Water Education Foundation

Coachella Valley Agencies offering progress updates on the Salton Sea at Thursday meeting

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on November 30, 2008 at 7:18 am

From MyDesert.com:

The Salton Sea might have fallen off the radar in Sacramento, but it’s still on the map in the Coachella Valley’s backyard. And it still faces an ever-worsening ecological crisis that could have huge environmental impacts locally.

A multi-billion-dollar plan to restore the sea is stalled in the Legislature. But lesser, quieter progress toward at least the beginnings of a solution continues, officials said.

On Thursday, the state departments of Water Resources and Fish and Game will update the public on activities at the sea.

“It’s been a year since we’ve been out to the public, so we felt it was time to get back out there, let them know there’s work that’s been going on and what that work has been,” said Kim Nichol, an environmental program manager with the Department of Fish and Game.

November 30, 2008 · Filed Under Events, Salton Sea

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Water Education Foundation announces new tour dates for 2009

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on November 25, 2008 at 6:26 am

Mark your calendars - the Foundation has set the dates for the 2009 water tours.

What better way to understand California water issues then to see it in person!  Take a tour with the Water Education Foundation and get a firsthand look at the facilities, rivers and regions that are central to the debate over the future of California’s water resources.  You’ll learn about water supply, water quality, environmental restoration, flood management, groundwater and water conservation from from experts on all sides, giving you a balanced and in-depth look at the issues and challenges facing California in the years ahead.

Five tours will be offered in 2009.

  • Lower Colorado River Tour, March 4-6: This 3-day, 2-night tour follows the course of the lower Colorado River through Nevada, Arizona and California, and includes a private tour of Hoover Dam, a boat ride on Lake Mead, and visits to the Havasu National Wildlife refuge, farms in the Imperial and Coachella valleys, the All-American Canal lining project and the Salton Sea. Issues discussed include Colorado River drought management options, the Central Arizona Project, southern Nevada’s water needs, border issues, endangered species and tribal water rights. The tour begins in Las Vegas and ends at California’s Ontario International Airport.
  • Central Valley Tour, April 15-17: This 3-day, 2-night tour travels the length of the San Joaquin Valley, giving participants a clear understanding of the State Water Project and Central Valley Project. The valley is one of the world’s top-producing agricultural regions, and one of California’s fastest growing areas. Stops include the Kern County Water Bank, the San Joaquin River, Mendota Pool, Friant Dam, San Luis National Wildlife Refuge and San Luis Reservoir.Issues of growth, water supply, groundwater banking, wetlands, salmon restoration and agricultural supply and drainage are discussed on this tour, which begins and ends in Bakersfield.
  • Bay-Delta Tour, June 10-12: This 3-day, 2-night tour takes participants to the heart of California water policy - San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Stops include the Delta Cross Channel, the federal Tracy Pumping Plant, Bay-Delta model in Sausalito, Los Vaqueros Reservoir and Suisun Marsh. Issues discussed include Delta Planning initiatives, water project operations, fish passage, ecosystem restoration, levees and flood management, Delta agriculture, drinking water quality and water supply reliability. The tour begins and ends at Sacramento International Airport, and includes a ferry ride across San Francisco Bay.
  • Russian River Tour, August 6-7: This 2-day, 1-night tour explores conflicting needs in one of the most beautiful watersheds in California - the Russian River. The river is a microcosm of challenges facing western rivers today: flood management; adequate supplies for agricultural and urban areas; instream flows for fish; wastewater discharge and water quality; recreation needs; recycled water use and energy production. Highlights include a visit to a winery. The tour begins and ends in Santa Rosa.
  • Northern California Tour, October 7-9: This 3-day, 2-night tour travels the length of the Sacramento Valley, a major source of water for California. Stops include Oroville and Shasta dams, Red Bluff Diversion Dam, the Feather River Fish Hatchery and Spring Creek Debris Dam and Iron Mountain Mine Superfund site. Other highlights: dinner by the river and a houseboat cruise on Shasta Reservoir. Participants learn about the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, coordinated CVP-SWP operations, farming, groundwater management and conjunctive use and salmon restoration. The tour begins and ends at Sacramento International Airport.

The registration fee for the Lower Colorado River Tour, the Central Valley Tour, the Bay-Delta tour, and the Northern California tour is $650 for a single occupancy room, $1050 for a double occupancy room.  The Russian River tour is $435 for a single occupancy room, $720 for a double occupancy room.  Tour price includes transportation and lodging while on the tour, meals and background materials.

Group discounts are available.  Some professionals can earn continuing education credits; follow the link for more information.

To find out more or to register, click here.

November 25, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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A memorial celebration in remembrance of Dorothy Green

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on November 18, 2008 at 1:37 pm

Sunday, November 23, 2008, 10am – 12noon

Santa Monica Pier – South Side
(on the beach between the first lifeguard tower and the Pier)


You and your guests are cordially invited to this celebration and remembrance of Dorothy Green, a legendary environmental activist. Personal stories will illustrate how Dorothy has touched us all, and you are welcome to share yours at this unique gathering on the beach.

All are welcome. No RSVP required.

Parking is available near the Pier and at parking lots a short walk south.

Dress comfortably for the beach. Bring blankets and/or beach chairs if desired.

Drinking water will be provided.


This celebration is hosted by:

California Water Impact Network
Heal the Bay
Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council
POWER

November 18, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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Friday webcasts: DWR’s Winter Outlook Workshop in San Diego and the Delta Vision Committee meeting in Long Beach

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on November 17, 2008 at 9:06 am

From the Department of Water Resources:

Sacramento - As part of efforts to address the state’s drought, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) will hold it’s first ever Winter Outlook Workshop on Nov. 21 in San Diego. The Winter Outlook Workshop brings together nationally known scientists to provide state water managers with the most accurate prediction possible for water year 2009 that runs from October 1 through September 30.

California is potentially facing yet another dry year. The past two water years have been critically dry, and storage in the state’s reservoirs are at a 14-year low. Court-ordered restrictions on water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta have further contributed to the lack of water in some parts of the state. Many local communities have placed mandatory or voluntary restrictions on water use. An accurate long-range forecast for 2009 precipitation is a critical tool for water managers throughout the state.

The Science of Forecasting
The primary source for seasonal weather outlook is currently the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. Researchers have been seeking to correlate other ocean-atmosphere patterns such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation or Madden-Julian Oscillation with observed climate conditions. The relationships among these patterns offer further predictive guidance. Additionally, the relatively short period of measured hydrologic records can be augmented with paleoclimate reconstructions for a more reliable outlook. Using these methods, WOW presenters will offer the most accurate prediction possible concerning the likelihood of a wet, average or dry 2009.

Event Details

November 21, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
San Diego Westin Hotel
Diamond I Room
400 West Broadway
San Diego

Speakers will include Jerry Zimmerman, Colorado River Board of California; Dave Meko, Laboratory of Tree Ring Research, University of Arizona; Klaus Wolter, NOAA/Western Water Assessment, University of Colorado; Dan Cayan, Scripps Institution of Oceanography; Mike Dettinger, U.S. Geological Survey/Scripps; and Jeanine Jones, DWR.

The WOW workshop is a free event, but attendance is limited to 75. Please email anorris@water.ca.gov to RSVP. For those who can’t attend, the workshop will be webcast live at http://cawater.rmxpres.com/webcast/data/winoutlook2009112108/msh.htm

For background on droughts and drought preparedness, see: http://www.water.ca.gov/drought/.

Also on Friday, the Delta Vision Committee comes to Long Beach to present the task force’s strategic plan.

The Delta Vision Committee comes to Long Beach on Friday, November 21, at the Long Beach Convention Center. The session will present the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force Strategic Plan as well as a draft Delta Vision Committee Implementation Plan. The workshop is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be webcast.

For the workshop and agenda, click here.
For the webcast, click here.

November 17, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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Upcoming Events for next week: Green Summit in Sacramento, Seminar on Delta Vision Economics, Delta Vision Committee heads to Long Beach, and DWR’s Winter Outlook Workshop in San Diego

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on November 13, 2008 at 6:25 am

Regional Green Summit coming up this Saturday in Sacramento:

REGIONAL GREEN SUMMIT
An Environmental Action Plan for the Future

(Woodland, October 24, 2008) Looking to connect with environmental organizations in Sacramento and Yolo Counties? You’re in luck. Over 15 organizations are co-hosting a day-long GREEN SUMMIT in Woodland to discuss the state of our environment and how we can attain a healthy environment and sustainable lifestyle for the future.

Local environmental organizations including Tuleyome, Yolo Audubon Society, Sierra Club, California Native Plant Society, the Burrowing Owl Preservation Society, Environmental Council of Sacramento,
Planning and Conservation League, Habitat 2020, Putah Creek Council, and Sacramento Tree Foundation are gathering on November 15 at the Woodland Community and Senior Center to enjoy a day packed great speakers, panels and workshops.

“The Green Summit is a chance for us all to engage in a discussion about the environment and what to do about it locally–for people and wildlife,” states Alison Kent, Yolo Audubon Society President. “Loss
of habitat — whether by urban and rural development and population growth, climate change, water and energy use — will have profound implications for the future of our region.”

Find out more by clicking here.

Brown Bag Luncheon Seminar on Delta Vision Economics in Sacramento on November 18:

Roger Mann of RMEcon will discuss two economic reports provided to the Delta Vision process that discuss the economic efficiency of water use and allocation in California and a range of policies that might increase efficiency. The seminar will take place at 12 noon on November 18 in the CALFED Delta Room, 650 Capitol Mall, 5th Floor, Sacramento.

The Delta Vision Committee heads to Long Beach on Friday, November 21:

A workshop of the Delta Vision Committee will be held on November 21, 2008 at the Long Beach Convention Center, Seaside Ballroom, 300 East Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach. The meeting is scheduled to run from 10am to 3 pm.

View the agenda of the meeting by clicking here.

The Department of Water Resources will be holding a Winter Outlook Workshop in San Diego also on Friday, November 21st:

- As part of efforts to address the state’s drought, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) will hold it’s first ever Winter Outlook Workshop Nov. 21 in San Diego. The Winter Outlook Workshop brings together nationally known scientists to provide state water managers with the most accurate prediction possible for water year 2009 which runs from October 1 through September 30.

California is potentially facing yet another dry year. The past two water years have been critically dry, and storage in the state’s reservoirs are at a 14-year low. Court-ordered restrictions on water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta have further contributed to the lack of water in some parts of the state. Many local communities have placed mandatory or voluntary restrictions on water use. An accurate long-range forecast for 2009 precipitation is a critical tool for water managers throughout the state.

Event Details

November 21, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
San Diego Westin Hotel
Diamond I Room
400 West Broadway
San Diego

The WOW workshop is a free event, but attendance is limited to 75. Please email anorris@water.ca.gov to RSVP. For those who can’t attend, the workshop will be webcast live at http://cawater.rmxpres.com/webcast/data/winoutlook2009112108/msh.htm.

NOTE REGARDING CAL-FED WORKSHOPS: There are many more workshops than what is posted here; I am selecting only those which I think would appeal to Aquafornia readers. There are many more workshops that delve into scientific and biological issues that are highly technical in nature. If you are interested in knowing the full range of CAL-FED workshops available, you can check out the calendar by clicking here, or you can sign up for the CAL-FED ListServe by clicking here.

November 13, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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Climate Change Conference, Cal-Fed seminar on the PPIC Appendices slated for next week

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on November 6, 2008 at 5:49 am

CALFED Science Program Workshop - Comparing Futures for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (PPIC II): November 12th and 13th at CALFED Bay-Delta Program, Delta Room; 650 Capitol Mall, 5th Floor, Sacramento.
The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) has recently released an on-line edition of its report “Comparing Futures for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.” Much of the core technical information and reasoning behind the comparison of potential futures in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is contained in appendices available with the report (http://www.ppic.org/main/publication.asp?i=810).  This two-day workshop will feature presentations and question-and-answer sessions focusing on material contained within each appendix. A concluding panel featuring CALFED Science Program advisors will discuss the best use of science for the Delta’s future, given the results of the PPIC report and ongoing planning processes.

This workshop will be webcast:
November 12, 2008: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=53108
November 13, 2008: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=53111
For more information see http://www.science.calwater.ca.gov/pdf/workshops/workshop_ppic_public_notice_110308.pdf

Climate Change Summit in Long Beach: November 13 and 14 at the Long Beach Hilton.
The interest in discussing adaptive measures for an increasingly variable future has become more urgent as California faces its second consecutive dry year, leading the governor to declare a statewide drought. The existing water system in California was planned and built before climate change scenarios were considered.

A 1-1/2 day half summit, Climate Change: Managing Risk & Uncertainty, set for Nov. 13-14 at the Long Beach Hilton, will bring together top experts from local water agencies, cities, state government, and those in the water community connected with state and federal water systems, to discuss the effects of climate change and adaptation on California’s water management. The summit will address the challenges and opportunities facing California in the development of water policies in the face of climate change. The summit is sponsored by the California Department of Water Resources and the Water Education Foundation.

Summit Topics include:

  • Adaptation and Management
  • Assessing Hydrologic Risks
  • Incorporating Flood Planning into Cities’ General Plans
  • Sea Level Rise
  • Preparing for a Dry 2009

Click here to find out more.

November 6, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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DWR releases climate change white paper

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on October 29, 2008 at 3:20 pm

dwr-logobig_thumb.gifFrom the Department of Water Resources, this press release:

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released a report urging California’s water managers to develop climate adaptation strategies.

The report, Managing an Uncertain Future: Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for California’s Water, details how climate change is already affecting the state’s water supplies and sets forth a number of recommendations to help avoid or reduce climate change impacts to water resources.

Disturbing trends over the last half century suggest California faces a shrinking snowmelt, increased flooding, longer droughts and a rise in sea level.

The report proposes ten adaptation strategies in four categories. Chief among those recommendations is that California must develop a sustained investment strategy to reliably finance the state’s water future. The report also suggests that regional and local entities implement a diverse portfolio of water management techniques to better address uncertainties of changing water patterns. This management approach, known as Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM), is already in place throughout the state and a key part of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s vision for California’s water future. IRWM will become the core strategy in water planning to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.

The report strongly suggests that statewide water management systems also adapt as the climate changes. Strategies include coordination of land use, watersheds, reservoirs, floodplains and aquifers to protect public safety, preserve water quality and supply and provide for the ecosystem. California must expand research of climate change and its impact on water and the environment as well.

DWR’s report is the latest in the administration’s efforts to address climate change and will feed into the state’s overall climate adaptation strategy. The report follows on the heels of the Air Resources Board’s Proposed Scoping Plan, which contains water efficiency and conservation measures and is designed to mitigate climate change impacts by reducing California’s greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2020.

To view the full text of Managing an Uncertain Future; Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for California’s Water, visit http://www.water.ca.gov/climatechange/articles.cfm

The public will have the opportunity to discuss the report in detail at the Climate Change Adaptation Summit hosted by DWR and the Water Education Foundation Nov. 13-14 in Long Beach. To learn more about the summit or to register, visit http://www.watereducation.org/doc.asp?id=852&parentID=849.

October 29, 2008 · Filed Under Climate change & water supply, Events

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Upcoming Event: Climate Change: Managing Risk & Uncertainty November 13-14

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on October 28, 2008 at 6:17 am

Sponsored by the Department of Water Resources and the Water Education Foundation:

A 1-1/2 day summit, Climate Change: Managing Risk & Uncertainty, set for Nov. 13-14 at the Long Beach Hilton, will bring together top experts from local water agencies, cities, state government, and those in the water community connected with state and federal water systems, to discuss the effects of climate change and adaptation on California’s water management. The summit will address the challenges and opportunities facing California in the development of water policies in the face of climate change. The summit is sponsored by the California Department of Water Resources and the Water Education Foundation. Don’t miss this opportunity to discuss climate change impacts and adaptation with leading water experts.

For more information and to register, click here.

October 28, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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Review: ‘The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?’

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on October 23, 2008 at 6:11 am

From the Los Angeles Times, this review from the entertainment section:

“The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?” is an earnest primer on the challenges facing the region’s overstretched water supply in an era of drought and expansive growth.

With excellent graphics and aerial photography, “Running Dry,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Thursday on KCET, runs through the problems facing the seven states that depend on the Colorado River — too many people chasing too little water, added to concerns about pollution and cost. As long as water flows from the tap, the public is largely unconcerned about the future. “Running Dry” hopes to change that with an examination of burgeoning cities, sprawling desert suburbs and isolated rural areas.

In the Southwest, growth is a kind of civic religion founded on the belief that water will be found — somewhere, somehow — to support it. “They’re not giving up,” says U.S. Sen. Pete V. Domenici (R-N.M.). “They’re going to use the water until hell burns over and continue to grow.”

October 23, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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2008 Climate Change Summit: Managing Risks & Uncertainty

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on October 17, 2008 at 6:21 am

This upcoming event is sponsored by the California Department of Water Resources and the Water Education Foundation, and co-sponsored by the League of California Cities & the California State Association of Counties:

When: November 13-14, 2008
Where: Long Beach Hilton
2 World Trade Center
Long Beach, CA

What: This day and a half summit will bring together top experts from local water agencies, cities, state government, and those in the water community connected with state and federal water systems, to discuss the effects of climate change and adaptation on California’s water management. The summit will address the challenges and opportunities facing California in the development of water policies in
the face of climate change.

Program Highlights: The interest in discussing adaptive measures for an increasingly variable future has become more urgent as California faces its second consecutive dry year, leading the governor to declare a statewide drought. The existing water system in California was planned and built before climate change scenarios were considered.

For those working in the water community in California, the summit will provide an opportunity
to discuss and debate the impact climate change will have, and how best to handle the risks
and uncertainties of water resource management.

Participants in the Climate Change Summit will have the opportunity to discuss pending federal legislation, hear about development of regional climate change models, learn about various risk management tools that they can use in their own work, and find out about the extensive efforts underway to incorporate planning for climate change into state and local water management policies.

Summit Topics Include:
➤ Adaptation and Management
➤ Assessing Hydrologic Risks
➤ Incorporating Flood Planning Into Cities’ General Plans
➤ Sea Level Rise
➤ Preparing for a Dry 2009

Registration for this 1-1/2 day event is $250. Fee includes materials, continental breakfasts, and lunch
and evening reception Nov. 13.

Scholarships are available. Contact the Foundation for more information on scholarship qualifications.

Check in will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the program will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Nov. 13. The Summit will adjourn at noon on Nov. 14. Complimentary Foundation and other materials will be distributed to participants.

For more information or to register online, click here.

October 17, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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San Francisco’s new California Academy of Sciences a natural wonder

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on September 28, 2008 at 5:35 am

From the Los Angeles Times:

World-class, unparalleled, greatest, biggest, most diverse, greenest and eco-grooviest. Able to leap tall buildings in a single rave, the new state-of-the-art and state-of-the-planet incarnation of the California Academy of Sciences is generating kilowatts of excitement and kudos.

This weekend marks the long-awaited grand reopening of the academy, which is unusual in that it houses an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum and educational programs under one roof. In commemoration of the very big deal that all of this is, several hundred butterflies were to be released at its Saturday debut in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, starting two days of hoopla that’s set to include music, Chinese acrobats and a Native American blessing.

But the star attraction is the building itself, designed by Pritzker Prize winner Renzo Piano (Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Pompidou Centre in Paris) and poised to be one of the world’s greenest buildings.

Read more from the Los Angeles Times by clicking here.

One of the features of the new academy is a 2 1/2-acre “living” roof. The San Jose Mercury News has more:

Designing the living roof at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco was a natural for the SWA Group, a landscape architecture firm based in Sausalito. The 50-year-old company had designed a planted roof previously, did the master plan for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and has been at the forefront in creating projects that are in harmony with the land and natural systems. So when San Francisco officials made plans to build a new home for the science museum in Golden Gate Park that embodied the academy’s mission to explore, explain and protect the world, it turned to SWA.

“Our attitude (about the roof) was, the more native and indigenous it became, the better for Golden Gate Park and the academy,” says Lawrence Reed, a principal at SWA. The new complex opens to the public today.

Reed said the 2 1/2-acre living roof design and the redesign of gardens to the east and west of the building took extensive research and work with biologists, arborists and botanists. It is one of the signature features of the academy, which houses an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum and research and education facility. Once arrayed in 12 buildings, it has been consolidated as a single, two-domed structure with a four-story rainforest and an all-digital planetarium.

Read more from the San Jose Mercury News by clicking here.

September 28, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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San Diego Museum of Natural History Exhibit: WATER: H2O=Life

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on September 27, 2008 at 7:01 am

From the Navy Compass:

Visitors to the San Diego Natural History Museum can now explore the culture, history, and future of water—the essential ingredient in life—in a captivating new exhibition entitled Water: H2O=Life.
The exhibition runs through Nov. 30 and is the exhibition’s only West Coast venue. A special section of the exhibition devoted exclusively to southern California’s water issues will be on display at the Museum for at least two years. That section, titled Water: A California Story, was designed and developed by the Museum.

Water affects the lives of every creature and plant on Earth. Every language has a word for water, and this ubiquitous yet precious substance influences art and cultures around the globe. And even though two-third of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, only three percent of it is fresh water. Out of that three percent, only a small fraction is usable water to sustain life on Earth—much of the Earth’s fresh water is either ice or underground.

Water: H2O=Life is curated by Dr. Exequiel Ezcurra, provost and director of the Museum’s scientific research division, the Biodiversity Research Center of the Californias. “We are part of a complex ecosystem,” says Ezcurra, “and we need to remember that water is a service provided by nature. Just like any other species, we cannot survive without water. However, in order to have water in the future, we need to change how we use water now.”

Aqua Blog Maven has three pictures from the Aquafornia displayed at the museum, which are part of the California display. That’s worth the admission price alone, if you ask me :) Read more from the Navy Compass by clicking here.

September 27, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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California Coastal Clean-Up Day presented by the California Coastal Commission and Whole Foods Market

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on September 17, 2008 at 5:56 am

From Web Wire:

The California Coastal Commission and Whole Foods Market are proud to announce that the 24th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day will take place on Saturday, September 20th, from 9 am to Noon at over 750 locations around the state. Volunteers will clean trash and debris from 1,100 miles of the California coast as well as another 1,000 miles along the inland shorelines of bays, creeks, rivers, and lakes throughout California.

The 2008 Cleanup will look to build on the success of last year’s event, when 61,112 volunteers turned out to remove just under 1 million pounds of debris – the largest Cleanup in California’s history. The 2007 Cleanup not only eclipsed the previous record for volunteer turnout by more than 20 percent, but was also the largest Cleanup in terms of geographic reach. 48 of California’s 58 counties participated in the 2007 Cleanup. The Coastal Commission has been working to steadily expand the effort; data gathered from cleanups in the past few years reveal the need to continue this expansion. 60 to 80 percent of the debris found on California’s beaches originates from inland or urban areas and washes out to the ocean.

“California Coastal Cleanup Day is among the largest of many efforts that the state undertakes to safeguard our coast and ocean,” said Eben Schwartz, Statewide Director of the Cleanup. “The key to the success of the Coastal Cleanup Day, though, is the dedication of the volunteers who give their time and effort to this cause. Cleanup volunteers not only help remove debris from our state’s beaches and waterways; they also take away a powerful message of the need to prevent pollution year-round.”

More from Web Wire by clicking here.

How you can participate: There are locations throughout the state, both on the coast and inland. To find a coastal cleanup event near you, click here.

September 17, 2008 · Filed Under Events, Other Oceans & Beaches Stories

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HUGE Beach Clean Up at Long Beach’s Bluff Park! Live Music, Good Food, Refreshments, Games, Give-a-ways -THIS SATURDAY!

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on September 17, 2008 at 5:51 am

From the Long Beach Water Department:

The Long Beach Water Department is again hosting the city’s biggest beach clean-up party this Saturday, September 20th, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at Bluff Park, at the intersection of Ocean Blvd., and Coronado Avenue. The event is part of the statewide California Coastal Cleanup Day, an all out assault on the trash that pollutes our beautiful California coastline.

Start your Saturday morning off right! Bring the entire family! Stay for 30-minutes, or stick around for a while. In either case, enjoy live music, eat breakfast or lunch, let the kids run around, and enjoy the view…all at Bluff Park, Ocean Blvd., and Coronado. We’ll see you there!

For more information, contact: Melissa Keyes at (562) 570-2309.

The Long Beach Water Department is an urban, southern California, retail water supply agency and the standard in water conservation and environmental stewardship.

Ryan J. Alsop
Director of Government & Public Affairs
Long Beach Water

September 17, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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Huell Howser to emcee town hall meeting in Fresno on water issues

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on September 17, 2008 at 5:48 am

From the Central Valley Business Times:

California State University, Fresno will host “California’s Water: A Town Hall Meeting” at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 in the Leon S. and Pete P. Peters Educational Center, within the Student Recreation Center.

Huell Howser, a host for public television’s “California’s Water” and “California’s Gold,” will emcee the event, which will focus on the drought, water conservation, water shortages, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, agriculture and endangered species.

Sharing their perspectives will be Fresno Bee reporter Mark Grossi; Timothy Quinn, executive director for the Association of California Water Agencies; Chris Campbell of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce; and David Zoldoske, director of the California Water Institute at Fresno State and water policy adviser for the California State University system.

The event is sponsored by Fresno State, the Association of California Water Agencies, California Latino Water Coalition, Friant Water Authority and Kern County Water Agency.

Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Space is limited and RSVPs are requested online at www.acwa.com or by calling 916.669.2762.

September 17, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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The Drought, California’s Water Future and You: A free event, Sunday, September 14, in Santa Monica

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on September 12, 2008 at 6:20 am

From Friends of the River:

We have all seen the headlines of “Drought” and “Water Crisis” in the papers this year. We have seen our Governor and Senators propose billions of dollars for water conservation and dam building. There have been claims and counter claims about what it all means for Southern California and the state as a whole.

Friends of the River would like to invite you to a free event to hear from experts that have tremendous insights into exactly where California is now and what we need to do in the future to get to a sustainable California water future. What you hear may be surprising.

We will provide the speakers as well as some beverages and appetizers. We ask that you bring yourself and maybe a friend or two, as well as an open mind. As Californians, we really need to have as many people as possible engage in this sort of frank and honest conversation about our most liquid of natural resources.

Our speakers will include:

  • Dorothy Green - Founder of Heal the Bay, water conservation advocate extraordinaire and author of “Managing Water: Avoiding Conflict in California.”
  • S. David Freeman - well known for his energy vision, but with a lot to say about water as well.
  • Steve Evans - as Conservation Director of Friends of the River, Steve has spent over 20 years battling to protect CA water and rivers in Sacramento and Washington.
  • Paul Tebbel - FOR’s new Executive Director with 15 years of river conservation work including Southern CA.

The Details

When - Sunday, September 14, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where - Shoshana Wayne Gallery, Bergamot Station, Stanta Monica (click for a map)
Join us!

While we are not charging for this event, we would like to know if you are coming and how many people you are bringing so we can plan accordingly. Please reply to me, Bjorn Stromsness at bjorn@friendsoftheriver.org if you are planning on attending.

September 12, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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Restore the Delta event: What Can I Do to Restore the California Delta?

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on September 9, 2008 at 8:26 am

From Dan Bacher:

Restore the Delta will feature an event, “What Can I Do To Restore The Delta?,” featuring Congressman George Miller, Senator Mike Machado, Bill Jennings of the CSPA and Delta farmer Alex Hildebrand on September 14, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Alder Market and Bistro, 151 W Alder, Stockton, CA. The broad-based organization will award the four with its first annual award, “The Delta Advocate Award,” for their work on behalf of the Delta either through legislative and policy efforts or through advocacy efforts. The awards occur at a time when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Senator Diane Feinstein are campaigning for an environmentally destructive and costly water bond that would further exacerbate the collapse of Central Valley salmon, delta smelt, longfin smelt, threadfin shad and striped bass populations.

To reserve a seat, see below.

“What Can I Do To Restore The Delta?”

Featuring: Congressman George Miller and Senator Mike Machado; Sunday, September 14, 2008, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Doors open at noon; lunch is served at 12:30; program begins at 12:45 p.m.
Alder Market and Bistro, 151 W Alder, Stockton, CA

Restore the Delta is launching its first annual award, The Delta Advocate Award will be given to four recipients for their work on behalf of the Delta either through legislative and policy efforts, or through advocacy efforts.

Our first recipient, Congressman George Miller, is chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. He is a leading advocate in Congress on education, labor, the economy, and the environment. He has represented the 7th District of California in the East Bay of San Francisco since 1975. His district includes portions of Contra Costa and Solano counties, including Richmond, Concord, Martinez, Pittsburg, Vallejo, Benicia and Vacaville.

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September 9, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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Coming up Tuesday, Sept. 9: International symposium assesses new solutions to U.S. water and environmental conflicts

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on September 4, 2008 at 1:28 pm

This sounds like it would be interesting, and best of all, it’s free!

WHEN: 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008

WHERE: UCLA School of Law Auditorium
385 Charles E. Young Drive, east
Los Angeles, CA 90095
(Thomas Bros. Map Page 632, B-1)

WHAT: A seminar featuring environmental professionals from Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority who have worked together to cooperatively solve the region’s environmental challenges, and will be exploring how this model may have application to resolve California’s epic water conflicts and other environmental issues. U.S. presidential candidates have highlighted water scarcity, industrial waste, air pollution and other “trans-boundary” environmental issues in their campaigns.

WHO: Presented by the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies (www.friendsofarava.com). Panelists include Dr. Clive Lipchin, research director at the Arava Institute; Dr. Samer Talozi from the Jordan University of Science and Technology; Nader Al-Khateeb, the Director of the Water and Environmental Development Organization of the Palestinian Authority; and Dr. Shmuel Brenner, a professor at the Arava Institute and a former Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection.

Keynote address by Dr. Peter Gleick, co-founder and president of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security. Each seminar will be moderated by Jonathan S. Leo, an environmental lawyer and consultant who is also a member of the Friends of the Arava Institute’s Board of Trustees.

COST: Free, but reservations are requested.

CONTACT: David@friendsofarava.org., or call toll-free at 1-866-312-7282

September 4, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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Against presidential campaign backdrop, international symposium assesses new solutions to U.S. water and environmental conflicts

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on August 18, 2008 at 1:00 pm

WHEN: 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008

WHERE: UCLA School of Law Auditorium
385 Charles E. Young Drive, east
Los Angeles, CA 90095
(Thomas Bros. Map Page 632, B-1)

WHAT: A seminar featuring environmental professionals from Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority who have worked together to cooperatively solve the region’s environmental challenges, and will be exploring how this model may have application to resolve California’s epic water conflicts and other environmental issues. U.S. presidential candidates have highlighted water scarcity, industrial waste, air pollution and other “trans-boundary” environmental issues in their campaigns.

WHO: Presented by the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies (www.friendsofarava.com). Panelists include Dr. Clive Lipchin, research director at the Arava Institute; Dr. Samer Talozi from the Jordan University of Science and Technology; Nader Al-Khateeb, the Director of the Water and Environmental Development Organization of the Palestinian Authority; and Dr. Shmuel Brenner, a professor at the Arava Institute and a former Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection. Keynote address by Dr. Peter Gleick, co-founder and president of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security. Each seminar will be moderated by Jonathan S. Leo, an environmental lawyer and consultant who is also a member of the Friends of the Arava Institute’s Board of Trustees.

COST: Free, but reservations are requested.

CONTACT: David@friendsofarava.org., or call toll-free at 1-866-312-7282

August 18, 2008 · Filed Under Events

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