HEALTHY RIVER,

THRIVING COMMUNITIES

Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles

Thursday, September 27

8:00 AM - 6:55 PM

In September 2018, the Council for Watershed Health and LA Sanitation hosted the State of the LA River Watershed Symposium and convened elected officials, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, academics, agency scientists and land managers to identify actionable next steps toward creating a healthy and resilient watershed. The 2018 Symposium reflected on what we’ve accomplished, the important work that still remains, and focused on fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

The Symposium concluded a decade of LA River water monitoring by the Council for Watershed Health (CWH), LA Sanitation and the City of Burbank. CWH shared the comprehensive story of the River’s condition, including a synthesis of water quality, habitat assessment and aquatic health data. Panel discussions created an opportunity for lively dialogue focused on identifying gaps in research, data and regional efforts. The Symposium identified actionable next steps and served as a jumping-off point for efforts in the region.

The response during and following the Symposium reaffirmed the need to continue engaging, connecting, and collaborating on efforts that result in a Healthy River and Thriving Communities. We are standing at a point in time of great opportunity with unprecedented investment in LA River revitalization. Concurrently, the call for more long-term monitoring data, sustainable development and meaningful community involvement has never been louder.

Attendees have reviewed the event experience calling it "informative", "enlightening", "valuable", and "honest". Our sincere thanks to all that contributed and attended this important and timely discussion. We look forward to continuing the conversation at future symposia and beyond. Please explore the resources on this page to learn more!

View our helpful sheet of Upcoming Watershed Events, Opportunities and Resources

Something missing? Send an email to info@watershedhealth.org to add your suggestion.

2018 State of the LA River Watershed Report

Symposium Presentations and Poster Resources

Symposium Downloads

Presentations

An 11 hour day, 4 informational sessions, 22 speakers and over 200 attendees– chances are that a few people missed something or may need a refresher. View panel speakers and follow the links below to view slides from each presentation.

Setting the Stage for the Los Angeles River Watershed

Panel 1: The Forces Shaping Ecological Health

Panel 2: Towards Creating Healthier Communities

Moderator - Pauline Louie, HUD
Importance of Parks and Recreational Spaces to Communities – Tamika Butler, LA Neighborhood Land Trust
How One Water Builds Resilience, Health, Jobs, and Equity – Traci Minamide, LA Sanitation and Environment
Balancing Recreation, Restoration and Economic Revitalization – Joseph T. Edmiston, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
Public Health and the Built Environment – Rob Baird, Prevention Institute

Panel 3: The Importance of Engaging Communities

Moderator - Heather Repenning, Vice President, Board of Public Works, City of Los Angeles
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, District 63
Irma Muñoz, CEO and President of Mujeres de la Tierra
Miguel Luna, DakeLuna
Stephen Mejia, Friends of the LA River
Rudy Ortega, Tribal President, Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians

Poster Abstracts

At CWH, watershed health is inextricably connected to water quality, the sustainability of water resources, ecological health, and the health and well-being of our communities. Posters featured at the Symposium were diverse but fit into the six general topics below. Please click each topic title to view the abstracts.

1. Reconnecting Communities to Their Watersheds

2. Measuring Progress and Gaps in Watershed Health

3. Predicting, Planning for, and Adapting to a Changing Climate

4. Creating and Sustaining Change

5. Watershed Management

6. Informational

Questions about this event or web page? Send your inquiry to info@watershedhealth.org.