Program Outline

Day #1 Sets the stage with an overview of the role of science, policy, management, and social factors in river-riparian management and restoration. Likely topics include major initiatives investing in riparian restoration and enhanced human and ecosystem benefits both inside and outside of California. A major goal of this day is to highlight potential interactions between river corridors, scientific understanding, the arts, and community wellbeing.

A combination of plenary and concurrent sessions are planned to further develop and report on the Summit themes.

Sponsors and contributors for displays of riparian-inspired visual and performing arts coordinated with the Summit are being sought.

Day #2 will focus on case study “success stories” representing strategies and partnerships that have advanced multiple goals, dovetailed with area plans and community needs, or improved the extent and quality of riparian systems. After an opening plenary session, concurrent sessions will permit exploration of multiple participant-generated thematic/case-study topics. The schedule will allow for the audience to rotate among sessions.

Day #3 focuses on “where we can go from here” and how to engage and stimulate people to act more decisively to recapture some of the lost grandeur of California’s riparian systems. Again a combination of plenary and concurrent sessions is planned and will address current understanding in the State Legislature, policy implications and directions, and how far legislation can take us. Illustrations of getting people involved and what outcomes, timelines, and resources to expect will be a focus, with discussions and panels. A concluding plenary will wrap up with an overview of the summit highlighting some of the ideas and directions that will be addressed in a follow-up white paper.

Poster sessions will be scheduled throughout the summit, and can include thematic poster sessions convened by participant groups.

Some opportunities for booths or tables, particularly for sponsoring organizations, will also be available. Please contact the organizing committee about ideas for either poster sessions or table/booth displays.

Post Summit actions and Synthesis workgroups are planned, but not yet scheduled, to bring major findings and opportunities from Summit sessions together into forms useful for review papers, educational/outreach materials, or legislative action. It is anticipated that presentation materials and summaries of the Summit will be posted online after the Summit concludes. A formal proceedings is not anticipated. A white paper or recommendation paper will likely be developed in one of the post summit workgroups. Please contact the organizing committee if you wish to be notified of follow-up writing activities.

The facilities: The UC Davis Conference Center is a contemporary and stylish setting. We anticipate approximately 400 participants. The Center provides a large ballroom/lecture hall that will be reconfigured for concurrent sessions. The facility is on UC Davis campus, which is about 1/2hr drive from Sacramento International Airport, and is served by Amtrak and the Capitol Corridor train services (via the Davis stop). Parking is available within easy walking distance of the Conference Center. Please outline any special needs as part of your proposal.