On May 11, 2025, the Sacramento Valley lost a water leader with a strong legacy in the region. Jack William Baber passed away peacefully at home, with his beloved wife Audra by his side. He was 91 years old, and in those nine decades he managed to live a life that was both grounded in … Continue reading “Remembering Jack Baber”

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By Todd Manley Last week, Sacramento hosted the first-ever Terra Madre Festival in the United States, bringing together farmers, ranchers, conservationists, students, and community members to celebrate the connections between food, nature, and culture. Organized in partnership with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), the festival … Continue reading “Recognizing the Value of Ricelands During the Terra Madre Festival”

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By Kam Bezdek, NCWA Legislative Affairs Director This State Legislature adjourned the first year of its 2025-26 legislative session on September 18th at midnight. Governor Newsom faced a budget deficit for a third consecutive fiscal year and spent much of the calendar year managing the physical impact and total economic loss of the LA fires … Continue reading “Legislative Summary September 2025”

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By David Guy, NCWA President In his book LifePlace: Bioregional Thought and Practice, U.C. Davis Professor Robert Thayer offers a powerful framework for how we can live more meaningfully and sustainably by reconnecting with the places we inhabit. His central idea is that a “life-place” is more than just geography—it is a living system where … Continue reading “LifePlace and the Sacramento Valley: Rooting Our Future in Place “

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