Go beyond the stream of recent national headlines and gain a deeper understanding of how water is managed and moved across California during our Water 101 Workshop on April 10. 

One of our most popular events, the daylong workshop at McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento offers anyone new to California water issues or newly elected to a water district board — and really anyone who wants a refresher — a chance to gain a solid statewide grounding on the state’s water resources.

Some of state’s leading policy and legal experts are on the agenda for the workshop that details the historical, legal and political facets of water management in the state. 

Don’t miss a once-a-year opportunity from the only organization in California providing comprehensive, unbiased information about water resources across the West. See the agenda, what past attendees say and learn how to sign up. 

Optional Watershed Tour

Attendees at the Water 101 workshop have the option of participating in a daylong ‘watershed’ journey that will take you from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, along the American River and into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to learn about forest health, reservoir operations, habitat restoration, groundwater recharge, Delta water quality and more.

Led by Foundation staff and featuring a host of other water experts, the tour will include a firsthand look at efforts to better handle the effects of climate change through a “Supershed Approach” that stretches from the headwaters to the valley floor.

Seats are filling up quickly, so register here for one of the two ticket options while they last:

1. Workshop Only
2. Workshop + Tour

Exclusive Sponsorships Available

Current Foundation member organizations have access to sponsorship opportunities for the workshop, which is a prime networking event for water professionals in attendance! Both exclusive and general sponsor options are available. View details of the various sponsorship levels and benefits here and reach out to Programs Director Nick Gray via email for any questions.

Experience Water Issues in the San Joaquin Valley Firsthand 

There’s no better way than our annual Central Valley Tour April 23-25 to learn directly from farmers, water managers, disadvantaged communities and others about how they’re meeting the San Joaquin Valley’s challenges, where water supply and use have been in recent national headlines.

Floods and drought, decreasing water quality, farmland conversion for urban growth and requirements under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act are just some of the topics covered.

We visit some of the state’s major infrastructure that have made national headlines such as the San Luis Reservoir and Terminus Dam, where an unscheduled release of water occurred in January.  You can learn about the importance of the dam, which impounds the Kaweah River near Visalia for flood control and water supply.

On the bus providing expert commentary throughout the tour is Thomas Harter, chair for water resources management and policy at UC Davis. Along the way, we’ll explore efforts to sustain one of the nation’s most productive agricultural regions that relies on a combination of imported surface water and diminishing groundwater. Remaining seats are going fast so get more details and register here while they last!