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The Water Forum was established by engaging diverse stakeholders, building connection and working together to find common ground on critical challenges and tough issues. This continues today, extending beyond our members to collaboration with state, federal and local agencies, and also includes supporting river education programs, and sharing our work, knowledge and insights with a broad range of stakeholders and the public.
Celebrating the Lower American River Through Art
The Water Forum commissioned local artist Stephanie Taylor to create an original painting to celebrate the beauty and wonder of the Lower American River for the Water Forum’s 20th anniversary in 2020, and then partnered with Sacramento County to install the painting as a three-story mural on the County’s Administration Building.
The artwork takes an underwater perspective, looking up from the bottom of the river as an otter might, notes Taylor. “It’s immersive,” she said. “Seeing it in person, looking from the ground to the river’s surface, you feel as if you are standing within the river,” she said, noting how the river and this project was her peace during this crazy pandemic year.
“Seeing it in person, looking from the ground to the river’s surface, you feel as if you are standing within the river”
Stephanie Taylor, local artist
The artwork is located at the Sacramento County Administration Building at 700 H Street (on the I Street side) and was made possible by the support of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and sponsors: the Sacramento County Water Agency, the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities, San Juan Water District, SMUD and the Sacramento Association of Realtors.
Living Laboratory at Effie Yeaw Nature Center
The Water Forum has been a long-standing sponsor of the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, a local environmental education provider. Located along the Lower American River at Ancil Hoffman Park, the Effie Yeaw Nature Center provides opportunities for youth, including an aquatic ecosystem program and labs for grade-school children. The Center’s programs teach students about the diversity and richness of the Sacramento region’s aquatic environment via hands-on lessons. The 2021 habitat enhancement project located off the main trail at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center provides a living laboratory to explore salmonid habitat on the lower American River.
Enhancing Education at Camp Pollock
The Water Forum is sponsoring educational signage at Camp Pollock, located along the Lower American River near downtown Sacramento, as part of the camp’s 100-year anniversary. The beautiful, permanent sign educates visitors about the Lower American River as our “Wild and Scenic Wonderland,” the American River watershed, the story and lifecycle of salmon and steelhead and other animals that rely in the river. Camp Pollock is managed by Water Forum member, the Sacramento Valley Conservancy, and can be found at 1501 Northgate Boulevard in Sacramento.
Cordova Creek Restoration and Soil Born Farms Education Program
The Water Forum has worked closely with Soil Born Farms on the restoration of Cordova Creek, located on the American River Ranch property. Cordova Creek offers a unique opportunity for students and visitors to connect with dynamic naturalized habitat. The Water Forum has supported Soil Born’s education program to develop K-12 curriculum about the Parkway ecosystem and the role of water in sustaining our environment and our lives. The Water Forum has also sponsored field trips for schools in disadvantaged communities in the Sacramento area. Soil Born’s programs promote awareness and appreciation of the Sacramento region’s natural and cultural resources, facilitating an understanding of why conservation is important.
Work with Us
The Water Forum works closely with member organizations and other interested parties to implement the agreement on a variety of community based projects. Please contact us if you are interested in learning more.
Learn more about all of our partners on the Our Partners page.
Learn More
- News and Operations Blog: The Water Forum periodically publishes news and information important to our members and stakeholders.
- Learning and Engagement Sessions: The Water Forum hosts learning and engagement sessions as part of the Water Forum 2.0 process to foster a common understanding of the topics, issues and challenges facing the Sacramento region with the potential to impact the coequal objectives.
- Water Forum 20th Anniversary Climate Symposium: A half-day virtual symposium and reception hosted on October 14, 2020, exploring projected climate change impacts on the Lower American River water supplies and environment, flood control solutions, and environmental justice in climate planning.