Taking place during the last full week of September each year, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week is a time to highlight what makes the region so special and and celebrate the people, flora, and fauna that call the region home.
September 15, 2025
WEST SACRAMENTO – Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week, taking place this year from September 21 through 27, is a celebration of the Delta’s importance to all Californians and the people, flora, and fauna that call the region home.
Delta Week was made official by Sen. Bill Dodd’s Senate Concurrent Resolution 119 in 2022 and is celebrated annually during the last full week of September. Those who work and live in the Delta have long known that it’s a special and vital place.
Located inland from the San Francisco Bay, the Delta is formed by the union of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. Those rivers mingle with smaller tributaries and tidal flows from the ocean to form the highly biodiverse and productive San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary. The Delta region spans parts of Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, and Yolo counties and is home to more than half a million people.
The Delta is important for many reasons. Some include:
Our mission is to lead efforts to preserve, protect, enhance, and restore the natural resources, economy, and agriculture of the Delta and Suisun Marsh through both internal programs and grant-funded projects. To achieve this mission, we collaborate with local communities, tribes, interested groups, fellow science experts, and state and federal agencies to seek creative opportunities to address challenges and progress these efforts within the Conservancy’s jurisdiction.
Visit our project update page and interactive project StoryMap to get a closer look at our work.
There are plenty of ways to celebrate Delta Week and the Delta in general.
“As we celebrate Delta Week, we recognize the rich history, diverse wildlife, and agricultural importance of this vital region. Delta Week is a time to reflect on the unique beauty and resilience of this landscape and to honor the communities that call it home,” says Delta Conservancy Executive Officer Campbell Ingram. “The Delta provides a playground to about 12 million visitors per year, water to 27 million Californians, and contains hundreds of thousands of acres of agricultural land providing food for worldwide distribution. The Delta faces challenges – from flood risk to climate impacts and loss of habitat – but ongoing collaborative projects in the Delta show us ways forward that benefit both people and wildlife. Here at the Delta Conservancy, we are committed to safeguarding and restoring crucial ecosystems and advancing the economic well-being of Delta residents.”
August 13, 2025
California offers boaters endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The Golden State has an estimated 4 million recreational boaters, boasting one of the highest rates in the United States.
With so many boaters enjoying our waterways, it’s important that Californians practice clean and safe boating. Boaters can affect the quality of the waterways they enjoy, in some cases creating environmental and human health problems when discharging sewage overboard.
That’s why boaters are encouraged to use sewage management facilities, including pumpout stations, dump stations, and floating restrooms. These are facilities where boaters can safely and responsibly dispose of sewage and are sanitary alternatives to discharging waste into the water. For vessels that have restroom facilities with holding tanks – often referred to as a “head” among mariners – boaters “pump out” at these stations.
You may be wondering why human sewage is so harmful to our waterways since fish and other aquatic life aren’t using these pumpout stations.
Many chemical disinfectants and deodorizers used in marine sanitation devices (sewage holding tanks) on boats contain chemicals that are harmful to humans and wildlife. Ecosystems, on the other hand, have evolved over time to accommodate waste from the animals that live in them.
Today, human waste is typically treated – via city sewer systems leading to wastewater treatment plants or septic systems – to reduce its impact before entering the local ecosystem. Even small, one-time deposits of human waste can cause localized water quality issues, especially in enclosed or poorly circulating waters. In fact, one toilet flush of untreated sewage from your boat can cause the same environmental impact as 10,000 flushes from your home toilet (San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board).
Improper disposal of human waste can have the following negative impacts:
Using pumpout stations helps protect our water quality, wildlife, and the beautiful places we love to explore. You can find a boat sewage disposal facility near you by using the free Pumpout Nav app. It’s available for both iOS and Android devices and shows you where the closest sewage pumpout, dump station, and floating restrooms are located at participating marinas and harbors across California and other coastal locations in the U.S. The app also empowers boaters to report any problems with the pumpout and includes educational resources, including videos, environmental laws, and much more.
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Our 2025 fall cleanup event is scheduled to take place at Sherman Island on Saturday, September 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. as part of Coastal Cleanup Day. We will be co-hosting this cleanup with the Rio Vista Windsports Association.
Save the date for the sixth biennial Delta Invasive Species Symposium, Modeling and Managing Invasive Species for Tomorrow’s Delta. The Symposium will take place at the California Natural Resources Agency headquarters in downtown Sacramento on December 4, 2025.
May 29, 2025
WEST SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Board on Wednesday approved funding for a land acquisition project to transform 22 acres in Stockton into a new publicly accessible green space along the Delta waterway.
The Board voted unanimously to approve up to $2.17 million in grant funding to the San Joaquin Community Foundation, the fiscal sponsor of the community-led initiative, to support the acquisition of privately owned land near the confluence of the San Joaquin and Calaveras rivers.
Once acquired, the land will be preserved as public green space, unlocking new opportunities for public access with new walking and biking trails, tree canopy, and facilities for rowing, paddleboarding, and other human-powered water activities. The initiative also seeks to establish the property as a place for regenerative farming of fruits and vegetables and for youth to experience environmental education and outdoor activities.
May 29, 2025
WEST SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Board on Wednesday approved funding for a land acquisition project to transform 22 acres in Stockton into a new publicly accessible green space along the Delta waterway.
The Board voted unanimously to approve up to $2.17 million in grant funding to the San Joaquin Community Foundation, the fiscal sponsor of the community-led initiative, to support the acquisition of privately owned land near the confluence of the San Joaquin and Calaveras rivers.
Once acquired, the land will be preserved as public green space, unlocking new opportunities for public access with new walking and biking trails, tree canopy, and facilities for rowing, paddleboarding, and other human-powered water activities. The initiative also seeks to establish the property as a place for regenerative farming of fruits and vegetables and for youth to experience environmental education and outdoor activities.
“Our region is profoundly grateful to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy for supporting this community-led project that will transform these underutilized 22 acres into beautiful green space for the community to enjoy,” said Michael Duffy, Chief Executive Officer for the San Joaquin Community Foundation.
The project emerged from the vision of Dr. Patricia Tirone and Dr. Robert Oprandy, who co-founded the nonprofit organization Delta Sculling Center in Stockton. Their vision has been to bring an aquatic center to Stockton to provide greater public access to rowing and paddling sports. In 2021, Drs. Tirone and Oprandy established the Delta Aquatic Center of Stockton as a fiscally sponsored project working under the umbrella of the San Joaquin Community Foundation. The Delta Conservancy previously awarded $2.5 million in grant funding for the planning and design phase of the aquatic center building.
“This moment represents a long-held dream shared by our team at Delta Sculling Center, our athletes, and our supporters to create a place where the community can access rowing, other water sports and outdoor recreation, accessible to all, no matter their financial circumstances,” said Dr. Tirone.
“This project will positively impact the community and the entire region for generations to come. We have forward-thinking nonprofit partners and community leaders supporting this ambitious endeavor, and we owe tremendous gratitude to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy for believing in this dream,” said Dr. Oprandy.
The project has received support from the City of Stockton; the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors; the San Joaquin County Office of Education; Delta Sculling Center; Black Urban Farmers Association; Restore the Delta; Trust for Public Land; National Park Service-Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA); and other local organizations and community leaders.
“This project is fueled by a passionate group of leaders and visionaries,” said Reatha Hardy-Jordan, co-founder and Executive Director of the Black Urban Farmers Association. “I am excited about the potential for our organization to be the farmers in this project – bringing fresh, pesticide-free, locally grown fruits and vegetables to underserved communities. It’s a powerful alignment of land stewardship, healthy food, and outdoor recreation.”
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January 22, 2025
WEST SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy welcomed three new Board members on Wednesday, and the Board voted to approve funding to construct gateway monuments in the town of Freeport that will highlight the historical and cultural importance of the Delta community.
Contra Costa County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston, San Joaquin County Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal, and Yolo County Supervisor Sheila Allen were appointed to the Conservancy Board.
The Conservancy Board voted to award $505,202 to Sacramento County to install two gateway monuments welcoming people to Freeport and announcing it as the “Northern Gateway to the Delta,” and an interpretive sign depicting Freeport’s unique history.
“The County of Sacramento looks forward to completing the final phase to build community landmarks representing the diverse history of Freeport and the Delta,” said County Senior Landscape Architect Henry Yasui. “The project not only creates a sense of place for visitors but will educate them to the area’s historic role in regional commerce, transportation, and culture. The work leading up to the final implementation has been the result of the cooperation and valuable input from Freeport citizens.”
Located along the Sacramento River, the unincorporated town of Freeport is one of the 11 designated Legacy Communities in the Delta and played an important historical role in the California Gold Rush as a “free port” location where merchants could bypass City of Sacramento tariffs.
Freeport is also part of the last leg of the Victory Highway, a transcontinental road spanning from California to New York that was built in dedication to Americans who died in World War I. Today the stretch of road that passes through Freeport is known as Highway 160.
The Conservancy previously funded a planning grant and an acquisition grant for this project. The project is funded through Proposition 68, the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018, which made $12 million available to the Conservancy.
At the meeting, the Board also received an overview of the Conservancy’s 2024 Annual Report highlighting the achievements and milestones from the past year and approved an Implementation Plan for 2025.
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September 17, 2024
WEST SACRAMENTO – Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week, taking place this year from September 22 through 28, is a celebration of the lifeblood of California’s water system and the people who call the region home.
Delta Week was made official by Sen. Bill Dodd’s Senate Concurrent Resolution 119 in 2022. Those who work and live in the Delta have long known that it’s a special and vital place.
The Delta is formed by the union of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. Those rivers mingle with smaller tributaries and tidal flows from the ocean to form the highly biodiverse and productive San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary.
The Delta is important for many reasons. Some include:
“As we celebrate Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week, we recognize the rich history, diverse wildlife, and thriving agriculture of this vital region. It’s a week to appreciate the unique beauty and resilience of this landscape, and to honor the communities that have called it home for generations,” said Delta Conservancy Executive Officer Campbell Ingram. “Despite facing challenges like subsidence of Delta islands and habitat loss, ongoing collaborative projects in the Delta demonstrate paths forward that benefit both people and wildlife. At the Delta Conservancy, we are committed to safeguarding and restoring crucial ecosystems and advancing the economic well-being of Delta residents in the near and long term.”
Through both internal programs and grant-funded projects, our goal is to bring integrated environmental, economic, and social benefits to the Delta. Here’s a glimpse at some of our recent projects:
Fish Friendly Farming Program: We’ve completed this vital initiative, enrolling more than 10,000 acres of farmland to help Delta farmers implement sustainable practices that protect water quality and support fish populations.
Read about one of the projects: Survey: The Delta Supports State-Boosted Sustainable Ag Practice: What Does That Look Like?
Nature Based Solutions Grants: Our ongoing projects will build climate resilience, improve the long-term economic viability and resilience of Delta islands, and enhance wildlife habitats through innovative, nature-based approaches.
See a video overview of one of the projects: Webb Tract Island – Multi-Benefit Landscape Restoration.
Clarksburg Schoolhouse Restoration & Delta Welcome Center: Nearing completion, this project will preserve a historic landmark while creating a new hub for visitors to learn about the Delta’s unique culture and environment.
Visit the 1883 Clarksburg Schoolhouse Facebook page to see project updates.
Delta Drought Response Pilot Program: Under this experimental program, farmers received financial incentives to carry out a variety of water conservation practices as well as beneficial bird habitat practices on their fields. As part of a multi-year study, a UC Davis research team is using micrometeorological stations to continue collecting data at six sites that were enrolled in the program.
Read more: Report Released on Delta Drought Response Pilot Program.
There are plenty of ways to celebrate Delta Week and the Delta in general.
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July 29, 2024
WEST SACRAMENTO – The Delta Conservancy has released a final report on outcomes of the 2023 Delta Drought Response Pilot Program, an experimental program that was launched in order to test drought-resistant field management practices in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Watershed.
Delta growers participating in the program received financial incentives to carry out a variety of water conservation practices as well as beneficial bird habitat practices on their fields. Specific practices included shifting crops, reducing irrigation, delaying harvest to protect nesting cover for birds, and intentional flooding of croplands for bird habitat. A total of 61 projects, encompassing 18,450 acres, were successfully enrolled in 2023.
Some key takeaways from the report include:
The report evaluates and analyzes whether changing specific field management practices could result in water savings, protect Delta water quality, mitigate potential drought impacts on fish and migratory birds, and promote soil health. The 2023 report focuses on the results from the 2023 water year (October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023) with a short analysis comparing fields enrolled in both the 2022 and 2023 programs.
The Department of Water Resources provided $10.8 million to fund the 2023 program, which was administered by the Delta Conservancy through an interagency agreement. The 2023 program was developed and overseen through a partnership with DWR, the Delta Conservancy, the Office of the Delta Watermaster, The Nature Conservancy, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, UC Merced, the UC Cooperative Extension, and conducted in coordination with Delta water users.
“It was an honor to be able to support this program and have the opportunity to partner with so many Delta farmers to better understand how we can manage through drought conditions,” said Delta Conservancy Executive Officer Campbell Ingram.
The program’s Oversight Committee performed analyses using OpenET, a non-invasive and open-source satellite-based method, to evaluate consumptive water use and estimate water savings. Additionally, as part of a multi-year study, a UC Davis research team is using micrometeorological stations to continue collecting data at six sites that were enrolled in the program. The collected measurements will help inform remote sensing technologies and improve future responses to drought.
“The Delta Drought Response Pilot Program advances our understanding about water conservation across the Delta. The Office of the Delta Watermaster is greatly appreciative of the Department of Water Resources for funding this study, and we thank all partners for their collaborative efforts with other State Agencies, Delta water users, research partners, and other contributors,” said Delta Watermaster Jay Ziegler. “Our office is committed to further advancing our shared understanding of consumptive use of water in the Delta through the work of the Delta Measurement Experimental Consortium, along with other partnerships.”
The full report is available on the Delta Conservancy’s Delta Drought Response Pilot Program webpage.
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