Klamath Basin Watershed conference scheduled

September 25, 2006

The 2006 Klamath Basin Watershed Conference will be held on November 7-9, 2006 in Redding, California. The event is open to all stakeholders.

Basin-wide watershed conferences have been held in the Klamath Basin Watershed for nearly ten years, according to a press release.

In 2001 and 2004, successful large-scale watershed conferences were held in Arcata, CA and Klamath Falls, OR, respectively.

The press release stated that those conferences “brought together diverse communities to acknowledge accomplishments, discuss problems and solutions, and encourage possible changes. The conferences sought to increase future collaboration and participation among all Klamath Basin Watershed stakeholders. “

To continue the progress of these past conferences, a group of basin leaders are hosting the 2006 Klamath Basin Watershed Conference.

The 2006 watershed conference will consist of three themed sessions. These sessions are: 1.) We Are One Basin, 2.) Progress in the Basin, and 3.) Moving Towards Sustainability. Attendees will participate in group sessions, panel discussions, and interactive activities led by a facilitator.

The event press release said that cultural and science displays will be exhibited. State and federal representatives will provide major policy updates and answer questions regarding potential impacts on the Klamath River Basin.

“The conference will integrate what we know about our unique watershed and what we know about communication, conflict, and communities from knowledge presented at past conferences,” it states.

To encourage watershed-wide collaboration, Tribal and sub-basin committees have been invited to report and display their needs, successes, and creative approaches to restoration.

Participants will be challenged to envision ways of resolving water issues that facilitate watershed restoration while sustaining the communities involved.

Further information can be found online at extension.oregonstate.edu.