Making Waves 2026

Don’t miss our annual event in Oakland, CA! Join us as we celebrate our local champions, enjoy food and drinks with allies and friends, and bid on exciting online auction items. Proceeds from ticket sales and auction purchases will support our programs working toward a healthier, greener California.
 

Tickets on Sale Now

Get your tickets today — you don't want to miss out on this fun event. 

 Purchase Tickets Here
 

Auction Details

The online auction is now open for bidding! View the auction catalog and start making bids today!

 View the Online Auction
 

Celebrating Our 2026 Awardees!

This year, our Takes the Heat awardee is our very own Attorney General, Rob Bonta. Rob has taken on the oil and gas industry and is currently holding chemical companies accountable for the damage they’ve caused from PFAS “forever chemicals”. We appreciate his hard work and look forward to supporting his efforts in any way we can.

Our Ear to the Ground is Ruth Abbe, a woman who has been fighting shoulder to shoulder with Clean Water Fund since we opened our California office in April of 1990. Ruth is also a critical ally to our ReThink program in our work in San Francisco. We know that if there’s anything happening in the world of reuse, Ruth will be there!

Finally, our Silver Lining award winner this year is the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project. Their work in this historically marginalized community is inspiring. In particular, their work at the port to clean up air and water pollution from the steel industry shows us that there is power in caring for our local communities.

THANK YOU to Our Generous Sponsors!

Clean Water Champions

Hal Candee
Mary Ann Fake
Aya Nagano
Anna Reade

Advocates for Clean Water

East Bay Municipal Utility District
Lateefah for Congress
Restore Hetch Hetchy
Doug Linney
Marguerite Young

Friends of Clean Water

Lena Brook
The Rev. Gregory L. Chan
Benito Delgado Olson
Janine Guillot
Jill Ratner & Tim Little
Bruce Livingston
Richard C. Waller
Richard Weiss
 

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

If you’re interested in a sponsorship, please remember that the earlier you sign up, the sooner we can promote you to our supporters! Questions about sponsorships should be directed to Julie Wedge at jwedge@cleanwater.org.

Secure Your Sponsorship Today
  

By registering for this event, you give Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund permission to use photos, audio, and video recordings taken during the event. These may be used for news, social media, website, or other promotional purposes by Clean Water Action or Clean Water Fund. You release both organizations and their representatives from any liability related to the use of these recordings. This release does not impact any insurance coverage held by either organization.
If you prefer to not be photographed, please inform the event organizer upon arrival to ensure your preference is honored. Click here to read the full media release.