The Nebraska Water Center's annual Water Symposium will feature a series of panels examining water management and planning in Nebraska, with a focus on the state's major river basins. "Managing an Essential Resource... Basin by Basin" will be Thursday, Oct. 20 at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln. Panelists will provide a range of perspectives covering the Upper Platte, Lower Platte, Republican, Blue and Niobrara basins. Topics will include water supply, political structures, past management and development characteristics, among others.

On Friday, Oct. 21, the Nebraska Water Law Conference will be jointly hosted by NWC and the Nebraska College of Law. This annual event provides the latest information on the state's water law to attorneys, water professionals and other interested stakeholders.

Online registration has closed; however, participants may register in person at either event. For the latest updates, follow NWC on Facebook and Twitter, and visit watercenter.unl.edu.

The Water Advanced Research and Innovation (WARI) Fellowship Program, now in its second year, brings Ph.D. students and professors from universities in India to the University of Nebraska to work with faculty mentors on water issues. Along with WFI and UNL, the collaborative program is co-led by the government of India and its Department of Science and Technology, and the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum. Learn more.

The Oct. 6 "NUconnections" event highlighted the University of Nebraska's four interdisciplinary institutes, including the Water for Food Global Institute. Videos of the program are available, including a panel discussion by the executive directors of each organization (pictured with moderator Susan Fritz, executive vice president and provost, University of Nebraska.) Learn more and view photos.

Christopher Neale (pictured), director of research, provided a keynote at the 10th edition of the SAG - Seminario da Agronomia Sept. 20 at the Federal University of Vicosa, in Vicosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. His talk addressed "Irrigation Water Management of Center Pivots using Remote Sensing and Modeling."

Neale also helped chair the SPIE Remote Sensing Conference, Sept. 26-29 in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. His sessions focused on remote sensing for agriculture, ecosystems and hydrology.

Additionally, Neale recently co-authored research with Colorado State University's Jose Chavez. The article, "Remote Sensing in Irrigation: From Landsat to UAS," is featured in the October issue of Irrigation Today.

WFI staff and Faculty Fellows had an active role in this year's Husker Harvest Days, Sept. 10-12, near Wood River, Nebraska. Husker Harvest Days is the world's largest totally irrigated working farm show, covering 80 acres with hundreds of vendors and demonstrations.

WFI Faculty Fellows shared their research developments and technology to improve crop yields while using water more efficiently. Executive Director Peter McCornick shared his vision for the institute and its role in Nebraska and around the globe to enhance water and food security.

The Nebraska Water Center has been involved in the show since it began in 1978 through UNL's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Since 2007, NWC's Communications Coordinator Steve Ress has overseen Nebraska Extension and research exhibits and managed IANR facilities on the grounds. Watch video.

WFI participates in Husker Harvest Days.

Yulie Meneses Gonzalez, food engineering applied research specialist in the UNL Department of Food Science and Technology, was awarded one of three water prizes by the Botín Foundation's Water Observatory in Spain. The honor recognizes outstanding innovations, ideas, projects and technologies developed by young professionals which have produced positive results for sustainable water management. Gonzalez is one of WFI's student support grantees. Pictured are WFI Founding Executive Director Roberto Lenton and Gonzalez at the Water for Food Global Conference in April. Read announcement (Spanish).

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is now accepting applications from students to participate in the Global Food Security Symposium 2017 Next Generation Delegation, March 29-30 in Washington, DC. The program gives students an opportunity to engage in symposium discussions and to interact with business and policy leaders, civil society, and social entrepreneurs working on agriculture, food, and nutrition issues. Students must apply by Nov. 4! Learn more.

WFI is seeking an experienced fundraiser with global insight to serve as its Director of Development. The University of Nebraska is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity institution. Learn more.

Alan Kolok

Planning is underway for the 2017 Water and Natural Resources Tour, June 27-29. Ben Beckman and Steve Ress of the Nebraska Water Center and Jeff Buettner of The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District made the first planning trip last week. The tour will delve into surface and groundwater issues in the Platte River basin. Mark your calendar to sign-up for the popular summer tour. View photos.

The Nebraska Water Center co-sponsored a three-day workshop organized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Co-operative Research Program on Biological Resource Management for Sustainable Agricultural Systems, along with WFI, UNL's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and LI-COR Biosciences. "Virtual Water in Agricultural Products: Quantification, Limitations and Trade Policy" was held Sept.14-16 in Lincoln, and included a field trip to Husker Harvest Days. OECD is an intergovernmental organization that promotes policies that will improve the economic and social well-being around the world. Learn more and view photos.

Earl Greene, chief of external research at the U.S. Geological Survey, will deliver a seminar on water research partnerships fostered by the Water Resources Research Act, outlining opportunities for faculty and students to interact with the USGS. In addition, he will discuss about the 104-G competitive grants program. The event is hosted by the Nebraska Water Center and is free and open to the public at UNL's East Campus Union.