Empowering water leadership in southern Arizona
Written by Daniela Sherrill and Vanessa Fajardo on December 17, 2024 and adapted from published article on Arizona State University’s website.
Meghan Smart (center) teaches students about community science with an interactive water-sampling relay race.
“Arizona Water for All, in partnership with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation and Environmental Defense Fund, piloted a Water Leadership Institute (WLI) in both South Tucson and Nogales to increase empowerment and engagement in water-decision making among Arizona’s most water-insecure communities.
From September to December of 2024, 50 people from across Southern Arizona gathered together for four sessions designed to equip each participant with the skills, knowledge and network needed to meaningfully engage in water issues in their community.
Water issues in Arizona are varied and range from groundwater depletion and pollution to droughts and seasonal flooding, so proposed management strategies must be equally flexible and community-informed. The WLI created a space for seasoned local leaders, like Cesar Lopez, Dr. Selso Villegas and Meghan Smart, to share their first-hand insight into building water solutions in their communities.”
About the authors:
Daniela Sherrill was the community researcher for Arizona Water for All. She received her bachelor’s degree in sustainability with a minor in civic engagement from Northern Arizona University in 2020. Before joining AW4A, she worked in Flagstaff as a program facilitator at an environmental education center and in Tucson as a community organizer for campaigns that raised the minimum wage for workers across the state.
Vanessa Fajardo is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture at Arizona State University. Her background is in working with community organizations to provide educational resources and opportunities to underserved communities, alongside fostering the post-secondary pipeline. As a student, she hopes to build skills and knowledge in communication and design to create a sustainable future that actively uplifts communities.
