Water Costarred in Arizona Cooperative Extension Conference
Oct. 12, 2020
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The Arizona Cooperative Extension Virtual Conference, October 6-8, 2020, was the setting for learning about water, our “most vital natural resource.” WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal led a session titled “Water Updates, Collaboration Opportunities and Q&A with the Water Resource Research Center,” which invited participants to come hear about water conditions and management around Arizona, along with an update on WRRC programs that encourage collaboration and engage stakeholders. A team of WRRC staff were present to answer questions. Seven posters created by WRRC and Arizona Project WET (APW), a closely affiliated program, introduced conference attendees to their activities. One poster included information on efforts to bring locally relevant water information to audiences across Arizona through collaboration with county Cooperative Extension (CE) personnel. Another, by WRRC Research Analyst Ashley Hullinger, highlighted a project with Pinal County Cooperative Extension and the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy. The project pulled together data on factors affecting water management in the Pinal Active Management Area and produced a report making them accessible to the public. An APW team (Pam Justice, Holly Thomas-Hillburn, Sandra Hurlbut, and Julie Hasty) presented four posters on major components of their program: Water Scene Investigations, APW Teacher Academies, AquaSTEM, which uses systems thinking to deepen STEM learning in classrooms, and the Arizona Water Festival Program, a learning experience for 4th graders. In addition, a poster by Mary Ann Capehart, Cochise County CE Water Wise program, featured two new fact sheets, co-written with WRRC Assistant Director Susanna Eden and retired UArizona Research Scientist Janick Artiola, that encourage rural homeowners to consider rain harvesting for their potable water supply. Related to the water discussion, an instructive poster by Andrew Brischke, Interim Mohave County Extension Director, piqued interest in hydroponics for home gardeners.
On the 3rd day of the conference, APW’s Pam Justice, WSI Program Manager, was presented a Heart of Extension award for her tireless efforts at building the positive relationships necessary to achieve water education goals and produce significant impacts. A 20-year veteran with APW, her consistently high-quality work and pursuit of excellence made this special award a well-earned tribute.