Our Blog
Notes from the Field: Lagunitas Creek Watershed Enhancement Project Field Trip
On June 12th, Sustainable Conservation community members, program partners, and staff met up at Lagunitas Creek in Marin County to see the recent improvements to native fish habitat and stream functions through the Lagunitas Creek Watershed Enhancement Project — and to witness the positive impact of simplifying California’s permitting processes to implement restoration projects faster, more affordably, and at scale.
Climate Resilience in Action Webinar Series Recap
California Poppies bloom on a hillside near Lake Oroville. Credit Nick Shockey and CA Department of Water Resources From February to June this year, Sustainable Conservation hosted four webinar discussions within the overarching theme of Climate Resilience in Action. Climate resilience is a primary outcome of the organization’s work across its four main program areas,…
Nominations for the 2025 CA Leopold Conservation Award close July 18
Are you a California farmer, rancher, or forestland owner who improves soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on your working land? Apply for the 2025 California Leopold Conservation Award®
New Guidance Released to Help California Growers Maximize Water Benefits of Cover Crops
Sustainable Conservation and the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), along with UC ANR and other partners, have released a new guidance document — Cover Cropping in California’s Water Scarce Environments — to help growers harness the many benefits of cool-season cover crops while reducing water use. As farmers adapt to a changing water supply, this guide provides practical considerations about cover crop species, timing, and management to reduce runoff, increase infiltration and water retention, and bolster overall soil health.
Cover Cropping in California’s Water Scarce Environments
Practical considerations for managing cool-season cover crops with maximal water benefits and minimal water use Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Sustainable Conservation, UC ANR, and USDA are excited to share this new guidance document. Download the guidance document here. Water Benefits of Cover Crops Cover crops can be highly beneficial in California’s annual and perennial…
Restoration Round-Up: South Fork Ten Mile Habitat Enhancement
The Ten Mile River, flowing through coastal Mendocino County, provides vital habitat for California’s endangered coho salmon. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has been leading habitat restoration efforts in the Lower Ten Mile River watershed for over a decade. Their latest project, the South Fork Ten Mile Habitat Enhancement — Phase 2, represents a significant step in revitalizing key salmon habitat and restoring natural floodplain functions.
CA Dairy Sustainability Summit Showcases Resource Conservation Progress, Hope for Future
Last week’s California Dairy Sustainability Summit showcased promising industry-driven partnerships and solutions to water and greenhouse gas emission challenges in California.
Ashley Boren Reflects on her Time at Sustainable Conservation
2025 is a year of big changes at Sustainable Conservation. After 28 years of outstanding leadership, Ashley Boren will transition her role to Sustainable Conservation’s next CEO.
AmeriCorps Week 2025 – Appreciating GrizzlyCorps Fellow Oscar Elias
For AmeriCorps Week this year, we’re celebrating our GrizzlyCorps fellow Oscar Elias for his contributions to Sustainable Conservation’s Solutions in Our Soil team.
How Executive Order N-16-25 Enables Recharge During Floods
The Newsom Administration has taken an important step toward improving California’s flood safety and water resilience by issuing Executive Order (EO) N-16-25, which waives the requirement for local planning documents to include flood threshold definitions that indicate when groundwater recharge diversions can occur. This temporary waiver allows recharge diversion efforts to begin when local agencies…
Nominations are Open for the 2025 CA Leopold Conservation Award
Are you a California farmer, rancher, or forestland owner who improves soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on your working land? Apply for the 2025 California Leopold Conservation Award®
GrizzlyCorps Fellow Oscar Elias: The Power of a Handshake
I was reminded of the power of a handshake 58 times that day – I kept that in mind for the remainder of the conference. I shook the hands of others, listening to who may work in similar fields and who we can work together with to serve our communities.