
Ann Hayden
Interim 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
Ann leads EDF’s California Water program as interim vice president, climate resilient water systems. The California Water program focuses on advancing incentive-based approaches that ensure adequate water for ecosystems, improve agriculture’s resilience to climate change and address the needs of disadvantaged communities. In particular, Ann leads EDF’s initiatives to help farmers transition to a future with less groundwater while taking into account the needs of disadvantaged communities and ecosystems. By fostering relationships with state and federal agencies, nonprofit partners, landowners, local stakeholders and the private sector, Ann has developed an inclusive approach to resource management that considers 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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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 -
Drought in California is intensifying. It’s time to rise to the challenge.
On the Water Front, April 14, 2022 -
Drought in California is intensifying. It’s time to rise to the challenge.
Growing Returns Blog, April 14, 2022 -
Gov. Newsom proposed nearly doubling funds for a new farmland repurposing program. Here are 4 ways it can help people and wildlife.
On the Water Front, March 28, 2022 -
Gov. Newsom proposed nearly doubling funds for a new farmland repurposing program. Here are 4 ways it can help people and wildlife.
Growing Returns Blog, January 28, 2022
Press materials
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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 -
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Drought Proposal: Some Solid Steps Toward Building Climate-Resilient Water Systems
May 10, 2021