Our Blog
Why is El Niño so Hard to Understand?
Declaring an El Niño has formed is a bit like announcing the first domino in a massive Rube Goldberg machine has tipped over. What happens next depends on dozens of interconnected steps, each capable of amplifying, redirecting, or dampening the chain reaction before it reaches California.
San Joaquin Valley Watershed Studies Blog Series: Recharging for Communities and Ecosystems
Many communities have residents who have already lost or are at risk of losing their access to drinking water. These communities cannot afford to see an unmitigated, climate change-fueled future come into effect.
Sustainable Conservation 2025 Annual Report
Learn about our collective impact and environmental wins in Sustainable Conservation’s 2025 Annual Report!
San Joaquin Valley Watershed Studies Blog Series: Modeling the Future of Groundwater Recharge
To understand how water managers may protect California against flooding and groundwater overdraft in a warming climate, DWR linked several distinct pieces of software that simulated upper watershed snowpack and runoff, routed river flows, managed reservoir pools, optimized recharge operations, and modeled the resulting groundwater movement to determine the ultimate fate of recharged water.
San Joaquin Valley Watershed Studies Blog Series: A Roadmap for a Changing Climate
The Watershed Studies are a novel approach to modeling climate change impacts at the watershed scale, from precipitation trends in the upper watershed to groundwater behavior beneath the Valley floor.
Riparian Restoration 101: Definition, Techniques & Benefits
At a glance Riparian zones (the thin ribbons of green along riverbanks) are California’s most wildlife-dense habitats, supporting over 225 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Read full summary ▾ Over the last 100 years, development and river regulation have destroyed between 90% and 95% of these critical corridors. Investing in riverbank restoration is a…
New Guide to Help Winegrape Growers Perform Recharge on Vineyards
A Groundwater Recharge Guide for Vineyards Sustainable Conservation and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) have released A Groundwater Recharge Guide for Vineyards to help winegrape growers evaluate, plan, and implement on-farm groundwater recharge to contribute to regional groundwater sustainability. As California’s wine regions face growing groundwater pumping regulations under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the guide equips growers with…
Spring 2026 Voices from the Field Webinar Series Recap
Across the discussions, a common themed emerged: California’s climate and natural resource challenges are deeply interconnected, and the most effective solutions recognize and strengthen the connections between our watersheds, working lands, communities, and ecosystems.
New Fact Sheets Bring Cover Crop Guidance for California Growers
Each fact sheet combines the latest research with grower experience on the ground, going well beyond general cover crop guidance to meet farmers where they are. The suite builds on the foundation of practical considerations for managing cool-season cover crops with maximal water benefits and minimal water use laid out in the May 2025 guidance document, and extends it with a depth of context, data, and practical implementation detail.
Sustainable Conservation Donor Profile: Jeff Loomans and Patricia Munter
Sustainable Conservation Board Chair Jeff Loomans and his wife, Patricia Munter, first became involved with Sustainable Conservation in 2018. Since then, they have become dedicated champions of the organization’s work, with Jeff joining the Board and stepping into the role of Board Chair at the beginning of this year.
Nominations for the 2026 CA Leopold Conservation Award close July 17
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 2026 California Leopold Conservation Award®
Welcoming New Staff Member Em Whalen
Join us in giving Sustainable Conservation’s newest staff member, Em Whalen, a warm welcome!