About ICARE

             The Institute for Conservation Advocacy Research & Education, (ICARE) established in 2004, is a nonprofit community-based organization located in Napa County, California. ICARE's mission is to restore and conserve the biological integrity and ecosystems health of watersheds the Napa River estuary and the greater San Francisco Bay Area through science-based advocacy, research and education. 

             The keystone of this effort is a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to maintaining cutting edge conservation science, policy and outreach. We specialize in innovative, collaborative projects that move restoration and conservation beyond the status quo and achieve real improvements on the ground in the protection of plants, animals and fish from the headwaters to the confluence within socioeconomic realities. To learn more about us read  Healthy Watershed Program


Our Goals & Objectives

Goal: Protect, improve and increase diverse populations of plant and animal species in the San Francisco estuary.

Objective: Advocate for protection and conservation of aquatic and terrestrial habitats in the Napa River watershed

Objective: Monitor the health of the Napa River through rigorous scientific adaptive management and reliable data collection to improve water quality and quantity.

Objective: Improve local, regional and state land use and water policy to conserve and protect aquatic and terrestrial species.

Goal: Promote protection and conservation of the Napa River watershed and Bay Delta estuary as an essential element to a regional vibrant economy and healthy communities.

Objective: Educate the public about the unique Napa River watershed and Bay Delta estuary through a wide array of teaching approaches to reach all socioeconomic levels of the community.

Goal: Inspire others to conserve and protect their watersheds.

Objective:  Develop and make available a ‘Healthy Watershed Toolkit’ for clean water and healthy communities that will be broadly distributed to the public.

Goal: To experience the beauty of rivers, streams, wetlands and marsh lands is essential to protecting and conservation of wild and wonderful aquatic landscapes

Objective: Lead field trips, recruit volunteers and champion restoration efforts with the local stakeholders as an essential element to community involvement in watershed health.



To these ends, ICARE applies a wide array of tools

~~We perform solid technical analysis with direct impacts on policy objectives

~~We offer expert advocacy on complex natural resource management issues

~~We produce and implement new resource management programs

~~We initiate and participate in a wide array of bay area public outreach and education programs

~~We endeavor to keep a seat at every table, maintaining a dialogue with all stakeholders in complex conservation challenges

~~We balance biological and ecosystem values with the local economy