2019 Agenda

CARCD's 74th Annual Conference

2019 Tracks Choose a track to filter the schedule, or click here to show all tracks

Tuesday, Nov 12

Agenda

9:00 am↓ 9:30 am

Opening Plenary

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as Core RCD Capacities
Presented by Karen Buhr, CARCD, and Sheryl Landrum, RCD of Greater San Diego County
9:45 am↓ 11:00 am

RCD Capacity Day Breakout Sessions

RCD Management

Intentional Approaches to Organizational Culture

Learn about key elements that support an RCD culture where staff and board are engaged, trusting, motivated, and inspired, and identify some of the most important opportunities for leaders to set the tone and create that culture.

Presented by Chris Lim, Contra Costa RCD, Valerie Quinto, Sonoma RCD, and Jacob Skaggs, Inland Empire RCD
Revenue and Communications

Design and Fund Your Education Program

An inspiring session for both RCDs new to education programming and those who are hoping to expand or evolve existing programs. This session will outline best practices for education program design and tips for working with various funding public and private funding sources.

Presented by Christine Kuehn, Sonoma RCD, Eric McKee, Napa RCD, and Monika Whitfield, CARCD
11:15 am ↓ 12:30 pm

RCD Capacity Day Breakout Sessions

Revenue and Communications

Mastering Indirect Costs

Are You Allocating ALL Allowable Expenses to Your Grants? Learn the ins and outs of various methods of calculating and controlling indirect rates to maximize benefit to your RCD.

Presented by Sheryl Landrum, RCD of Greater San Diego, and Vicky Dawley and Kris Lamkin, RCD of Tehama County
Revenue and Communications

Using the RCD Communications Platform to Help Increase Visibility

Understand the core concepts of intentional communications, review examples of communications tools from RCDs throughout the state, and work together to explore how to meet specific RCD communications goals.

Presented by Christine Kuehn, Sonoma RCD and Brin Greer, RCD of Tehama County
12:30 pm↓ 1:45 pm

Lunch

Lunch will be on your own. CARCD will provide convenient meal options at or near the conference venue.
1:45 pm ↓ 3:00 pm

RCD Capacity Day Breakout Sessions

RCD Management

Project Management A to Z

Project Management A to Z
Project management pros share tips and tools from pre-project planning through project development, implementation, and evaluation

Presented by Nicole Cartwright, Tahoe RCD, Linda MacElwee, Mendocino RCD, and Jeanette Wrysinski, Yolo RCD
Revenue and Communications

Building a Relationship With Your Board of Supervisors

Building Relationships With Your Board of Supervisors
A panel discussion with two county supervisors and an RCD District Manager will explore how RCDs can connect with Supervisors, keep them informed, and get help reaching the RCD’s community goals.

Panelists are Dennis Garton, Tehama County Supervisor, Randy Fletcher, Yuba County Supervisor, and Devin Best, Upper Salinas - Las Tablas RCD.
3:15 pm↓ 4:30 pm

RCD Capacity Day Breakout Sessions

RCD Management

Prevailing Wage Compliance: You Can Do It Yourself!

Prevailing wage is a very complicated process RCDs must go through to use public money on public works. Understand key definitions and background information on prevailing wage compliance, and walk through one practical approach to implementation developed by RCD of Tehama County.

Presented by Vicky Dawley and Kris Lamkin, RCD of Tehama County.
Revenue and Communications

Launching a Private Enterprise Project

Thinking of charging landowners, community members, or private businesses for a service provided by the RCD? This session will help you understand the conditions for success, key elements of the process for implementation, and important attitudes needed to make a program successful.

Presented by Maddison Easely, Placer RCD, and Clark Stevens, RCD of Santa Monica Mountains, with support from John Hendra, RCD of Santa Monica Mountains
5:30 pm↓ 7:00 pm

Leadership Networking Reception

Hosted by Sustainable Conservation, the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, and the Sheraton Hotel at the Sundial Bridge. Share and celebrate growth and accomplishments from five years of capacity building work in the RCD network. Drinks and light snacks will be provided.

Wednesday, Nov 13

Agenda

8:00 am↓ 9:00 am

Breakfast

Breakfast will be in the Mosaic Restaurant at the Sheraton Hotel.
9:00 am↓ 12:00 pm

Opening Session
11:00 am↓ 12:00 pm

Turtle Bay Arboretum Tour (Partial Registration Ticket-Holders Only)

Meet at the North Plaza. See link for park map.
12:15 pm↓ 1:30 pm

NRCS-RCD Partnership Awards Luncheon

Celebrating Our Partnership

Presented by: Carlos Suarez, USDA National Resource Conservation Service

NRCS-RCD Excellence Awards

2 pm↓ 3:30 pm

Breakout Sessions

Partnerships and Programs for Relevant, Excellent, and Visible RCDs

Turning Statewide Vision into Local Action

During this session, you will learn about how to build strong state partnerships.

Collaboration to Make an Impact

Presented by: Jenny Di Stefano, CA Department of Conservation, Division of Land Resource ProtectionGail Chun, California Department of ConservationBruce Gwynne, CA Department of Conservation, Division on Land Resource Protection

Creating Collaborative Landscape Conservation Opportunities Through Regulatory Framework: An Example from CDFW SB34 Advanced Mitigation Land Acquisition Grant Program

Presented by: Junko Hoshi, California Department of Fish & Wildlife

Cleaning up California's Rural Lands

Presented by: Stephanie Becker, CalRecycle

State Agency Gets Long-Term Habitat Management Help from RCDs

Presented by: Molly Ferrell, California Department of Water Resources

Working Lands Are Part of the Solution

Dishing the Dirt on Healthy Soils

Promoting Soil Health Innovations: Barriers, Motivations, and Enabling Conditions

Presented by: Joanna Ory, UC Berkeley

Support for Carbon Farming Through Peer Learning Networks

Presented by: Erin Walkenshaw, FibershedLynette Niebrugge, Carbon Cycle Institute

Audubon Conservation Ranching: Incentivizing Regenerative Grassland Management by Connecting Certified Ranches to Consumer Markets

Presented by: Matt Allshouse, Audubon California

Carbon Storage on Working Lands

Presented by: Scott Eckardt, DudekMichael Sweesy, Dudek

Fireside Chats (2nd Floor Club Lounge)

Turtle Bay Animal Encounters

Meet at the Mill Building. See link for park map.
3:45 pm↓ 5:15 pm

Breakout Sessions

Partnerships and Programs for Relevant, Excellent, and Visible RCDs

RCD Pathway to Excellence

RCD Financial Assistance Program Success Stories

Presented by: Jenny Di Stefano, CA Department of Conservation, Division of Land Resource ProtectionSheryl Landrum, Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego CountyTim Keesey, Butte County RCD

What Is the Sustainable RCD Model?: A Combined Perspective from RCD Management, Private Consulting and Public Resource Agencies

Presented by: Jeff Souza, Tehama Environmental SolutionsMichael Harris, California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Noone Expects the Spanish Inquisition: What I Did Wrong and What You Can Do Better for a Department of Finance Audit

Presented by: Paul Robins, RCD of Monterey County

In-Lieu Fee: Accelerate RCD Stewardship Programs

Presented by: Michael Sweesy, DudekWard Simmons, Best Best & Krieger

Working Lands Are Part of the Solution

At the Forefront of Conservation and Community Resilience

Save the Western Monarch: RCDs Team Up with the Xerces Society

Presented by: Dr. Hillary Sardinas, Alameda County RCDJessa Kay Cruz, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

Expanding Technical Assistance to Urban, Educational, and Community Farms

Presented by: Adria Arko, San Mateo RCDKasey Butler, San Mateo RCD

Back to the Land: Features of Grassroots Rural Revivals

Presented by: Charlie Deist,

Building Local Resilience Through Community Composting

Presented by: Heather Williams, CalRecycle

Forest Health and Fire Resilience: Increasing Pace and Scale

Funding for Fuels Treatment: If Money Grew on Trees

Funding Fuel Treatments: Quantifying Ecosystem Service Benefits Derived from Fuel Treatments

Presented by: Mark Egbert, Georgetown Divide & El Dorado Resource Conservation Districts

RCD Roles in Post-Catastrophic Fire Recovery

Presented by: Wolfy Rougle, Butte County RCD

Forest Blueprints: AIl Generated Reforestation Blueprints Can Transform the Performance of the World’s Most Valuable Carbon Sinks and Unlock Critical Funding to Accelerate Land Restoration

Presented by: Johann Lockard, Land Life Company

Creating Fire Resilient Landscapes on Private Timberlands

Presented by: Bennie Johnson Howell, Collins Pine Company

Fireside Chats (2nd Floor Club Lounge)

NRCS Wants to Hear Your Voice — Strategic Plan Listening Session

Presented by: Carlos Suarez, USDA National Resource Conservation ServiceGayle Barry, USDA National Resource Conservation Service

Turtle Bay Sundial Bridge Tour

Meet at the North Plaza. See link for park map.
5:30 pm↓ 7:30 pm

Sponsor Mixer

Connect with sponsors over appetizers and drinks. Visit 5 sponsors and get a drink on us!
7:30 pm↓ 9:00 pm

Awards Dinner

Dinner reception at the Turtle Bay Exploration Park’s beautiful Oak Hall among aquariums and natural history exhibits

Welcome to Shasta County

Presented by: Mary Rickert, Shasta County Board of Supervisors

CDFA Partner Speech

Presented by: Jenny Lester-Moffitt, California Department of Food and Agriculture

CAL FIRE Partner Speech

Presented by: Keali'i Bright, California Department of Conservation, Division of Land Resource Protection

The McConnell Foundation Partner Speech

Thursday, Nov 14

Agenda

8:00 am↓ 9:00 am

Breakfast
9:00 am↓ 10:00 am

Breakout Sessions

Fireside Chats (2nd Floor Club Lounge)

Enhancing Habitat and Improving Fish Passage and Protection in Working Landscapes

Presented by: Joey Howard, Cascade Stream Solutions

Partnerships and Programs for Relevant, Excellent, and Visible RCDs

Counting on Counties for Conservation Partnerships

Moderated by:
Emily Sutherland, Financial and Administrative Manager/Co-Interim Executive Director, CARCD

Santa Barbara County Conservation Blueprint

Presented by: Anna Olsen, Cachuma RCD

From Projects to Operating Support: Diversifying Your Relationship with Your County

Presented by: Adria Arko, San Mateo RCD

Restoring Forests Through Partnership: Lessons Learned from the French Meadows Project

Presented by: Angel Hertslet, The Nature ConservancyMarie Davis, Placer County Water AgencyBrett Storey, Placer County

Working Lands Are Part of the Solution

Dirt Into Gold: Economic Benefits of Soil Health

Making the Case for Soil Health Practices by Demonstrating Successful Economic Outcomes

Presented by: Paul Lum, American Farmland Trust

The Ecological and Economic Benefits of Regenerative Ranching in California

Presented by: Kevin Watt, TomKat Ranch

Forest Health and Fire Resilience: Increasing Pace and Scale

On-the-Ground Strategies for Fire Resilience

A Smokin’ Hot Approach to Community Wildfire Readiness

Presented by: Brin Greer, RCD of Tehama CountyJon Barrett, RCD of Tehama County

Successful Revegetation Strategies and Outcomes on High Severity Burn Areas on the Carr Fire

Presented by: Bill Agnew, Agnew Environmental Consulting

Findings from the 2018 Steep Terrain Hazardous Fuels Demonstration

Presented by: Tad Mason, TSS Consultants

10:15 am↓ 11:15 am

Breakout Sessions

Partnerships and Programs for Relevant, Excellent, and Visible RCDs

It Takes a Village: Educating the Community for Conservation Success

Building Local Resilience and Capacity Through Education

Presented by: Avana Andrade, San Mateo County Office of Sustainability

Protecting Water from Source to Sink Through Watershed Education

Presented by: Marianne Butler, Solano RCDAllison Martin, Solano RCD

Working Lands Are Part of the Solution

The Wisdom of Nutrient Management

Soil Health Management and Monitoring in Annual Row Crop Rotations

Presented by: Sacha Lozano, Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz CountyLaura Murphy, RCD of Monterey County

Partnerships for Irrigation and Nutrient Management Education

Presented by: Trina Walley, East Stanislaus Resource Conservation DistrictNatalie Jacuzzi, California Department of Food and Agriculture

Glenn County Resource Conservation District Soil Health Education / Outreach: Farmer-Lead Soil Education Leads To Soil Resilience

Presented by: Kandi Manhart, Glenn County Resource Conservation District

Increasing Pace and Scale for Watershed Management

Big Picture Watershed Management for a Big State

California Water Plan Update 2018: Planning for a More Sustainable Water Future

Presented by: Paul Massera, California Department of Water Resources

Planning and Collaboration for Reducing Nonpoint Source Pollution to Waters of the State

Presented by: Jodi Pontureri, State Water Resources Control BoardJeanie Mascia, State Water Resources Control Board

Accelerating Restoration

Presented by: Katie Haldeman, Sustainable Conservation

11:30↓ 12:30

Breakout Sessions

Fireside Chats (2nd Floor Club Lounge)

CARCD’s Legislative Strategy – We Want Your Input!

Presented by: Tasha Newman, Pacific Policy Group

Forest Health and Fire Resilience: Increasing Pace and Scale

Increasing Pace and Scale: Partnerships for Healthy Forests

Growing the Role of RCDs to Increase the Pace and Scale of Forest Restoration with USFS

Presented by: Amanda McAdams, US Forest Service

An RCD/US Forest Service Partnership Model to Increase Pace and Scale for Forest Health

Presented by: Todd Sloat, Fall River and Pit RCDChris Christofferson, US Forest Service

Partnerships and Programs for Relevant, Excellent, and Visible RCDs

Making Space for the Whole Community: Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are Critical to Conservation

Increasing Pace and Scale for Watershed Management

Striving for Water Balance in California

Recharge Net Metering: Innovative Incentives for Groundwater Sustainability

Presented by: Kelli Camara, RCD of Santa Cruz County

Systematic Acts of Conservation: How Farm-Scale Modeling Can Optimize Watershed-Scale Conservation Planning for Greatest Positive Impact on Water Resources

Presented by: Nick Osman, The Freshwater TrustWendy Rash, USDA National Resource Conservation ServiceJohn Currey, Dixon RCDKelly Huff, Dixon RCD

Leveraging Our Collective Action to Manage Water for People and Nature in California

Presented by: Monty Schmitt, The Nature Conservancy

Turtle Bay Arboretum Tour

Meet at the North Plaza. See link for park map.
12:45 pm↓ 2:30 pm

Speak-Off Lunch

High School speak-off competition finalists from across California will be invited to compete for cash prizes during Thursday’s lunch. This year’s theme is “Why do we need to act to save the monarch butterfly? What can RCDs do to help?”

Turning it up to Eleven— Building Regional Capacity to Amplify Climate Action

Presented by: Keali'i Bright, California Department of Conservation, Division of Land Resource Protection

High-School Speak-Off Competition

3:00 pm↓ 4:00 pm

Breakout Sessions

Fireside Chats (2nd Floor Club Lounge)

Restore California: A New Program for Restaurants to Fund Carbon Farming

Presented by: Anthony Myint, The Perennial Farming Initiative

Forest Health and Fire Resilience: Increasing Pace and Scale

Increasing Pace and Scale: Partnerships for Fire Resilience

Trinity County Fire Safe Council: A Case Study in Bridging Stakeholder Collaborations and Strategic Partnerships

Presented by: Pat Frost, Trinity County Fire Safe CouncilKelly Sheen, Trinity County RCD

Increasing Pace and Scale: Local Action for Water, Soil, and Forest Resilience

Presented by: Sheryl Landrum, Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego CountyMandy Parkes, Inland Empire Resource Conservation District

Aligning and Leveraging Our Network: Across Organizations, Regions and Initiatives

Presented by: Alex Vance, Sierra Nevada ConservancyAllison Jolley, Watershed Research & Training Center

Working Lands Are Part of the Solution

All In for Collective Carbon Impact

Cooperative Collaboration for Conservation

Presented by: William Hart, Gold Ridge RCDMike Griffin, Organic ValleyDr. Jeff Creque, Carbon Cycle Institute

Increasing Pace and Scale: Activating California’s Climate Policy in Working Lands Through Local Action

Presented by: Carrie Wendt, Point Blue Conservation ScienceAlicia Herrera, Point Blue Conservation Science

Climate Response at the Local Scale: Translating Global Climate Impacts into Local Action

Presented by: Wendy Rash, USDA National Resource Conservation ServiceLauren Parker, USDA California Climate Hub

Increasing Pace and Scale for Watershed Management

Managing Water for the Benefit of Fish, Families, and Farms

Long-Term Monitoring of Shasta River Water Quality

Presented by: Mike Riney, Shasta Valley RCD

Collaborative Water Management for Fish, Families and Farms in a North Coast Watershed

Presented by: Linda MacElwee, Mendocino County RCDMonty Schmitt, The Nature ConservancyPatty Madigan, Mendocino County RCD

Turtle Bay Animal Encounters

Meet at the Mill Building. See link for park map.
4:15 pm↓ 5:15 pm

Breakout Sessions

Increasing Pace and Scale for Watershed Management

Go With the (Stream)Flow
Working Lands Are Part of the Solution

RCDs in Climate Smart Agriculture

San Diego County: Ongoing Successes in Climate-Smart Agriculture

Presented by: Dr. Chandra Richards, Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County

The Carbon Farming Network: Creating Carbon Farming Programs Through Local Partnerships with RCDs

Presented by: Dr. Pelayo Alvarez, Carbon Cycle Institute

North Coast Soil Health Hub: A Successful Regional Collaboration

Presented by: Lucas Patzek, Napa County RCD

Forest Health and Fire Resilience: Increasing Pace and Scale

The Missing Piece: Forest Health on Private Lands

Private Landowners in California Face Loss and Choose to Reforest After High-Severity Wildfire

Presented by: Susie Kocher, UC Cooperative ExtensionLulu Waks, UC BerkeleyDr. Lynn Huntsinger, UC Berkeley

My Sierra Woods

Presented by: Chantz Joyce, American Forest Foundation

Frost Hill Hazardous Tree Removal

Presented by: Maddison Easley, Placer County RCDSteve Garcia, Placer County RCD

5:45 pm↓ 9:00 pm

Off-Site Dinner

This dinner will be held at the McConnell Foundation’s beautiful Lema Ranch. Guests will enjoy good eats, a bar, and dancing, to celebrate the end of the conference. A big thank you to the McConnell Foundation for generously donating the use of the venue.

Please note that this event requires a separate registration. Use this link to register. We expect to sell out, so get your tickets now!

Friday, Nov 15

Agenda

8:30 am↓ 9:00 am

Breakfast
9:00 am↓ 12:00 pm

CARCD Annual Business Meeting
1:00 pm↓ 4:00 pm

Conservation Tours

Join us for an exclusive conservation tour led by the Western Shasta RCD, which will include a stop to the RCD’s Carr Fire erosion control project and the Clear Creek salmonid restoration site. The tour registration fee is $25; lunch is included. **Update: the tours are now sold out.**