Now Hiring: 2027 Interns

2027 Internships 24 hours/week, residential/living on site. Application Deadline: October 16th 5pm PST. Start Date: Late January or Early February, 2027.

Summer 2026 Food Forests Course

This summer, we welcomed a wonderful group of participants to our second annual Food Forests course. Together, we explored the art and science of designing, implementing, and stewarding perennial edible … Read more

23rd Annual Chautauqua Revue

Tickets for the 23rd Annual Chautauqua Revue are on sale now! The show runs each night September 10th, 11th, 12th, and September 17th, 18th, 19th, with a matinee on September … Read more

Watch the Webinar: Beaver Coexistence In California 2026

The California Beaver Coexistence Training and Support Program recently presented our 2nd annual webinar featuring coexistence experts and practitioners. Watch the webinar to learn how human-beaver coexistence can deliver benefits across California. 

What is a Food Forest?

Food forests are biodiverse, regenerative ecosystems designed to mimic the structure and intelligence of natural forests while producing food, medicine, fiber, and habitat for humans and wildlife. Rooted in ecological … Read more

Fuels to Flows: Updates for Spring

This season, our team has strengthened partnerships, laid the groundwork for new training initiatives, consulted on beneficial biomass projects across Northern California, and garnered community support for holistic updates to the California Vegetation Treatment Program.

Beaver Coexistence In California Webinar

Are you ready to learn more about how beaver coexistence can build capacity for land managers and owners in California? Join the California Beaver Coexistence Training and Support Program on … Read more

Knee Deep Times Features Coexistence in California

The WATER Institute is featured in a new Knee Deep Times article called “Tools Tweak Beaver Dams.” The article features examples of coexistence installations,  beaver-based climate solutions, and new resources like … Read more

Kate and Brock Honored with an Eco Hero Award!

This March, the WATER Institute’s own Brock Dolman and Kate Lundquist were presented with the 6th Annual Eco Hero Award, granted by the Santa Barbara Permaculture Network to those who have made positive change in the world for more than 30 years.

WATER Institute Quoted in the Modesto Bee

WATER Institute Co-Director, Kate Lundquist, was interviewed and quoted significantly in a new Modesto Bee article by Kathleen Quinn called Beavers building dams on Dry Creek in Modesto. Why that’s a … Read more

Report Back From State of the Beaver 2025

In November, WATER Institute Co-Director Kate Lundquist attended the State of the Beaver Conference in Canyonville, Oregon, to connect with an activated community of beaver believers. Kate’s talk, entitled “Beaver … Read more

The Nursery Is Open!

We’re excited to announce that the OAEC Nursery is open! After taking the 2025 season off to reimagine our vision for the program and do some much-needed tending of our infrastructure, we … Read more

TERA Becomes an Independent 501(c)(3)

In the five years that the Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance (TERA) was a fiscally sponsored project of OAEC, they achieved extraordinary growth and success in their work to revitalize ecology, economy, …