The California Beaver Help Desk is Live!
We are proud to announce the launch of the first-ever California Beaver Help Desk! With our new online portal now live, beaver problems can become beaver solutions throughout all of … Read more
General
‘Build Like a Beaver’ Creates Watershed Resilience in the Eastern Sierra Nevada
In October, WATER Institute Co-Directors attended and taught at the 4th annual Build Like a Beaver (BLAB) training. This sold-out workshop was hosted by the California Process-Based Restoration Network, OAEC’s … Read more
The WATER Institute Brings Beaver Coexistence to California’s Central Valley
This September and October, the WATER Institute hosted our first-ever Beaver Coexistence Field Training and Tour alongside the Beaver Institute and Connected Ecology. The team focused on two sites in … Read more
Fuels to Flows Goes On Tour
This fall, the WATER Institute took our Fuels to Flows Campaign on tour across California to share how holistic, process-based restoration builds watershed resilience while reducing the risk of catastrophic … 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
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
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
It’s OAEC’s 30th Anniversary!
This year, the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center (OAEC) is celebrating our 30th anniversary! As we take a moment to pause and reflect, we want to share our deep gratitude … Read more
OAEC chosen as nonprofit of the year for 2nd senate district!
The Occidental Arts & Ecology Center (OAEC) is immensely humbled to be chosen by Senate Pro Tempore Mike McGuire as the 2024 Nonprofit of the Year for Senate District 2. … Read more
