Oceanographer to address water conference

Bill Patzert, an oceanographer with Caltech’s NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and an expert on California’s climate, will be the featured speaker at the eighth annual San Bernardino County Water Conference.

Patzert’s research has focused on several subjects, including El Nino and the possibility of long-term climate change, according to a statement.

He has worked on several NASA space missions, frequently speaks on behalf of NASA and JPL to the local and national media and has published numerous scientific articles, according to the statement.

The water conference is sponsored by the Southern California Building Industry Association’s Baldy View Chapter. This year’s session is scheduled to be held from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 22 at Cal State San Bernardino.

“We are excited to have a speaker of Dr. Patzert’s caliber,” said Carlos Rodriguez, chief executive officer of the Baldy View Chapter, in a statement. “He has been named one of the west’s most influential individuals in dealing with water issues, and he will offer much needed insight to our attendees.”