Our first in-person Localizing California Waters annual gathering since the start of Covid 2019 was held in November 2022 at Rush Creek Lodge, Yosemite.
The 2022 annual conference focused on connecting the latest on-ground experience with place based approaches, as well as connecting with the network of practitioners and policy makers around the state. We shared and celebrated success stories while capturing key statewide opportunities to support and accelerate local approaches for region resilience moving towards healthy watershed communities.
2022 Yosemite
2022 Regional Workshop: Ventura
Localizing California Waters Regional Workshop: Ventura was help on Sept. 22, 2022 at the Ojai Valley Inn in Ojai, CA.
The second Ventura Regional Workshop focused on activating the Ventura River In-Stream Flow (VRIF) Toolkit Catalog for a closer look at how we move forward on tools that can help us accelerate response to drought, fire, extreme heat, habitat loss, flooding impacts and community health.
2021 Virtual Fall Forum: A Water Paradigm Shift
Localizing California Waters Virtual Fall Forum was held on Nov. 4, 2021. The hybrid event was held virtually, with in-person participants from the Thought Leaders Retreat joining at Rush Creek Lodge in Yosemite, CA.
During the forum, practitioners shared information and resources on the tools individuals can implement in your own yards and communities to survive and thrive in the face of drought and extreme conditions.
2021 Thought Leaders Retreat
Localizing California Waters Thought Leaders Retreat was held on Nov. 2-3, 2021 at Evergreen Lodge in Yosemite, CA.
A small group of invited Thought Leaders gathered with the LCW Steering Committee to catalyze land-based solutions that communities can implement now to be more resilient to drier and extreme conditions and to discuss a paradigm shift toward local-based approaches that embrace equity and systems thinking.
2021 Virtual Primer
Localizing California Waters Virtual May Primer was held on May 14, 2021
Drought. Equity & Inclusion. Fire. Policy. Habitat.
There is a lot going on at the local and regional scale for all of us.
It’s time for us to touch base and discuss what you need for California Community Resilience.
This virtual LCW conversation was an invitation for a listening and audience discussion that will inform next steps as well as the LCW November Conference agenda. We shared several short inspiring case studies, and an interactive capture of what local water resilience can do for your region.
Partner events hosted by the California Onsite Water Association (COWA) included the webinar “Water Supplies for a Resilient Future” and an Onsite Insights Cocktail Hour.
*Shared Resources link coming soon.
2019 Yosemite
Localizing California Waters, Yosemite was held on November 5-8, 2019
at the Rush Creek & Evergreen Lodges in Yosemite, CA.
The Localizing California Waters (LCW) Conference connects unlikely allies towards the broader goal of water management throughout California by discussing local water approaches in an intimate setting.
LCW breaks down barriers to alignment through presentations, round table discussions, workshops and information networking to work towards an outcome of innovative solutions to local and global climate challenges by advancing local water policy and enacting best water management practices at an accelerated pace.
This year, we focused on activating the Water Portfolio.
2019 Regional Water Summit:
Ventura to SLO
The Regional Water Summit took place in Ojai, CA on April 29-30, 2019
Localizing California Water: VENTURA TO SLO explored the many geographical similarities and vulnerabilities of coastal San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
Focuses included water security, diminishing instream summer base flows, water equity, heightened fire and flooding risks. Many organizations in these counties have successfully worked on streamlining efforts to reach a shared water vision, such as the Ventura River Watershed Council, Central Coast Water Conservancy and local IRWMs.
2018 Yosemite
The LCW 2018 Conference took place in Yosemite, CA on November 6-9, 2018.
“Water is us.
When we are in the river we are building the subconscious of the next generation.”
-Sammy Gensaw, Ancestral Guard
Over the course of three days, over 54 organizations and 123 participants from throughout the state came together to connect over a broader goal of water management in California. Among the sectors represented were policy-makers, community activists, educators, designers, architects, writers, engineers and students.
In addition to presenters and participants from two other states (Vermont and Oregon), affiliates and organizations from all nine of California’s water board regions were present.