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From our blog: News
From Concept to Practice: Reflections on the 2025 Flood-MAR Network Forum
On November 5-6, 2025, over 120 water professionals, researchers, farmers, and agency representatives gathered for the Flood-MAR Network’s biennial forum. The energy in the room told a story years in the making: flood-managed aquifer recharge (Flood-MAR) is gaining widespread adoption across California. Mike Antos (Stantec) opened the forum with a quote from Charles F. Brannan,…
Welcoming New Staff Members Wendy Rash and Kristen Murphy
Join us in giving Sustainable Conservation’s newest staff members, Wendy Rash and Kristen Murphy, a warm welcome!
Notes from the Field: Central Valley Climate Resilience Tour
On October 14th, more than 30 Sustainable Conservation community members, donors, Board members, and staff piled into a tour bus for a jam-packed day of sightseeing cutting-edge climate resilience projects throughout the Central Valley.
Welcoming our New GrizzlyCorps Fellows: Ryan Wakefield and Hayley Willner
Join Sustainable Conservation in welcoming its two GrizzlyCorps Fellows for the 2025-26 term, Ryan Wakefield and Hayley Willner!
Sustainable Conservation Names Dr. Josette Lewis as Next CEO
Dr. Josette Lewis will join Sustainable Conservation in 2026 as our new CEO!
2025 California Leopold Conservation Award Finalists Profiles
Three finalists have been selected for the 2025 California Leopold Conservation Award. Read more about this year’s outstanding finalists, Hat Creek Grown, Iron Horse Vineyards, and Stemple Creek Ranch!
2024 Annual Report
Read our 2024 annual report to learn what your generosity made possible last year.
Turning Science into Policy: ETSGSA Pioneers a Water Credit for Cover Crops
Cover crops are a known practice in California agriculture for reducing water runoff, increasing the amount of water that can infiltrate and stay in the soil, improving biodiversity, limiting groundwater pollution, and supporting better air quality, among other benefits. But under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), concerns persist about whether cover crops “count against” growers’ limited water budgets and begs the question, is cover cropping worth the risk?
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.
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.