WRRC Weekly Wave
May 1, 2015 
Volume 3, Issue 16
  
In This Issue:
  • WRRC 2015 Conference Agenda Now Posted!
  • May 6, 2015: WRRC Brown Bag: Driving Water Conservation
  • WRRC Contributes to OECD Study on Urban Water

... And much more!



Upcoming Events
May 4
May 5
May 6
May 6-8
May 12
June 9-10
Water Resources Research Center Contributes to OECD Study on Urban Water 

The WRRC contributed two case studies to a recent report on urban water put together by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The report,"Stakeholder Engagement for Inclusive Water Governance," uses case studies from around the world to assess the current trends, drivers, obstacles, mechanisms, impacts, costs, and benefits of stakeholder engagement in the water sector. 
The two case studies on Arizona were put together by WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal, WRRC Assistant Director Susanna Eden, and WRRC Senior Research Analyst Kelly Mott Lacroix. The first case study, "Tracking participation to evaluate stakeholder engagement in water planning in Arizona," focuses on Connecting the Environment to Arizona Water Planning, a WRRC project that aims to foster dialogue between water users on voluntary, stakeholder-driven options for addressing the environment. The second case study, "Climate change-driven stakeholder engagement in Arizona," focuses on the WRRC's outreach and engagement efforts including the Groundwater, Climate and Stakeholder Engagement (GCASE) program and the Water Harvesting Assessment Toolbox
Conserve2Enhance 
Presentation: Driving Water Conservation: The Conserve2Enhance Water Use Dashboard
Speakers: Kelly Mott Lacroix, Senior Research Analyst, Water Resources Research Center, and Brittany Xiu, Outreach Coordinator, Water Resources Research Center
Time/Location: 12:00 - 1:15 p.m. / WRRC Sol Resnick Conference Room (350 N. Campbell)

The Conserve2Enhance (C2E) program connects voluntary water conservation to community action by directing participant donations, based on water savings, to funding for local environmental enhancement projects. To simplify this process, the Water Resources Research Center has created the C2E Water Use Dashboard (www.conserve2enhance.org), a free online tool designed to promote water efficiency, track water use, and raise revenue for environmental enhancement. This presentation will showcase the Dashboard's suite of interactive tools, as well as illustrate how these tools are educating water users, encouraging participation in C2E programs, and being applied at the utility and regional scales throughout the Southwest.  


The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act in California: Behind the Scenes

Tuesday, May 5, the Water Resources Research Center and the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions are hosting Lester Snow, Executive Director of the California Water Foundation for a presentation, "The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act in California - Behind the Scenes."
Prior to joining the California Water Foundation, Lester Snow served as California Secretary for Natural Resources, Director of the California Department of Water Resources, Regional Director for the Bureau of Reclamation, and General Manager of the San Diego County Water Authority. He also spent six years with the Tucson office of the Arizona Department of Water Resources. The event will be held at 4:00 p.m. at the College of Optical Sciences, 1630 East University Blvd., Room 410.

WRRC to Participate in AZ Water Association Annual Conference and Exhibition

The AZ Water Association is holding its 88th Annual Conference and Exhibition, "A Vibrant Arizona Through Safe, Reliable Water," on May 6 - 8, 2015 at the Renaissance Glendale Hotel and Spa, in Glendale, Arizona. The Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) Assistant Director Susanna Eden, WRRC Senior Research Analyst Kelly Mott Lacroix, WRRC Outreach Coordinator Brittany Xiu, and Arizona Project WET Director Kerry Schwartz will give presentations at the conference on various topics including water for natural areas, linking climate and groundwater management, building hydro-literacy, Arizona Project WET, and the Water Resources Research Center Conserve2Enhance program.
View conference brochure here.
Visit conference website here.

APW and TW Provide Self-guided Tours Via Smartphone at Sweetwater Wetlands

Arizona Project WET (APW) has partnered with Tucson Water (TW) to provide a series of self-guided tours at the Sweetwater Wetlands via smartphone. The new Discovery Program, launched April 30, 2015, engages visitors through a journey along the path that surrounds the ponds and recharge basins. Guests can use a QR code reader app on any smart device to display scientific information about wetlands as they navigate around the 60-acre site. There are Botany, Hydrology, Ornithology, and Wildlife Biology Journeys available. The Sweetwater Wetlands is a water treatment facility, an urban wildlife habitat, and an outdoor classroom open to the public seven days a week. APW's mission is to promote responsible water stewardship through excellent and effective water education.
Learn more about APW here.


May 12: Retirement Reception for Jackie Moxley & Jane Cripps 

May and June, 2015 will be bittersweet here at the Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) as we bid goodbye to two of our long-time employees, Jackie Moxley, Director of the Water Sustainability Program, and Jane Cripps, WRRC Administrative Associate.  
Please join us in wishing them a fond farewell at a reception at the WRRC on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. The reception will be held at the WRRC Sol Resnick Conference Room (350 N. Campbell Ave.) and all are welcome. For more information please contact Lynette Featherston at lfeatherston@email. arizona.edu or 621-9591.

Catch up on Past WRRC Brown Bag Seminars via GoToWebinar 

Miss out on a Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) Brown Bag seminar? PDF presentations and GoToWebinar webcasts of select past Brown Bags are available on the WRRC website. International, U.S., regional, and local speakers addressed WRRC audiences on a range of timely water topics, from funding water infrastructure and addressing water quality to desalination and water supply resiliency.

To catch up on past WRRC Brown Bags, click here and choose the Brown Bag seminar that interests you.

For upcoming Brown Bag Seminars, click here.
  

May 4: Tucson C2E Project Site Dedication for Henry Elementary WINS!  

 

Henry Elementary will be holding a dedication event for their Conserve2Enhance (C2E) enhancement site, Henry Elementary WINS (Wash Improvement & Neighborhood Sustainability), on May 4 at 8:30 a.m. at Anna Henry Elementary. This project was made possible by a grant from the Tucson C2E community enhancement grant program, along with strong support from the Henry Elementary students, staff, Parent-Teacher Association, and surrounding community. The C2E grant supported the planting of 74 new trees and plants, and the installation of 7 rainwater harvesting features, a pet waste station, and a 3,000-gallon cistern. 


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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, community outreach and engagement, and public education. 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.