Tree and urban landscapes provide an opportunity for every citizen to contribute to climate resilience through informed plant selection and sustainable management practices. The University of Arizona Campus Arboretum was established to guide science-based urban tree stewardship and to advance conservation best practices for campus and communities throughout the state.
WRRC - Greater depth, broader perspective for a clear water future
Greater depth, broader perspective for a clear water future
We tackle key water policy and management issues, empower informed decision-making, and enrich understanding through engagement, education,
and applied research.
2018 WRRC Photo Contest Winner: Talia Chorover - Reflection in Standing Water Adjacent to Sabino Creek
Real Impact
Get involved and see the latest ways we are making a difference.
Be Informed
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Arizona Water Map Poster
The Water Resources Research Center Arizona Water Map Poster is the latest in our series of reliable and concise visual representations of Arizona's water resources. This, the fourth edition of the map is the product of a design and review process that engaged stakeholders from across regions and sectors. The new map reflects the current state of water resources in Arizona, as well as a culture of management and planning unique to the state.
Outreach
We transfer water research results and information to other researchers, water managers, policy makers, and the wider public through publications, conferences, lectures, seminars, and workshops.
Director’s Water
Management Activities
Management Activities
41
ENGAGEMENT
ACTIVITIES
spanning from
Arizona to Israel
ACTIVITIES
spanning from
Arizona to Israel
10
STUDENTS ADVISED
in Arizona. national, and
global water policy
in Arizona. national, and
global water policy
11
PUBLICATIONS
published and posted
materials and papers
published and posted
materials and papers
18.3k
INDIVIDUALS
REACHED
Through engagement
activities (estimated)
REACHED
Through engagement
activities (estimated)
Brown Bag Seminars
700
ATTENDANCE
in person and via
online webinars
in person and via
online webinars
17 Speakers
including local,
national, and
international
experts
including local,
national, and
international
experts
Total
Online Attendance
expanded by
35%
Online Attendance
expanded by
35%
Annual Conference
365
PEOPLE REGISTERED
for the 2017 conference
Irrigated Agriculture In Arizona:
A Fresh Perspective
28 Speakers
and Panelists
and Panelists
Spring 2017 AWR
Newsletter recaps
key messages from the conference
Newsletter recaps
key messages from the conference
Programs
Focus on scientific research, education, community outreach and engagement with a spectrum of topics, including water management and planning, water conservation, water harvesting, and water policy.
A binational collaboration
A research and engagement program that includes studies of the Transboundary San Pedro and Santa Cruz aquifers. In 2017, TAAP partners compiled a draft of the Binational Study of the Transboundary Santa Cruz Aquifer, which is undergoing review. Other activities included contributions to regional climate projections, published articles, a stakeholder engagement forum, and seven presentations to disseminate research ndings. More information at https://wrrc.arizona.edu/TAAP
Groundwater Governance and Management
Making groundwater more “visible”
Groundwater is a critical component of the water supply for agriculture, urban areas, industry, and ecosystems, but managing it is a challenge because groundwater is difficult to map, quantify, and evaluate. Until recently, study and assessment of governance of this water resource has been largely neglected.
Middle East Water
Facilitating communication and developing partnerships
Arizona, Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian Territories are arid/semi-arid lands that face similar water challenges. The Water Resources Research Center has been working to facilitate communication and develop partnerships related to water management and policy in the Middle East. The focus has been on the critical water issues of water-stressed regions and transboundary waters.
Providing Water Harvesting Tools
Throughout the Western US, population growth and expanding urban areas will increase water demand even as climate changes affect supply equations. Communities may be challenged to consistently deliver sufficient water to meet demands, obtain additional water supplies, and construct additional infrastructure, all while ensuring enough water for environmental needs and for cooling the urban environment.
Upcoming Events
Featured Event
Apr 24 12:00PM
Brown Bag
Brown Bag Seminar - Urban Desert Landscapes: Creating Climate Resilience One Tree at a Time
Apr 22 12:00PM
Brown Bag
Brown Bag Seminar Big Chino Valley Pumped Storage Project
The Big Chino Valley Pumped Storage project is a 2,000MW, 10-hour long duration greenfield pumped storage project being developed in northern Arizona. This project will help integrate the projected increase in renewable generation onto the grid in the desert southwest region of the United States in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Project is investing a great deal of effort to understand the impacts of withdrawing groundwater for the reservoirs in order to put a mitigation plan in place that will result in a net positive for the water resources and the community in the area.
News
April 05, 2019
Internships and Undergraduate Research Have Real-World Impacts
Mandla Kunnie has created a digital database of the locations of all rainwater harvesting infrastructure in the Tucson area. Such a database can help water managers plan for population growth and the associated increased demand on water resources.
March 22, 2019
World Water Day Reflections by WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal
World Water Day is a good day for reflection. Just a few days ago, on March 19, 2019, representatives of the seven states of the Colorado River Basin gathered in Phoenix, Arizona to sign a letter asking Congress to approve implementation of the drought contingency plans detailed in the documents attached to the letter.
February 28, 2019
Shanghai Rankings: UA Water Resources Program No. 1 Globally
Water management is among the most pressing issues in Arizona and throughout the Southwest.
January 24, 2019
2018 Photo Contest Winners!
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2018 Water Resources Research Center Photo Contest. This year we again gave photographers two criteria - that photos be water related and that they be taken in Arizona. And we received many wonderful submissions. People, nature, Arizona and other topics were showcased by the many photographers who submitted their images.
December 17, 2018
2019 WRRC Conference Features Arizona Legislators Panel
This February, the WRRC annual conference, "Arizona Runs on Water: Scarcity, Challenges, and Community-based Solutions", will be held in our state's capital and will feature case-studies about water from across Arizona.
November 01, 2018
APW-Getting WET With ADEQ
"Super excited" was the expression used by ADEQ's water quality monitoring guru, Meghan Smart, to describe the new partnership with Arizona Project WET (APW) to begin monitoring select rivers during school field investigations. Smart, who recently delivered a brown bag presentation for the WRRC, was pleasantly surprised by APW's quick response and interest in the Arizona Water Watch (AWW) citizen science program.
Online Tools
Beyond the Mirage
A full feature documentary that tells the story about the future of water in the west. From that documentary, make your own movie from hundreds of quality clips.
Water Use Dashboard™
Get conservation tips, track water savings, and make your drops count! Connecting voluntary water conservation with community action.
UA Water Network
Water is one of our most precious resources and an ever-growing focus for research, innovation, and knowledge transfer.
Desert Landscaping
Cultivate your knowledge of desert landscaping with this valuable resource for desert gardening.