Month: October 2024

Author: Fatemeh Ganji is a PhD student at ISU studying environmental science and climate change.

This year’s Iowa Water Conference, themed “Life Depends on Water. Water Depends on You,” highlighted the essential role each of us plays in water conservation. I was privileged to attend and present my research on “Projected Impacts of Climate Change on Hydrological Extremes in Iowa.” The event gathered professionals across various fields, offering a unique platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration on Iowa’s pressing water challenges.

I’m excited to share that my poster presentation won second place, which was a truly humbling experience given the outstanding contributions from my peers. The insightful feedback from the judges encouraged me to further explore the complexities of climate change’s effects on water systems, specifically how extreme hydrological events like floods and droughts are projected to increase. This recognition has inspired me to continue refining my research in this vital area. Aside from presenting, I was also honored to lead a breakout session on flood risk management. This gave me the chance to guide discussions with experts in the field, which helped me better understand the challenges and new solutions being worked on to manage flood risks in Iowa.

One of the standout moments of the conference was Brandi Janssen’s keynote on “Upstream Thinking.” Her talk on proactive strategies for improving water quality resonated with me, particularly as it aligns with my focus on preparing for the increasing severity of water-related events in Iowa. Her insights were a powerful reminder of the responsibility we all have in preserving and protecting our water resources.

Overall, attending the 2024 Iowa Water Conference was an invaluable experience that has strengthened my commitment to tackling Iowa’s water issues. While winning second place was a significant highlight, the knowledge gained, and the professional connections made are equally important.

Acknowledgments: I am deeply grateful to the conference organizers for hosting such an enriching event. Special thanks to Laura Frescoln, whose support and guidance helped make this experience rewarding. I would also like to express my appreciation to the sponsors and donors for providing the scholarship that covered my participation in the conference. I also want to thank Dr. Lu Liu and my colleagues at Iowa State University for their mentorship and collaboration throughout my research.

 

 

 

Author: Lisa Yeboah is currently a PhD student at Iowa State University. She completed her M.S. in Water and Environmental Management at the University of Bristol, UK. Her research focuses on exploring new and innovative technologies for water reuse applications in small water systems.

Attending the 2024 Iowa Water Conference was such an amazing experience, especially for a first timer like me. It was more than just a ‘professional’ event to me. It was a gathering of experts delving into issues concerning sustainability, water quality, and other issues that affects us all in so many ways. Going into it, I expected to learn a few things, but I came away with much more than I’d anticipated, including a renewed sense of how much we can accomplish when we work together.

One of the most interesting parts of the conference was hearing from speakers with very different backgrounds. Farmers, environmental experts, city planners, and scientists all came together to discuss the future of water in Iowa and beyond. I learned how water management connects to all areas of life, from farming and health to community development and local economies. It was eye-opening to see that some of the water-friendly practices we talked about aren’t just beneficial for the environment; they’re also practical and beneficial for people’s livelihoods.

One of the keynote sessions by Dr. Kaoru Ikuma, which I thoroughly enjoyed and which continues to hammer on me because my research also focuses on small communities, emphasized the urgent need for action given the growing global water crisis, the need for marginalized communities to be a part of the key decision-making process, and the critical role of water security in achieving broader sustainable development goals. What was the main takeaway from this keynote? Efforts to ensure water security need to involve inclusive and integrated approaches to achieve equitable access.

Among the numerous benefits of attending this conference was meeting other attendees who share a similar passion for these issues. Sharing ideas and being able to relate to some of these issues further emphasized their importance. I left the conference feeling more connected to a community that genuinely wants to create change.

Overall, the Iowa Water Conference was an inspiring event that reminded me how much we can accomplish when we work together toward a common goal. I came back with a deeper understanding of the water challenges we face and practical ideas for how to be part of the solution. For anyone interested in learning more about our water resources or how we can all play a role in protecting them, I would highly recommend attending this conference. It’s a truly meaningful experience that leaves you motivated to make a difference.