Reflecting in gratitude: Talking Water 2024

As we emerge into a new year, we are looking back at our Talking Water community conversations. Talking Water continues to be a sacred space for dreaming into futures, where we get to reimagine our relations with water through conversation and story with water activists from around the world. These conversations were offered to the community free of charge which is important to Walking Water’s core work of accessibility, participation, and information-sharing.

2024 was a year full of powerful dialogues, discussions, listening, partnerships, and inspiration. These conversations filled our hearts and stretched our imaginations for what’s possible through the work and words of water protectors, artists, authors, activists, and community-based organizations. The podcast was downloaded 1,650 times.

It was an expansive year for Talking Water! In addition to the seven Talking Water conversations, we hosted 11 conversations in the Water Learning Series: Los Angeles with organizations, community projects, tribal organizations, activists, organizers, and leaders from LA and places impacted by LA’s water story. Our gratitude to ARLA for partnering to bring these informative and synergistic dialogues.

Below you’ll find links to the Talking Water and the Water Learning Series podcasts.

Talking Water and the Water Learning Series: Los Angeles

January 25 Water Learning Series: Session One with Tina Calderon, Annie Mendoza, Teri Red Owl & Kyndall Noah

We began the Water Learning Series with Indigenous voices at the forefront with Tina Calderon (Gabrielino Tongva, Chumash and Yoeme), Teri Red Owl (Bishop Paiute Tribe Nuumu from Payahuunadü), Annie Mendoza (Gabrieleno-Tongva), and Kyndall Noah (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) sharing stories about what the area, now called Los Angeles, once was and the necessity of an Indigenous perspective in LA’s water story.

February 16 Water Learning Series: Session Two with Andy Lipkis

Andy Lipkis, a visionary in urban forestry and watershed restoration in Los Angeles and the founder/project executive of Accelerate Resilience LA (ARLA, shares his vision for how Los Angeles could be water sufficient and why it is not. This session includes a presentation of the Living Infrastructure Field Kit, a community engagement and collaborative planning tool to support projects in Los Angeles.

February 20 with the Walking Water Team

What does it mean for Walking Water to be guided by water in the ways we organize, in the ways we partner, and in the ways we come together? In a reflective conversation, the Walking Water community goes on a deep exploration to review what has been, be with what is, and envision what will be…

March 21 Water Learning Series: Session Three with LA Waterkeeper

The guests from LA Waterkeeper, Kelly Shannon McNeill, associate director, and Ben Harris, staff attorney, share inspiring stories about relentless advocacy for pollution prevention, healthy habitats, and systems change for the future of LA. The conversation features an in-depth discussion about how importing the water in LA drives climate change in California, plus a vision of what an ecologically restored LA River could look like.

March 28 with Erik Ohlsen

Erik Ohlsen, internationally recognized permaculture teacher, author, regenerative designer, storyteller, and practitioner of Nordic folk traditions, offers a conversation steeped in impassioned stories, experiences of the living world, and new mythologies based on sacred connection with the elements.

April 18 Water Learning Series: Session Four with Urbano Strategies

This conversation highlights the incredible work of Jesse De La Cruz, founder of Urbano Strategies, a grassroots, community consulting firm, working to uplift working class communities of color to become engaged in sustainable development and environmental justice. Jesse shares a powerful vision for how initiatives with the community at the center make a difference in LA’s unfolding water story.

April 25 with Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre

Dr. Miguel De La Torre, scholar, documentarian, novelist, academic author, and activist, shares a bold perspective on the life-giving powers of water in our lives and how the commodification, pollution, and withholding of water is weaponized in the U.S. on communities of color. He offers insights from the recent book he edited Gonna Trouble the Water – Ecojustice, Water, and Environmental Racism.

May 16 Water Learning Series: Session Five with US Army Corps of Engineers

This session welcomes Megan Whalen, Ambassador for the LA River Watershed and Hunter Merritt, social scientist, both from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Their conversation highlights the history and role of the Corps in the making and monitoring of the channelized LA River.

June 20 Water Learning Series: Session Six with Council for Watershed Health

Carlos Moran, senior program manager from the Council for Watershed Health, shares his intimate knowledge into the complexity of the municipalities and agencies in the Los Angeles water story. Carlos talks about the innovative work of the council in providing assistance to communities and tribes to access public funding for environmental justice and public health.

August 13 with We the People of Detroit

We the People of Detroit offers an inspirational conversation about water justice in Detroit, connecting their water warrior work to the global movement for safe, clean, and affordable water as an essential human right. Founders of We the People of Detroit, Monica Lewis-Patrick, President & CEO; Debra A. Taylor, Chief Financial Officer; and Cecily McClellan, Director of Water Work/Relief, share spirited stories of collaboration, activism, and empowerment in their relentless advocacy.

August 15 Water Learning Series: Session Seven with LA Dept. of Water and Power & Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

We are joined by David Pettijohn, director of water resources from the LA Department of Water and Power and Liz Crosson, sustainability, resilience and innovation officer at the Metropolitan Water District. The guests offer a comprehensive and historical look at how these agencies became foundational and remain central in the importation of LA’s water. The guests also discuss forward-looking initiatives responding to climate change.

August 18 with the Watershed Association

David Baker, executive director and founder of the Watershed Association, and Ellen Evans, director of operations, share a wholehearted conversation about heeding the call to work on behalf of water. They share seminal experiences which guided them to vocations to protect Jacob’s Well, a natural artesian spring and second longest submerged cave located in the Hill Country of South-Central Texas.

August 26 with Mike Prather

Mike Prather is an environmental activist and conservationist who has advocated for returning water to Owens Lake/Patsiata and the Lower Owens River. He shares his personal story about fighting for the things you love.

September 19 Water Learning Series: Session Eight with Friends of the LA River & Heal the Bay

We welcome Candice Dickens-Russell, president and CEO from Friends of the LA River (FOLAR), and Kayleigh Wade, senior manager of outreach from Heal the Bay. Candice and Kayleigh offer an uplifting conversation about advocating for clean safe water, empowering Los Angeles residents through outreach and education, and reimagining a greener and wilder LA River for a climate resilient and equitable future.

October 16 Water Learning Series: Session Nine with Kaytlynn Johnston & Zacarías Bernal

In this conversation we are joined by youth from Owens Valley/Payahuunadü and Los Angeles County to share their stories, insights, and dreams for a water sufficient Los Angeles. The guests evoke their visions for the future in which the waters of Owens Valley/Payahuunadü are free-flowing once again.

November 13 Water Learning Series: Session Ten with Andy Lipkis

Andy Lipkis rejoins the conversation as the Water Learning Series nears its conclusion. Andy articulates a vision of what LA can become, speaking about the necessity for informed, empowered, and engaged communities to shift LA’s water story from one of scarcity to abundance.

November 27 with Melissa McGill, Kate Morales & Debra Scacco

In this conversation, we welcome three artists who are deeply immersed in their relationships with water. The weaving and flowing conversation follows how each artist, in their own ways, is guided by water and maps the animance water with their work.

December 16 Water Learning Series: Session Eleven with Tina Calderon, Teri Red Owl & Kyndall Noah

We conclude the Water Learning Series with Indigenous voices, speaking to the future of LA’s water story. Tina Calderon (Gabrielino Tongva, Chumash, and Yoeme), Teri Red Owl (Bishop Paiute Tribe Nüümü from Payahuunadü), and Kyndall Noah (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) share thoughts and visions for what it would take for Los Angeles to be an example of water justice. They offer insights into the power of building coalitions.