It's never too late to learn something new! The Living River Speaker Series is an opportunity to expand your knowledge about the San Joaquin River. In partnership with the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, this season the program will celebrate Coexist With Wildlife California. Through four panel discussions, you’ll learn about local and statewide land, water and wildlife conservation efforts, and several ambitious plans supporting these natural resources along the San Joaquin River. Grab dinner from the food truck on-site, sip a beverage (included with ticket) at cocktail hour, and enjoy the presentation held in the River Center Barn.
2024 Season
Coexist with Wildlife
Thursday, September 5th, 2024
- Join panelists from the wildlife conservation and education efforts throughout the region for a conversation on local conservation efforts, organizational roles in wildlife protection, and the statewide Coexist with Wildlife Campaign. Confirmed panelists: Rory Telemeco: Director of Conservation Science, Fresno Chaffee Zoo
- Amy Avery: Director of Community Partnerships, Fresno Chaffee Zoo
- Mandy Breuer: Founding Principal, Golden Charter Academy
- Moderator: Bricken Sparacino: Director of Learning, Fresno Chaffee Zoo
.jpeg)
Coexist with Water
Date Change: Thursday, October 10th, 2024
What does it mean to Coexist with Water? How do we balance supply and demand of this critical but limited natural resource? Do you know where the water you drink is coming from today, and where it will come from in the future?
Join us to hear several perspectives on these issues. Bart Bohn will set the stage with a description of California’s vast water management system, which includes rivers, dams, canals, and pumping structures. Laura Ramos of the California Water Institute will talk about the challenges of providing clean water in the rural communities of the San Joaquin Valley. Jason Phillips will describe the new reality of living with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), and provide an update on the San Joaquin River Restoration Program.
Confirmed panelists:
Laura Ramos: Interim Director of Research Education, California Water Institute
Bart Bohn: Retired, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Caltrans District 6 Director
Jason Phillips: Chief Executive Officer, Friant Water Authority
Moderator:
Tom Holyoke, Professor of Political Science, CSU Fresno
Coexist with Land
Thursday, November 7th, 2024
Join panelists representing a variety of land-management backgrounds for a conversation about land use, conservation, biodiversity, and the growth and development of cities in the Central Valley.
Confirmed Panelists:
Sharon Weaver: Executive Director, San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust
Roman Rain Tree: Chief Impact Officer, Seeds of Sovereignty
Rebecca Burgess: Executive Director of Fibershed
Moderator:
Bart Bohn: Retired, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Caltrans District 6 Director
Coexist for the Future
Thursday, December 5th, 2024
Join us for presentations from local organizations working for a future that includes our wildlife and wild spaces to learn about the long term goals of local conservation efforts in the region.
Confirmed Panelists:
Jon Forrest Dohlin: Chief Executive Officer, Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Ashley Swearengin: President and CEO, Central Valley Community Foundation
Donald Portz Ph.D: Program Manager, San Joaquin River Restoration Program
Moderator:
Sharon Weaver: Executive Director, San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust
.png)