For the first time, an Indigenous perspective is being included in a major restoration project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) is collaborating with Plains Miwok cultural practitioner Don Hankins and other Indigenous groups on the Delta Islands Adaptation Project, focusing on Webb Tract, a 5,500-acre island that is slated to be restored to wetlands and is one of four islands owned by Metropolitan in the Central Delta. To learn more on how the Tribes will play an integral role in this Delta restoration project, read the full article on Maven’s Notebook.

The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) recently announced the release of the draft Tribal Stewardship Policy and Toolkit for tribal consultation and public comment. Partnering with tribes is a core commitment of the CNRA. Throughout 2024, the agency sought tribal consultations to discuss concepts that support the development of the draft Tribal Stewardship Policy and Toolkit. The CRNA would like to further consult with California Native American tribes on this draft document and welcomes feedback from members of the public. To request a tribal consultation meeting or submit public comments, contact the CNRA at tribalaffairs@resources.ca.gov no later than Friday, Sept. 12. The draft Tribal Stewardship policy is available for download; for information on the Tribal Stewardship Strategy Toolkit, visit the CNRA’s toolkit webpage.

The Water Education Foundation is offering a unique 5-day, 4-night tour of the Klamath River, one of the American West's most significant and contentious watersheds. The tour will trace the Klamath River's entire 263-mile length and will delve into various water issues, including dam removals and restoration and early U.S. Bureau of Reclamation projects. The adventure starts on Monday, Sept. 8, in Klamath Falls, OR, and finishes on Friday, Sept. 12, in Klamath, CA. More information about the tour is available online. Registration is open now. This field trip event will not be offered every year.

The California State Water Resources Control Board’s (State Water Board’s) Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) drinking water program helps to ensure that Californians who lack safe and affordable drinking water receive it as quickly as possible. The SAFER Advisory Group is a consultative body that provides recommendations to the State Water Board on the SAFER Fund Expenditure Plan and other key analyses and policies as needed. This group does not make decisions or come to consensus on discussion topics. The SAFER Advisory Group has 10 seats open for the 2026–2027 term. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 31. Applicants will be notified by winter 2025 if appointed. Additional tools and resources on how to apply are available on the SAFER Advisory Group webpage. The online application is available now.

Expedited by Governor Newsom’s Emergency Proclamation on wildfire, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) is accepting statements of interest for its Wildfire and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program. Funded through Proposition 4 (Climate Bond), the grant program will provide $10 million for multi-benefit projects within the Sierra-Cascade region that will protect communities and promote landscape health and resilience. SNC has also opened a solicitation for its $4.1 million Sustainable Recreation, Tourism, and Equitable Outdoor Access grant program. Proposals will be accepted on a continuous basis and considered on a quarterly cycle. The cycle will be repeated every quarter until funds are no longer available.