Celebrating Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week 2024

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.

Aerial view of farmland and waterways in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

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:

  • Provides water to about 27 million Californians.
  • Supports one of the largest estuaries on the West Coast of North and South America.
  • Home to more than 750 plant and animal species, including 55 fish species.
  • Provides migratory birds an important stop on the Pacific Flyway.
  • Contains more than 500,000 acres of agricultural land that provides food for worldwide distribution.
  • It’s a world-class recreational destination, attracting about 12 million visitors per year.
  • In 2019, the Delta became California’s first National Heritage Area.

“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.”

Our Work

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:

A water recirculation pump installed next to an irrigation ditch.

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?

View of a vehicle parked near a roadway on Webb Tract in May 2023. Photo by Lauren Damon.

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.

Interior of the 1883 Clarksburg Schoolhouse, which is being restored into a Delta welcome center. Image shows a roped-off area with desks, chalkboards, and other classroom materials. Photo via Friends of the 1883 Clarksburg Schoolhouse.

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.

The cover page for the water year 2023 Delta Drought Response Pilot Program report, which includes an aerial view of the Delta and logos for the Delta Conservancy, California Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, and The Nature Conservancy.

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.

How to Get Involved

There are plenty of ways to celebrate Delta Week and the Delta in general.

Digital meeting backgrounds

Graphic that includes an aerial view of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta's landscape, with winding waterways, wetlands, and agricultural fields. A text overlay reads: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week, September 22-28, 2024.
Graphic that includes an aerial view of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta's landscape, with winding waterways, wetlands, and agricultural fields. A text overlay reads: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week, September 22-28, 2024.
Graphic that includes a photo of a yellow and white bridge crossing one of the waterways in the Delta, with foliage visible in the foreground and background. A text overlay reads: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week, September 22-28, 2024.
Graphic that includes an aerial view of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta's landscape, with winding waterways and agricultural fields. A text overlay reads: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week, September 22-28, 2024.

Social media graphics

Graphic featuring an aerial view of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, showing its waterways, agricultural fields, and wetlands. The design includes a diagonal overlay in translucent blue and green hues on the right side with text that reads: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week; September 22-28, 2024; Highlighting the importance of the Delta to all Californians.
Graphic featuring an aerial view of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, showing its waterways, agricultural fields, and wetlands. The design includes a diagonal overlay in translucent blue and green hues on the right side with text that reads: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week; September 22-28, 2024; Highlighting the importance of the Delta to all Californians.

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Celebrating Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week 2023

September 14, 2023
WEST SACRAMENTO – Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week, taking place this year from September 24 through 30, is a celebration of the lifeblood of California’s water system and the people who call the region home.

Delta Week was made an official event in recent years, but those who work and live in the Delta have long known that it’s a special and vital place.

“Delta Week is when we highlight the magic of the Delta and help others to appreciate and care about this great region,” says Delta Conservancy Executive Officer Campbell Ingram.

The Delta is formed by the union of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. Those rivers mingle with smaller tributaries and tidal flows to form the highly biodiverse and productive San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary.

The Delta is important for many reasons. Some include:

  • Provides water to about 27 million Californians.
  • It’s a world-class recreational destination, attracting about 12 million visitors per year.
  • Hosts one of the largest estuaries on the West Coast of North and South America.
  • Home to more than 750 plant and animal species, including 55 fish species.
  • Provides migratory waterfowl an important stop on the Pacific Flyway.
  • Contains more than 500,000 acres of agricultural land that provides food for worldwide distribution.
  • In 2019, the Delta became California’s first National Heritage Area.
A yellow and white bridge stretching across a body of water in the Delta with a triangle overlaid and text that says: “Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week, September 24-30, 2023”

Our Ongoing Work

At the Conservancy, we are committed to improving the Delta 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. Some examples of ongoing projects the Conservancy is helping fund include:

  • Restoring the 1883 Clarksburg Schoolhouse and developing it into a Delta Welcome Center, which will promote the Delta’s history and culture, recreation and tourism, natural environment, and agricultural industry.
  • Planning for a future aquatic center in Stockton that will make it possible for all, regardless of ability or means, to access Delta waterways in small, human-powered watercraft.
  • Bolstering the sustainability of Webb Tract in Contra Costa County while maintaining agriculture and providing habitat benefits by constructing up to 3,500 acres of managed, flooded wetlands and up to 1,500 acres of rice fields.
  • Providing funding for the Pacific Flyway Center’s Walk in the Marsh project, which will include three miles of Americans with Disability Act-compliant hiking trails, boardwalks, and educational signage through restored wetlands in Suisun Marsh, along with other amenities.
  • Improvements to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, resulting in new and enhanced habitat for wildlife, improved agricultural sustainability and wildlife-friendly agricultural practices, and increased public access.
  • Providing financial incentives to Delta farmers to reduce their water use and protect wildlife and water quality under a collaborative program that helps improve mutual understanding of agricultural practices and water conservation opportunities.

How to Get Involved

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week 2022

Sen. Dodd Announces Delta Week

Sept. 21, 2022
SACRAMENTO – In recognition of the critical role the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta plays in California’s economy and environment, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, has designated the last week of September as Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week.

“The Delta is a cherished watershed and the very lifeblood of California’s water system,” Sen. Dodd said. “It is vital to our state as both a natural resource teeming with abundant wildlife and fish and a vital economic driver for tourism, recreation and Delta farmers. We must continue to protect it for future generations by preventing pollution and further marshland degradation and promoting its environmental health.”

Photo of Senator Bill Dodd
Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa

In Recognition of Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week 2022

Photo of Sacramento-San Joaquin Executive Officer Campbell Ingram with an aerial photo of the Delta in the background

Sept. 22, 2022
WEST SACRAMENTO — You can’t overstate the beauty and significance of the Delta. At the confluence of California’s two largest rivers, the Delta is the hub of California’s water supply, an incredible agricultural region, a great recreation and tourism destination, and an incredible ecosystem.

The Delta is such a special place, and we at the Delta Conservancy are proud of our partnerships and efforts to provide balanced ecosystem restoration and economic development in this great region. To date, the Delta Conservancy has funded over 70 locally supported grants that have improved important ecological functions, provided critical economic improvements through improved access for recreation and tourism, improved climate resilience, and supported drought management efforts. We do this work in partnership with the Delta community, our sister agencies, and a host of project partners.

In Recognition of Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week 2022

By Campbell Ingram, Executive Officer, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy

Sept. 22, 2022
WEST SACRAMENTO — Senate Concurrent Resolution 119 proclaims the last week of September as Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week in the State of California.

You can’t overstate the beauty and significance of the Delta. At the confluence of California’s two largest rivers, the Delta is the hub of California’s water supply, an incredible agricultural region, a great recreation and tourism destination, and an incredible ecosystem.

The Delta is such a special place, and we at the Delta Conservancy are proud of our partnerships and efforts to provide balanced ecosystem restoration and economic development in this great region. To date, the Delta Conservancy has funded over 70 locally supported grants that have improved important ecological functions, provided critical economic improvements through improved access for recreation and tourism, improved climate resilience, and supported drought management efforts. We do this work in partnership with the Delta community, our sister agencies, and a host of project partners.

The Delta is special every week, so let’s take this opportunity reflect on and celebrate the uniqueness and importance of the region and remind ourselves that our best chance to preserve it is by working together.

If you have questions about our work, please send an email to contact@deltaconservancy.ca.gov.

Sen. Dodd Announces Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week

VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/4zsC7EWccTs

Sept. 21, 2022
SACRAMENTO – In recognition of the critical role the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta plays in California’s economy and environment, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, has designated the last week of September as Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week.

“The Delta is a cherished watershed and the very lifeblood of California’s water system,” Sen. Dodd said. “It is vital to our state as both a natural resource teeming with abundant wildlife and fish and a vital economic driver for tourism, recreation and Delta farmers. We must continue to protect it for future generations by preventing pollution and further marshland degradation and promoting its environmental health.”

Senate Concurrent Resolution 119 establishes Delta Week, which kicks off Sept. 25.

Sen. Dodd lauded the stewardship and restoration efforts of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy and Delta Protection Commission. Both have been instrumental in protecting the crucial expanse, formed by the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, which supports more than 750 species of plants and wildlife as well as more than 55 species of fish and hosts over 12 million visitors a year.

“Those who have experienced the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta know what a special place it is and the large impact it has on the daily lives of all Californians,” said Campbell Ingram, executive officer of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy. “Delta Week showcases the Delta’s important role as the heart of California’s water system, the home to about 500,000 acres of productive agricultural land, and a world-class recreation and tourism destination.”

“Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week will be an opportunity to highlight the Delta’s importance to all Californians,” said Bruce Blodgett, executive director of the Delta Protection Commission. “The Delta is amongst the most fertile agricultural regions in the world. The Delta’s agricultural value led the passage of the Delta Protection Act of 1992 to make sure our farmland in the Delta is protected. The social, cultural and economic values led to the creation of the Sacramento-San Joaquin National Heritage Area by Congress. Valuing the needs of the Delta is fundamental to protecting California’s economy and environment. The Commission looks forward to continuing to work with federal, state, and local agencies to protect, maintain, enhance and enrich the overall quality of the Delta environment and economy.”

To learn more about the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy’s mission to preserve, protect and restore the natural resources, economy and agriculture of the Delta, visit: https://deltaconservancy.ca.gov/. For information on the Delta Protection Commission, visit: https://delta.ca.gov/

The Delta Watershed is your backyard playground — a short drive from the San Francisco Bay, Sacramento, and Stockton areas. Explore www.VisitCADelta.com for places to stay, eat, and play during Delta Week.

For more information, visit Sen. Dodd’s website at http://sd03.senate.ca.gov/

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.

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