Blog

This Week 3-27-23: New tool for stream research, new leadership training

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Congratulations to our new Ambassadors and say “hello” to our newest members:

Bobby Doshi, Bridgette McDonald, karunakar reddy, KRISHNASWAMY RS, Roberta Betts, Tunde Adesina

NEWS WORTH SHARING:

Share this new tool for citizen scientists to take action on stream pollution.

WHO TO KNOW:

Meet Bobby Doshi, a software developer who has applied his passion for computer vision and advanced analytics to connect blood donors, and now hopes to make a positive impact on environmental sectors. Bobby is completing his M.S. in AI, and is seeking a 6-8 month paid (modest stipend) internship to demonstrate the value of GIS and data visualization tools to analyze geographical data and develop automation tools for remote water conservation efforts. If you have a big idea for AI, or know of an organization that is transforming water with AI, and could benefit from a new set of eyes, we wanted you to know of Bobby's interest and also know of the Rising Smart Water Professionals.

THIS WEEK’S POLL:

We asked: What is the best way to attract young professionals to the water sector?

What do you think is the best way to attract young professionals into the water sector for a career?

Reach out to high schoolers, with the message of the diversified exciting water industry. (75%)
Talk with your neighbors about the need for new young professionals in the industry.
Conduct Sunday School Classes of the youth on connecting with their water. (25%)
Hoping it happens.

Ideas in the comments included a high-school career center with water classes, apprenticeships, encouraging water pros to talk about their work to friends and neighbors, and letting junior and senior high kids know that the world of water has many career opportunities.

"Most people have no idea about this career path."

WONDER OF WATER:

In case you missed it, last week’s World Water Day kicked off a series of water acceleration efforts. Success stories in the Global Water Works community, like this "50 Years of Restoring Rivers" Waterloop episode with American Rivers CEO Tom Kiernan, remind us we can solve water challenges when we work together.

We invite you to sign up for our April 4 Leader Training to meet similar leaders, restoring lakes, harvesting rainwater and purifying drinking water. If you have a water initiative, you are also invited to leverage the Global Water Works online workspaces to engage stakeholders to accelerate collaboration.

TECH TALK:

Sally Wenczel shares her journey from homeowner to lake advocate, author, speaker and impact leader.

When Wenczel and her family moved into a new home seven years ago, they quickly realized the 12 acre lake in their backyard was a health risk and an overall disaster.

Wenczel tells how she educated herself on harmful algal blooms, her struggles with Michigan State bureaucracy, why she wrote a book along the way, and how she's become a leader with her lake on the path to recovery.

Enjoy the conversation.

FUN WITH WATER:

Women are finding opportunities in environmental challenges, bringing fun, beauty and health to the inhabitants. The solutions they share remind us all to think differently, even placing frogs in castles.

See more of these women's contributions to conversations about lawns, plants, pollinators, and our amphibian neighbors.

DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE...WITH YOUR FEET!

Join AWWA's annual WE Walk 2023 - a virtual walk from April 1 - May26 - to help fund the Water Equation (WE) youth STEAM programs, Student & Young Professional Leadership programs and one AWWA Operator Scholarship. #EngageStakeholders

WE Walk! 2023 - Campaign (awwa.org)