Did you know that Sacramento is one of the most flood-prone cities in the United States? And also that more than a third of Californians live in wildfire hazard zones? Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, joined us this week to speak about two key aspects of California natural resource stewardship – water stewardship and fire prevention.
But before Secretary Crowfoot, we heard about several important service projects, welcomed several new guests, and learned about several networking opportunities coming up. Let’s get down to it.
Past President Linda Geery provided the Thought for the Day – Langston Hughes’ “Dreams” – adding an invitation for Rotarians to dream of peace, and hope; and to be grateful for our ability to be in community together, doing work that makes a difference. Read “Dreams” here.
David Rowen, a nurse anesthetist with Rotoplast, was invited to share more about the good work of Rotoplast. While not formally affiliated with Rotary, it was founded by a Rotarian with the goal of bringing life-changing therapeutic plastic surgery to patients in developing worlds. This is most frequently cleft palate treatments for children, but also regularly includes burn treatments for children and adults. Since its founding in 1993, Rotoplast has conducted more than 300 service trips and treated over 20,000 patients.
Kathy Herrfeldt shared her experiences at last weekend’s Habitat for Humanity housing dedication, where 15 Rotarians helped install the final fenceline for a new Habitat project – and celebrated with seven families who were given keys to their new homes that day. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento has provided thousands of families with access to affordable home ownership, as well as programs to support low-income, home-owning seniors to age in place. Families have to provide 500 hours of sweat equity as a down payment for a home, and must qualify for a mortgage. This is truly not a handout of a free home, but a hand-up to home ownership for hardworking families in our community, and Kathy and the other participating Rotarians considered themselves lucky to be part of Saturday’s dedication.
Club Announcements:
Theatre Night: There are five tickets left for the Tina Turner musical at Broadway Sacramento next Thursday (tix $90). Contact PP Todd Koolakian for details
The next Fireside Chat will be at the home of new member Jay King on March 12 – a signup sheet will be going out shortly.
The next Networking Night will be on March 20 at Juju Kitchen and Cocktails. Come enjoy a drink with friends; appetizers are covered by Harold Bellamy and First Northern Bank. Signups will also be emailed out shortly by organizer Ted White.
Interact students joined us to share that they are running a supply drive for care kits to benefit children in local hospitals. Folks wishing to participate in the supply drive should bring their items to the March 25 meeting.
Steve Huffman recently visited Rotarian PP Bob Cole in his new digs at the James Monroe Manor. Bob sends his best wishes to all his Rotarian friends.
Put Me In, Coach: Elfrena Foord, PP Linda Geery, and Nancy Teichert made gifts in honor of Rotoplast, the late club member Scot Crocker, and time spent with a dear niece, respectively.
Water and Fire – opportunities for conscious stewardship:
CA Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot oversees an agency charged with stewarding California’s forests and natural lands, rivers and water supplies, and coast and ocean. It also protects natural places, wildlife and biodiversity, and helps oversee the clean energy transition of the sixth largest economy in the world. In his comments, he focused on two high profile policy areas – water stewardship and wildfire containment.
Water Stewardship. Did you know California has more variability in hydrology year over year than any other state? We’re consistently either battling drought or flood – the driest three-year period in 175 years came to a close with the wettest three weeks in California history. This volatility is expected to become more extreme as climate change continues to advance. Water stewardship in this context includes flood protection, water conservation, and also bridging national and local water projects to ensure that water is collected, conserved, and moved to where it is needed most.
Secretary Crowfoot made a point that water issues are economic issues – impacting housing and urban planning, yes, but also economic development far beyond agriculture. The CNRA’s goals include diversifying California’s water sources (capturing more rain and runoff), and upgrading statewide water infrastructure, much of which is currently 75-100 years old.
Crowfoot briefly touched on the CNRA’s involvement with the Delta Conveyance (Delta Tunnel) and the reasons he supports it:
- There’s a 75% chance that an earthquake would impact surface levees, causing flooding and water loss, where underground the water supply is protected.
- Moving water transport underground protects the water supply from salt water intrusion as sea level rise will bring Bay saltwater further up the Delta
Crowfoot noted Sacramento is among the most flood-prone cities in the United States, and he praised Hon. Doris Matsui for her diligent efforts to gain flood protections for Sacramentans.
Wildfire Mitigation. CalFire is considered the most sophisticated fire fighting force on Earth. Unfortunately, they’re the best because California requires a high-performing wildfire-fighting force – more than a third of Californians live in wildfire hazard zones.
It’s also important to note that 57% of California forests are federally owned and managed – and California will spend about $400M of state money this year alone to protect state-owned land that abuts the federal land.
Over the past five years, in response to wildfires, the CalFire budget has doubled – and investments in tactical fire prevention went up tenfold.
The goal of all these investments, Secretary Crowfoot said, was to build our resilience, so Californians can continue to live, grow, and thrive amidst the challenges of the beautiful wild resources among which we live.
Christie Holderegger, Buddy Hubbard, Kelly Huffman and Steve Huffman serving as greeters for the day, while Rhonda Poppen hosted the wine reception. Megan Wygant was the Pulse reporter, and photog John Swentowsky captured the mixing and mingling of all who were present.
Next week, our speaker will represent a complete 180 from this week’s topic – Scott “Fresh” Freshour is MC for the Sacramento Kings and will share stories from behind the mic and ahead of “the beam.”
Photos Courtesy of John Swentowsky
