The final day of the California Water Institute’s annual Water Bootcamp will be held in Spanish from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, May 31 on Zoom. 

The four-session water bootcamp was held each Friday from May 10 through 31, providing comprehensive insights into California’s complex water system. The final day of the bootcamp, however, will be tailored for a Spanish-speaking audience.

“A lot of people in Spanish-speaking communities are the most affected by drought and floods,” said Laura Ramos, interim director of the California Water Institute’s Research and Education Division. “We want to make sure that, as they are being affected or as they are being advocates for themselves, they completely understand the issues. What better way to help people understand than in their native language?”

The California Water Institute has been hosting the Water Bootcamp, a free virtual series dedicated to water education, for several years to commemorate Water Awareness Month. This month aims to raise public awareness about the importance of water conservation, the value of water as a natural resource and the need to use it wisely and sustainably. Water Awareness Month seeks to educate people about the various water-related issues facing their communities and the measures being taken. Various water agencies across the state now organize public outreach and educational activities every May to raise awareness about these issues.

In an effort to engage with the community in the region surrounding Fresno State’s campus, the California Water Institute is committed to fostering inclusivity and accessibility in its educational initiatives, ensuring that its programs serve the needs of community members, Ramos said.

By offering sessions in both English and Spanish, California Water Institute aims to break language barriers and provide equitable access to crucial water education. Through this inclusive approach, California Water Institute strives to create a more informed and empowered society, where everyone can engage meaningfully in discussions surrounding water resource management, Ramos added.

The water issues and information that will be highlighted in the Spanish bootcamp include hydrology, watershed, climate change, surface water distribution, surface water rights, overview of groundwater, groundwater recharge, groundwater regulations and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

“Spanish-speaking communities are already impacted by a lot of these things, so residents may have heard of these topics, they just haven’t been explained to them in their native language,” Ramos said, adding the Water Bootcamp was created as introductory sessions on different water issues to give the public a better understanding of what is going on across the state.

Even if the participants know some English, Ramos said it may be helpful for them to hear the terms in Spanish so they can get a better understanding. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions after each session.

To register for California Water Institute’s Water Bootcamp, visit https://cvent.me/n78DWO.


(Story by Julissa Zavala)