TopicsMay 2, 2023
- Message from the Associate Vice President and Director of Extension
- Help Arizona Solve Water Challenges - WRRC Annual Conference
- OneHealth Spring Symposium - Water is Life
- Latest WRRC Arizona Water Fact Sheet Available
- Climate Science Working Group Needs Your Help
- WRRC Seminar Series: Green Infrastructure in Tucson, Ariz.
- AmeriCorps Site Applications Open
- Cochise Assistant Agent 4-H Seminar Recording and Evaluation
- Cochise County Director Seminar #2 Recording and Evaluation
- 32nd Annual Desert Horticulture Conference
- Arizona Cooperative Extension Annual Conference
- Continuing Status and Promotion Workshop
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Message from the Associate Vice President
and Director of Extension
Last week I had to take some time off rather suddenly. It was nice to be able to do this, knowing that my team could handle anything that came up. I know we all work hard to collaborate and form teams to accomplish specific tasks, address issues, or deliver programs across the state. Being part of a team means that everyone contributes. The outcomes are more impactful thanks to a team of dedicated professionals, each bringing their individual skill sets to the table. But last week, I also realized that being part of a team means that they will be there when you can't. They'll continue the work, find the resources needed, and complete the tasks, even when you're away. Thank you to everyone for their support last week. Also, I wish to congratulate Dr. Peter Ellsworth, who received the Extension Faculty of the Year Award, and Tricia Dunham, the 2023 Outstanding Staff in Cooperative Extension. Also, congratulations to the Tribal Livestock Extension Team for being awarded the 2023 ALVSCE Outstanding Team Award.
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Help Arizona Solve Water Challenges
The 2023 Water Resources Research Center annual conference, What Can We Do? Solutions to Arizona’s Water Challenges, is your chance to join a conversation about solving water problems affecting all of us at home, at work, and in our communities. A limited number of cost-free registrations are available for UArizona Cooperative Extension faculty and staff (contact Jessie Hampton for more information). Free registrations are first come, first served, so register soon.
The conference is set for July 11–12 at the University of Arizona Student Union. The goal is to address pressing state, regional, and tribal water resource challenges by collectively coaxing out ideas that enhance water security. The two-day program will feature sessions on water quality, information gaps, farming practices, working with nature, adapting policy, growing the workforce, technology, and more. There will also be ample opportunity for networking to continue the solution-focused discussions of the conference. Keep an eye on our conference page as the agenda develops.
Early bird registration is $110 ($65 for one day), until June 14. Student registration is $30. A free, non-interactive livestream registration will be available soon. We hope to see many of you in Tucson this July!
Click here to become a conference sponsor.
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Please join us for our spring symposium “Water is life,” where faculty from across the university share their research and insights into water under the One Health umbrella.
Opening speaker Sharon Megdal aims to bridge the academic, practitioner and civil society communities through water policy and management research, education and engagement programs. She will address “One Water, One Health, One Earth” which highlights the One Health idea of using and reusing water to meet human and environmental needs.
Our keynote speaker is John H. Postlethwait, professor of biology at the University of Oregon’s Institute of Neuroscience, who will discuss integrating human, animal, and environmental health using fish as models.
One Health is an approach that recognizes the interconnections in health and wellness among people, animals, plants, and our shared environment. It integrates expertise in human, animal, and environmental health to improve health outcomes, better respond to public health challenges, assure safe and healthy food and water, and protect global health security.
When: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Friday, May 5
Where: Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Drachman Hall, Room A114
Morning refreshments and lunch will be served, and a light reception will follow from 4 - 5:30pm.
Presented by the University of Arizona Health Sciences One Health and the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center.
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Latest WRRC Arizona Water Fact Sheet Available
The Mohave County Water Factsheet provides a general overview of water resources and insights about how communities along the Colorado River work to improve water supply resilience in the face of drought and a rigid regulations.
Water-related recreation in Mohave County is an important part of the conversation. The county provides public access to three major reservoirs of the lower Colorado River: lakes Mohave, Havasu, and Mead. Acknowledging the unique characteristics, priorities, and values of Mohave County, the Water Resources Research Center collaborated with local experts to guide the content and showcase existing water-related data.
For Mohave County, the Technical Advisory Committee included Mohave County Cooperative Extension Director Andrew Brischke, along with representation from Mohave County, Mohave County Water Authority, the City of Kingman, Lake Havasu City, and Bullhead City. Additional stakeholders provided input reflective of the deep local knowledge about the county’s water resources and management.
Factsheets are available for Maricopa, Pima, Cochise, and Mohave Counties, and work is well underway for Graham, Yavapai, and Gila Counties! Follow the series and read about water in each county on the Arizona Water Factsheet website.
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Climate Science Working Group Needs Your Help
The Cooperative Extension Climate Science Working Group wants to know about the current level of interest and involvement in climate change-related training, programming, and collaboration within Extension. Your responses will be used to guide climate change program development and better integration of climate change information across Extension programs. Even if you feel that your role within Extension is not a “climate” role, we encourage you to submit a response.
The information will also help the UArizona Extension Climate Science Working Group leverage resources and opportunities to better serve Extension and Arizona stakeholders.
The survey's introduction page contains more information about confidentiality, how your responses will be used and stored, and your rights.
What: There are 27 quick, simple questions that should take 10 – 15 minutes to complete.
Who: You must work within Arizona Cooperative Extension, be 18 or older, and read English.
Click here to complete the survey. Please contact Dawn Gouge at dhgouge@arizona.edu or 602-418-5202 with questions or complaints about the study.
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WRRC Seminar Series: Green Infrastructure in Tucson, Ariz.
In this WRRC seminar, Adriana Zuniga will describe a brief history of water management in Tucson and how this desert city became a national leader in green infrastructure. Blue Baldwin will then present an overview of the modern evolution of green stormwater infrastructure in Tucson over the past decades, from grassroots, "pre-legal" actions to current policy and ultimate institutionalization with the advent of the Storm to Shade Program at Tucson Water. The Storm to Shade program's goals, project prioritization framework, maintenance program, key partnerships, challenges, and long-term vision for the S2S will be covered.
When: Noon-1:15 p.m., Wednesday, May 17
Speakers: Blue Baldwin, Storm to Shade Program Manager, Tucson Water; Adriana Zuniga, Assistant Professor, University of Arizona
Click here for more information.
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AmeriCorps Site Applications Open
UArizona Wildcat Corps is now accepting applications from sites that would like to have AmeriCorps members serve with their programs during the 2023-24 grant year. Through direct service AmeriCorps members assist with addressing your community programming and outreach needs.
To receive an AmeriCorps member request packet, contact Christina Lipin. The application deadline is May 26.
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Cochise Assistant Agent 4-H Seminar Recording and Evaluation
The search committee would like to thank you for setting aside time in your busy schedule to view a seminar recording and complete the evaluation for a finalist in the search for a Cochise County Assistant Agent, 4-H Youth Development.
Zoom Recording for candidate Haley Chappell
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Cochise County Director Seminar #2 Recording and Evaluation
The search committee would like to thank you for setting aside time in your busy schedule to view a seminar recording and complete the evaluation for a finalist in the search for a Cochise County Director.
Kalman Mannis
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32nd Annual Desert Horticulture Conference
Participants can attend six sessions in three concurrent tracks from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.: Plants and Design, Plant Health, and Water/Urban Landscapes. Learn from experts through presentations and panel discussions about plant choices appropriate for desert landscapes, management of plants, pests, and wildlife, and different approaches to water conservation.
The Desert Horticulture Conference is the premier annual conference for all members of the Southwest green industry: landscape architects, designers, growers, retailers, contractors, maintenance personnel, suppliers, and educators. Presenting timely and research-based information relevant for designing, building, maintaining, and producing plants for urban landscapes in the arid Southwest.
Registration is open for attendees and sponsors.
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Arizona Cooperative Extension Annual ConferenceAugust 2-4
The 2023 Annual Arizona Extension Conference Planning Committee is soliciting proposals for breakout sessions, posters, and Heart of Extension Awards at the conference to be held August 2-4 in Tucson on the University of Arizona Main Campus. This year's conference theme is Building the Future of Extension Through Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration. Please consider submitting for a breakout session, bringing a poster, or nominating a deserving colleague for the Heart of Extension award. Information on submitting for these sessions and awards is below.
Breakout sessions will be approximately 1 hour in length. Please plan 45 minutes of content leaving 10-15 minutes for questions and discussion. Sessions can be on any topic relevant to Cooperative Extension, special consideration will be given to topics that are issue driven (rather than programmatically driven). We are looking for a variety of multi-disciplinary sessions that appeal to faculty and staff across all sectors of Extension. Proposals should include a title, list of presenting authors, and a 250 (maximum) word description of the issue or topic you intend to cover, how the audience will benefit, and the goals of the proposed conference presentation.
Deadline: May 15, 11:59 p.m.
Heart of Extension Awards recognize and reward individuals who demonstrate the heart of the Cooperative Extension Mission: To engage with people through applied research and education to improve lives, families, communities, the environment, and economies in Arizona and beyond. Awards will be presented at the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Annual Conference. See the attached file for more information on criteria and nomination materials.
Deadline: May 15, 11:59 p.m.
Poster Session. Posters can be on any Arizona extension-related topic, including, but not limited to, community issues, extension initiatives, programs, or research projects. Posters presented at other conferences are eligible for display. Poster space is limited. Posters will be accepted in the order they are received until space capacity is reached. To submit a poster, please use this link to provide the title, authors, a short (150-word maximum) abstract, the style (hanging vs tabletop), and the approximate size of your poster:
Deadline: July 3, 11:59 p.m. Your submission will be confirmed by Friday, July 7.
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Save the Date!
Continuing Status and Promotion WorkshopMay 17-18
Cooperative Extension agents and specialists on the continuing status and promotion track are invited to a two-day workshop regarding the process, updates, and other important information to support successful dossiers. Sessions will address all levels of the continuing status and promotion process. You can attend in-person or virtually.
Who should attend: Candidates for continuing status and promotion (third year retention, associate and full), County Extension Directors, Agents, Specialists, and Administrators.
What: Continuing Status and Promotion Workshop
When: May 17-18 (Wednesday-Thursday)
Where: Maricopa Agricultural Center, 37860 W. Smith Enke Road, Maricopa, Arizona
Click here for the agenda. Click here to register for in-person or livestreamed attendance. Please register by Friday, May 12. If you have questions, please contact Area Agent and Regional Specialist Patty Merk at pmerk@cals.arizona.edu
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