Please join us from 4:00 to 5:00 pm MST on Wednesday, February 16 for the WRRC’s Annual Chocolate Fest! This two-part virtual program of celebration will include announcement of our 2021 Annual Photo Contest winners! Following a slide show of the winning images, we will make a chocolaty toast to our Director, Sharon B. Megdal, who on Valentine’s Day (Arizona Statehood Day!) will celebrate 20 years at the WRRC. Raise high a divine chocolate delectation as we acknowledge her time at the Water Center and, of course, hear a few comments on chocolate (not water!). So, bake, concoct, purchase, or brew your favorite treat and spend an hour with new and old friends at this annual WRRC event. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Native Voices in STEM Spring 2022 Seminar Series: Utilizing Diné Science and Innovation to Tackle Longstanding Water Challenges in Diné Communities

Date: January 24, 2022

Time: 3:00-4:00 pm Arizona Time

Location: Webinar Only

Ranalda L. Tsosie, Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Montana

Dr. Tsosie is a post-doctoral scholar at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. She is currently working on a point of use filter optimization project and continuing to work with Indigenous communities and water challenges. Dr. Tsosie completed Ph.D. in interdisciplinary Studies with a subject emphasis in the fields of Chemistry, Geosciences and Environmental Science/Studies from the University of Montana. In her free time, she enjoys beading, sewing, practicing traditional Diné arts.

April 7: Brown Bag Webinar: Public Interest, Indigenous Rights, and the Los Angeles Aqueduct

Sophia Borgias, Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Programs, Boise State University

Proposal Instructions

The Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) is in development and starting this week, virtual workshops are being held to receive comments on the annotated outline for the report. On February 4, from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm PDT, a workshop with the authors of chapter on the Southwest will discuss climate change-related issues that are most important to the region. The NCA is produced by the US Global Change Research Program, a consortium of 13 federal agencies. Every four years, the NCA synthesizes and updates climate knowledge and climate impacts throughout the US. UArizona has a long history of being involved in the NCA, being the home of many authors and lead authors since the beginning of the NCA process in the 1990s. Kathy Jacobs, director of the UArizona Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions (CCASS), was the lead author of the water chapter in the first NCA and director of the third NCA. Gregg Garfin, director of the Arizona Institutes of Resilience (AIR) Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, was a convening lead author for the Southwest chapter in the third and fourth NCAs. The third NCA had more authors from UArizona than any other university. Arizona is also well represented in NCA5. Amanda Leinberger, adaptation program manager at CCASS, and Zack Guido, assistant research professor and director of AIR International Programs, are contributing authors for the Caribbean chapter. Additionally, David D. White, director of the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation at Arizona State University, is the Southwest Chapter Lead.

Image: U.S. Global Change Research Program

Fifth National Climate Assessment

Southwest Chapter Workshop

The University of Arizona, Arizona’s flagship and land-grant university, seeks a strategic and innovative leader to be the next Director of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension System (CES). The Arizona CES Director reports directly to the Vice President of the Division of Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences, and Cooperative Extension (ALVSCE) and is responsible and accountable for managing and leading the CES including: responding to federal and state legislation relating to CES and addressing federal and state compliance requirements; developing a vision and implementing a plan for the CES to contribute to every aspect of Arizona’s economy, human wellness, and health equity that increases its economic and social impact; directly addressing Arizona’s future demographics; identifying and delivering on key metrics and benchmarks to measure progress towards CES’ strategic goals and its contribution to the goals of the division, university, and Arizona Board of Regents. The position is open until filled. WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal serves on the position’s search committee, which is chaired by Professor George Frisvold. Questions may be directed to Professor Frisvold via email frisvold@ag.arizona.edu or phone 520-621-6269.

Position Posting

UArizona Cooperative Extension

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) has released its 2021 Arizona Drought Preparedness report. Since the adoption of the Arizona Drought Preparedness Plan in 2004, ADWR publishes this annual report on its implementation. The report summarizes the impact of drought in Arizona during the “water year,” which starts October 1 and ends September 30. Despite the strong 2021 monsoon season, statewide precipitation was below average. The ADWR report summarizes winter and summer precipitation and provides a record of the state’s water supplies. Additionally, the report is a record of landmark events like the Colorado River shortage declaration and the actions the state has taken to prepare for continuing drought.

Image: Arizona Department of Water Resources

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