The Tulare Basin Watershed Initiative
The TBWP initiated the Tulare Basin Watershed Initiative (TBWI) in 2011 under a $300,000 grant from the CA Department of Conservation Watershed Program (Proposition 84). Since the TBWP submitted the final report regarding the TBWI to DOC in November 2014, the TBWP has continued the TBWI as a permanent, ongoing program with major emphasis on support for a collaboration with the Tulare Basin Watershed Connections Workgroup and on implementation of projects such as the Allensworth-Alpaugh-Atwell Island Trail Project and others listed in the TBWP Conceptual Climate Project List.
The Tulare Basin Watershed Initiative has a mission to promote watershed-based integrated resource management in the Tulare Basin watershed by connecting diverse stakeholders in the Tulare Basin with resources to build capacity for projects that enhance water supply, water quality, flood management and ecosystem services.
As of November 2014, the three-year grant from the Department of Conservation's Watershed Coordinator Grant Program -- which provided significant funding to TBWI -- came to a close. The grant funded the work of a Watershed Coordinator, Kathy McLaughlin. Despite the end of the grant, TBWI continues as a permanent initiative of the Tulare Basin Wildlife Partners (TBWP). Current funding comes from Southern California Edison and the Fresno Regional Foundation. The program and its mission are executed by the TBWP team, including the TBWP Executive Director, Carole Combs; Programs Assistant, Dezaraye Bagalayos; Communications and Outreach Specialist, Niki Woodard; and TBWP Board members and advisors who provide invaluable expertise and time.
TBWI Focus:
The Tulare Basin Watershed Initiative has a mission to promote watershed-based integrated resource management in the Tulare Basin watershed by connecting diverse stakeholders in the Tulare Basin with resources to build capacity for projects that enhance water supply, water quality, flood management and ecosystem services.
As of November 2014, the three-year grant from the Department of Conservation's Watershed Coordinator Grant Program -- which provided significant funding to TBWI -- came to a close. The grant funded the work of a Watershed Coordinator, Kathy McLaughlin. Despite the end of the grant, TBWI continues as a permanent initiative of the Tulare Basin Wildlife Partners (TBWP). Current funding comes from Southern California Edison and the Fresno Regional Foundation. The program and its mission are executed by the TBWP team, including the TBWP Executive Director, Carole Combs; Programs Assistant, Dezaraye Bagalayos; Communications and Outreach Specialist, Niki Woodard; and TBWP Board members and advisors who provide invaluable expertise and time.
TBWI Focus:
- Continued coordination with the Tulare Basin Integrated Resource Management groups
- Engagement with the Tulare Basin Sustainable Groundwater Management Act/Groundwater Sustainability Agencies
- Participation in the Tulare Basin Watershed Connections Workgroup
- Authorship of the One Watershed series
- Maintenance of the Tulare Basin Watershed Initiative website and e-newsletter whose contents has now been integrated into the Tulare Basin Wildlife Partners website
- Participation in the San Joaquin Valley Greenprint
Sign up for the Tulare Basin Watershed Connections e-newsletter, a monthly summary of news, funding announcements, research and events pertaining to natural resource managers and stakeholders in the Tulare Basin. |
TBWI History: The Tulare Basin Watershed Initiative was developed in response to a grant that the Tulare Basin Wildlife Partners received from the California Department of Conservation (DOC) Statewide Watershed Program (previously, the CALFED Bay-Delta Watershed Program). The DOC program’s purpose is to advance sustainable watershed-based integrated resource management of California’s natural resources through community-based strategies. TBWP, as the Initiative's fiscal agent, submitted a grant request to the DOC in 2010, with consultation from the Tulare Basin Integrated Regional Water Management group (a Joint Powers Authority of the seven Tulare Basin IRWM groups). The TBWP received the largest award, $300,000, to fund a watershed coordinator, Kathy Wood McLaughlin, and related activities for three years.
History of the Watershed Coordinator Grant Program History: In 2000-2002, the pilot Watershed Coordinator Grant Program provided $2 million in grant funding for RCD watershed coordinators. The program funded 30 coordinators in 30 watersheds across the state. In 2002-2003, the program was able to extend 18 of the grantees for 18 months with funding from CALFED. The Department published quarterly progress reports to highlight the activities of each grantee. In 2004, the grant program was expanded through CALFED funding from the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002 (Proposition 50). The 2004-2007 grant program was open to special districts, nonprofit groups, and local governments and provided $9 million for a three-year period. In the Spring of 2004, 48 Grants were awarded and are currently under completion. Visit our Grant Reports page to read about the activities of each coordinator. The 2007 grant program was also funded through CALFED Proposition 50 funds and provided $9 million beginning in 2008. This was a three-year grant program in place through FY-2011. The goal of the program is to improve watersheds which affect the CALFED Solution Area by providing support for local watershed improvement efforts. The 2007 Request for Proposals and administrative forms are available for reference. The 2007 Watershed Coordinator Grants list of grantees.
