General Issues

By Region

Central Valley - Photo: Peter Thoeny
Photo: Peter Thoeny / Flickr

Central Valley

California's Central Valley faces a range of environmental issues, including water resources, air pollution, and endangered species protection.  In addition, human health and environmental justice play a large role in developing strategies that will work for all of the region's residents.  Switzer Fellows have been working in the area for decades and lead some of the state's most important efforts to address these pressing issues.

Spotlight on Leadership

Restoring the San Joaquin River
Restoring the San Joaquin River

After 60 years, the San Joaquin River again flows to the sea and salmon runs are being restored. But many challenges remain in the river's revival. Featuring Switzer Fellows Peter Vorster and Mark Tompkins. Produced by 2003 Switzer Fellow Jim Downing.Read more >

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Fellows in the News

Fellows in the News | Apr 10, 2019
Bradman honored by The Organic Center
Fellows in the News | Oct 4, 2018
Bradman publishes on whether buffer zones will protect school children from pesticides
Fellows in the News | Mar 16, 2018
Downing, Niles, and Conrad collaborate on journal issue about California water act

Related Grants

Cumulative Impacts and Sustainable Solutions for Central Valley Water, Year 2
Year: 2013
Region: California
The Community Water Center (CWC) received a second year of Switzer funding for Dr. Carolina Balazs's position as Research Scientist. Carolina is developing short- and long-term research projects for CWC that will inform its advocacy efforts for clean drinking water and public health in...Read more >
Cumulative Impacts and Sustainable Solutions for Central Valley Water, Year 1
Year: 2012
Region: California
Community Water Center (CWC) has hired Carolina Balazs as Research Scientist and Scientific Advisor. Carolina will add scientific capacity to this grassroots advocacy organization to help inform its policy and planning efforts as it works to ensure that communities in California’s San Joaquin...Read more >
Ecological Leadership for California's Flood Management Future Leadership Program, Year 2
Year: 2011
Region: California
Mark Tompkins will continue his consultancy with American Rivers for a second year as technical and policy advisor on the finalization of California's Central Valley Flood Management Plan (CVFMP). The CVFMP is a multi-year process to review the status of flood management infrastructure in...Read more >

Featured Fellows

Carolina Balazs
Carolina Balazs
2009 Fellow
Research Scientist
UC Davis and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
Asa Bradman
1997 Fellow
Professor of Public Health
UC Merced
Tim Ramirez
1995 Fellow
Manager, Natural Resources Division
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

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