A New Era for Collaboration in Our Headwaters
Hannah Romero, Water Resources Principal, El Dorado Water Agency; Hannah.Romero@edcgov.us
Growing up in California, I was never afraid of being caught in a wildfire and my family quickly drove past signs showing the wildfire risk. Now, when I see there is a high risk, I pause knowing that wildfires are an ever-present danger. This is a significant issue in California as one third of our state is forested lands, and decades of forest management needs have led to our current situation. The magnitude of the restoration and planning work that needs to be done cannot be tackled by a single individual or organization– partnership and alignment are essential.
The watersheds we steward have far-reaching benefits for local and downstream communities – water supply, water quality, recreation, ecosystem health, and hydropower. Protecting the headwaters is a multi-faceted effort that is carried out by many different entities that bring unique perspectives, expertise, and resources.
That is why we are proud to be part of the Headwaters Connect Watershed Group. This collaborative is focused on stewarding the headwaters region of the American and Cosumnes River watersheds and building community resilience in the region. Connecting a diverse group of stakeholders through a shared vision helps us move in the same direction, speak with a unified voice, and amplify the impact of our collective work. Headwaters Connect rebrands the Upper American River Watershed Group to better represent who we are and strengthen our collective vision.
The new logo features the mountains of our landscape while illustrating the connection of water and land. The bird was inspired by the Steller’s Jay, a native bird that symbolizes hope, adaptability, and resourcefulness. Its forward movement represents the dynamic momentum of our work.
I would like to give a special thanks to the creativity of partners from the American River Conservancy (Elena DeLacy), Placer County Water Agency (Laura Rodarte), and the El Dorado & Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation Districts (Mark Egbert) who volunteered for this rebranding effort. Our new identity resonates across our partners who have shared their support.
Headwaters Connect is more than a new name and logo – it represents a renewed commitment to collaboration and delivering meaningful impact for the headwaters and all who benefit. Together, we’re strengthening our ability to protect these vital landscapes now and into the future.