conserve to enhance linking water conservation to the environment
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Conserve to Enhance Linking Water Conservation to the Environment. Contacts: Inside Arizona: Candice Rupprecht Coordinator, Water Resources Research Center [email protected] Outside Arizona: Aaron M. Lien Analyst, Water Resources Research Center [email protected] - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Overarching Goals
Conserve to EnhanceLinking Water Conservation to the Environment
1San Pedro River, Arizona. Photo Credit: The Nature ConservancySalt River, Arizona. Photo Credit: Brittany Choate
Contacts:
Inside Arizona:Candice RupprechtCoordinator, Water Resources Research [email protected]
Outside Arizona:Aaron M. LienAnalyst, Water Resources Research [email protected]
University of ArizonaCollege of Agriculture and Life Scienceswww.cals.arizona.edu/azwater
1WRRC MissionThe University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) promotes understanding of critical state and regional water management and policy issues through applied research, community outreach and public education.
The WRRC is committed to:assisting communities in water management and policy; educating teachers, students and the public about water; and encouraging scientific research on state and regional water issues.
Website: www.cals.arizona.edu/azwater2
Living up to our name and center mission, we do applied research that improves the quality of life for Arizonians. Not just working in Arizona anymore.We are a part of extension, so we have both an education and research missionWe work on both Arizona issues, but also regional issuesFunded for Conserve to Enhance by the Bureau of Reclaimation
With a concept fleshed out and published in a well-known journal, it was time to turn our concept into reality and test the concept.C2E is a foundational concept that is highly flexible to meet the needs of different locations with different challengesWe want to expand pilot implementation to test the concept under different circumstances and determine the feasibility of C2E at a large scaleC2E can be used for any number of environmental projects more pilots will help to expand the scope for future implementation2
The Forgotten Sector
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Environment6.7 MAFAbove: Verde River, AZ (Photo credit: Jeanmarie Haney). Below: Salt River at Rio Salado, Phoenix, AZ (Candice Rupprecht)
A brief history of C2E concept development from findings that indicate restoration projects often need supplemental water, to recognition that the environment has water needs that are not being met and not officially recognized by our current legal framework. From this work a line of thinking emerged that recognizes environmental water needs and proposes that one source of this water is voluntary water conservation efforts from individuals motivated to protect and enhance their local environment.
3Conserve to Enhance (C2E): An Innovative Voluntary Mechanism4Program development funded by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Current funding includes Walton Family Foundation.How C2E Works Water is conserved (at homes & businesses)
Money saved through water conservation
Money donated to a C2E fund
Money used to implement environmental enhancement projects
Water saved through conservation effortsDonations support riparian enhancement
Introduce C2E Mechanism
Our Innovative Program helps:Individuals take Action to Conserve Water (may be supported by education, subsides, etc.)Community Partners Collaborate (Utility, University, NGOs, citizens)Improve Habitats using funds resulting from individual conservation effortsEducate Participants first and ultimately Communities about water resource links to environmentOverall C2E works to enhance not only local environments, but also the Community Conservation Ethic
A brief history of C2E concept development from findings that indicate restoration projects often need supplemental water, to recognition that the environment has water needs that are not being met and not officially recognized by our current legal framework. From this work a line of thinking emerged that recognizes environmental water needs and proposes that one source of this water is voluntary water conservation efforts from individuals motivated to protect and enhance their local environment.45Benefits of C2EProvide water to environmental enhancement projectsLink individual water conservation to environmental benefitsRaise awareness about water conservation and environmental water needsCreate a simple accounting mechanism and reliable funding sourceCreate new excitement for water conservation!
Introduce C2E Mechanism
Our Innovative Program helps:Individuals take Action to Conserve Water (may be supported by education, subsides, etc.)Community Partners Collaborate (Utility, University, NGOs, citizens)Improve Habitats using funds resulting from individual conservation effortsEducate Participants first and ultimately Communities about water resource links to environmentOverall C2E works to enhance not only local environments, but also the Community Conservation Ethic
A brief history of C2E concept development from findings that indicate restoration projects often need supplemental water, to recognition that the environment has water needs that are not being met and not officially recognized by our current legal framework. From this work a line of thinking emerged that recognizes environmental water needs and proposes that one source of this water is voluntary water conservation efforts from individuals motivated to protect and enhance their local environment.5Tucson Pilot C2E ProgramAdvisory Board informs program implementation through project selection and oversees funding distributionEPA provides funding for implementation of residential rainwater harvesting projects to conserve potable waterTucson Water provides access to participants water records with permission and includes a check box on all water billsDonations used to fund environmental enhancementSupporting Audubon riparian restoration project: tree plantings and supplemental watering6
6Supporting Pilot Development in New CommunitiesWRRC Role:Assistance Tailoring New C2E Programs to Meet Community Needs & PrioritiesActive Stakeholder Engagement & Partner DevelopmentIntegrated Program Development SupportC2E Program Template & Guidance on Key ElementsAcross the Colorado River Basin
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What we Offer:An Innovative ProgramIndividuals take ActionWater is ConservedHabitats are ImprovedCommunity Partners CollaborateParticipants educated about water resource links to environmentCommunity conservation ethic begins to developActive Stakeholder EngagementCurrently working with a variety of partners & communities throughout the West. In some communities were talking with utilities, in others with NGOs and agenciesPartnership DevelopmentWe understand that programs like these dont get accepted or implemented over night. Were here to help scope out the partners who will help develop successful program and provide the tools to keep these partners on trackProgram Template & guidanceExperience has taught us that there are key elements necessary to any successful pilot. We provide an understanding of how to navigate these elementsLessons Learned: Design pilot programs for local situationAccounting mechanism: Billing System?Recruit participants: Messaging?Oversight body: Existing Processes?Receiving projects: Local Priorities?Potential for corporate partnerships/other matching
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8Inside Arizona:Candice [email protected]
Outside Arizona:Aaron M. [email protected]
Dr. Sharon B. Megdal, DirectorJoanna B. NadeauUniversity of Arizona Water Resources Research CenterPhoto Credit: Aaron M. Lien, UA WRRChttp://www.cals.arizona.edu/azwater/conserve2enhance
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