February 2020 Newsletter
The WELL Annual Conference Agenda is Available!
WELL is convening its annual educational statewide water conference for local elected officials throughout California on March 20–21, 2020, at the San Jose Marriott, 301 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113. The theme at this year’s conference is Climate Change and Political Climate Impacting California Water. This is WELL’s eighth annual conference, and we expect it to be the best yet!
As we are only a few weeks away from the conference, WELL is happy to unveil its exciting panel lineup and keynote speakers.
DAY 1: Friday, March 20, 2020
- 2:00 PM OPTIONAL TOUR
1. ANDERSON DAM SEISMIC RETROFIT PROJECT
2. GUADALUPE RIVER FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT
3. ROCKSPRINGS PARK
4. UPPER GUADALUPE RIVER FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT
- 5:00 PM HOTEL CHECK-IN AT SAN JOSE MARRIOTT
- 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM WELL RECEPTION
SPECIAL SPEAKER: NORMA CAMACHO, CEO, VALLEY WATER
WELCOMING REMARKS: SUPERVISOR CINDY CHAVEZ, SANTA CLARA COUNTY
DAY 2: Saturday, March 21, 2020
- 8:00 AM BREAKFAST
- 9:00 AM WELCOME
SPECIAL SPEAKER: MICHELLE BANONIS, CHIEF DEPUTY DIRECTOR, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
SPECIAL SPEAKER: SENATOR BILL MONNING (CA-17), CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE
- 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM PANEL 1: PREPARING OUR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS
- 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM BREAK
- 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM PANEL 2: SMART GROWTH IN THE FACE OF WATER STRESS 2020
- 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM: INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY
- 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM LUNCH
SPECIAL SPEAKER: TONY MEYERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DELTA CONVEYANCE PROGRAM, STATE WATER PROJECT
- 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM PANEL 3: THE POLITICS AND POLICIES OF GROUNDWATER
- 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM: CLOSING REMARKS
Want to get in on the action? It is not too late to register for the conference! Please fill out the registration form to get started. Once filled out, you can contact Brianne Logasa, WELL Program Manager, to learn about payment options and hotel accommodations. Brianne can be reached at (323) 349-0661 or by email at Brianne@latinosforwater.org.
UnTapped WELLos Visit the OC!
For the second session of our WELL UnTapped Fellowship program, WELLos traveled from all over California to Orange County, where they learned about water purification and regulation, community water issues, and Public Narrative. WELLos had the opportunity to interview and hear from the following guest speakers: Vicente Sarmiento, Orange County Water District President; Kelly Rowe, Orange County Water District Director; Alicia Dunkin, Orange County Water District Legislative Affairs Liaison; and Jose Solorio, Councilmember for the City of Santa Ana.
Below are some photos from the session!
UnTapped WELLos learning about water resource management in Orange County.
WELLos on a tour of the Groundwater Replenishment System.
Taste-testing purified water!
WELLos with Santa Ana Councilmember Jose Solorio.
WELLos sharing their “Story of Self” as a part of their Public Narrative training.
Legislative Water Workshop Round-Up!
Over the past few months, WELL hosted a series of legislative water workshops in four different parts of California: Fresno, South Gate, Calistoga, and Pico Rivera. These legislative workshops brought together local elected leaders and water experts to discuss water issues at the community, regional, and state levels. Through these legislative water workshops, WELL engaged more than 130 elected officials in discussions about water topics pertinent to their communities. Attendees of the legislative workshops represented 12 different counties across the state: Fresno, Kern, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Merced, Napa, Orange, San Benito, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo.
Check out some highlights from the Legislative Water Workshops below!
Elected officials receiving an overview of groundwater resources in Fresno, CA.
Legislative Water Workshop attendees in South Gate, CA.
Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (AD-4) with City of Calistoga Councilmember Irais Lopez-Ortega.
Attendees listening to Senator Bob Archuleta.
Special thanks to all of our Legislative Water Workshop Sponsors!
WELL would like to give special thanks to all the organizations that sponsored the Legislative Water Workshops. Their generosity is what made the events successful, and we appreciate their support of WELL and its programs. We look forward to working with the Water Replenishment District, Coca Cola, and the Sierra Health Foundation in the near future.
Follow WELL on Social Media!
Follow WELL on social media to get current California water news and updates about WELL programs and events:
Water Education for Latino Leaders
@LatinosForWater
Water Education for Latino Leaders (WELL) educates local Latino elected officials on California water policies to promote timely and equitable actions that strive to develop a robust economy, healthy communities, and a resilient environment for all Californians. Visit our website: www.latinosforwater.org.
