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July 1, 2021 / Volume 9, Issue 3
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IN THIS ISSUE: WRRC Annual Report, Brown Bag Recap, Statewide ANR Retreat, APW, Michael Seronde, Tipping Points, Arizona 360
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WRRC 2020 Annual Report Released |
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The University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center is pleased to announce the publication of its 2020 Annual Report. The report highlights how the WRRC adapted to meet the challenges of 2020, finding opportunities for greater engagement, outreach, and connection. It focuses on our efforts to assist in understanding and resolving real-world water resource issues and includes information on our organization, staff, and financial status. Appendices contain details on specific activities and progress toward strategic goals. Our two-page 2020 Highlights provides summary information on our engagement, links to online WRRC resources, and the 2020 financial summary.
Image: Sandy Shiloh, Whitewater Draw, WRRC Photo Contest
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WRRC 2021 Annual Conference: Tribal Water Resilience in a Changing Environment
Dates: Aug 30-Sep 1
The University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center is excited to open registration for the 2021 Annual WRRC Conference, Tribal Water Resilience in a Changing Environment. Held virtually over three days, August 30-September 1, the program will offer information, diverse perspectives, networking, and much more. The conference will kick off with an afternoon session (1-4 PM Arizona time) on Monday, August 30, followed by morning sessions (8-11 AM Arizona time) on Tuesday, August 31, and Wednesday, September 1. In addition, special conference activities will be scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Visit our conference webpage for updates on the agenda and additional information, including how to become a conference sponsor! Please feel free to post and share this registration announcement to help us get the word out. We hope you will join us!
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Seminar Explores Collaborative Climate Actions in Binational Watersheds
The WRRC Brown Bag seminar on June 17 explored the mitigation of flooding, erosion, and related problems, including sewage overflows, in the binational context of Ambos Nogales and Tijuana/San Diego; cities straddling the US-Mexico border. Laura Norman, who has worked with the US Geological Survey since 1998, focusing on transborder pollution and watershed issues since 2002, took the online audience through a series of research projects involving cross-border collaborations and cooperation. Her theme was climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for arid and semi-arid watersheds. Specifically, her research in the watersheds of binational twin cities has been establishing quantifiable metrics that support the use of flood detention structures, such as check dams and gabions, which slow surface flows much like beaver dams, and can be installed through community engagement. Evidence from her research indicates that such structures reduce flood peaks, increase base flows, extend streamflow longer into the dry season, and capture sediment, thus decreasing erosion and improving water quality. In addition, these structures sequester carbon and may increase recharge of groundwater.
Contact Francisco Lara-Valencia about the work in Ambos Nogales and/or to register for Green Infrastructure in Ambos Nogales: Today and Tomorrow, July 8-9, 2021.
Image: Valer Austin
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Statewide Event Connects and Informs UArizona CE Personnel on Agriculture and Natural Resource Issues
Ever-changing economic, climate, and natural resource conditions are affecting Arizona’s landscape. To better serve stakeholders and keep abreast of current issues, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension personnel gathered in mid-June to take a deep dive into statewide agricultural and natural resources issues, focusing on how we can learn from each other to be better prepared for the future. The three-day session began with a rich discussion of water issues, headlined by an overview presentation by WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal, which built on information and graphics displayed on the WRRC's Arizona Water Map. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion featuring Dr. Megdal as well as WRRC Water RAPIDS Program Director Ashley Hullinger and Food Safety Education Asst. Professor of Practice Dr. Margarethe Cooper. The event continued with presentations ranging from integrated pest management to climate, urban and rural agricultural and natural resource issues, and economic realities facing our state’s farmers. As an in-service event, the conference also featured strategic exercises and presentations to help faculty and staff succeed, including a presentation by former WRRC Associate Director and current Assistant Dean for Faculty Advancement Dr. Jean McLain. As a boundary organization, Cooperative Extension has a pivotal role translating science to application. Meetings like this one help Extension professionals stay connected and relevant in today’s world.
Image: Stevi Zozaya, Home Grown Yuma, WRRC Photo Contest
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Fabric of Science Communication
The underlying structure or framework of something is often referred to as fabric. Ask quilters about fabric and you will quickly receive a catalogue of terms including calico, backing, batting, muslin, applique, and blocks. So, what happens when you combine the many meanings of the term fabric and use them as a tool to communicate science? The Quilt Your Science project was created out of a meet-up with APW’s Education Outreach Coordinator Betsy Wilkening and Dr. Laura Guertin, a Penn State Earth Sciences professor, at the 2020 online American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting. Scientists and educators are dedicated to understanding the underlying structure of our world and communicating this understanding to larger audiences. The Quilt Your Science challenge is to create a mini quilt or a square illustrating your work in earth and space science research, communication, or education that engages an audience in your science journey, whether it be unlocking Earth’s secrets, exploring the heights of our atmosphere to the depths of our ocean, or teaching others about the wonders of our universe. Quilts will be showcased in a virtual gallery and highlighted in a community meeting at the 2021 AGU Fall Meeting. Learn more at the website below and join our Slack Community.
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Michael Seronde Selected for Rural
Leadership Program
WRRC Program Manager Michael Seronde was selected to participate in the Arizona Center for Rural Leadership’s (Project CENTRL) year-long seminar series. As a member of Class 30, Seronde will participate in nine seminars, including The Fundamentals of Leadership, Effective Communication, Emerging Trends in Rural Arizona, Public Policy in Arizona, with an international trip to Mexico, a trip to Washington, DC, and more. Project CENTRL is a non-profit organization committed to improving the development of Arizona leaders and establishing a network of problem solvers, decision-makers, and spokespersons for rural Arizona.
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Drought Webinar Features Student Research
and Leadership
On June 17, which was World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, Paris Sciences and Letters University (PSL) in France, in collaboration with the University of Arizona, held the webinar Tipping Points: Desertification, Drought and Climate Justice. The webinar featured presentations from Régis Ferrière, Professor in Ecology and Environmental Biology at UArizona and École Normale Supérieure – PSL, WRRC Director, Sharon B. Megdal, and Nikki Tulley, PhD candidate in the UArizona Department of Environmental Sciences. Following the presentations, speakers engaged in a conversation moderated by PSL Vice President for International Relations Emilienne Baneth. Joining the presenters for the panel discussion was Germain L’hostis, a student at PSL and co-leader of PSL Anthropocene, a curriculum intended to promote awareness and training of PSL students to tackle global environmental challenges.
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AZPM Airs UArizona Experts on Fire, Water,
and Drought
On June 18, experts from the University of Arizona appeared on Arizona Public Media’s Arizona 360 with Lorraine Rivera, KUAT PBS Channel 6, to discuss wildfire and water supplies in the context of the exceptional drought conditions, which predominate throughout the state. Professor of Applied Climatology Michael Crimmins provided insight into how drought and climate change have impacted this year’s wildfire season and may affect the months ahead. WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal answered questions about water supplies in the Colorado River Basin, specifically, how the upcoming Tier 1 shortage declaration under the 2019 Drought Contingency Plan will affect Arizona’s water future.
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Please visit WRRC's website for a complete listing of water jobs & opportunities.
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Do you have a story idea, water job announcement, or event to share?
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