The is a great way to expand your knowledge of the water resources field. Although
experts in any narrow aspect of water resources are important, the dynamic and complex world of
water resources in California requires at least a broad understanding of the many various
elements of water resources. Every day changes are taking place in State policy, scientific
understanding, natural resource system models, regulations, and practices. Participating in the
Northern California AWRA Section is a great way to stay updated, be engaged, and meet alot of great people!
The Bay Area Chapter will be attending the Water Resources Center Archives (WRCA) and will have a follow-up meeting afterwards. The WRCA Meeting, "Salmon, Orphans Without a Home: An Historical Perspective of the Water and Landscape Modifications to Salmon Habitat" is on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 2607 Hearst Avenue at LeRoy; UC Berkeley Campus Goldman School of Public Policy (at the intersection of Hearst and LeRoy), Room 250. The speakers are Dr. Brian Cluer Fluvial Geomorphologist Coordinator, Science and Technology Team NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Habitat Conservation Division. Dr. Cluer will be speaking on California's rapidly-dwindling native salmon populations as it relates to the ongoing appropriation of their historic habitat for human use. Reception 5:00-5:30 pm, presentation starts at 5:30 pm.
Pease visit the to view lectures and presentation materials from past speakers.
There will be an informal Bay Area Chapter meeting afterwards, starting at 7:10 pm, to discuss upcoming events, membership, and participation in the Bay Area Chapter at:
, 1834 Euclid Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94709-1318
For more information about the Bay Area Chapter, contact Mike Zelazo at mzelazo@berkeley.edu or Angela Carmi-Duren at angela.carmi@gmail.com.
Looking to Unwind At Least Once a Month? The NorCal Section plans to meet and unwind on the 3rd Thursday of every month for happy hour. Our next meeting is at at 1029 K Street, from 6-7 pm on Thursday, March 18th. The 'indicator hat,' which our very own Bill Cowan will be wearing is a large white plantation hat. We are looking forward to seeing you there!
We have several proposed new activities for the NorCal AWRA Section this year and we want your input! Vote in the poll below for your top picks.
Activities Background
Yolo Basin Foundation - Founded in 1990 as a community based organization to assist in the establishment of the Yolo Wildlife Area. Our board of directors represents a diverse group of interests, from agriculture and waterfowl conservation to local government and the business community. We are universally credited with being the driving force behind the partnership that created the Yolo Wildlife Area. Yolo Basin continues as the communication link between many people and organizations involved in creating wetlands and managing land in the Yolo Bypass. Dynamic partnerships have evolved and our most significant cooperation is with the California Department of Fish and Game who currently manages the Yolo Wildlife Area.
A principal goal of the Foundation is facilitating environmental education in the Yolo Wildlife Area. In August 1997, we held the first of our Discover the Flyway teacher workshops, which introduce area teachers to the Wildlife Area and prepared them to bring their classes out for exciting and productive field studies. In its first year, the Discover the Flyway school program hosted 800 students between October 1997 and June of 1998. Since our pilot year, the school program has expanded to over 4,000 Kindergarten through 12th-grade students annually. Yolo Basin Foundation staff, interns, and dedicated volunteers assist students in hands-on learning activities at our demonstration wetlands and lead students on exploratory Wildlife Area walks.
In addition to our popular Discover the Flyway program, Yolo Basin Foundation is the sponsoring non-profit organization for California Duck Days, publishes the Yolo Flyway newsletter, brings wetlands education to the classroom with our Wild About Wetlands kits, introduces the public to natural places in the community through public field trips, and hosts the Flyway Nights speaker series. The Foundation facilitates the Yolo Bypass Working Group meetings, which provide a focused opportunity for farmers, land owners and agencies within the Yolo Bypass to discuss Bypass related issues as well as provide guidance and opinions on such issues.
Event Possibilities for volunteers: Gaggle of Gatherings fundraisers (bird watching tours); Duck Days Feb. 19, 20th (Davis Art Center), field trips, workshops (duck calling, trout fishing for youth, decoy carving and painting); Bucks for Ducks auction / art show (major fundraising event).
Sacramento River Preservation Trust - Purpose is to protect and preserve the natural values of the Sacramento River and to educate the public concerning ecologically viable farming methods and the need to preserve free-flowing rivers. Event Possibilities for volunteers: Pine Creek/Indian Fishery fields trip in Chico; 11th Annual Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway, January 28 - January 31, 2010, Chico
Friends of the River - Friends of the River was founded in 1973 during the struggle to save the Stanislaus River from New Melones Dam. Following that campaign, the group grew to become California's statewide river conservation organization. Friends of the River is dedicated to preserving and restoring California's rivers, streams, and their watersheds as well as advocating for sustainable water management. Friends of the River protects and restores California Rivers by influencing public policy and inspiring citizen action.
Event Possibilities for volunteers: Rafting Program is supported by 300+ river guides who are active volunteers for Friends of the River. Strive to enhance public awareness about rivers and water resources. We complement our on river outreach with off river policy advocacy, lobbying, and education; Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival, Jan. 15-17; River Camp 2010, weekends in the month of May; River Quest involves working with inner city youth, there is a need for facilitators; Service Trip involves river clean-up, rafting and overnight trip.
American River Parkway Foundation - The mission of the American River Parkway Foundation is to foster environmental stewardship, facilitate volunteer opportunities and fund projects and programs on the American River Parkway that support the preservation, protection, enhancement and appreciation of the parkway natural resources. Each year the American River Parkway Foundation coordinates the efforts of hundreds of volunteers who contribute thousands of work hours to maintaining and improving the Parkway. Volunteers work to restore the native habitat and vegetation, improve public safety, reduce the threat of fires and increase the public’s stewardship of
the Parkway. Event Possibilities for volunteers: American River Parkway Half Marathon for runners and walkers, May 1; 6th Annual REX Ride - a social bike ride along the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, June; 26th Annual American River Parkway Foundation Down River Day - Each year corporations and individuals enjoy a raft ride from American River Raft Rental, at Sunrise down to River Bend Park, formerly Goethe, August; Invasive Plant Species Removal - need scientists to help out this spring (placed on an island for a weekend event); Great American River Clean Up - The Great American River Clean Up is held in conjunction with the Coastal Cleanup Day sponsored by the California Coastal Commission. This annual cleanup is held throughout California along bays, creeks, lakes rivers, highways, and the coast, September
A group of graduate students have developed a SISWEB (Scientific Information Syndication WEBsite) for the Water Community. It is a nice place to find out what is popular (news, articles, papers, videos, images, ...) on the internet among the water community. On this social bookmarking website users can share their bookmarks. This is not a blog - WaterSISWEB is a place for Water Resources professionals to share information. Scientists, researchers, students, and industry professionals can use this free community service to find what is new and popular in the Water Resources area and share, store, organize, and search bookmarks of web pages in this area.
To participate in the website activities (e.g. link posting, voting, commenting, etc.) one needs to register with WaterSISWEB. The registration is totally free and easy. Simply go to the Water SISWeb website and register.
We invite you to come join us and be a part of the larger water resources community. Contribute to keeping the Section going by joining AWRA either online or at the Section monthly meetings.
Interested in Getting a Sub-Section or Student Section Started in Your Area? We will be very glad to help you! Please contact Angela Carmi-Duren at amcarmi@ucdavis.edu
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