2012 WATERSHED DAY AT THE CAPITOL

“Creating Sustainable Green Jobs and Funding”

Register NOW - Only $30 until Leap Day, $40 in March!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012
CalEPA Building's Klamath Room - 2nd Floor
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA   

Watershed Day is a great opportunity to learn about the political climate regarding the future of watershed restoration in California.  It also provides a forum for watershed practitioners and restorationists to meet with their Legislators and let them know that it pays to invest in community-based watershed management.  Below is information regarding:
•	Event Agenda
•	Tips for Meeting with Your Legislators
•	Mentor Guide Program
•	Hotel Options  
Registration Form  
AGENDA

  8:00 – 9:00	Registration and Networking Breakfast.
Local watershed groups, legislative staffers and others are encouraged to enjoy a continental breakfast and network.  	
  9:00 – 9:10	Welcome and Opening Remarks: 
Mary Lee Knecht; Vice-President, California Watershed Network 	
  9:10 – 9:35	Inspirational Address:  Fran Spivy-Weber; Vice-Chair, 
State Water Resources Control Board	
  9:35 – 10:00	Capitol Update:  Assembly Member Richard Gordon (Los Altos)
Author of AB 587 – the successful volunteer legislation of 2011.	
10:00 – 10:30	Keynote Speaker:
Secretary John Laird, Natural Resources Agency	
10:30 – 10:45	Break	
10:45 – 11:30	Community Panel:  Jobs and Funding for California’s Watersheds 
•	John Lowrie, CA Dept of Conservation/Watershed Program Mgr.
•	Sari Sommarstrom, Executive Director, Scott River Water Trust
•	Nancy Steele, Executive Director, Council for Watershed Health 
   Moderated by A.L. Riley, San Francisco Bay Water Quality Control Brd	
11:30 – 11:45	Review of Legislator Talking Points / Pep Talk
Vern Goerhing, Natural Solutions for Advocacy	
11:45 – 11:55	Closing Remarks
Michael Wellborn; President, California Watershed Network 	
12:00 – 4:00	Lunch (try the Capital Basement) & Meet with Legislators	
  4:00 – 6:00	Debriefing Session:  Pyramid Ale Brewery and Restaurant	

   TIPS FOR MEETING WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS

Arranging the Meeting -

Go to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html to find your Senator and Assembly Members.  In the blank box, enter your zip code and press the “search” button.  This will tell you who your legislators are by your zip code.  

To find your Legislator’s mailing address, fax/telephone number, and/or email address go to:  http://www.senate.ca.gov (for you Senator’s information) and http://www.assembly.ca.gov (for your Assembly Member’s information).  

Call your Legislator’s office and ask to please speak with the “scheduler” to make an appointment.  Tell the scheduler that you will be participating in the Watershed Day at the Capitol on March 21st, and you would like to schedule a meeting with your Legislator.  The scheduler may ask you to fax or email a meeting request letter.  

If your Legislator is not available, the scheduler will make an appointment with a legislative staffer (this is very common).  If you are having difficulty in obtaining an appointment or getting a response, please notify a CWN Board member who will assist you.  

Preparing for the Meeting -

Put together a small packet with information about your organization and the issues that are there to talk about. Include letters you have sent to your legislator, news articles from your local media, and information on watershed and restoration issues. 

Identify the two or three key points you hope to convey to your legislator and imagine questions your legislator may have about your concerns. Being able to explain how your organization, and yourself personally, is affected by your legislators’ decisions concerning watershed and fisheries management makes your input to them more tangible.
   
During the Meeting -

Introduce yourself and explain how you are involved in watershed projects in California.  If you are part of a coalition of groups, share information about your coalition in the beginning, so the person you are meeting with knows who you are identified with. 

Share your information with legislators.  Ask what they think about the issues you are interested in.  Ask if the legislator would be interested in going with you to tour your watershed and visit community restoration projects. 
  
After the Meeting -

Let the staff know that you appreciated their help.  Send a follow-up card or letter to your legislator thanking them for the opportunity to meet with them. 

CWN MENTOR GUIDES

California Watershed Network offers this unique opportunity for those unfamiliar with the State Capitol to walk the halls accompanied by one of our Board members.  Teaming up in small groups, we will review our appointment schedules and navigate the corridors to chat with legislators and staffers about current issues and pending legislation that is important to your community.  To arrange to join up with one of our guides, send an e-mail message requesting participation in the Mentor Guide program to:	michael@watershednetwork.org.

   HOTEL OPTIONS

While some come to Watershed Day at the Capitol just for the day, many of us travel a long distance and spend a night.  There are numerous hotels in the Sacramento area, but we have listed a few of the more popular below.

Holiday Inn Sacramento Capitol Plaza 
300 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, United States
(916) 446-0100
holidayinn.com 

Best Western Plus Sutter House 
1100 H Street
Sacramento, CA 95814-2812
(916) 441-1314
bestwestern.com

Econo Lodge
711 16th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 443-6631
econolodge.com 

REGISTRATION FORM

REGISTRATION FEE:

		Only $30 until Leap Day (February 29), and $40 in March.

You can pay online with PayPal at:

	http://watershednetwork.org/nodes/programs/watershedday/2012_reg.html.

When you have completed the PayPal process, please e-mail a copy of your receipt to us at:
michael@watershednetwork.org 

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For mail-in registration, please print out and fill in this form:

NAME  _____________________________________________

AFFILIATION  ________________________________________

ADDRESS  __________________________________________

CITY  ______________________________________________

STATE  _______________________    ZIPCODE  ____________

To pay by check or money order, please mail it to:

Watershed Day at the Capitol
California Watershed Network 
PO Box 188005
Sacramento, CA 95818