2023 Contra Costa County
Creek and Watershed Symposium

Thursday, October 26, 2023
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Pleasant Hill Community Center
320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, USA

We invite all creek enthusiasts, watershed advocates, wildlife supporters, conservationists, students, and interested community members to attend this event!

The theme of this year's Symposium, Intergenerational Watershed Stewardship, seeks to open an inclusive and practical dialogue between established watershed advocates and the emerging generation of watershed stewards. As we recognize the implications of our changing climate, how can we strengthen our commitment to collaboration and knowledge sharing among diverse participants in and around Contra Costa? How can we ensure that multi-year projects and plans come to fruition? We will explore answers to these questions, and we hope you will take part in the dialogue.

PROGRAM
We are excited to offer a program that prioritizes opportunities for attendees to engage with one another and the speakers. This event will include keynote speakers, facilitated panel discussions, posters, tabling, and networking opportunities. There will also be optional Field Trips on October 27, 2023—these will enable attendees to visit some of the projects highlighted at the Symposium.

SPEAKERS
Our Symposium speakers include Doria Robinson (Executive Director of Urban Tilth and Richmond City Councilmember), Nina Gordon-Kirsch (Home2Headwaters), Annie Burke (TOGETHER Bay Area), Jen Toy (Test Plot), and Kate Golden (Bay Nature). Supervisor Ken Carlson will offer welcoming remarks at the event. Please stay tuned for additional information about our conference speakers and program!

TICKETS
Symposium registration is open! Please register for the event on Eventbrite.
Early Bird Ticket Pricing is available through September 26, 2023.

Early Bird General Admission Ticket Price: $40
General Admission Ticket Price (after September 26, 2023): $45
Student Ticket Price: $15*
*People who are currently enrolled in school, regardless of age, are eligible for Student Ticket pricing.

Your Symposium ticket includes:

• Admission to the in-person conference at the Pleasant Hill Community Center on October 26, 2023

• Symposium Welcome Packet, which includes a printed program and commemorative Klean Kanteen 10oz stainless steel cup (made of certified 90% post-consumer recycled 18/8 stainless steel!)

• A light breakfast

• A catered lunch (Vegan and gluten-free options are available.)

• Refreshments from Cafe Ohlone

• An evening reception

• Admission to Field Trips on October 27, 2023

AWARDS
After reviewing dozens of compelling nominations, the Awards Subcommittee of the Symposium Planning Committee selected one winner in each of four Symposium Award categories (Watershed Champion, Outstanding Contra Costa Watershed Volunteer, Outstanding Contra Costa Watershed Project, and Emerging Leader). The award winners are individuals or projects that have provided exceptional contributions to the creeks and watersheds of Contra Costa County between December 2019 and July 2023. Awards will be presented at the Symposium on October 26, 2023. (Award winners will be notified ahead of time.) After the Symposium, Award winners and nominees will be listed here.

ACCESSIBILITY
We invite everyone to this conference, regardless of ability to contribute financially. If cost is a barrier to attend, please reach out to us at Symposium@ccrcd.org.

The Pleasant Hill Community Center is wheelchair accessible. If you have additional accessibility needs, please reach out to us.

Parking is free, but limited. We highly encourage carpooling or using public transportation.

FIELD TRIPS
Symposium registrants will have the opportunity to join one or more Field Trips on October 27, 2023. Each Field Trip will highlight a restoration project in a different part of Contra Costa County:

• Three Creeks Parkway Restoration Project (Brentwood, CA)

• Dutch Slough Tidal Marsh Restoration Project (Oakley, CA)

• Lower Walnut Creek Restoration Project (Martinez, CA)

• North Richmond Watershed Connections Project (North Richmond, CA)