Media Advisory: Groups to Call for Renewed Attention on Healthy Headwaters

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Mar 18, 2015) - With prolonged drought, destructive wildfires and climate change putting key forests and watersheds at risk, three organizations are seeking to elevate the importance of California's headwaters and the role they play in the state's water supply.

The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), The Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy will discuss the topic and the need for action during a media briefing call at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 19. Call-in information is provided below.

The organizations have identified improved management of the state's headwaters as a priority and are coming together to raise the visibility of headwaters challenges and the potential benefits of more coordinated management.

During the media briefing call, the groups will outline current challenges and the need for landscape-scale research and other activities that can ultimately lead to more resilient headwaters areas. Each organization has an individual report or effort that will be discussed, including two reports being released for the first time.

Efforts that will be discussed address headwaters management, encourage engagement and help quantify the benefits of more coordinated management. Potential benefits include reduced risk of destructive wildfires, improved water quality and water supply reliability downstream, enhanced habitat and development of renewable energy supplies through biomass activities.

WHO: The Association of California Water Agencies, The Nature Conservancy and Sierra Nevada Conservancy
WHAT: Media briefing call on the importance of healthy headwaters
WHEN: Thursday, March 19, 10 a.m.
Call 1-317-353-3831. Code: 8328575# **Credentialed media only

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 430 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.