Planning for the Northern Arizona Water Leadership Institute
Written By Miriam Nelson
The Northern Arizona fall has not only offered bright foliage, yellowing grasses, and a wintery wind, but also the continuation of exciting collaborative efforts on multiple projects. Facilitated by the Water, Society, and Policy Laboratory at Northern Arizona University (NAU), following the design of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and funded by Arizona Water for All (AW4A), the Water Leadership Institute is being brought to Northern Arizona for the Spring of 2026.
The goals of this initiative are to foster a new generation of diverse leaders who are equipped to collaborate and engage across different perspectives and backgrounds, highlight different pathways for water-related careers and forms of engagement in Northern Arizona, provide networking and mentorship opportunities for rising leaders, and provide a space to share knowledge and perspectives about water issues and water management in Arizona.
Given the cultural and geographic diversity of Northern Arizona, it has been important to work with individuals from different water-related sectors and backgrounds to account for different regional needs and water management priorities. Throughout 2025, Working Group collaborators from AW4A, NAU, EDF, and Water for People have been collaborating with an Advisory Board to co-design and develop the WLI for Northern Arizona. The amazing members of the WLI Advisory Board possess a wide range of expertise surrounding water governance, management, and leadership, along with strong connections to the region. Together, this collaboration has resulted in multiple meetings to design the Northern Arizona WLI–including skill offerings and overarching structure–directing specific attention to regional needs and issues.
In mid-November, the Working Group met with the Advisory Board at Northern Arizona University to more concretely determine the skill focus of the WLI. Through engaging activities and focused discussion, board members reached consensus on the skill focus and structure of the WLI, in addition to beginning curriculum planning. In the coming months, the Working Group will continue working with Advisory Board members on the WLI’s development. Please check the AW4A Website for the application in early Spring!
We greatly appreciate the support and insights of all of our partners and Advisory Board members! If you would like more information or have any questions, please contact the AW4A Program Coordinator, Miriam Nelson.
The Water Leadership Institute Advisory Board meeting in November to work on the development of the program (Photo Credits: Lucero Radonic).
