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From The Executive Director
Jason Schwenkler
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Greetings,
The Fall semester at Chico State is underway, bringing new and returning students to campus and online as they immerse themselves in learning experiences that prepare them for their next chapters. It's an honor to work alongside some of the best and brightest of these students, University faculty and regional stakeholders on issues that affect us all including forest health, river restoration, community mapping, digital equity, strategic planning and more.
In this edition, you'll get a look into some of the ways we're engaging across the North State and beyond. From our work creating foundational data for the U.S. Geological Survey’s 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP), to co-convening the North State region of the California Jobs First initiative, ongoing salmonid habitat restoration, digital equity and more, we're committed to projects that keep our communities thriving places to live, learn, work and recreate.
Also in this issue- more about our annual Economic Forecast Conference. We hope you'll mark your calendars for January 14, 2027 when we'll convene at Chico State to dive deep into the topic of rural health by exploring critical issues that affect us all: access to care, medical education training, policy, innovative programs and more. Tickets will go on sale in late September at nspdc.csuchico.edu.
We're always looking for ways we can offer opportunities for student success while helping the region address its most pressing economic development and GIS issues. If you have ideas for collaboration, or just want to connect, I'd love to hear from you.
Together, let's keep the North State strong.
Until then, take care!
Jason
Jason Schwenkler jschwenkler@csuchico.edu
Executive Director, North State Planning and Development Collective California State University, Chico
www.nspdc.csuchico.edu
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Water Supply Modeling, Wildfire Resilience Efforts
Supported by the Collective's New Elevation-Derived Hydrography
As part of its ongoing partnership with the California Department of Water Resources (CA DWR), the Collective and CSU Northridge will perform the elevation-derived hydrography (EDH) production work for DWR’s California 3DHP - Butte, Yuba, Bear, and American Rivers Headwaters project under the U.S. Geological Survey’s 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP). CA DWR was selected as the project partner for the project, one of 16 projects in 15 states selected through the USGS FY26 3DHP Data Collaboration Announcement.
The project covers five HUC-8 hydrologic units: Butte Creek, Upper Yuba River, Upper Bear River, North Fork American River, and South Fork American River, all within the greater Sacramento River watershed. Together, the project area encompasses approximately 4,501 square miles and lies on both sides of the Feather River Headwaters 3DHP project, awarded through the USGS FY25 3DHP Data Collaboration Announcement. The team will use high-resolution lidar-derived elevation data to develop detailed elevation-derived hydrography representing streams, waterbodies, and surface-water connectivity in accordance with USGS 3DHP specifications.
The resulting hydrography will provide a more accurate representation of surface-water drainage and connectivity and support applications including fish passage restoration, water-supply and flood modeling, forest health, and wildfire resilience.
“Recent wildfires have significantly affected these watersheds,” said Erik Fintel, Project Manager for the Collective. “By developing detailed elevation-derived hydrography, we are creating foundational data that can support forest health, wildfire resilience, fish passage restoration, flood modeling, and other water-resource applications. The resulting hydrography will support future water-resource science and management. We appreciate our ongoing partnership with DWR and the opportunity to perform this work in support of California’s 3DHP program,” he said.
For additional information about the project, email Fintel at efintel@csuchico.edu.
Image: USGS Public Domain
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The North State Planning and Development Collective and Sierra Institute for Community and Environment, co-conveners of the North State Region’s Job First Initiative, invite you to attend the next public meeting for the North State Region.
"Setting the Foundation for Long-Term Resilience"
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Gaia Hotel, Anderson, California
Doors open at 9:30 a.m., program from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
This is a free, in-person event.
Advance registration required for logistical purposes.
At the meeting, we will:
· Reflect on the region’s accomplishments (Catalyst Projects, Regional Strategies, etc)
· Review and Benchmark progress in Industry-sector work
(Ag, Health, Tourism, Natural Resources)
· Identify potential needs and gaps
· Map our next steps as we pivot into the Implementation Phase, build on successful project partnerships, and set the foundation for long-term resilience.
Register Here
For questions, please email Courtney Farrell at cafarrell@csuchico.edu or
Zoe Watson at zwatson@sierrainstitute.us
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Supporting Student Success: Connecting Student Research and Restoration
Through our ongoing collaboration with Chico State faculty and students, the Collective is helping connect student research directly with salmonid habitat restoration on the Sacramento River. The video (linked below) highlights research led by Dr. Parsa Saffarinia, Assistant Professor of Biology at Chico State, with support from the Collective team.
This partnership is part of a larger effort to strengthen fisheries science and restoration within Chico State’s Biology Department. Northern California is a living laboratory, with some of the state’s most important fisheries and restoration challenges right in our backyard. By involving students in active local projects, we hope to build excitement, develop the next generation of fisheries professionals, and show that meaningful careers in fisheries research and restoration can begin right here.
STEM Connections Collaborative - Salmon Research 2025 - CSU Chico Media
For questions about how the Collective can support your University or community project, email Jason Schwenkler at jschwenkler@csuchico.edu. For more informatmion about Chico State's Biological Sciences program, click here.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Thursday, January 14, 2027
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Bell Memorial Union, Chico State
Tickets Go On Sale End of September
Join us January 14, 2027 for THE economic forecast for the region! Featuring Economist
Dr. Robert Eyler plus speakers and panels discussing the critical rural health care issues facing the North State.
Presenting Sponsor: Tri Counties Bank
Official Livestream Sponsor: Rural Counties Representatives of California
Keynote/Luncheon Sponsor: North State Together
Economic Forecast Sponsor: Butte College
Champion Level Sponsors: Butte County, Comcast
Friends of the North State Sponsors: 3CORE, Inc., Superior California Economic Development, North Valley Community Foundation
Brought to you by the North State Planning & Development Collective.
Sponsorships are available-contact Alice Patterson at ampatterson@csuchico.edu for information. Check our website for ongoing updates and ticket information.
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State Leaders and the Collective Team Explore North State Connectivity at 7th Annual Virtual Broadband Summit
On August 6th, State leaders in Broadband came together to share updates on North State programs and initiatives at the 7th Annual Virtual Broadband Summit. The event was hosted by the Northeastern California Connect Broadband Consortia and Upstate California Broadband Consortia, which are managed by the Collective's Director Jason Schwenkler. At the event, attendees from across the North State received Broadband for All & Middle Mile Updates from the California Department of Technology, a Legislation and Policy Update from the team at the California Emerging Technology Fund and a North State Rural Projects and Consortia Funding Timeline Update from the California Public Utilities Commission. Representatives from Spectrum, Butte College and California's Employment Training Panel (ETP) joined the event for panel discussing the link between education and broadband workforce and the Collective team presented its recently released Broadband Workforce Report. For more information about this annual event, or how the Northeastern and Upstate California Broadband Consortia can support your community, email Hayley Stone at hmstone@csuchico.edu.
| | Improve Your Digital Literacy Skills This Fall! Enroll Now.
The Collective is pleased to continue its partnership on a series of digital literacy classes which launched in Spring, 2026, designed to build confidence and give users the tools they need to succeed in the digital world. To view available dates and register, click here. | |
Your Input Matters! Take the Public Broadband Survey
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has launched the Broadband Public Feedback Survey to gather input from California residents about the internet service available at their homes and businesses. Many communities experience speeds, reliability, or availability that do not match what is shown on broadband maps. Your feedback will help the CPUC improve the accuracy of statewide broadband data and identify areas that need better service.
Residents can report issues such as slow speeds, unreliable connections, lack of service options, or concerns about affordability. The survey only takes a few minutes and is available through the ‘Public Feedback’ button on the California Interactive Broadband Map.
Access the survey here: California Interactive Broadband Map
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