Northwestern California includes riparian areas that are among the most complex in California, providing ecological services and beneficial uses for riparian transition zones, from uplands to aquatic areas, in a region with high public and agency interest in those resources. This session focuses on applications of scientific information to regulatory and management applications within the region from the Russian River basin to the Oregon border. The session’s objectives will be to improve the basis for riparian area protection, enhancement, and restoration; to share recent developments in understanding riparian areas among riparian advocates; and to inspire broad application of science to riparian areas throughout the region.