New Media from Counterstream
Counterstream Media, a project fiscally sponsored by OAEC, has launched a couple of incredible new projects. If you’re in the Bay Area, you may have caught Counterstream Co-Founder and Director … Read more
Solar, Storage, and Security: Why We Built Our Own Microgrid
By Dave Henson, OAEC Executive Director In keeping with our work to create just and sustainable relationships with the land, each other, and future generations, the Occidental Arts & Ecology … Read more
WATER Institute Featured in Mongabay
The WATER Institute is proudly featured in a new two-part Mongabay series about beaver, their ecological importance, and the complexities of translocation and coexistence. In Beavers restored to tribal lands in California benefit ecosystems, writer John Cannon reveals the … Read more
California “Beaver Bill” In the Wild
Brock Dolman, WATER Institute Co-Director and Assemblymember Damon Connolly promoting the “Beaver Bill” at a recent watershed council gathering. This summer, WATER Institute Co-Director Brock Dolman attended a gathering of … Read more
Meet the WATER Institute’s Newest Teammate
The WATER Institute team from left to right: Brock Dolman, Kate Lundquist, Renée Rhodes, and Grey Hayes We are excited to introduce Renée Rhodes as our incoming Associate Director of … Read more
Process-Based Restoration Gains Momentum in France
A team of participants bring process-based restoration to the Savasse uplands of the Chalon watershed, hosted by Association Rivière Rhône Alpes Auvergne (ARRA²) This spring, Occidental Art & Ecology Center … Read more
Internship Applications for 2026 are now closed.
Each year, OAEC hires a cohort of 6 enthusiastic interns to live and learn at OAEC for approximately 11 months (early February through mid-December). In exchange for 24 hours per … Read more
22nd Annual Chautauqua Revue
Tickets for the 22nd Annual Chautauqua Revue are on sale now! The show runs each night September 4th, 5th, 6th, and September 11th, 12th, 13th, with a matinee on September … Read more
Fenceline Watch Fighting Oil And Gas Expansion
Fenceline Watch, a fiscally sponsored project of OAEC, is dedicated to the eradication of toxic multigenerational harm on communities living along the fenceline of industry, primarily along the Texas Gulf … Read more
Sonoma County Ecological Workforce Training
On June 24, 2025, OAEC’s WATER Institute Co-Director, Brock Dolman, joined the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space) and a collection of experienced trainers … Read more
New Media from Counterstream
Counterstream Media, a fiscally sponsored project of OAEC, is producing impactful storytelling that centers the people and places most affected by environmental injustice through their publications, The Margin and Peace & Riot Zine, and … Read more
Watch the Webinar: Introducing California’s Beaver Coexistence Training and Support Program
On May 21, 2025, around 250 people joined the webinar introducing California’s Beaver Coexistence Training and Support Program to learn how to get involved in helping improve human-beaver coexistence in … Read more
Brock Dolman at Napa RISE Climate Symposium
Can Forest & Creek Restoration Create Localized Climate Cooling? On May 8, 2025, OAEC’s WATER Institute Co-Director, Brock Dolman, contributed to the Napa RISE Climate & Wine Symposium, which is … Read more
Clown Café: A Benefit on June 28th, 2025
The Occidental Arts and Ecology Center is pleased to announce the first-ever Clown Café, a one-night-only pop-up restaurant staffed completely by clowns on June 28th, 2025 from 5:30PM – 9PM … Read more
BeaverCorps Training Program
We invite you to apply to be a Beaver Coexistence Professional through the BeaverCorps Training Program. Part 1 is a 40-hour online training followed by mentorship and hands-on work with four coexistence strategies … Read more
Gully Stuffing Collaboration with Golden Gate National Recreation Area
In March of 2025, WATER Institute Co-Directors Brock Dolman and Kate Lundquist had the great pleasure of meeting with Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) staff to carry out a … Read more
Fuels to Flows Campaign Launch
Building on OAEC’s three decades of land stewardship and watershed restoration work, we are excited to formally launch our Fuels to Flows Campaign! The term “Fuels to Flows,” coined by … Read more
Nursery Temporarily Closed
The OAEC Mother Garden Nursery is closed for the 2025 season. As OAEC marks our 30th Anniversary, the Mother Garden celebrates its 50th! The garden and nursery are in a … Read more
WATER Institute Newsletter Archives
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SoCo Seed Swap March 9th, 3-5pm
Come one, come all to the Sonoma County Seed Swap on Sunday, March 9th, 2025! Drop in any time from 3PM-5PM at the Sebastopol Grange (6000 Hwy 12, Sebastopol). This … Read more
Sign Up For Our Last Permaculture Design Course Of The Year!
We’re offering a Fall Permaculture Design Course in 2025 Permaculture Design Certification (PDC) courses will immerse you in information, ideas, and inspiration on how to design sustainable, regenerative systems that … Read more
2024 Process-Based Restoration Year In Review
2024 has been a hugely successful year for beaver and process-based restoration (PBR) in California. Working with many partners, including members of the California Process-Based Restoration Network, we successfully trained … Read more
Process-based restoration workshop with the Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance and Robinson Rancheria
Brock and Kate recently had the great pleasure of working with our long-time partners at Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance (TERA) to carry out a process-based restoration (PBR) workshop on Robinson Rancheria … Read more
Report Back from BeaverCON 2024
WATER Institute Co-Directors Kate Lundquist and Brock Dolman are feeling truly inspired after attending BeaverCON 2024 in Boulder, Colorado, last month. This renowned international gathering of beaver and process-based restoration … Read more
Celebrate and Support OAEC
As we close out this special anniversary year, we thank you for supporting the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center (OAEC). Over the past 30 years, we’ve had the privilege of … Read more
Report Back From Another Successful Build Like a Beaver Training (BLAB)
The WATER Institute’s Kate Lundquist and Brock Dolman have returned from an amazing four days of beaver and process-based restoration field tours, discussions, and onsite building opportunities at the California … Read more
Residential Rainwater & Fire Resilience Workshop Nov. 2nd
Join us Saturday, November 2nd from 10AM-1PM for a Residential Rainwater and Fire Resilience Workshop co-hosted by the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, Gold Ridge RCD and Sonoma County Ag + … Read more
California’s “Beaver Bill” Signed by Governor
Assembly Bill 2196 codifies the state’s new Beaver Restoration Program. SACRAMENTO – Unanimous votes of both the California State Assembly and Senate propelled Assembly Bill 2196 to the Governor’s desk, … Read more
Apply for 2025 Internships
Applications are now open through October 16th! Each year, OAEC hires a cohort of enthusiastic interns to live and learn at OAEC for 11 months. Interns work 24 hours per … Read more
Tending the Land for Fire Resilience in Sonoma County
Online Resource Launched for Land Stewards September 11, 2024 (Sonoma, CA) – Three trusted nonprofit partners launched a new, free in-depth online resource for Sonoma County land stewards. Tending the … Read more
