The California Water Commission (CWC) has released its 2025 Strategic Plan. The plan provides direction for the CWC’s work through 2030 and sets goals and objectives that advance the CWC’s long-standing work as California adapts to a hotter, drier climate and more frequent hydrologic extremes. The plan also takes a fresh approach to engaging under-represented parties and bringing considerations of equity into its work. Intended to be a living document, the 2025 Strategic Plan will be updated every five years and used to develop CWC’s annual work plans.

The Ocean Protection Council (OPC) invites public feedback to help inform OPC’s forthcoming 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, which will provide a roadmap for protecting California’s coast and ocean. The deadline for submitting comments using the online form is Monday, Feb. 17. The public is also invited to offer feedback in person at any of the five public listening sessions scheduled in January and February. Registration is required to attend these two-hour events. Check the registration page for times and locations. The draft 2026–2030 Strategic Plan will be released late next spring for public comment, followed by the final plan later in the year.

The National Water Quality Monitoring Council will host its 14th National Monitoring Conference in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the week of March 10–14. All federal, State, Tribal, and local water professionals, nonprofits, academia, and interested parties are welcome. The conference will be offered in a hybrid format, primarily consisting of in-person presentations and events as well as some virtual components. Registration is open now.