2014 Annual Conference
This year's conference titled "Watersheds, Wicked Problems and Water Words" is scheduled for July 15 - 16.
"We are in the midst of planning and are really excited about some of the new perspectives we plan on bringing to the conference," said Erin Scott, project manager at the Arkansas Water Resources Center. "We've got a great speaker coming in and a few really timely ideas for break out sessions. I think it is going to be a great conference!"
Stay tuned for a formal announcement with more conference details in the coming weeks.
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AWRC Conducts Survey
The Arkansas Water Resources Center has commissioned a survey of stakeholders to gauge perceptions of communication efforts by the center and identify communication needs.
The study, conducted by agricultural communications faculty and graduate students in the U of A department of agricultural education, communications and technology, is now in its first phase. Current students and faculty on the University of Arkansas campus will also be surveyed.
The stakeholder survey is available online and takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Members of the AWRC technical advisory committee, those that currently or have previously worked in the industry, and anyone interested in water resources are encouraged to complete the survey.
Brian Haggard, director of the Arkansas Water Resources Center, encourages all stakeholders to participate.
“The results of this survey will give us an idea of what we are doing well with our communication initiatives and how we can improve. The data will guide how we develop our communications strategy,” Haggard said. |
Blue Pathways Workshop and Practicum
The 2014 Blue Pathways Workshop and Practicum is on March 11th & 12th in Fayetteville, Ark. This full-day workshop and half-day practicum will focus on using native and adapted plants in stormwater management in landscape designs and will feature Dan Shaw, author of the book, "Plants for Stormwater Design - Species Selection for the Upper Midwest."
Click here to download the registration brochure and agenda.
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USGS Report
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Illinois River Watershed Partnership produced a scientific investigations report titled: Effects of Land Use, Stream Habitat, and Water Quality on Biological Communities of Wadeable Streams in the Illinois River Basin of Arkansas.
Researchers selected eighteen sample collection sites for the study based on drainage area, land use, presence or absence of an upstream wastewater-treatment plant, water quality, and other information gathered during reconnaissance. Water-quality samples were collected for analysis of nutrients, and a multiparameter field meter was used to measure water temperature, specific conductance, pH, and dissolved oxygen. Streamflow was measured immediately following the water-quality sampling. Macroalgae coverage was estimated and periphyton, macroinvertebrate, and fish communities were sampled at each site. Stream habitat also was assessed.
To read the report click here.
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UA Research Experience for Undergraduates Summer 2014
The University of Arkansas is conducting a 10-week Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) during the summer of 2014 for up to 20 undergraduates who are interested in research in developing metrics for ecosystem services and agricultural sustainability.
This REU focuses on field- and lab-based research in areas ranging from water quality and urban spring ecology to animal agriculture sustainability. Projects are supervised by university professors and vary from year-to-year based on the most current work being conducted at the University of Arkansas and partnering universities.
This 10-week residence program consists of an Ecosystem Services immersion course (one week), a Research Experience (8 weeks), and an intensive Data Analysis and Report Writing course (one week). All projects will result in a student-sourced manuscript and formal presentation at the REU Symposium at the end of July. Funding from NSF and USDA provides each student with room and board at the University of Arkansas in addition to a $400 weekly stipend and a travel allowance.
More information and application materials can be found here.
Applications are due on March 17. |
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