Community engagement in groundwater management to enhance climate resilience: A comparative study of California and Baja California

There is growing recognition that community engagement in water management can lead to more effective and sustainable outcomes. Sustainable water resource management is particularly important given the impacts of climate change on water availability for cities, agriculture, and ecosystems. This paper aims to understand how community involvement in water management can strengthen resilience to climate change through a cross-case analysis from Southern California, USA, and the western coastal area of Baja California, Mexico. Two case studies were conducted in the southern part of the San Joaquin Valley, in the USA, and the Maneadero Valley in Ensenada, Mexico. Our study is based on a qualitative dataset of 25 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in both regions (10 in California and 15 in Mexico). The research addresses two main questions: 1) How does community engagement in water management contribute to building resilience to climate change impacts on water resources? and 2) How do these approaches differ in California and Baja California? The study revealed common challenges in both regions, such as limited financial resources and insufficient communication among stakeholders. Nevertheless, distinctive opportunities for innovation and adaptation were also identified for each region. The results suggest that the most effective participation mechanisms include the formation of local water committees, capacity-building programs, and incorporation of non-technical knowledge into decision-making. Based on the findings, the study proposes recommendations to strengthen water management policies in both regions, emphasizing the need for legal frameworks and institutional arrangements that facilitate and encourage community participation. • Community engagement in water management can strengthen climate resilience • Cross-case qualitative comparison of California, USA, and Baja California, Mexico • Barriers to participation include lack of funding and poor communication • Engagement in management is through groups, meetings, lobbying, and citizen science • Effective participation methods include local water committees for decision-making