Water management plans are a go-to tool for making California’s water supply more resilient and sustainable. But what do they actually achieve? This talk will dive into research on the state’s water planning requirements, asking whether California water management plans support sustainable water management, whether planning incentivizes more coordinated management, and why California continually turns to planning as a water policy tool.

Professor Nicola Ulibarri is an interdisciplinary scholar who studies environmental policy and governance, with a focus on redesigning environmental decision-making processes to result in better environmental and social outcomes. Topically, she focuses on water governance, coastal resilience, and climate change adaptation. Dr. Ulibarri earned her PhD through the Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment & Resources at Stanford University. Dr. Ulibarri is an Associate Professor of Urban Planning & Public Policy; Director, Master of Public Policy Program.