Join us for an insightful webinar presentation, where we'll explore innovative projects and strategies to ensure the state's resilience against climate change and secure the future of our water resources.
California is a large, visionary state, and tackling climate change requires a “both/and” mindset—not an “either/or” approach. This presentation will highlight the release of the California Department of Water Resource’s 2025 Adaptation Strategy, which evaluates a range of projects aimed at helping the state adapt to a changing climate while ensuring the long-term reliability of the State Water Project.
Key focus areas of the state’s water portfolio include enhancing water storage capacity, advancing conservation efforts, leveraging new technologies, and modernizing critical infrastructure—such as the Delta Conveyance Project—to prepare for more extreme weather patterns and potential water shortages.
About Our Speakers:
Cindy Messer was appointed as Lead Deputy Director in February 2017. Prior to her appointment, Messer served as a subject matter expert and policy advisor to the director and former chief deputy director on a broad range of issues impacting statewide water management. She briefly served as acting director in the summer of 2017 after Mark Cowin retired and prior to Grant Davis' appointment.
Messer was the deputy director of the Planning, Performance, and Technology Division at the Delta Stewardship Council from 2012 until her appointment with DWR. As deputy director, she coordinated the preparation and implementation of the Delta Plan. Prior to this position, Messer served as the assistant executive officer for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy where she provided oversight for development of the Delta Conservancy’s Interim Strategic Plan. Messer also worked for more than 10 years in various technical and managerial roles in DWR's Division of Environmental Services.
Messer is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in environmental policy analysis and planning. She also earned a Master of Science degree in conservation biology from California State University, Sacramento.
Laura Hidas has served as the Director of Water Resources for the Alameda County Water District (ACWD) since 2019, where her areas of responsibility include oversight of the District’s groundwater protection and management programs, long-term water supply planning, water conservation, water supply operations, and imported water supply management. ACWD is a retail water provider that serves reliable, high quality water to over 340,000 people in the cities of Fremont, Newark & Union City by the San Francisco Bay.
Laura has worked at ACWD for over 24 years, with experience in water quality and treatment, water supply, water system operations, and public affairs. She is a member of the American Water Works Association, the Association of Women in Water, Energy & Environment, and currently serves as Board President for the State Water Contractors.
Laura holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Stanford University, a Master’s of Science degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from University of California, Berkeley, and is licensed in the State of California as a Professional Engineer, Water Treatment Operator, and Water Distribution Operator.
Laura is also a mom of two teenagers and a scouting volunteer, which allows her to share her love for water and nature outside of work with the next generation.
Registration
Registration is free for AWWEE members and up to 2 guests (new to AWWEE please).
Registration fee for non-members is $20.