Written by George E. Whitman

The recording of the recent Federalist Society discussion, led by CWS Director Karrigan Börk, “What’s the Harm? ESA Rulemaking After Loper Bright,” is now available online. In this talk, Börk examines how rescinding the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act could reshape agency authority and environmental protections.

The International Fish Passage Conference will be hosted at UC Davis on May 4–8, 2026 at the UC Davis Conference Center. The conference dates back to 2011 and is intended to bring together engineers, biologists, and others with an interest in river restoration, particularly with respect to ecological connectivity and fish passage issues. The conference mission is to advance the science and practice of fish passage by providing a forum where researchers, managers, practitioners, and policy makers can share ideas, experiences, and advances.

High school students in Northern California are helping real scientists study a mystery that’s killing baby salmon – and they’re doing it right from their classrooms.

In this episode of the Fish Water People Podcast, Michael Rogner, Associate Director of Restoration Science at River Partners, discusses large-scale riparian habitat restoration in California's Central Valley. Rogner explains how his organization transforms former agricultural lands into native habitats, focusing on restoring the Sacramento River's ecosystem. By converting fallow fields into native landscapes, River Partners has restored 20,000 acres, creating multiple benefits including flood control, groundwater recharge, wildlife habitat, and community access to green spaces.

We’re excited to announce the appointment of Karrigan Börk as the Director of the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences (CWS). Börk is a Professor of Law and Co-Director of the California Environmental Law and Policy Center, who has served as interim Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences since 2024.

Great news! The Center for Watershed Sciences has expanded its social media presence, giving you more ways to stay connected and engaged with California WaterBlogs and our other new content.

Take a look at all the places you can connect with us: https://linktr.ee/ucdaviswater

The Center for Watershed Sciences (CWS), with partner CalTrout, hosted an International Salmon Conservation Delegation on campus at CWS and at study sites across the Sacramento Valley floodplains and wetlands. The attendees included delegates from the British Columbia Provincial and Canadian Crown governments, representatives from the Okanagan, Seabird and Sumas First Nations (including Sumas Chief Dalton Silver), and representatives of the Pacific Salmon Foundation.