The next webinar in the Secretary Speaker Series hosted by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) will be a one-hour discussion on preserving kelp forests in California. The state's kelp forests are thriving, highly diverse ecosystems that provide habitat and food for more than 700 marine species. Sadly, these marine habitats are disappearing because of climate change and other human-created factors, including pollution, runoff, and overfishing. CNRA Secretary Wade Crowfoot and a panel of authors, research biologists, marine-life experts, and program managers will discuss the need to protect and restore these vital marine ecosystems. This event starts at noon, Tuesday, June 17. Registration is required.

Hosted by the Sacramento Regional Water Authority (RWA), the next virtual Coffee and Conversation will be with Meghan Hertel, Deputy Secretary of Biodiversity and Habitat with the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA). The online discussion will explore how protecting biodiversity and restoring habitat can support both water supply reliability and fish and wildlife recovery in the face of climate change. The talk will also cover collaborative approaches between non-government organizations and water agencies and forward-looking tools that can help safeguard species in our region. Ms. Hertel joined CNRA in 2024 and leads the agency’s efforts to conserve biodiversity and improve habitat across the state through the implementation of California’s 30x30 strategy and associated efforts. Registration is required for this hour-long event, which starts at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 17.

As part of its ongoing Data for Lunch series, the California Water Data Consortium will host a webinar next week on effectively identifying drought conditions in California. "Developing Drought Early-Warning Systems in California" will explain how linking water data directly to sector-specific impacts allows water professionals to anticipate vulnerabilities and coordinate more effective responses as climate change intensifies drought conditions across the state. Guest speaker Dr. Alvar Escriva-Bou, an assistant professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of California, Davis, will share an innovative, collaborative approach to drought early-warning systems that connect water data with real-world impacts across multiple sectors. Registration is required to attend this event. The 90-minute webinar will take place on Tuesday, June 17, beginning at noon.

California Forward (CA FWD), a statewide nonprofit organization focused on building a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive California economy, recently announced the formal signing of an updated Partnership Agreement with the California Stewardship Network (CSN). CSN is an alliance of regional leaders committed to improving government and creating inclusive, sustainable growth for all. The milestone partnership deepens the longstanding partnership between the two and reinforces their shared mission. The updated partnership between CA FWD and the CSN underscores the power of regional leadership in shaping a better future for all Californians. 

Sponsored by the American Planning Association Water and Planning Network (APA), the next Planning Webcast Series webinar, “The Power of Parcel Data: Leveraging Land Ownership Information and Water Insights for Smarter Planning,” will feature presenters from the Center for Geospatial Solutions (CGS). CGS has developed a nationwide parcel database that shows who owns land across jurisdictions, state boundaries, and complex ownership structures. At this webinar, they will discuss ways to integrate water data into this platform and open the door for deeper insights into how land and water systems connect. This 90-minute webinar begins at 10 a.m., Friday, June 20. Registration is required. Past Planning Webcast Series webinars are available on the APA YouTube channel.

The Western Regional Partnership (WRP) monthly newsletter offers many resources, funding opportunities, policy changes, updates in key personnel, and activities relevant to the WRP Region. The recent May issue includes information on Enhancing Resilience to Avoid Cascading Disaster, a 2024 WRP report that takes three deep dives into aviation and airspace; water security and resilience; and response and prevention of wildland fire. Visit the WRP website to learn more about the partnership and to download their most-recent newsletter.