WRRC Weekly Wave
November 8, 2013
Volume 1, Issue 8

In This Issue:
  • Arizona Project WET Launches New Website
  • Nov. 13 WSP Distinguished Speaker Series: Dr. Alon Tal
  • WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal to Give Nov. 13 Lecture  

... And much more!

Upcoming Events
Nov. 8
Nov. 9
Nov. 13
Nov. 13
Nov. 19
Nov. 20
Lecture: Water Policies of Israel and Arizona (Sharon B. Megdal)Sen. Jon Kyl: "Let's Talk Water" Luncheon (ASU Morrison Institute)
Now Accepting Poster Abstracts

The WRRC is now accepting abstracts for the poster session at its April 8, 2014 Annual Conference. The deadline for submitting an abstract is Monday, Feb. 3, 2014. Interested students, researchers and practitioners are welcome to submit a poster abstract (students strongly encouraged to participate!). Click here for more information and to submit an abstract.


WRRC Releases Preliminary Conference Agenda
The University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) recently released the preliminary agenda for its upcoming April 8, 2014 Annual Conference, "Closing the Gap Between Water Supply and Demand." The preliminary agenda features outstanding speakers, including opening keynote speaker Sandy Fabritz-Whitney, Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). Kay Brothers, Co-Chair of the Colorado River Basin Study Next Steps Working Groups Coordination Team, will also be speaking during the morning session. See the full preliminary agenda hereStay up-to-date with conference news at our Annual Conference hub: wrrc.arizona.edu/conference
WSP Distinguished Speaker Series   
Dr. Alon Tal
Presentation: Triumph or Tragedy? A Brief History of Water Management in Israel
Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
Location: UA Center for Creative Photography (Auditorium)

Speaker: Dr. Alon Tal (Ben-Gurion University, Israel)


During Israel's brief sixty year history, its idiosyncratic water policies have evolved, and can boast several impressive accomplishments: agriculture yields have increased 20-fold while fresh water utilization has actually dropped. Israel leads the world in recycling of sewage and produces desalinized water cheaper than any other country. But there are growing signs that question the sustainability of present strategies. This lecture will consider where Israel's water management has been, where it needs to go and what it means for dryland states like Arizona. 
 
Next WRRC Brown Bag Seminar
Dec. 9: Ron Elkins, City of Phoenix Tres Rios Wetlands

  
Arizona Project WET Launches New Interactive Website

 

Arizona Project WET (APW) announced the launch of its newinteractive website yesterday at https://arizonawet.arizona.edu

 

The new site highlights the many different programs and services APW offers, and focuses on its mission of developing water stewardship and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) literacy in three ways: (1) Providing teacher professional development focused on 21st century skills, (2) Offering direct student outreach that delivers or extends classroom learning, and (3) Directly engaging the community in K-12 education.

 

Read the complete story here.

  
WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal to Give Nov. 13 Lecture

 

Sharon B. Megdal, Director of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC), will give a 7 p.m. lecture on Wednesday at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. Dr. Megdal will give the presentation, "Water Policies of Israel and Arizona: Lessons Learned and Outstanding Challenges." 

 

The lecture is part of the Weintraub Israel Center's "Heartbeat of Israel" series, and is free and open to the public. Dr. Megdal will discuss how Israel and Arizona can benefit from each other's approaches to water management. Learn more about the lecture here.

  
Arizona Republic's "New Arizona" Section Highlights State Water Challenges
 
The Arizona Republic recently launched a new editorial section featuring six ways Arizona's economy can retain its strong rebound from the recession, including protecting its most precious natural resource: Water. 
 
The "New Arizona" section on water highlights how improvements in water policy, leadership, conservation efforts and much more can help lead the state to a more secure water future. 
 
In addition to water, "New Arizona" also discusses needed improvements in education, health care, transportation and more.

 
Sustainable Clarkdale Program Hosts Open House 

 

Earlier this week, staff members from the WRRC's Water RAPIDS (Research and Planning Innovations for Dryland Systems) Program held an Open House in Clarkdale, Ariz. to encourage public participation in the design of a water resource management program model. The Open House also aimed to build support from local citizens for the Sustainable Clarkdale Initiative. For more information, contact Kelly Mott Lacroix or Candice Rupprecht

 
Arizona Project WET Hosts West Valley STEM Academy

 

Arizona Project WET (APW) staff members taught first- through fifth-grade teachers STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) teaching methods at the West Valley Academy in Phoenix earlier this week. Teachers utilized engineering design skills to better understand local watersheds, and manage and reduce impacts on Arizona rivers. The Academy also helped participants create photo tours of their local "water addresses." Learn more about APW Teacher Academies.

 
Nov. 9: Pinal County Extension Offers Free Well Owners Workshop

 

On Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Pinal County Cooperative Extension and Arizona Project WET will host a free well owners workshop.  

The workshop will be held in Casa Grande (820 E. Cottonwood Ln., Bldg. C), and will cover water sources, regulations, domestic well maintenance, water treatments topics, and much more.  

Please RSVP to [email protected] or 520-836-5221 ext. 210.
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The University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) - a unit within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) - promotes understanding of critical state and regional water management and policy issues through research, education and outreach. The WRRC works closely with Arizona Cooperative Extension, a CALS outreach organization that  provides a statewide network of knowledgeable faculty and staff that provides lifelong educational programs for all Arizonans. For more information, visit us at wrrc.arizona.edu.