Science for Communities
About the Science for Communities (SFC) Initiative
The Delta Stewardship Council’s SFC initiative facilitates and fosters partnerships between Delta communities, local public agencies, and subject matter experts to explore challenges and opportunities in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta communities. The initiative promotes the sharing of knowledge, tools, and data to support relationship building, collaboration to address social-environmental issues, and funding access for further research and training.
How to Participate
If you are interested in participating in the Science for Communities initiative, please complete the Interest Form by summarizing your organization’s need. Council staff will then identify academic and agency subject matter experts able to offer assistance.
If you have questions about SFC, please email deltacouncil.sciforcommunities@deltacouncil.ca.gov.
Why SFC is Important
Many scientists are eager to support communities but often lack the relationships and connections with community leaders needed to do so effectively. At the same time, many community organizations are open to collaboration and external support, but may not have the connections with the scientific community.
Data gathered from the 2023 “Delta Residents Survey” shows that about half of the communities generally trust scientists. One-third of respondents cited being too busy or feeling like their input would not influence decision-making as key barriers preventing them from engaging in Delta issues that matter to them. For meaningful engagement to occur, communities need accessible, trusted connections to resources, which this initiative aims to foster.
The initiative pairs Delta communities, including tribes, and local public agencies with private, government, and academic research scientists to collaborate on projects. Organizations will have the opportunity to:
- Share data and technical tools with their communities and expand public reach.
- Connect with subject matter experts (SMEs) in the Delta and better understand each other’s needs.
- Collaborate with SMEs to co-produce resources to raise awareness of key issues impacting communities.
- Connect with other resources, including funding opportunities.
- Provide an online space on the SFC website where project findings are available to the public.
- Present projects in webinars and panel(s) at upcoming conferences.
*Email deltacouncil.sciforcommunities@deltacouncil.ca.gov to request access to the asterisked materials listed in the project description column below.
| Past Partnership Projects | ||
|---|---|---|
| Partnership Groups | Year Completed | Project Description |
|
CBO:
Partners: |
2024 | Youth Organizers Curriculum and Environmental Literacy in Diverse Audiences: Identified suggestions to improve the Youth Organizers curriculum, prioritizing teaching program participants how to tap into their personal networks to advance environmental literacy across diverse audiences.
|
| CBO and Tribe:
Partners: |
2024 | Staying Informed on Harmful Algal Blooms: Highlighted the indicators and signs of harmful algal blooms, as well as tangible actions that tribes and Delta communities can take to stay safe.
|
| Tribal-Serving CBO:
Partners: |
2024 | Safe Fish Consumption: Shared guidance for the safe consumption of wild fish and discussed the impacts of contaminants on tribes and other communities in the Delta.
|
| CBO:
Partners: |
2024 | Emergency Housing During Flooding: Gathered data layers to determine the amount of emergency housing available in Delta legacy communities that flood events could impact.
|
| Tribal-serving CBO:
Partners: |
2022 | Panel Discussion 1: California Indian Environmental Alliance: Explored existing resources to address contaminants in the water that could bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. Included recommendations on increasing coordination and partnership among tribal governments, state agencies, and academia.
|
| CBO:
Partners: |
2022 | Panel Discussion 2: Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness: Explored California's legislative recognition of the Human Right to Water in relation to unhoused populations. Presented early findings from a study on water pollution sources in the lower American River.
|
| CBO:
Partners: |
2022 | Panel Discussion 3: Sustain Our Abilities: Explored medical and social models for disabilities and ways to incorporate the needs of the disabled community into climate change adaptation processes and projects.
|
| CBO:
Partners: |
2022 | Panel Discussion 4: Public Health Advocates: Highlighted links between climate resiliency and public health from a community engagement perspective.
|
| CBO:
Partners: |
2022 | Panel Discussion 5: Restore the Delta: Shared data and educational resources on how to stay safe from harmful algal blooms.
|
| CBO:
Partners: |
2022 | Panel Discussion 6: Little Manilla Rising: Identified opportunities to improve flood mitigation, preparation, and response by utilizing nature-based solutions in the South Stockton area.
|
- Delta Plan Interagency Implementation Committee (DPIIC)
- SFC Blogs
- Building Bridges with Science for Communities - March 3, 2022
Resources
- Council - Environmental Justice Web Page
- Council - Delta Adapts: Creating a Climate Resilient Future Web Page
- Council - Social Science Integration Web Page
- Delta Science Program - Research Funding and Fellowships Web Page
- Strategic Growth Council - SFC 2024 Slides (Email deltacouncil.sciforcommunities@deltacouncil.ca.gov to request access to this material)
- San Joaquin Regional Climate Collaboratives - SFC 2024 Slides (Email deltacouncil.sciforcommunities@deltacouncil.ca.gov to request access to this material)
Contact Us
For more information or questions about the SFC initiative and process, please email deltacouncil.sciforcommunities@deltacouncil.ca.gov.