Image courtesy of Andrew Nixon, Capital Public Radio


CALIFORNIA Land of Extremes, Home of Big Dreams


From its 1,100-mile-long coastline and the heights of Mount Whitney to the depths of Death Valley, the Golden State offers some of the most breathtaking landscapes around the globe.


Along with its natural beauty, California is also known for earth- quakes, droughts, wildfires and floods. And, among the U.S. states, California has the largest population, biggest economy and some of the most daunting environmental challenges.


Forward thinking political leaders and remarkable natural diversity make California the proving ground for tests and solutions on water supply, energy, sustainable agriculture, air quality, climate change and more. Plus, it’s a fun place to visit!


That’s why the SEJ is bringing its annual conference to California for a third time, but this time it’s to the state’s seat of political power – Sacramento.


This vibrant city, lauded as one of the most ethnically integrated in the world, is not your typical government town. Situated in California’s Central Valley, the Sacramento region is surrounded by farming and agriculture (the expanse of which is visible when you fly into Sacramento International Airport).


A nexus for the farm-to-fork movement, the city has a thriving food culture deeply connected to these farmlands, which has attracted lots of great restaurants and nationally known chefs!


But it’s not just about the food. Sacramento is ground zero for a magnitude of global issues. California is a bellwether state: the state’s energy and environmental laws serve as models for other states, the nation and other governments.


All of this makes Sacramento the ideal location for SEJ2016.


Because UC Davis is a conference co-host, you’ll have access to its top-notch scientists and laboratories working to answer and solve environmental problems. Also, we’ll look back on some of the best environmental photojournalism ever and the best environmen- tal reporting of 2015, in a newly dressed-up SEJ Awards Friday luncheon celebration.


2 Plus, we’ll explore:


 Technology’s role and limitations in addressing environmental challenges


 The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, the hotly contested hub of the state’s water system


 Lake Tahoe, the High Sierra jewel with lessons on water quality, snowpack research and pressures of development


 The UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory and emerging ocean issues


 Food and agriculture (and wines)  Wildfire issues


 California’s ambitious renewable energy and clean transportation programs


 Climate change impacts, mitigation and adaption  Environmental health and justice  Legacy pollution  Energy  Water resources and supply


We’ll have great ride-and-drive opportunities and green buses and alternative vehicles will shuttle you across the city.


On Saturday afternoon we’ll tour UC Davis energy, transportation, food and agriculture labs. Sunday morning we’ll hear from science fiction writers.


Finally, there’s a post-conference tour to, count `em, three national parks – Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon – celebrating 100 years of National Park Service history.


So welcome to the Golden State! Most Californians are from some- where else so if you don’t already live here, please consider yourself an honorary Californian for the duration of the conference.


Conference Chairs: Joe Barr, Chief Content Officer, Capital Public Radio Carolyn Whetzel, Staff Correspondent, Bloomberg BNA


SOCIETY OF ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISTS


Like the rest of America, California is unformed, innovative, ahistorical, hedonistic, acquisitive and energetic — only more so.


Wallace Stegner, novelist and historian of the American West


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