Water Boards Champions Cohorts
Champions Cohorts
The Water Boards Openscapes Champions Program is a mentorship and professional development opportunity for individuals and teams at the Water Boards.
The Openscapes at the Water Boards Team is excited to invite individuals and teams at the Water Boards to apply to participate in an Openscapes Champions Cohort this fall! If you are looking to increase open and inclusive science practices in your work, this is the opportunity for you!
Before you apply, be sure to review:
- Am I ready to participate in a Champions Cohort?
- Am I ready to be an Openscapes Mentor?
- Fall 2026 Cohort Timelines - make sure you’re available during mandatory cohort calls
- Tue AM Cohort will meet on Tuesdays from 10 am - 12 pm
- Wed PM Cohort will meet on Wednesdays from 2 pm - 4 pm
Do you still have questions? Join an upcoming Openscapes Office Hour!
- Office Hours are from 10:30 am - 11:30 am on the following Tuesdays - Apr 21, May 12, Jun 2, Jun 23
- All office hours are held via MS Teams (join link)
- Office Hours are open to all Water Boards Staff interested in joining future Champions Cohorts as a participant or mentor to ask questions and determine if joining a cohort is a good fit for them/their team.
Nominate yourself or your team by filling out this Microsoft Form by June 30th, 2026.
We will confirm participation in early July.
Current and Upcoming Cohorts
2026 Fall Water Boards Cohorts: From mid-August through mid-October 2026, the Water Boards will host two Champions Cohorts.
Water Boards individuals and teams can apply to join these cohorts as mentors or participants starting May 1, 2026. Applications will close on Jun 30, 2026. To learn more:
- Check out: Am I ready to be an Openscapes Mentor?
- Check out: Is my team ready for Openscapes? which also applies to individuals who would like to apply to participate.
- Attend one of the Roadshow Presentations scheduled for Jan - May 2026
- Join an Openscapes Office Hour to ask questions and see if applying for a 2026 cohort is a good fit for you!
Water Boards Cohorts Summary
| Cohort | 2024 Fall | 2024 Spring | 2023 Fall | 2022 Fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Teams | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Percent Water Boards Regions, Divisions, or Offices (RDOs) Represented | 27% | 27% | 36% | 9% |
| Number of RDOs Represented | 6 | 6 | 8 | 2 |
| Number of Individuals (Team Members + Instructors + Mentors) | 22 | 19 | 31 | 19 |
| Acronym or Abbreviation | Definition |
|---|---|
| RDO | Water Boards Region, Division, or Office |
| DAS | Division of Administrative Services |
| DDW | Division of Drinking Water |
| DFA | Division of Financial Assistance |
| DIT | Division of Information Technology |
| DWQ | Division of Water Quality |
| DWR | Division of Water Rights |
| OCC | Office of Chief Counsel |
| OE | Office of Enforcement |
| OIMA | Office of Information Management and Analysis |
| OLA | Office of Legislative Affairs |
| OPA | Office of Public Affairs |
| OPP | Office of Public Participation |
| ORPP | Office of Research, Planning, and Performance |
| R1 | Region 1 – North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board |
| R2 | Region 2 – San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board |
| R3 | Region 3 – Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board |
| R4 | Region 4 – Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board |
| R5 | Region 5 – Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board |
| R6 | Region 6 – Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board |
| R7 | Region 7 – Colorado River Regional Water Quality Control Board |
| R8 | Region 8 – Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board |
| R9 | Region 9 – San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board |
| Water Boards | California State Water Resources Control Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards, collectively |