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Imagine Our Future North Bay

April 19, 2024 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Event Series (See All)

On April 19, 2024, the NBWA hosted an event at Sonoma State University’s Event/Student Center, a dynamic gathering of regional leaders and partners envisioning tomorrow’s resilient watershed communities and workforce, focusing on the theme “Imagine Our Future North Bay.” We delved into California’s Water Plan Update, explored the advancement and funding of natural and built infrastructure initiatives, and fostered diverse opportunities for tomorrow’s rewarding careers in water!

The conference provided a platform for experts, decision-makers, practitioners, partners, and students to understand and discuss the substantial adaptation challenges faced by water utilities and management agencies posed by climate, technology, and societal changes.

A virtual option was provided for those who could not join in person.

View the event program and Speaker Bios.

Welcome Address – U.S. Congressman Jared Huffman

Resilient, Equitable, and Interdependent Water Future

- CA Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Evaluating Adaptation Strategies – Romain Maendly, Executive Advisor, Climate Change and Integrated Watershed Management, CA Department of Water Resources (DWR)
- Climate Urgency, Watershed Resilience, and Equity in Water Management – An Overview of CA Water Plan Update 2023 –Lewis Moeller, CA Water Plan Section Manager, DWR
- Watershed Resilience Program Implementation and Pilot Projects – Eric Tsai, Acting Manager, Division of Planning, DWR

Funding Our Future

- Leveraging Regional Associations and Atypical Partnerships – Lynn von Koch-Liebert, Executive Director, California Strategic Growth Council (CSGC); Aatisha Singh, Connecting Communities Analyst, CSGC; Angie Hacker, CEO, Prosper Sustainably and Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, CA Climate and Energy Collaborative and; Kevin Eastman, Vice President, PACE Government Relations

Positioning Us for the Future: Watershed Shoreline, Lands, Infrastructure, and Partnerships

- Baylands Resilience Framework and the Beneficial Use of Sediment – Jeremy Lowe, Senior Environmental Scientist, San Francisco Estuary Institute
- Empowering Stewardship Through Regional Collaboration and Capacity Building: Learnings from Forest Health and Fire Resilience – Ali Blodorn, Ph.D. Principal Program Manager, Forestry, Napa RCD
- Pivotal Point: Water Reuse Trends and Opportunities – Brenley McKenna, Managing Director, WateReuse California
- Faculty and Students Partnering With Public Agencies to Address Watershed Issues in the North Bay – Dr. Chris Halle, Program Developer, Center for Environmental Inquiry, Sonoma State University

The Next Generation: Resiliency Workforce Development

BAYWORK Panel: Meaningful and Abundant Careers in Water – Steven Currie, Workforce Development Program Manager, DEI Division, Contra Costa Water District; and Vice President, BAYWORK; Jordan Damerel, Assistant General Manager and District Engineer, Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District; Elizabeth Toups, Manager, BAYWORK/JVS
- - Mentimeter poll BAYWORK NBWA Conference Survey Results