By Alicia Thompson, Cohort 2018.
Last December, the California State Water Board held public hearings in towns to gather local perspectives on amendments to the Bay Delta Plan. I attended with curiosity—albeit reluctantly—because a friend asked me. She had participated in the River Advocacy Training School (RATS) lead by Friends of the River to gain experience in river advocacy and policy. I didn’t know what to expect, but I wanted to be physical present at the hearing in support of wild flowing rivers, unadulterated lakes, and healthy California ecosystems that fuel my adventures and rejuvenate my soul. Even though I was nervous to speak in front of the State Water Board when I arrived, I walked away feeling extremely proud for standing up for California’s threatened rivers and the flora and fauna that reside in those habitats.
Even though I was nervous to speak in front of the State Water Board when I arrived, I walked away feeling extremely proud for standing up for California’s threatened rivers and the flora and fauna that reside in those habitats.
A few months later I discovered that Friends of the River was accepting applications for their next RATS cohort. At first I felt woefully uneducated in California’s water complexities to be an outspoken advocate for rivers, and I was reluctant to commit. However, I recalled my Water Board experience and the reward that came from being a voice for our threatened ecosystems. This wasn’t about me; it was about conserving wild landscapes for future generations. So I applied.
I was accepted into the River Advocacy Training School’s Spring 2018 cohort, and have enjoyed every moment of it. The training itself was phenomenal. I learned about the current issues and water bills flowing through our State Legislature, the history of water use in California, the rules and regulations of water right allocation, and the pitfalls of dam building. Separate than water education, we had lectures and presentations on recruiting for grassroots movements, registering voters, and amplifying our voices on behalf of rivers.
Separate than the training, the program has also provided me with numerous growth and challenge opportunities. Due to the extended nature of the program, I have been able to use trial and error methods to implement various recruitment strategies and outreach techniques. I have been able to coordinate and facilitate events, participate in neighborhood canvassing days, and network with water enthusiasts- all alongside a supportive cohort of river loving peers.
Overall, Toby and the RATS Program as a whole provides enough shape to be structured and enough flexibility that it fosters creativity and individuality.
Another highlight of the program for me has been the encouragement and mentorship that I have received from Toby, the Program Coordinator. The program is designed to provide space for weekly check-in’s with her, which have proven invaluable. She listens to my goals and struggles, and is constantly trying to make this a positive and growth-oriented experience for everyone involved. She encourages me to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself, while also providing organizational, logistical, and emotional support. Overall, Toby and the RATS Program as a whole provides enough shape to be structured and enough flexibility that it fosters creativity and individuality. I have felt adequately challenged and comfortably supported during the entire process.
It can be daunting to embark on a multi-month journey, as well as feel powerful and knowledgeable enough to make a difference in the turbulent California water world. However, now, more than ever, our wild landscapes need representatives. The RATS program will give you the tools and inspiration to activate yourself and others in conserving our threatened riparian habitats and recreational spaces. I want to encourage all of you to think about applying to the upcoming RATS Fall 2018 cohort, or another cohort in the future. California’s gorgeous rivers could definitely use your help!
