The Office of Water Programs at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), will host its next Water Seminar Series on Friday, May 22, starting at noon. The hour-long webinar, “Northern California’s role in adapting to a hotter, drier climate,” will feature David J. Guy, president of the Northern California Water Association. He will discuss opportunities in the Sacramento Valley to manage water to serve cities and rural communities from a Senate Bill 72 perspective. Registration is required for this online event.

On Tuesday, May 26, from 1–5 p.m., the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) will host “Preparing for Impact: Unveiling California’s New Climate Change Projections to Guide Action.” This event will kick off the rollout of California's Fifth Climate Change Assessment (Assessment), with a presentation of updated data and projections on climate, sea level rise, water systems, and wildfire risk across the state. These projections provide the foundation for the Assessment’s research and will help guide policy and investment decisions to protect communities and strengthen climate resilience across the state. This event will be held at the CNRA building in Sacramento. Registration is open now. For those who cannot attend in person, a virtual livestream option will be available via Zoom. Registration for the livestream option is also open now.

Over the coming months, the Delta Independent Science Board (ISB) will host a series of panel discussions to explore nature-based solutions, including associated challenges and needs, to help shape a potential review that is tailored and useful for the Delta community. Later in the year, the panel discussions will focus on work at the national level and within the Delta. The first panel discussion will take place at the California Natural Resources Agency building in Sacramento on Friday, May 22, at 1 p.m. This discussion will be part of a day-long Delta ISB meeting that runs from 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Members of the public may attend the panel discussion or the day-long meeting in person. Remote participation and phone-only options will also be available. The public notice for this event includes more information, including a meeting agenda and details on different ways to attend or participate.

The 18,000 mountain meadows spread out over 280,000 acres in Sierra Nevada are vital to the ecosystems that store and slowly release water, improve water quality, support wildlife, and reduce wildfire spread. As climate change intensifies droughts, floods, and wildfires, restored meadows provide nature-based solutions that build watershed resilience. Central to the mission of protecting and restoring the Yuba River watershed is meadow restoration. The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) is helping lead this restoration work through the Sierra Meadows Partnership (SMP), a coalition of more than 60 organizations aiming to restore and protect 30,000 acres of meadow habitat by 2030. To see the challenges that SYRCL tackles, check out this short film that captures the essence and spirit of the SMP’s collective efforts.

This month, Sustainable Conservation continues with its successful webinar series “Voices from the Field.”  The next webinar, the third in this series, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, at 11 a.m. “From Field to Policy: Scaling Sustainable Agriculture,” will feature panelists from General Mills, East Turlock Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, and EcoThrive Farm Management. Together, they’ll explore how farmer engagement, science, and policy can work together to advance and expand sustainable agriculture across California. The conversation will examine how growers, researchers, water managers, and industry partners are finding common ground to support soil health and groundwater sustainability under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Registration is required for this hour-long webinar.

Earlier this year, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) published “California’s Rivers and Streams,” a concise overview of the state’s complex water system that comprises more than 180,000 miles of rivers and streams. The article summarizes the important role rivers play in the California’s almost $4 trillion economy. The article also touches on how water diversions, dams, levees, and a changing climate are impacting river and stream health, affecting more than 1,700 species of freshwater animals and plants, many of which are exclusive to California. Among other suggestions, the article advocates for a shift away from a narrow focus on endangered species and toward improving ecosystem health at the watershed scale in ways that benefit both native species and human uses. Read this article and more at the PPIC website.