Using sustainable practices in a building's development speaks to the triple bottom line — people, profit & planet.

Since 2004, hundreds of advocates, researchers, business leaders, product manufacturers and government officials have gathered every year to address the most pressing water issues and challenges facing the state of California. Register today for the showcase to learn more about scalable strategies and solutions to conserve one of Earth's most precious resources.

*You will need to log-in/register for a free PG&E Energy Center account and sign up individually for each of the eight sessions you wish to attend. Search “2021 WCS” to find all webinar sessions

 Day One  - April 6

• Water/Energy Interactions: Covid-19 and Other Factors Impacting the Water/Energy Nexus |  9:00 am - 10:30 am
• Speakers: Heather Cooley, The Pacific Institute; Luke Eastman, Raftelis; Frank Loge, UC Davis Center for Water-Energy Efficiency
• Host: Julie Ortiz and Ryan Stroupe
• This presentation will look at research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on water and energy demand conducted by three different organizations: The Pacific Institute, Raftelis in a partnership with Duke University, and the Center for Water-Energy Efficiency at the University of California, Davis. The talk will also explore related issues including how all the changes over the past year will impact state-wide water conservation goals. ​
• Trends in Water Use, Efficiency Technologies, and Conservation Priorities | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
• Speakers: Amy Vickers, Amy Vickers & Associates, Inc.
• Host: Ryan Stroupe
• A “water use report card” based on the latest data for California and the US will be presented that indicates positive as well as troubling trends. Looking forward, a review of emerging efficiency technologies and the conservation priorities and policies needed to meet our future water needs amidst chronic drought and climate change will be presented and discussed.​

 Day Two - April 13

• Climate Positive Landscape Design: Going Beyond Neutral | 9:00am - 10:30am
• Speakers: Kate Lenahan, CMG Architecture; Danielle Pieranunzi, GBCI SITES Program
• Host: Jolene Bertetto
• In order to effectively address the climate crisis, we must seek opportunities to sequester carbon and strategies that facilitate a regenerative built environment. This presentation will convey how outdoor spaces can also serve as a much-needed carbon sink.
• Plant Talk  | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
• Speaker: Cielo Sichi, Landfour Landscape Architecture; Sarah Sutton, Author and landscape architect; Stewart Winchester, Merritt College/Devil Mountain Nursery
• Host: Ryan Stroupe
• Styled after NPR’s long-running and popular “Car Talk” program, this session is designed to address landscape, garden and plant questions from attendees. We will also include a guest panelist, a garden-based puzzler and a “stump the chumps” segment with gifts if you win! If you are unfamiliar with “Car Talk”, go here:  https://www.cartalk.com/

 Day Three - April 20

• Connecting with Nature through Citizen Science | 9:00 am - 10:30 am
• Speakers: Alison Young, California Academy of Sciences; Reid Bogert, Surfrider; Suzanne Whelan, Marin Municipal Water District; Lisette Arellano, One Tam Community Science Organizer
• Host: Deb Chilvers, Mark, Jolene Bertetto
• This presentation is packed with ideas for how you can connect with nature through participatory scientific research while also maintaining your social distance. Benefits include time spent outdoors, learning new skills, and practicing with new technologies. Agencies also benefit through gathering data on resources, improving customer engagement, and promoting positive behavior.​
• Watershed Stewardship from Snowflake to the Bay | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
• Speakers: Michelle Workman, EBMUD Manager of Fisheries & Wildlife; Mark Rauzon, Friends of Sausal Creek Restoration and Nursery  
• Host: Kurt Elvert, Charles Bohlig, Jolene Bertetto, Mark
• Michelle Workman from EBMUD will describe the fisheries program on the lower Mokelumne River, discussing EBMUD’s robust stewardship program to mitigate for lost salmonid habitat and support natural resources. Mark Rauzon with Friends of Sausal Creek (FOSC) will take us to Oakland where they are celebrating 25 years of local watershed stewardship​

​Day Four - April 27

• Water Efficiency Standards: National and California Legislative Update | 9:00 am - 10:30 am
• Speakers: Mary Ann Dickinson, Alliance for Water Efficiency; Tia Lebherz, California Water Energy Partnership
• Host: Ryan Stroupe and Julie Ortiz
• This presentation will provide a look at changes to water efficiency standards at the federal and state (California) level. Speakers will be Mary Ann Dickinson, Past President and CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, and Tia Lebherz, Executive Director-External Affairs of the California Water Efficiency Partnership.​
• Water Equity: Collaboration, Capacity Building and Capital | 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
• Speakers: Letitia Carpenter, US Water Alliance; Ana Lucia Garcia Briones, EDF; Arthine Cossey van Duyne, Waterfunder
• Host: Allan Robles, Deb Chilvers, Jolene Bertetto, Mark
• This panel presentation will explore water access and water equity especially for disadvantaged communities in California. The panelists will explore concepts like effective collaboration, capacity building, and capital - ideas and strategies practiced in the real-world today to drive positive social change. The presentation will focus on emerging tools, programs and funding that simplify how philanthropy and water stewardship can benefit vulnerable communities.

 HOSTED BY: AIASF, East Bay Municipal Utility District, San Francisco Public Utilities, San Jose Water, Pacific Gas & Electric, and U.S.Green Building Council - Northern California

REGISTER HERE