Watersheds & Wildlife Across California
Spring Semester 2025 PORTScast Series
About the Program
Watersheds & Wildlife Across California is a series of PORTScast programs illuminating the unique beauty and interconnectedness of California's watersheds.
Introduce your students to the beautiful and unique watersheds of California with this dynamic PORTScast series! Created and hosted in collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, this four-part Zoom webinar series showcases four unique watersheds across the Golden State.
Through expert-led discussions with State Parks and Fish & Wildlife interpreters, your students will gain a deeper understanding of watershed stewardship, conservation efforts involving animals and plants, and their own personal sense of connection to nature — right from their classroom.
This program is an inspiring way to bring real-world science into your curriculum and ignite a passion for protecting our natural world. Each of these PORTScasts can be attended as stand-alone programs, or sign up for all four throughout the school year to get a comprehensive perspective on watersheds and wildlife all across California!
Register now
Please register in advance to reserve your free spot in each Zoom webinar (secure sign-in links will be sent via e-mail after registration):
Scroll down to learn more about these programs.
For more information, contact program coordinators:
Derek Schultz State Park Interpreter II derek.schultz@parks.ca.gov
Francesca Manheim CDFW Interpreter II francesca.manheim@wildlife.ca.gov
Explore the Map & Sign Up for the Series!
How to Use the Map:
Left-click and drag on the map to explore. Right-click and drag to rotate in 3D! Double click on the map to zoom in. Click on the red pins to zoom to that location.
Read about the four programs for spring semester 2025, and sign up using the links in the descriptions below!
The Sierra Foothills: Nimbus Fish Hatchery & Folsom Lake SRA
Program 1 of 4 February 6th, 2025
The High Desert: Silverwood Lake SRA
Program 2 of 4 March 14th, 2025
The North Coast Rivers: Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP & Eel River Wildlife Area
Program 3 of 4 Wed. Apr. 23rd, 2025 / 9 AM
The San Joaquin Valley: San Joaquin Fish Hatchery & Dos Rios
Program 4 of 4 Wed. May 14th, 2025 / 10 AM
The Sierra Foothills: Nimbus Fish Hatchery & Folsom Lake SRA
Program 1 of 4 February 6th, 2025
Featuring: Molly Shea & Lacey Carlson of CDFW Zakary Adams of CA State Parks
Learn about how fish contribute to the well-being of California rivers, and the challenges they overcome in human-altered waterways. Join CDFW and State Parks interpreters to get a close look at the winter run of steelhead trout! These California native fish migrate from the rivers to the ocean and back again. Discover the delicate balance of wildlife, rivers, and mountain habitats at this CDFW fish hatchery and State Recreation Area, where three important watersheds join together in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
The High Desert: Silverwood Lake SRA
Program 2 of 4 March 14th, 2025
Featuring: Ian Bernstein of CA State Parks Jose Muñoz & Monica Burnett of CDFW
Discover the water cycle in a dry and mountainous desert landscape, and learn where Southern California's precious drinking water comes from. This program explores a unique watershed in the high desert mountains, at the headwaters of the Mojave River. Discover desert plants and animals who thrive in this unique habitat, and learn about how you are connected with wildlife and water in this important Southern California watershed.
The North Coast Rivers: Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP & Eel River Wildlife Area
Program 3 of 4 Wed. Apr. 23rd, 2025 / 9 AM
Featuring: Kyle Buchanan of CA State Parks Mayra Guzman & Gen Hayden of CDFW
Explore the lush coastal forests of Northern California and two different rivers that run through them. Join CDFW and State Parks interpreters from two unique North Coast locations: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in the Smith River watershed near the Oregon border, and the Eel River Wildlife Area in Humboldt county. Learn about the similarities and differences between these amazing forest rivers, and discover your own connection to the North Coast watersheds!
The San Joaquin Valley: San Joaquin Fish Hatchery & Dos Rios
Program 4 of 4 Wed. May 14th, 2025 / 10 AM
Featuring: Julian Morin of CA State Parks Victoria Knight & Gail Davis of CDFW
Virtually visit one of the most important watershed locations in California: the confluence of rivers in the San Joaquin Valley. Join CDFW and State Parks interpreters from two locations within the San Joaquin watershed: Dos Rios (proposed State Park), where the San Joaquin and Tuolumne rivers join together on their way to the Pacific ocean, and the San Joaquin Fish Hatchery, located upstream from Dos Rios in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Fresno. Learn about amazing habitat restoration happening along our important central valley waterways, and about the animal neighbors we share this habitat with.
Explore Your Home Watershed
Use these follow-up activities in your classroom or at home to explore and learn more about your home watershed!
Share Your Watershed with Us!
Did you complete the "Portrait of Connection" watershed art activity above? Use the form below to share your work with the world!
W&W Art Submission