Q: What inspires you to have served on the SWCD Board of Directors for eight years, now as Board President?
President Jenny Russell: The opportunity to make a difference in water policy in our region. I joined the Board to ensure that all water interests — traditional and non-traditional such as environmental and recreation — have a voice and were considered in all of SWCD’s actions. That has become even more critical as our water supplies have dwindled in the face of the impacts of climate change and aridification, which have become the focus of much of the District’s work in recent years.
Q: In your view, what is unique about southwestern Colorado and its water resources?
Jenny: We live in an amazing and beautiful place with a diverse mix of wilderness, recreation, agriculture and unique small communities, all of which have their own needs and challenges in terms of water. Southwestern Colorado is in the bullseye of aridification in Colorado. Our challenge as water leaders is to help sustain these values in a much drier world.
Q: What do SWCD constituents most need to know about the Colorado River?
Jenny: With climate change and the ongoing aridification in the Colorado River Basin, our future is going to be much drier and more challenging. All of us are going to have to work together to address these challenges. Part of our job as SWCD Board members is to ensure that Southwestern Colorado is represented in the difficult discussions regarding reduced water supplies and does not bear the brunt of demand management or other drought contingency actions.
Read President Russell’s bio at swwcd.org.
