SACRAMENTO – The Clean Water Team, which is “leaping” into 2020, is celebrating its 20th season and 10th year producing the Citizen Monitoring Calendar, a digital planning tool for those interested in protecting water quality and aquatic wildlife, eager to learn more, and willing to help safeguard the state’s waterways.
Compiled by the State Water Resources Control Board, this year’s calendar offers a wealth of games, charts, activities and events directed at our youngest volunteers, as well as citizens looking for a deeper dive into the world of water.
Let’s start with an introductory quiz: Did you know only one percent of the earth’s water is useable, 99 percent of which is groundwater? That California’s historic drought lasted 376 weeks, extending from Dec. 27, 2011 to March 5, 2019? That trash, packaging and improperly disposed waste on land accounts for 80 percent of the debris found on beaches during cleanups and surveys? Or that the Gregorian calendar adds a “leap day” on February 29 every four years – this year included – to align with earth’s revolution around the sun?
These are just a few of the items that can be downloaded for free on the State Water Board’s website. Since not everyone enjoys taking quizzes, the calendar adhered to the “something for everyone” approach.
For those curious about the marriage of politics and water, the California legislature’s full schedule of events is included. Those motivated by a compelling movie and a fresh bag of popcorn can attend the Wild & Scenic film festival, which offers segments about Sequoia & Kings Canyon, climate impact on wildlife in the Andorran Pyrenees, wildfire strategy in the aftermath of the recent damaging conflagrations within the state, and the impact of trash pollution on the Tabernas Desert in Spain – Europe’s only desert.
Those who want to learn more about the health of the state’s streams, rivers and lakes can experiment with maps and links on Love Your River, Lakes Month and the Secchi Dip-In.
Additionally, this year’s calendar includes photos from the veteran monitoring groups Heal the Bay, San Diego River Park Foundation and Orange County Coast Keepers, as well as a profile of prominent marine biologist Kristy Finstad, who was among the 34 victims who perished in the dive boat fire off the coast of Santa Barbara on Labor Day Weekend.
Finstad, who studied aquatic biology at UC Santa Barbara, worked extensively on water issues during career stops for the Australian Institute of Marine Science, the California Coastal Commission and the City of Santa Cruz Water District, where she oversaw watershed health and protection.
The State Water Board and its nine regional boards are dedicated to a single vision: Abundant clean water for beneficial uses and environmental protections that sustain California’s future.
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If you would rather not receive future communications from State Water Resources Control Board, let us know by clicking here.
State Water Resources Control Board, P.O. Box 100, Sacramento, CA 95812-0100 United States
Compiled by the State Water Resources Control Board, this year’s calendar offers a wealth of games, charts, activities and events directed at our youngest volunteers, as well as citizens looking for a deeper dive into the world of water.
Let’s start with an introductory quiz: Did you know only one percent of the earth’s water is useable, 99 percent of which is groundwater? That California’s historic drought lasted 376 weeks, extending from Dec. 27, 2011 to March 5, 2019? That trash, packaging and improperly disposed waste on land accounts for 80 percent of the debris found on beaches during cleanups and surveys? Or that the Gregorian calendar adds a “leap day” on February 29 every four years – this year included – to align with earth’s revolution around the sun?
These are just a few of the items that can be downloaded for free on the State Water Board’s website. Since not everyone enjoys taking quizzes, the calendar adhered to the “something for everyone” approach.
For those curious about the marriage of politics and water, the California legislature’s full schedule of events is included. Those motivated by a compelling movie and a fresh bag of popcorn can attend the Wild & Scenic film festival, which offers segments about Sequoia & Kings Canyon, climate impact on wildlife in the Andorran Pyrenees, wildfire strategy in the aftermath of the recent damaging conflagrations within the state, and the impact of trash pollution on the Tabernas Desert in Spain – Europe’s only desert.
Those who want to learn more about the health of the state’s streams, rivers and lakes can experiment with maps and links on Love Your River, Lakes Month and the Secchi Dip-In.
Additionally, this year’s calendar includes photos from the veteran monitoring groups Heal the Bay, San Diego River Park Foundation and Orange County Coast Keepers, as well as a profile of prominent marine biologist Kristy Finstad, who was among the 34 victims who perished in the dive boat fire off the coast of Santa Barbara on Labor Day Weekend.
Finstad, who studied aquatic biology at UC Santa Barbara, worked extensively on water issues during career stops for the Australian Institute of Marine Science, the California Coastal Commission and the City of Santa Cruz Water District, where she oversaw watershed health and protection.
The State Water Board and its nine regional boards are dedicated to a single vision: Abundant clean water for beneficial uses and environmental protections that sustain California’s future.
###
If you would rather not receive future communications from State Water Resources Control Board, let us know by clicking here.
State Water Resources Control Board, P.O. Box 100, Sacramento, CA 95812-0100 United States
