River Project Meeting # 1 4.26.13

On Friday, 4.26.13 we had our first meeting/talk with partners on our developing River project. It was great to meet and talk with Mike and Janis who are two local citizens who have been active in the community for years and who work on environmental issues related to water. I learned alot from the meeting. We also had local educator Linda B. at the meeting who I have worked with over the years as she has done great work in science education including work on the foxes of the channel islands.

Jeff Turner, our assistant superintendent was also in attendance and he revealed that he is exploring the Santa Clara river in the Fillmore area as well as doing a river restoration project with his family on property they have in Idaho.

We talked a little bit about the Freeman Diversion project in Saticoy.

I also learned that the Santa Clara River has carried vast amounts of minerals from the mountains to our plain making our farmlands some of the richest in the world. Good soils make good farms.

I learned a little about our underground water source, the Fox Canyon Aquifer.

I learned that local farmers use alot of the river water to grow our crops.

I learned that here in the Oxnard area we use about 50% river water/aquiferwater and 50% state water for our various uses

I talked about using the River project to allow and encourage our students to become learners, teachers, and stewards as they next generation of water managers.

I also learned that the Santa Clara River brings the sands to the sea and that this watershed system is part of the Santa Barbara Channel system.

No sand.. no surf.. so probably surfers have an interest in this system.

I learned that we have rich history of working well together, farmers, citizens, governments and this inspires me to see how we can do the same in our educational systems.

I learned that water law in California incorporates two major themes; 1st time use and best use. I love the law and how language and words help guide our human endeavors through a lens of justice and fairness.

I thank all who attended and I can’t wait until teachers and students get a chance to walk on the river and talk with these deeply committed and deeply interesting  people about the most amazing literal and metaphoric topic I can think of… that also happens to be the namesake of our school District;    Rio     the River.