The California Water Foundation: An RLF Initiative

Sustainably Meeting California's 21st Century Economic and Ecological Water Needs. Addressing California's complex water challenges requires an integrated and comprehensive strategy. The S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, Pisces Foundation, and David and Lucile Packard Foundation are providing initial funding for a 10-year, more than $100 million philanthropic effort to create a path toward a resilient water supply that will ensure the State's economic and ecological health. Such an outcome will not be found in the next canal, reservoir, or levee project; but rather in the improvement of fundamental water management.

The Initiative is focused on collaborative change and providing important resources to help build resilience into the state's water management. The Initiative will be implemented through grants, contracts, direct engagement, coalition building, as well as partnerships with public agencies, academic institutions, and private interests.

A Resilient and Sustainable Water Supply through Integrated Elements. The Initiative's approach is one of science-based, integrated resource management that promotes the following elements:

Increase Water Use Efficiency. Reduce water demands and increase local water supplies by exceeding current targets in urban conservation; increase agricultural water use efficiency; expand opportunities for water recycling; and promote other local and regional water management strategies.
Improve Groundwater Management. Reduce groundwater overdraft and increase groundwater recharge to provide a more sustainable and reliable water supply. Increase the quality, consistency, and availability of groundwater information to allow for improved groundwater management.
Restore River Systems. Restore and protect wetlands, riparian areas, and floodplains in the Sacramento and San Joaquin river systems; integrate flood management, reservoir operations, and land use planning to protect the function of the Sacramento and San Joaquin river systems while improving flood protection and water supplies.
Strengthen Management Structures. Build broad-based coalitions with strong leadership across urban, agricultural, business, and environmental sectors; support changes to laws, management structures, funding mechanisms, and institutions to achieve the program's long-term goal of a reliable water supplies and integrated resource management.

Photograph by Tupper Ansel Blake