Day Two Keynote:

California as a Microcosm of Water Issues

Felicia Marcus, Western Director

Natural Resources Defense Council;

Felicia is the Western Director for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a national environmental leader in bringing science, law, and policy expertise to solving our world’s pressing environmental and conservation challenges. 

Prior to joining NRDC, Felicia was the Executive VP/COO of the Trust for

Before coming to TPL, Felicia served as the Regional Administrator of the USEPA Region IX in the Clinton Administration where she was known for her work in bringing unlikely allies together for environmental progress and for making the agency more responsive to the communities it serves, particularly Indian Tribes, communities of color, local government, and business.  Prior to that, Felicia headed Los Angeles' Department of Public Works at a time when the City went from garnering lawsuites to garnering national awards for environmental excellence.

Felicia came to Public Works after extensive experience as a public interest lawyer and community organizer in Los Angeles.  She currently serves on many non-profit boards and Advisory Councils including the Public Policy Institute of California, the Keystone Center, MWD Blue Ribbon Committee, Urban Habitat, Natural Heritage Institute, and the Center for Diversity and the Environment.  She is also currently an Obama Administration appointee to the Commission on Environmental Cooperation - Joint Public Advisory Council (U.S., Mexico, Canada).