Delta Leadership Program

The Delta Leadership Program is a joint effort of the Delta Protection Commission and the Delta Leadership Foundation to support sustained leadership development in the region.

Goals

  • Identify and promote regional leaders.
  • Expand knowledge of key issues, opportunities, and challenges in the Delta.
  • Deliver skills and tools to enhance contributions to the Delta community.
  • Build relationships, trust, and cooperation.
  • Foster a shared sense of community.
  • Build a cadre of dedicated leaders to protect and improve the Delta.

How It Works

Leaders complete a five-day intensive curriculum over the course of four months: one weekday every three to four weeks, typically between mid-January and mid-April.

Each workshop devotes half a day to regional issues such as water and agriculture, public safety, and economic development, and half a day to skills development, such as negotiation, team building, innovation, values, and organizational momentum.

There is an additional day-long Delta air and water tour. Participants also complete team projects, on both workshop and personal time, designed to benefit the Delta. They present the projects to the Delta Protection Commission in May.

How Participants are Chosen

Applications typically open in mid-September and can be seen on the Commission’s Get Involved page.

Potential or emerging leaders must fill out an application and submit one or two letters of reference.

Timeline shows applications open from mid-September through mid-November, selection process from mid-November through mid-December and program operating mid-January through mid-May.

Applicants are evaluated by Delta Leadership Foundation and Delta Protection Commission leaders. The program actively seeks people from all walks of life.

Participants are usually notified within two to three weeks of the application deadline, which is typically in mid-November.

2026 Dates

  • Jan. 9 in Sacramento
  • Jan. 30 in Stockton
  • Feb. 20 in Rio Vista
  • March 20 in Oakley
  • April 17 in Clarksburg
  • Air/water tour in March or April, date TBD
  • May 21, location TBD (Delta Protection Commission meeting)

Questions?

Email dpc@delta.ca.gov.


Read About DLP Events and Alumni

STOCKTON, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2025) – The 2025 Class of the Delta Leadership Program spent Friday at the Port of Stockton interacting with state and regional water policy leaders and touring […]
February 9, 2025
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2025) – Nineteen emerging Delta leaders convened Friday at the Nature Conservancy in Sacramento for the kickoff of the 2025 Delta Leadership Program. Run by the Delta […]
January 10, 2025
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Sept. 19, 2024) – The Delta Protection Commission appointed 12 members and 4 alternates Thursday to the Commission’s new National Heritage Area Advisory Committee.  The Committee will recommend […]
September 20, 2024
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Sept. 19, 2024) – The Delta Protection Commission on Thursday named one seat on the Delta Protection Advisory Committee in honor of Gerry Goodie, who served on […]
September 20, 2024
Water defines the Delta, and access to water defines people’s connection to the Delta. For both Dr. Pat Tirone and Tricia Marie Canton, there was no access in the beginning. […]
July 12, 2024
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