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Stockholm World Water Week
World Water Week 2015

On Aug. 27, the Water for Food Institute co-convened  (Re)thinking Governance at World Water Week in Stockholm. Other workshop partners included the Stockholm International Water Institute, UNDP Water Governance Facility at SIWI and the Water Integrity Network. World Water Week (Aug. 23-28) brings together experts, practitioners, decision-makers, business innovators and young professionals from a range of sectors and countries to network, exchange ideas, foster new thinking and develop solutions to today's most pressing water-related challenges. A digital poster showcasing Nebraska water innovations by Water for Food Institute interns Andrew Barry and Sierra Ramsay was also on display during the international event. Photos and comments from the event are on the Water for Food Facebook page.  Learn more.

Water Dialogues Latin America in Madrid
At this week's Water Dialogues Latin America Conference held in Madrid, Spain, Water for Food Founding Executive Director Roberto Lenton shared conclusions of the World Water Forum 2015, focusing on the main theme of water and agriculture in Latin America.  
 
Water Dialogues Latin America - Spain are part of a vision and strategy for long-term collaboration by CAF and MAGRAMA, to enhance the current knowledge in Latin America and Spain about the management systems of water resources, improve management of water infrastructure, deepen the sectoral dialogue on the current situation of these infrastructures, and identify possible synergies and collaborations in water research and financing. 

On the blog
Exploring the water-energy-food nexus
The "water-energy-food nexus" is a hot topic among researchers at the moment. At the Water for Food Institute, we've been working with our partners on a variety of projects to understand the connections between water use, energy use, and agricultural production - and how different management approaches impact the human and environmental outcomes of these intersecting areas Read blog.

Student perspective of the Republican River basin
Jasmine Mausbach, an undergraduate student intern at the Daugherty Water for Food Institute, put down her thoughts on the tour to the Republican River basin in July in an internet blog. For a look at a first-time visitor's thoughts on a trip through the basin and its unique water challenges and opportunities, read Jasmine's blog.


Upcoming events

EPA-USDA workshop on water quality markets | Sept. 15-17
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency will co-sponsor a national workshop on water quality markets at Nebraska Innovation Campus Sept. 15-17. The event, hosted by the Water for Food Institute, will highlight recent progress in water quality trading across the country with an emphasis on policy, resources and tool development. Registration ends Sept. 10. Learn more.

Transdisciplinary Conversations | Sept. 15
The University of Nebraska's Rural Futures Institute and Water for Food Institute are teaming up to host the next Transdisciplinary Conversations event Sept. 15 from 4:30-6 p.m. at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. It is open to all NU faculty, staff and students, as well as interested colleagues in the private and nonprofit sectors. University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds will provide opening remarks and UNK Professor of Exercise Science Todd Bartee will give a brief talk. Please register by Sept.11.

2015 Husker Harvest Days | Sept. 15-17
University of Nebraska-Lincoln research and Extension exhibits at this year's Husker Harvest Days ag expo will focus on planning and preparations for climate change under the theme of "Successfully Weathering Extremes." The show is Sept. 15-17 at the HHD exhibit grounds near Grand Island, Nebraska, USA. UNL's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Nebraska Water Center have been part of the show since it began in 1978. For the past nine years, NWC has managed the site and its facilities for IANR and provided mentoring and team-leadership for Extension's annual show leaders and exhibitors. Learn more.

International workshop on ET mapping for water security | Sept. 15-17
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The Water for Food Institute is co-sponsoring the 2015 International Workshop on Evapotranspiration Mapping for Water Security Sept. 15-17 at the World Bank in Washington, DC, USA. The purpose of the workshop is to further advance the use of satellite data in mapping evapotranspiration to address water management challenges in the U.S. and around the world. It free and open to the water resources community, but registration is limited. Water for Food Institute Faculty Fellow Ayse Kilic is on the organizing committee for this meeting. Download brochure and learn more.

Nebraska Water Center planning retreat at UNK | Oct. 7
NWC retreat 2014
The Nebraska Water Center is organizing a retreat on Oct. 7 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney for current and potential partners from university, local, state and federal partners. The retreat is an opportunity for NU faculty and students to showcase their research and for partners to present their research questions and areas where further partnering may be beneficial. Please RSVP here by Sept. 11. Learn more.
After climate change report, roundtables pick-up the conversation
A year after the release of "Understanding and Assessing Climate Change: Implications for Nebraska," a report authored by four UNL climate scientists, the conversation on climate change and how it will affect the state is just getting started. 

"It's important for the public to get engaged in the discussion about climate change because it's an urgent issue for this and future generations," said Don Wilhite, WFI Faculty Fellow, professor and climatologist in UNL's School of Natural Resources and one of the report authors. "And, many of our political leaders are not taking the need for action seriously."

Read more and get the roundtable event schedule at:  http://ow.ly/RNCUZ


2015 Plant Science Symposium | Oct. 15-16
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Center for Plant Science Innovation will host its 2015 Plant Science Symposium Oct. 15-16 at Nebraska Innovation Campus. "Plant Phenomics: From Pixels to Traits" is free to attendees. Registration ends after Oct. 1. Learn more.

Spotlight
Herpel named assistant director
The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute has named Rachael Herpel assistant director. In this role, Herpel will play a leadership role in all phases of development of the institute and be a member of the senior leadership team, which includes the Water for Food executive director, director of research, director of policy, director of the Nebraska Water Center, and director of public relations and communications. Herpel will assist the executive director in developing  and implementing the WFI strategic and operational plans; collaborate with the executive director and the senior leadership team in conceptualizing and developing initiatives and programs; develop relationships with WFI faculty fellows and affiliates; and, assist the executive director in partnership and revenue stream development. This position will support WFI operations, including internal and external relations, education and outreach.


Paul Noel, social innovation program associate
Paul Noel joined the Water for Food Institute in August 2015 to assist in developing social entrepreneurship programs related to agriculture and water resources. He is organizing a series of events in partnership with the International Arid Lands Consortium and developing multimedia content for the institute, among other duties. Paul is excited to be part of a team where he can learn more about issues related to agriculture, irrigation and water resources, as well as social innovation and social entrepreneurship.

Paul was born in Paris but grew up in Poland, Normandy, Mayotte and Reunion Island, where his family lives today. He holds a master's degree in fluid mechanics from the INP-ENSEEIHT, an engineering school in France, and a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Call for proposals
Call for USGS 104B Pre-Proposals from the Nebraska Water Center
The Nebraska Water Center is now soliciting proposals that address water resources priority issues in Nebraska.  The Nebraska Water Center anticipates research funds being available in 2016 through its Section 104(b) Water Institutes Program, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Faculty members at all Nebraska universities are eligible and encouraged to apply for these research funds. The start date for projects is March 1, 2016 for a one-year period ending February 28, 2017. For detailed information on the program and how to apply for the funds, go to  http://ow.ly/RNq9d


The Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska was founded in 2010 by the Robert B. Daugherty Charitable Foundation to address the global challenge of achieving food security with less stress on water resources through improved water management in agricultural and food systems. We are committed to ensuring a water and food secure world while maintaining the use of water for other human and environmental needs.

 

We're currently in the planning stages of our Annual Fall Event. This has historically been one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, and we could always use more help. To learn more about how you can volunteer, please email Rick Todd at email@constantcontact.com.