Warming Watersheds, Water and Energy Track Agenda - Apply Today!

This December 6-8, River Network will be hosting our Winter Training 2010 in Waynesboro, PA. Join us for the Warming Watersheds, Water and Energy track, a two and a half day intensive workshop focused on water, energy and climate change issues. Alliance for Water Efficiency, Union of Concerned Scientists, National Wildlife Federation, American Rivers and a number of state and local watershed groups will join River Network to share their expertise. Keep reading for the full agenda.

The Warming Watersheds, Water & Energy track will address local, state and national initiatives around water and energy conservation, energy development, climate impacts to watersheds, water calculators and audit tools to help communities protect water resources. Trainers will include the Alliance for Water Efficiency, the Union of Concerned Scientists, National Wildlife Federation, American Rivers, and watershed leaders from throughout the country. While space is limited, the Warming Watershed; Water & Energy track is open to all activists, collaborative stakeholder groups, watershed leaders and others working locally or nationally to address climate change, reduce water use, energy use and the impacts of energy development.

Apply Now!

Agenda

Monday – Dec. 6

Session #1: Climate Change Impacts on Watersheds – What we know
Global climate change will reveal itself through water by altering hydrologic cycles and increasing the likelihood of more extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts and hot spells. However, the specific changes experienced in a community will vary from place to place. This presentation will give an overview of how climate change will impact water supplies throughout the United States and explore different types of adaptation strategies to address these changes and how climate change can be incorporated into planning.

Presenters: TBD

Session # 2: Equity, Community Engagement: Impacts of Climate Change on People
Building an agenda for climate justice, engaging people in climate issues and working with diverse communities. Facilitator/ Presenter: Debbie Davis, Environmental Justice Coalition for Water.

Debbie Davis, EJ Coalition for Water

Session #3: Climate Plans and Adaptation
What are communities doing in the area of climate adaptation planning? What are the key principals that can make it successful?

Presenter: Gwen Griffith, Cumberland River Compact

Session #4: Working with Water Utilities to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Water
Pumping, treating and heating water in the United States requires at least 520 billion kilowatt hours per year – equivalent to 13% of U.S. electricity consumption with a carbon footprint of over 290 million metric tons, which means that there is huge potential to reduce the impacts of global warming by saving water. How can local groups work with utilities to promote water conservation policies and get answers to questions about energy use? What results are we seeing with current water conservation pilot projects and related energy conservation programs? How can you reduce water use in your community?

Presenters: Mary Ann Dickinson, Alliance for Water Efficiency; Dave Bracciano, Tampa Bay Water Department; Reinhard Sturm, Water Systems Optimization

Session #5: Potential for Cooperative Nation-wide Water and Energy Agenda
Review proposed Campaign for Sustainable Water and Energy goals/ objectives.

Wendy Wilson and Todd Ambs, River Network

Tuesday – Dec. 7

Session #6 : Panel: Water Impacts of Energy Development
In 2005, power plants in the United States withdrew 201 billion gallons of water – more than twice the flow of the Nile River – and accounted for 1 out of every 4 gallons of non-agricultural water consumption. As the U.S. strives to meet its goals of energy independence and greenhouse gas emissions reductions, the choices we make today will have a profound impact on our water supplies. To help watershed groups reduce the impacts of energy development, this session will explore: How is energy development and production impacting our water resources? How are local groups addressing these problems? Are key strategies such as the CWA permits, license renewals and water rights proceedings helping us get better technology, closed loop cooling systems, improve drilling, mining and or processing operations? How should River Network and UCS information be used?

Bevan Griffiths-Sattenspiel, River Network; Nadia Madden, Union of Concerned Scientists; Hilary Lambert, Cayuga Lake Watershed Network; Donna Lisenby, Appalachian Voices

Session #7 Community Preparation and Response
How are agencies responding to flooding, (local, state, FEMA, ACE, USGS) Do State and Local Climate Response plans work? Are our local water utilities and units of government getting enough information about these issues?

Margo Farnsworth, Cumberland River Compact/Lipscomb University and Wendy Smith, World Wildlife Federation

Session #8 Creating a Coast to Coast Leadership Network on the Impacts of Climate Change in Local Watersheds
Summarize the opportunities for watershed groups working across the country to create a new River Network led program that brings climate change impacts and mitigation actions to the local level. How can we build a network of leaders and resources to teach people about the intersection of rivers and climate change, as well as engage leaders in proactive strategies for what they can do about the impacts.

Zach Frankel, Utah Rivers Council; Beth Stewart, Cahaba River Society; Brianna Randall, Clark Fork Coallition

• Collaborative Working Groups and Community Education Case study and discussion based on a values-based approach for taking action on water and energy, in ways that are local, accessible, positive, and collaborative. * Beth Stewart, Cahaba River Society & Eleanor DelBene,*

• Developing and Implementing Climate Action Reports Brianna Randall, Clark Fork Coallition & Zach Frankel, Utah Rivers Council

• Worksheets and Discussion at tables

• Building a network of leaders (wrap-up) Full group discussion about resource and coordination needs to make this happen across the country. Wendy Wilson, River Network

Wednesday – Dec. 8

Session #9 Next Steps: Nation-wide water & energy initiatives
View from D.C. Where are we post-election? How might we influence U.S. EPA rulemaking processes on regulating greenhouse gases and other current issues. Are there opportunities with the Department of Energy or other federal partners?

Mary Ann Dickinson, Alliance for Water Efficiency, Vicki Deisner, National Wildlife Federation; Jenny Hoffner, American Rivers (invited)

Session #10: Peer Groups Meetings / Action Plans
Follow up from yesterday’s discussions in small groups
Wendy Wilson, River Network

The Winter Training 2010 will build on the success of our Winter Training 2008 (Nashville, TN), using a “cross-training” format so that individuals from a variety of backgrounds can come together, develop their skills and share experiences and tactics.

Registration costs – including lodging and most meals – are only $300. Plus, we have a number of scholarships available to help cover registration and travel costs, so...

Apply Now!