Barbara has worked for 18 years to give Delta residents a voice and to ensure that they have a direct impact on water management decisions affecting the water quality and well-being of their communities, while working for the advancement of water sustainability and equity policies for all Californians. Over the last three years, Barbara has also built a carbon program management team following the same principles of equity, transparency, community education, and accuracy in science-based research.
Through public education and outreach, advocacy, negotiation, program development, and litigation, Barbara has advanced the idea that the state and federal government must recognize the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta as part of California’s natural heritage, deserving of protection, while ensuring the inclusion of the Delta’s environmental justice communities in planning and government processes. Barbara has also trained hundreds of area youth from the Delta’s disadvantaged communities on water and climate policies while partnering with Delta social, environmental, and economic justice organizations, government, and businesses to develop green economy jobs so these same talented university students become next generation leaders for the environment. Barbara holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Fine Arts from Mills College.