Ann Hayden
Vice President, Climate Resilient Water Systems
Work
Areas of expertise:
Water policy, adaptive management and watershed resilience, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, environmental markets, riparian and wetland habitat, river and delta systems.
Description
As vice president of Climate Resilient Water Systems, Ann drives EDF’s efforts to ensure sustainable water supplies for people and nature. Ann leads a team of experts focused on advancing partnership-based, data-empowered approaches that ensure adequate water for ecosystems, agriculture, and communities on the frontlines of climate change. Ann applies her extensive experience in California to lead a growing suite of EDF initiatives across the arid West and globally that help farmers transition to a future with less fresh water while addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities and strained ecosystems. By fostering relationships with government agencies, nonprofit partners, landowners, local stakeholders and the private sector, Ann has developed an inclusive, balanced approach to resource management that mobilizes a wide array of perspectives and disciplines.
Background
For more than 17 years, Ann has been building broad coalitions to advance pragmatic solutions that benefit both people and the environment. She is an expert in the development and implementation of environmental markets that help enhance healthy freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Throughout her career, Ann’s work has focused on finding the right balance between ecosystem protection and the prosperity of communities.
At EDF, Ann has been instrumental in advancing smart, incentive-based water management strategies in California. She also has played a major role in the establishment of the Central Valley Habitat Exchange, which was developed to incentivize farmers and ranchers to restore important habitat on their land while maintaining, or even increasing, agricultural productivity.
Education
- M.A., Environmental Science and Management, UC Santa Barbara
- B.A., Marine Biology, UC Santa Cruz
Latest pieces
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Improving data, community engagement, and strategic initiatives to address America’s groundwater challenges
Source, July 22, 2024 -
Improving data, community engagement, and strategic initiatives to address America’s groundwater challenges
Source, July 22, 2024 -
Water is a high-level priority at COP 28, we need to look to ground-level users for solutions
Growing Returns, December 7, 2023 -
Water is a high-level priority at COP28. We need to look to ground-level users for solutions
On the Water Front, November 30, 2023 -
Taking a big leap to solve California water problems: How uncommon partners are finding common ground on the water
Growing Returns Blog, July 22, 2022 -
Taking a big leap to solve California water problems: How uncommon partners are finding common ground on the water
On the Water Front, July 20, 2022 -
California’s new Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program is already oversubscribed. Here are 3 features of successful applications.
On the Water Front, June 22, 2022 -
California’s new Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program is already oversubscribed. Here are 3 features of successful applications.
Growing Returns Blog, June 22, 2022
Press materials
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New evidence of global groundwater crisis adds urgency to solutions efforts
January 25, 2024 -
EDF Excited to Work Alongside Jay Ziegler as California’s Newly Appointed Delta Watermaster
March 2, 2023 -
Governor Newsom’s Proposed State Budget
January 10, 2023 -
Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs Bill to Provide $40 Million in Additional Funding for Farmland Repurposing Program as Drought Conditions Worsen
September 28, 2022 -
Self-Help Enterprises and EDF Partner to Support California Department of Conservation in Coordination and Peer Learning for Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program
May 25, 2022 -
Gov. Newsom Takes More Action to Address Water Scarcity and Deepening Drought
March 28, 2022 -
Gov. Gavin Newsom Approves Budget with $50 Million for Farmland Repurposing in Response to Drought
September 23, 2021 -
Farmland Repurposing Bill to Support Sustainable Water Supplies, Rural Communities and Wildlife Advances in the California State Senate
August 26, 2021