The ridge to river engagement project will create a scalable model that connects community actions from residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial sectors to the health of our rivers and…

The ridge to river engagement project will create a scalable model that connects community actions from residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial sectors to the health of our rivers and associated wetlands, using the ventura river watershed as a prototype. To do so, the project will create four primary outreach and engagement projects which will improve decision making at the federal, state, local and homeowner scale. These bilingual products include 1) an outreach and education video series, 2) a multiscale and multimedia story map series, 3) regional workshop/listening sessions, and 4) a guidance portfolio for other watersheds to use these tools. Providing these products to the public and to schools across california and the western arid states will increase awareness of the importance of wetland conservation and restoration in the face of climate whiplash and wavering policy protections. Additionally, these materials will offer guidance on how individuals can take action in their own backyards to protect the health of their watershed and local wetlands. This agreement provides partial federal funding in the amount of $224,707. Preaward costs are approved back to 7/1/2024. Refer to terms and conditions. Activities:the project will create four primary outreach and engagement projects which will improve decision making at the federal, state, local and homeowner scale. These bilingual products include 1) an outreach and education video series, 2) a multiscale and multimedia story map series, 3) regional workshop/listening sessions, and 4) a guidance portfolio for other watersheds to use these tools. Providing these products to the public and to schools across california and the western arid states will increase awareness of the importance of wetland conservation and restoration in the face of climate whiplash and wavering policy protections. Additionally, these materials will offer guidance on how individuals can take action in their own backyards to protect the health of their watershed and local wetlands.subrecipient:subawards will be used for project management, creating guidance portfolio, monitoring, and developing outreach material and engagement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables will include 20 copies of the guidance portfolio suite. Videos will be available on partner websites and/or their associated youtube channels and delivered on hard drive. Additionally, an array of multi-media products about wetlands including the videos will be incorporated into the esri story map, and an updated wetlands section of the ventura river watershed council website as well as the land resilience partnership website. All the platforms, as well as additional partner websites will host, or provide links to, all the information and products generated. These products will provide up-to-date information about the ventura river watershed, and wetland restoration through ongoing efforts of the ventura river instream flow and water resilience framework participant. The expected outcomes will be improving the understanding and appreciation for california's wetlands and the ways our backyards and communities are tied to the health of our watersheds. Some specific outcomes will be: an enhanced knowledge of wetland location, extent, type and change by sharing the location of updated maps and inventories; enhancing the knowledge of the environmental, economic, and social benefits of california wetland and streams; improved wetland protection efforts; an increased understanding of the impacts of increased flooding/drought on wetlands and the role that wetlands can play in reducing flooding; and better information for our partners to use in implementing wetland conservation actions, including protection and restoration. Lastly, a potential outcome could include integration of local policy and california department of fish and wildlife - state water resource control board flow targets. This flow target WIL