On March 3, 2025, a packed auditorium was on hand for the “In the Know on H2O” program hosted by the SaddleBrooke Public Affairs Commission, a cross-community group that works proactively to organize programs that are relevant to SaddleBrooke residents’ quality of life. WRRC Director Sharon Megdal provided information on the local water context as a member of the program’s expert panel.

The deadlines to submit proposals for this year’s federal Water Resources Research Act (WRRA) 104 grants are fast approaching! Faculty and research personnel at any of Arizona’s three state universities may submit proposals to either or both programs.

On March 4, 2025, Peter Gleick, Co-founder, President Emeritus, and Senior Fellow of the Pacific Institute in Oakland, California, presented a WRRC Water Webinar on his book, The Three Ages of Water: Prehistoric Past, Imperiled Present, and a Hope for the Future, the current state of the water world, and the many water challenges and crises facing us.

During the last week of February, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal and Associate Director Jamie McEvoy attended the annual meeting of the National Institutes of Water Resources (NIWR) in Washington DC. The meeting provided opportunities for updates on the proposal process for the 104(b) and 104(g) grants, a presentation on the US Geological Survey’s National Water Availability Assessment Report, discussions of federal appropriations and budget processes, and overviews of accomplishments from some of the institutes.

The WRRC is excited to announce its paid 2025 summer internship. Through the generosity of Gene Sander and Louise Canfield-Sander, the WRRC is offering a summer 2025 internship for the development of the 2026 Arroyo.

This year’s National Groundwater Awareness Week (GWAW) is March 9–15. The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) created this initiative in 1999 to encourage yearly water well testing and maintenance and to promote policies impacting groundwater quality and supply.

In 2024, I was lucky enough to be selected for the Peer-to-Peer Fellowship at the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC). As a visitor from Tanzania, I was excited to immerse myself in the study of transboundary networks and southwest regional water resource policy.

Early-bird registration for the WRRC’s 2025 Annual Conference is now open! This year’s conference will be held on May 20–21, 2025, at the University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Center. While we strongly encourage in-person attendance to get the full experience, a non-interactive Zoom livestream will also be available for those unable to attend in person.

On Saturday, February 15, 2025, Lorie Cavalli of Arizona Project WET and Christina Molinaro of iWonder Flagstaff hosted a place-based workshop at Foxglenn Park in Flagstaff for area educators.

Long-time WRRC friend and collaborator Crystal Thompson, Executive Affairs Advisor and Communications Manager of the Central Arizona Project (CAP), recently received a lifetime achievement award for her dedicated work in support of the Colorado River basin.