Applications for the Water Leadership Institute are due Thursday, Jan. 15.
The 2026 Water Leadership Institute (WLI) in the Salinas Valley was recently highlighted in the County of Monterey’s news briefing, where organizers discussed the program’s goal to build leadership skills and knowledge about local groundwater decision-making in underrepresented communities.
The Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Rural Community Assistance Corporation will co-host the workshop in the Salinas Valley. Through the free, bilingual monthly workshops, the WLI offers a unique opportunity for interested individuals to come together, learn from one another, and contribute to the development of equitable, long-lasting water solutions. It is especially beneficial for residents dependent on domestic wells or small water systems that rely on groundwater, community members concerned about their water supplies or quality, or those who want to learn more about groundwater as the main water supply for the Salinas Valley. Residents from rural communities and cities in the Salinas Valley are encouraged to apply.
Four sessions will be held from January to March:
- Saturday, Jan. 31
- Saturday, Feb. 21
- Saturday, March 7
- Saturday, March 28
Meals, Spanish translation and stipends will be provided to participants. Sessions will also be family-friendly. Applications, available in English and Spanish, are due by Thursday, Jan. 15.
Email Lucy Caine at LCaine@edf.org with questions.