WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal was honored with an AWRA Member Fellow Award at the AWRA, UCOWR, NIWR 60th Anniversary Joint Water Resources Conference, held September 30 through October 2, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri. Megdal received the award, which recognizes individuals for their “eminent record in some branch of water resources science and technology,” at the conference awards luncheon. The conference, Celebrating the Past and Planning for the Future of Water, marked 60 years since President Lyndon Johnson signed the 1964 Water Resources Research Act, authorizing Water Resources Research Institutes across the country, including the WRRC. That same year saw the formation of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) and the Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR). At the 60th Anniversary reception the evening before receiving her award, Megdal delivered remarks on behalf of the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR). She closed the reception program with her remarks and a toast to the past and future impacts made by AWRA, UCOWR, and NIWR. She noted: “I see lots of energy, optimism, and can-do attitude at all three associations. I am optimistic that we are well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to identifying solutions to our local, regional, and global water challenges.”
Image: WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal and Associate Director Jamie McEvoy at the AWRA, UCOWR, NIWR 60th Anniversary Joint Water Resources Conference
Verde River Watershed Conference Highlights Partnerships
Last week, WRRC Associate Director Jamie McEvoy had the opportunity to attend the State of the Verde Watershed Conference in Camp Verde, AZ. The conference is organized by the Friends of the Verde River every two years. The Verde River is one of two Wild and Scenic Rivers in Arizona, a rare perennial waterway, and an important tributary to the Salt River. Data from the US Geological Survey shows that flow in the Verde River has been declining since the 1990s. The conference highlighted partnerships and underscored their importance for achieving conservation goals. Tanya Lewis, Chairwoman of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, delivered an opening keynote via video, as she was traveling to Washington DC to testify in support of the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act. Panel discussions focused on upland management, as well as riparian and aquatic management. Tracy Stephens with Friends of the Verde River gave an overview of the Verde River Watershed Report Card, which provides an assessment of watershed health. Several talks addressed stormwater management and green infrastructure plans to enhance streamflow in the Verde River, such as the 2023 Northern Arizona Council of Governments’ plan. Bruce Babbitt, the 16th Governor of Arizona and former Secretary of the Interior, gave a notable keynote address that discussed key challenges in the Upper, Middle, and Lower Verde Watersheds.
APW Kicks Off With Double the Festival, Double the Fun!
Fall has officially kicked off—and along with it, so has the 2024/25 Arizona Project WET Water Festival season! The team had a busy summer brainstorming ways to make this season’s festivals more memorable and exciting for 4th graders around the state. At the first fall festival on September 24, all three team hubs (Tucson, Phoenix, and Northern Arizona) joined forces to debut refreshed materials and a brand new, more interactive groundwater activity. Two days after the Flagstaff festival, the Tucson and Phoenix teams rolled into Payson for "round two." Both festivals were a roaring success, thanks to enthusiastic sponsors and volunteer educators. While the cooler weather in Northern Arizona was a welcome treat, the team was especially delighted to see their summer of hard work come to fruition. Seeing the kids' eagerness and energy for exploration was contagious! APW is looking forward to many more fun festivals throughout the year. Feel free to join in on the excitement at a water festival near you. Explore APW's Calendar of Events.
Image: Stasi Silvares. Students investigate the space between earth materials in a new groundwater model.
Imagine a Day Without Water Turns 10!
October 17, 2024, will mark the 10th Annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a national day of action organized by the US Water Alliance to highlight the importance of water in our daily lives and support access to clean water for all. Each year, thousands of individuals, utilities, schools, businesses, and communities come together and find creative and engaging ways to communicate the importance of safe, reliable, and affordable water services. Last year’s campaign united participants across the nation and the globe to reach millions on social media, and people got involved in creative ways including blog posts, farmer’s market booths, art contests, facility tours, educational videos, and more. In recognition of the event’s 10th anniversary, the US Water Alliance has provided a resources page with ten ways for participants to get engaged. For this milestone year, the campaign is centered around a thematic question: What’s Your Drop in the Bucket? Chime in by tagging @TheValueOfWater on social media and using the hashtags #ImagineADayWithoutWater and #MyDropInTheBucket for a chance to be featured on official "Imagine a Day Without Water" channels.