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May 7, 2021 / Volume 9, Issue 18
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IN THIS ISSUE:
IALC, Cooperative Extension, Community Gardens, APW, Drew Eppehimer, NGWA
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In Focus: Day One of the Upcoming
International Arid Lands Conference
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We invite all to join us for the three-day virtual conference Addressing the Environmental Challenges of Arid Lands, which is hosted by the International Arid Lands Consortium. The opening day, May 24, 2021, features Professor Alon Tal of Tel Aviv University, who is sure to deliver a thought-provoking keynote exploring the stresses to arid lands’ natural resources, people, and economic activities. Following his remarks, an expert panel will focus on critical issues of water in the Colorado River Basin, Jordan, and Israel, including implications for agriculture. Abeer Albalawneh, Maysoon Al-Zoubi, Uri Shani, and Anne Castle will engage in an interactive discussion of water problems, including lack of access to safe and reliable water supplies and the many implications of climate change. Come hear them speak to solutions, too! The 90-minute panel will include time for audience questions, moderated by WRRC Director Sharon Megdal. This stimulating discussion will set the stage for days 2 and 3 of the conference, which will be featured in upcoming Weekly Wave stories. Register now for free. You will not want to miss hearing the insights shared!
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Water Solutions for Our Warmer World Series, Episode 3: The Realities of Adaptation in the Water Sector
Date: Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Time: 4:00 pm-5:30 pm MST
Moderated by Andrea K. Gerlak, Professor in the School of Geography, Development & Environment
Join the Arizona Institutes for Resilience for the third episode of the Water Solutions for Our Warmer World series, “The Realities of Adaptation in the Water Sector,” co-hosted by the UArizona Udall Center and WRRC! In this public webinar, panelists will speak to questions such as "How is adaptation unfolding in the water sector?" and "What is the role of knowledge, governance, and equity in adaptation?" Please join Governor Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community, Lester Snow, Former Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, and other distinguished panelists for this important discussion.
This series is dedicated to the memory of Regents Professor Jim Shuttleworth, 1945-2020.
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Upcoming WRRC Events
Laura M. Norman, Ph.D., Supervisory Research Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Geographic Science Center
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UArizona Cooperative Extension Releases New Rainwater Harvesting Publications
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension (CE) has just posted two new publications on rainwater harvesting for potable supply. Mary Ann Capehart, Instructional Specialist for Cochise County CE, was joined by WRRC’s Susanna Eden on both publications; and Janick Artiola, UArizona Environmental Science Research Scientist (retired) contributed his experience and technical expertise as co-author of Preparing Rainwater for Potable Use. The WRRC’s John Polle provided the graphics. Rainwater harvesting offers a realistic source of potable water for homeowners, especially those living in remote areas. As groundwater becomes harder to access in many areas, the risks and costs associated with groundwater wells may make rainwater harvesting an attractive option. Local groundwater quality also may be a factor. Large rainwater harvesting systems can provide potable water for an entire household. These two publications step the homeowner through the why and how of rainwater harvesting and treatment for potable use, with examples, charts, and tables for most situations in Arizona.
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Reducing Irrigation Water for CGT
Throughout Tucson, there are many community gardens providing space for individuals to grow food and community. Nonprofit organizations and foundations, such as Trees Please, the Dunbar Coalition, and the Primavera Foundation, manage gardens in neighborhoods and schools; the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona runs an urban community farm. The nonprofit Community Gardens of Tucson (CGT) manages 20 gardens across the city. A recently published policy brief, "Making Water Affordable for Tucson's Non-Profit Sector," addresses the issue of irrigation costs for community gardens. This report shows that a Tucson Water pilot community garden water rate program, in partnership with CGT, has helped reduce CGT's water bills. The study also shows that initiatives like rainwater harvesting and educational programs by the UArizona Pima County Cooperative Extension SmartScape program and nonprofits have helped reduce water use at CGT gardens. The brief concludes with recommendations for both the City of Tucson and CGT, offering paths forward to improve access to community gardens, which, according to the brief, help address regional food insecurity. The policy brief was authored by Dr. Stephanie Buechler, Associate Research Professor, and Sehdia Mansaray, graduate student, at the UArizona School of Geography, Development & Environment, and Scott Feierabend and Bruce Plenk from the CGT.
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Discover the Colorado River STEM Academy
Once fierce and mighty, the Colorado River was originally tapped as a lifeline for the Southwest, precisely because of its unique hydrology. Its high-elevation headwaters created a fast-flowing river perfectly suited for spinning turbines and generating electricity for the developing Southwest, but long-term drought and a warming climate threaten this water supply. Would you like to learn more about this? If so, join APW for a two-day online teacher academy that will empower 5th-12th-grade educators to learn about the Southwest’s most important river and offer them resources to share this vital information with students. This academy will enable teachers to bring real-world and relevant Arizona water issues to their classrooms using three-dimensional science instruction with a focus on Crosscutting Concepts and Science and Engineering Practices.
The Explore the Colorado River STEM Academy will have participants grappling with the question: “How can we ensure that a reliable Colorado River water supply is available to Central Arizona for the next 150 years?” A teacher from last year’s academy commented, “I was really impressed with the online format. I found it very engaging, and the lessons were adapted well.”
June is approaching fast so register now to join us for the 2021 Explore the Colorado River STEM Academy on June 1 & 2!
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Summary of Impacts of Baseflow and Flooding on Microplastic Pollution in an Effluent-Dependent Arid Land River in the USA
The WRRC is pleased to feature the following article summary, prepared by co-author, Drew Eppehimer, Arid Lands Resource Sciences PhD Candidate at the University of Arizona.
Treated wastewater-supported rivers are common throughout the world. In arid and semi-arid environments, treated effluent is often the only source of perennial flow in these systems. Effluent discharge can create and maintain aquatic habitat, but there are challenges, including microplastic pollution. Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and include primary microplastics, like microbeads, and secondary microplastics, such as fragments, film, and fibers. Although modern wastewater treatment plants remove the vast majority, microplastics are still present in treated effluent.
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NGWA Offering Free Membership to Students
The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) is offering free memberships to full-time students in groundwater-related fields. NGWA student member benefits include access to NGWA’s online Career Center, access to the Journals Groundwater, Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation, and Water Well, a subscription to the NGWA newsletter, and more.
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Please visit WRRC's website for a complete listing of water jobs & opportunities.
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