The first two sessions of this year’s Water Conservation Showcase brought together hundreds of individuals in California and beyond to learn about water trends, efficiency technologies and climate-positive landscaping. The final two days will focus on watershed stewardship, efficiency standards and water equity. Rain Bird is proud to be a sponsor of this free event that will showcase ways you can make a difference in your community through participatory research, citizen engagement and capacity building.

April 20 | Ecology and Watersheds

Over the past year, finding socially distant ways to make an impact has been challenging. The first showcase session of April 20 will share a variety of options for safely connecting with nature through participatory scientific research. Whether using the iNaturalist platform in your neighborhood, contributing beach cleanup data or supporting the conservation of vulnerable freshwater animals found on Mt. Tam, participating in citizen science not only benefits local agencies, but also encourages the practice of new skills and technologies.

This session will be followed by case studies of watershed stewardship from snowflake to bay. Did you know that Mokelumne River provides drinking water for 1.4 million customers in the Bay Area? We’ll learn about EBMUD’s work to mitigate for lost salmon habitat on the lower Mokelumne before heading over to Oakland to celebrate 25 years of local stewardship conducted by the Friends of Sausal Creek, including erosion control, trout management, landscape rehabilitation and water quality improvement.

April 27 | Policy and Equity

The final day of the showcase will shift from nature-based actions to human-focused ones, starting with a presentation on how water efficiency standards changed at the federal level in 2020—including those for shower heads, clothes washers and dishwashers—and how citizens can effectively engage to protect federal standards going forward. We’ll also look at what is happening with regard to water efficiency on the statewide level and timelines for implementation of current regulations.

When considering legislation and regulations, it’s important to recognize that water access impacts 1.6 million California households, in predominantly low-income communities. This issue of equitable access to water will only increase over time. The showcase will close with a panel discussion exploring ideas and strategies that drive positive social change with a focus on emerging tools, programs and funding that simplify how both philanthropy and water stewardship can benefit vulnerable communities. Despite the challenges we face, there is hope and present-day expertise that can set the foundation for accelerated change.

The Water Conservation Showcase is organized through the support and partnership of USGBC Northern California, Pacific Gas & Electric, East Bay Municipal Utility District, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, AIA San Francisco and San Jose Water, and is free to the public through the support of showcase sponsors.

Water Conservation Showcase on stewardship, policy and equity (USGBC Northern California)