date of the event due to vendor commitments. Substitutions are allowed up to five business days before the event. Credit card processing fees are nonrefundable and the remaining refund amount may be subject to additional fees.

We recognize that unexpected conflicts with our events and tours can occur from time to time. The Water Education Foundation recommends you consider arranging travel insurance from a provider of your choice soon after registration to protect against such unfortunate events.

MCLE Credit Hours:

Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credit hours are available only to California attorneys for an additional fee. Contact Nick Gray via email with any questions.

REGISTER HERE!