The year 2012 marked the 35th anniversary of the Water Education Foundation. The state was in the second year of a major drought and water was at the forefront of the news when on Feb 27, 1977, articles of incorporation were filed to create the Water Education Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpolitical, tax-exempt educational organization. Thirty-five years later, the Foundation remains a vital source of nonpartisan, in-depth information about water resource issues in California and the West. Taking a steady pulse of the water world, the Foundation provides a vast repertoire of educational materials, products and services.

To mark its 35th anniversary, the Water Education Foundation held a special dinner on Oct. 25 in Sacramento. Almost 250 people attended the event. A reception prior to the dinner recognized those who have served as President of the Foundation’s Board of Directors over the course of its history: Ira "Jack" Chrisman (1977-1984), Bill Gianelli (1985-1989), Bob Hagan (1989-1994), Henry J. Vaux (1995-2005), Michael Armstrong (2006-2007) and Bill Mills (2008-present.)

The after-dinner program included presentations by Foundation President Bill Mills and Vice President Scott Morris, who recognized the dinner sponsors and current and former Board Members.

Executive Director Rita Schmidt Sudman narrated a special video tribute to the notable figures in water that have passed away. In attendance in their family member’s/friend’s honor were Mike Chrisman, son of Jack Chrisman; Thomas Harter, who holds the Robert M. Hagan Endowed Chair at UC Davis: Alan Hill, son of Clair Hill; Gary Freeman, representing PG&E’s Don McCrea; Spreck Rosekrans, formerly with EDF for Tom Graff; Barbara Kennedy, wife of Dave Kennedy; Rob Donlan in Anne Schneider’s firm Ellison, Schneider & Harris; ACWA’s Tim Quinn and Jennifer Persike in memory of Steve Hall; and Roberta Borgonovo, League of Women Voters and a friend of Jean Auer’s.

Foundation Secretary Gary Weatherford presented a special gift to Attorney Ed Tiedemann of Kronick Moskovitz Tidemann and Girard, who served on the Foundation’s Board from 1984 to 2004.

Foundation Treasurer Mike Savage introduced four Special Guests who made brief remarks:

• Rep. John Garamendi, who presented a commendation on the Foundation for “bringing together all types of stakeholders for a firsthand look and dialogue that has been and will be critical in forming the consensus and partnerships need for a comprehensive approach to meeting the water resource challenges in California.”
• ACWA Executive Director Tim Quinn, who discussed the early history of the Foundation and how it was first established by ACWA as a nonpartisan educational organization, subsequently becoming its own independent entity.
• Alf Brandt, longtime Assembly water consultant, who presented a California Senate Resolution signed by Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg which “recognizes the considerable contribution [the Foundation] has made in educating and informing the residents of the State and the Members of the Legislature on water-related issues that often lead to resolution of these issues.”
• Celeste Cantú, executive director of the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, who recognized the Foundation’s “exemplary leadership and for their valuable contributions in water resources education.”

Foundation Board Member David Guy spoke about the great literature of California water and summarized the results of the Foundation’s contest to determine the most influential writing on California water – including books, reports, legislation and even blogs. Read more about David Guy's Most Influential Writing Nomination List.

Foundation Program Director Sue McClurg closed the evening by providing an overview of some of the Foundation’s major programs to train future policymakers: the William R. Gianelli Water Leaders Program and Project WET – Water Education for Teachers. She also discussed the informational age of the future and demonstrated the interactive features of the new digital version of Western Water and announced the Spring arrival of the Foundation’s new online water encyclopedia, Aquapedia.