Bay Area Watershed Network Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting of the Bay Area Watershed Network -- we think we have a great lineup of speakers and topics! Our keynote speaker will be Assemblymember Nancy Skinner from the 14th District (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) who has several key committee positions and was designated as "rookie of the year" in her first year in the Legislature. She will speak on legislation and issues of interest to the watershed community. This is a great opportunity for you to bring your questions, so please think about that ahead of time — if you want to submit questions to us before the meeting, we'll be sure they are presented to Ms. Skinner.
We also have a roundup of what has been happening with the Integrated Regional Water Management grant process and overview of how we are working with projects in Disadvantaged Communities -- and how to do this more effectively in the future. And we will have an update on several policy issues of importance to the watershed community as well as a chance to weigh in on priorities for 2011.
Carrie Gergits, Project Director for the AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards Project (WSP) will also be speaking on how you can connect with this program and hire (or be) an AmeriCorps worker. The mission of the WSP is to conserve, restore, and enhance anadromous watersheds for future generations by linking education with high quality scientific practices. AmeriCorps WSP members are involved in a wide variety of watershed restoration, assessment and conservation projects, teaching watershed and fisheries-based curriculum to K-12 students, participating in myriad community outreach events, and receiving high quality training in natural resources and professional development topics, through working with Federal, State or County agencies; Tribal departments; or grassroots-based non-profits. Those of you involved in salmonid watersheds are particularly encouraged to attend to meet Carrie and find out more about WSP opportunities in the Bay Area — and please pass the word on to others you think may be interested.
PLEASE note that we are starting the meeting at 9:45 so we can keep to our agenda topics, start with our keynote speaker promptly at 10 a.m. and finish by noon. AND -- note that you will have to go through the building security system, so please allow an extra ten minutes for that. The meeting will be on the 2nd floor, Room 11, look for signs at the top of the escalator. We cannot provide coffee this year, unfortunately, but there are a couple of coffee shops just outside the back door of the State Building and a cafeteria on the 2nd floor as well.
RSVPs not necessary but would be much appreciated so that we can plan for enough handouts. Thanks and we look forward to seeing many of you on the 25th!
Dale Hopkins & A.L. Riley
Dale Hopkins DHopkins@waterboards.ca.gov