About GRA

Who We Are

Mission:

The Groundwater Resources Association is dedicated to resource management that protects and improves groundwater supply and quality through education and technical leadership

Vision:

Sustainable Groundwater for All

What We Do

lead by leading professors and

GRA seeks to achieve the vision of sustainable groundwater for all through providing education, technical leadership, and advocacy in the field of groundwater. To achieve this vision, we:

Work through our regional branches, which hold meetings to share technical knowledge, learning and connection, to create a network of groundwater professionals at all stages in careers from students to as a resource partner to our affiliates,

retirees. Lead a variety of technical conferences throughout the year to provide a platform for knowledge transfer and education within Host monthly GRA Cast webinars focused around a technical learning topic. Provide training and education through classes and workshops professionals in the industry. Enable a robust groundwater job board to connect job seekers with those seeking to fill groundwater and water resource positions. Provide technical review and input,

groundwater. policy makers, and regulators, sharing expertise to support excellence in groundwater related policies and documents. Advocate for policies, legislation and funding that supports our mission and vision of sustainable groundwater for all.

How We Do It

GRA is a volunteer organization. We are structured with a board elected through our membership and supported by regional branches and committees organized in the following areas:

• Regional Branches: 8 Regions (Sacramento, Northern Sacramento

Valley, San Francisco Bay Area,

Central Coast, San Joaquin, Southern

California, San Diego, Inland Empire) • Statewide Committees: • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion • Events, Education & Affiliates • Executive • Awards Task Force • Nominations Task Force • Finance • Legislative Advocacy • Membership & Communications • Technical Branches and Committees are led by dedicated member volunteers passionate about water resources and groundwater.

Collaboration and Thought Leadership

In addition to GRA Branches and Committees, GRA fosters collaboration and thought leadership through our Contemporary Groundwater Issues Council. The Council acts as “think tank” gathering executives and leaders from a range of disciplines and backgrounds to help GRA meet the needs of the state’s water stakeholders in providing opportunities to share experiences with and potential solutions to the state’s most pressing groundwater issues. The Council complements the roles of GRA’s Board of Directors and GRA’s Committees by providing external input from groundwater leaders on key ongoing or future groundwater-related issues, challenges, and opportunities.

Affiliates “We can’t do it all on our own”

Since its inception, GRA has enjoyed opportunities for collaborating with a wide range of agencies and organizations having goals and objectives aligned to those valued by GRA. We often partner with affiliates such as the Association of California Water Agencies, the Water Education Foundation, the California Groundwater Association, the National Groundwater Association, the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of California - Groundwater Hydrology Cooperative Extension Program and the California Department of Water Resources to name a few. We value our partners and leveraging through leadership and learning across resources.