Sacramento River Watershed Coalition
Help Build a Stronger Voice for the Sacramento River Watershed!
Add your organization’s name to the Sacramento River Watershed Coalition
Join the Sacramento River Watershed Coalition (it’s free)! As former Senator Everett Dirkson once said, “when I feel the heat, I see the light.” With nearly 60 local watershed groups and Resource Conservation Districts working independently to protect and improve their portion of the Sacramento River Watershed, SRWP recognizes that, combined, this alliance can be very effective in advancing and improving water policy. We believe the collective efforts of local watershed partners could be supported and enhanced through a more unified organization and voice. To achieve this goal, SRWP is proposing the Sacramento River Watershed Coalition. With validation and support from this coalition, SRWP will work to ensure that local management programs have a “seat at the table” and are represented in important regional and statewide policies and program such as the Statewide Watershed Program, California Water Plan Update, and Integrated Regional Water Management Program (IRWMP).
By joining the Sacramento River Watershed Coalition, your organization will receive:
- Increased Visibility and Collaboration: Local program links on SRWP website (~700 hits/day!), highlights in the monthly Waterways eNewsletter, and inclusion on the SRWP watershed partners map and directory. Our goal would be increased program awareness and understanding by local, state, and federal agencies, elected officials, and the general public.
- Information Exchange: Regular updates on issues affecting local watershed management in the basin (e.g. legislative matters, pertinent reports, workshop and conference announcements, funding programs, and agency programs/policies). SRWP would also support networking between local management programs in order to share accomplishments and lessons learned by others.
- Effective Policies: SRWP believes that local watershed stewardship is the foundation of effective water and natural resource policy. With the combined support of local watershed management programs, SRWP would strive to influence legislative and government policy and decision-making in support of strong policies that promote watershed stewardship. SRWP will work hard to effectively communicate local and regional priorities and educate decision makers to bring increased responsibility and empowerment to local management programs.
The more local watershed partners that sign on, the stronger (and more influential) the Coalition will be. SRWP staff and Board members will continue to be engaged in discussions with elected officials and agency leaders to ensure that your local priorities are represented in regional and statewide efforts. SRWP will provide regular updates on these efforts and our progress. We are confident that the Coalition will help raise the level of awareness and appreciation of the collective accomplishments of local watershed management.
So, how do you join the Sacramento River Watershed Coalition? It’s easy! Just send us an email (marylee AT sacriver.org) and let us know! This is not a binding resolution—joining the Coalition does not commit you to any financial or other responsibilities. It is simply a way of showing decision-makers that together, we are a strong voice and a comprehensive network of local action.
A representative of SRWP would be happy to meet with your organization to discuss the merits of establishing this basin-wide coalition. Please feel free to contact Mary Lee Knecht (marylee AT sacriver.org) for more information.
