IN THIS ISSUE:
Dr. Thomas Meixner, WIFA, Needs Assessment Survey, CAP, Monica P. Medina
A Tribute to Dr. Thomas Meixner
On October 5, the University of Arizona community suffered a huge loss with the tragic and senseless death of Dr. Thomas Meixner, professor and department head of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences. He was beloved by friends and family and highly regarded by his colleagues. At the WRRC, Meixner was considered a kindred spirit: he led efforts to make University of Arizona (UArizona) water science locally and regionally relevant, encouraging his students and colleagues to do the same.

Assistant Dean for Faculty Advancement in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jean McLain, who was the WRRC’s Associate Director for six years, wrote that when she first met Tom, “I was struck by his no-nonsense attitude — he would enter a meeting with a goal or an agenda, and that goal would be accomplished. It was quite impressive — and I quickly learned to trust his judgment.” In her first months at the WRRC, Meixner encouraged her to succeed him as a member of the City of Tucson Citizens’ Water Advisory Committee, believing the committee should have an effective UArizona presence. Not only was he mentoring a colleague new to water resources, but he also was ensuring continued UArizona engagement with the water community. Remembering their interactions, WRRC Director Sharon Megdal stated “Tom was an absolutely wonderful colleague — as good a colleague as there could be. … He was brilliant. Tom was generous with his time and counsel and was always responsive. He helped the campus community in so many ways … I can still hear him saying "understood." He understood so much! … My heartfelt sympathies to the family and all who knew and/or worked with Tom.”

Our condolences go out to all of Dr. Meixner’s friends, family, students, and colleagues. There is a GoFundMe to support the Meixner family, and a UArizona memorial fund has been set up to honor his legacy.

EVENTS
WRRC “Imagine a Day Without Water” Special Event: Thirst for Justice Panel

Date: Oct 20, 2022
Time: 4:00 pm–5:00 pm Arizona Time
Location: Webinar Only
 
Speakers:
  • Leana Hosea, Director, Thirst for Justice; BBC Multi-Media Investigative Journalist
  • Laura Sullivan, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Kettering University
  • Nayyirah Shariff, Director, Flint Rising; Grassroots Organizer
  • Janene Yazzie, Co-Founder and CEO, Sixth World Solutions
  • Chris Shuey, Director, Uranium Impact Assessment Program, Southwest Research and Information Center

In conjunction with Imagine a Day Without Water, a national day of action to support communities lacking access to clean water, the WRRC is pleased to announce a special panel discussion of Thirst for Justice, as well as a free screening of the documentary for all event registrants. The film follows residents of the Navajo Nation and Flint, MI in their efforts to ensure clean, safe drinking water for their communities, both of which are continuing their daily fight for water justice. This special panel includes individuals who were featured in the documentary and can share some of their first-hand experiences.

NEWS
Gov. Ducey Appoints Four WIFA Board Members
 
On October 3, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced the appointment of four members to the new Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) Board. The board, which will have nine members appointed by the Governor and State Legislature, will be responsible for awarding loans and grants to Arizona water providers and other water entities for the purpose of bringing new water into the state, developing water-saving technologies, or improving water use efficiency. The Governor stated, “Now, with the right team, we’re positioned with $1.4 billion to secure our state’s water future for the next 100 years.” Ducey’s appointees include David Beckham, Buchanan Davis, Jonathan Lines, and Andy Tobin. The President of the Arizona Senate and the Senate Minority Leader have also selected their respective appointees. The WIFA board has three vacancies yet to be filled; the Speaker of the House and House Minority Leader will each choose an appointee, and the Governor will make one additional selection from a list of nominees provided by the House Speaker and Senate President. The President of the Arizona Senate and the Senate Minority Leader have already selected their respective appointees.
 
2022 Cooperative Extension Statewide 
Needs Assessment Survey
 
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension (UACE) invites your input for their 2022 Statewide Needs Assessment. The purpose of this survey is to understand community needs and assets across the state as a basis for guiding and prioritizing Extension investments and programmatic activities to maximize their impact now and into the future. As a unit of UACE, the WRRC is part of a nationwide network of scientists and educators who work with communities to solve problems using scientific and local knowledge. UACE has offices in every county in Arizona and on some Tribal lands, connecting the university to communities throughout the state. By completing this 15-minute survey, you will be helping UACE make important choices about how to best continue serving the community through programs and partnerships. The survey is open until October 31. Please reach out to cred@arizona.edu with any questions.

Image: Nikki Tulley, WRRC 2020 Photo Contest
 
Voter Education Guide: Candidates for the CAP Board of Directors
 
Five seats on the Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD) Board of Directors are up for election on November 8, 2022. CAWCD is responsible for maintaining operations of the Central Arizona Project (CAP). Tasked with meeting future water demands, balancing energy cost inflation, and abiding by groundwater regulations, the CAWCD board makes decisions that shape Arizona’s water future. The Board of Directors is comprised of fifteen elected, non-partisan members: ten from Maricopa County, four from Pima County, and one from Pinal County. Each board member serves an unpaid term of six years, and in Maricopa County, five board positions will be on the November ballot. To better inform voters on their decision, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, Arizona State University’s Kyl Center for Water Policy, and the Arizona Hydrological Society have created a Board Election Voter Education Guide. All fourteen candidates were given an opportunity to share their motivations for joining the board as well as their perspectives on solutions for water-related challenges regarding the CAP system.

Image: Central Arizona Project
 
Appointment of US Special Envoy for Biodiversity and Water Resources
 
A September 28 press release from the US Department of State announced the appointment of Monica P. Medina to the position of United States Special Envoy for Biodiversity and Water Resources. Medina will also continue in her role as Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. As Special Envoy, she will coordinate federal government resources across all departments and agencies to engage in global efforts to address biodiversity loss and promote water security. The press release states, "Decades of evidence shows that water security is essential to global efforts to increase equity and economic growth, build inclusive and resilient societies, bolster health and food security, decrease the risk of conflict or instability, and tackle the climate crisis.” It adds that this appointment “signal[s] the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to resolving the world’s intertwined biodiversity and water crises.” This appointment comes just in time for the upcoming Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of Parties (COP15), a United Nations biodiversity conference that will be held in Montreal, Canada in December.
 
Image: US Department of State

WATER JOBS

Please visit WRRC's website for a complete listing of water jobs & opportunities.
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