Learning From the Leaders

by Anthony Lowndes, The Groundwater Foundation

It has been two weeks since the conclusion of the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference. As a first-time conference goer, the sheer amount of information to absorb was slightly overwhelming to say the least. After some reflection, I believe there are several very positive messages I received loud and clear.

 

I have known for a long time that it takes many people to provide safe, clean drinking water to the millions of people in our country, but seeing and meeting so many of them was something entirely different. Some, like me, were new to the world of water while others have been conserving and protecting groundwater for many years. The virtue I most noticed was the passion demonstrated by each person I had the pleasure of talking to. Each of them had a story, long or short, that illustrated how we are all passionately working together to protect the most valuable resource on Earth.

At the Foundation’s 30th anniversary celebration dinner, it was clear that we have many challenges ahead of us, including increased demand for water as our global population grows. It will take current technologies and continued advancement in water conservation and understanding groundwater resources to provide for the expected nine billion people by 2050. Several speakers focused on project successes they have had in exactly these areas.

These are not single issues to be dealt with individually, but rather a comprehensive approach should be used to bring all stakeholders to the table. This approach was successfully used in Israel, illustrated by Naty Barak of Netafim. Combining a clear legal framework with integrated water management, technology and innovation created a sustainable water economy. Technological innovation isn’t just in how we use water, but also how we understand groundwater resources.

In many areas of the world, including eastern Nebraska, the geology of local  aquifers can be difficult to pinpoint, thus making it difficult to manage. Lower Platte South Natural Resources District and the UNL Conservation and Survey Division have been utilizing Airborne ElectroMagnetic (AEM) survey technology to increase and build upon data collected from test holes. The advanced survey technique provides a virtual borehole every 150 feet along the flight path. The same technique was also utilized in western Nebraska and can be applied to many different types of aquifers, putting a valuable tool in the hands of geologists and groundwater managers.

Other tools, such as NASA’s Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission, provide information about water availability and demonstrate gains and losses on a much larger scale. Combining all of the tools in our toolbox will provide water managers a way to effectively make policy decisions and continue to provide their communities with safe water. There are still places needing further research. Technology has yet to reach many others, but the huge gains in our understanding and use of groundwater are, in my view, very promising.

The 2015 Conference has inspired me to instill the same passion for groundwater into those I work with as was demonstrated by those who were at the conference. As I help educate those around the state of Nebraska and beyond about groundwater, there will be a certain spring in my step given to me by those I met at the conference. Let’s get started!

10 Reasons We're Glad You Were at the 2015 National Conference

by Jennifer Wemhoff, The Groundwater Foundation

#10: You celebrated 30 years of fulfilling our mission. We peeked back to 1985, celebrated the legacy of Nebraska well driller WayneMadsen, and looked to the future.

#9: You heard why Groundwater Guardians and Green Sites are awesome at the Celebration Luncheon, and found reasons to be inspired to protect groundwater from Catherine Chertudi, City of Boise, Idaho.

#8: You learned about the importance of water to food production, and how irrigation technology can help feed the world’s burgeoning population into the future from Mogens Bay, Chairman and CEO of Valmont.

#7: You were catapulted 30 years into the future by University of Nebraska Students Kate Boone and William Avery who shared how their interest in water wasn’t piqued until college because water wasn’t talked about in high school other than its properties and molecules. Groundwater Foundation President Jane Griffin shared tools and resources that can help fill these gaps in groundwater education.

#6: You participated in workshops, tours, and discussions that went beyond the conference sessions, and met people from across the U.S. that share your passion for protecting groundwater.

#5: You heard expert, engaging speakers from across the country share what worked, and didn’t, and how groundwater protection can move forward in the next 30 years.

#4: You shared in the challenges of communicating groundwater science to the public with Bill Alley of the National Ground Water Association, debunking popular groundwater myths.

#3: You saw how NASA is using the power of satellites to track the changes in groundwater storage and how California’s groundwater reserves are in a perilous situation from hydrologist Jay Famiglietti of NASA and UC-Irvine.

#2: You heard why sparkplugs are vital to groundwater protection and education from Susan Seacrest, Groundwater Foundation founder and President Emeritus.

#1: You became part of our groundwater family! It is because of people that groundwater must be protected, but it is only through the efforts of people that it can be accomplished. Until we meet again!

Groundwater Foundation Staff, from left: Jennifer Wemhoff, Cindy Kreifels, Doug Sams,
Lori Davison, Jane Griffin, Jessica Wheeler, and Anthony Lowndes.

Anniversary Story: "Write Your Story" by Jane Griffin

"Write Your Story"
By Jane Griffin, The Groundwater Foundation

Seven years and five months ago I started my story with The Groundwater Foundation – and it was a memorable day as my predecessor, Susan Seacrest, went through the magnitude of files filled with activities, accomplishments, and stories about her remarkable work at the Groundwater Foundation. Let’s just say I was overwhelmed and was really questioning what I had gotten myself into – how would I continue to move this organization forward as Susan had so gallantly for 23 years? 

Each day on the job brought new stories and with each story more insight to the key to success – the collective effort of everyone involved. These stories and the collective efforts of our board, staff, partners, Groundwater Guardians, Green Sites, program participants and the investment of our members, sponsors and funders are what inspire me each day. If we only looked as deep as the ink in many stories in the media we could easily be paralyzed by the doom and gloom they present. But, instead, if we dig deeper we recognize that we can rise to the challenge a growing population and escalating societal demands put on our groundwater supplies. 

 

The challenges are enormous – according to the United Nation’s World Water Development Report, 2015, Water for A Sustainable World (WWDR 2015), an estimated 20% of the world’s aquifers are currently over-exploited. This, and other practices are undermining the environment’s capacity to provide ecosystem services, including clean water.  And the situation is only going to grow more complex. As pointed out in the WWDR 2015, the world’s population is estimated to be 9 billion in just a few decades.  Consequently, 60% more food will need to be produced globally, manufacturing is expected to increase by 400%, and global demand for water is estimated to exceed supply by 40% if we continue business as usual. Impacts of climate change on our water supply will create difficulties as well.  It is imperative that we restore the balance between demand and supply. Looking at the quality side of the equation we must also be conscientious of what we put on our ground, remembering that it may end up in our drinking water. While it is true that some contamination of groundwater supplies is due to natural causes, like arsenic, the majority is caused by human action[1]. 

It may sound dire, but don’t let this information paralyze you.  Generation after generation – actually civilization after civilization – has faced the challenges of water management.  We can too:

ACT – Reduce your water footprint by 30% (look for our free 30 by 30 app in the Apple and Google Play stores).  It may seem like a small thing, but look at the numbers: in the U.S. each person uses an average of 100 gallons per day for direct water use (i.e. water we drink, use to wash, cook and water our lawns, etc.).  In Europe the average is 50 gallons/day. Here in the U.S. we can do better. If each of us reduces our water use by 30 gallons/day (30 x 365 x 320,090,857) we would save 3,504,994,884,150 gallons annually!

We can also impact our indirect water use (i.e. the water it takes to produce our clothes, our cars, our appliances, etc.). All of our decisions and choices drive the market and therefore drive the demand.  Manufacturers respond to the demand by producing what is popular.  Let’s demand the right products!

SHARE – Brag about what you are doing. Share your newly adopted habits with your friends, family and colleagues. Encourage them to do the same too. Groundwater is magical – share the magic!

INSPIRE – Water is life, water needs us to speak for it and to protect it. Inspire action on behalf of water and to ensure it is available for future generations, too.

EDUCATE – We need to foster generations of scientists, inventors, leaders who can develop the technology and improve our approaches and systems of water management and distribution. We need to be educated and our youth does too, so future generations are capable of taking these actions to another level.

INVOLVE – We need water and water needs us to be its guardian. Water management is the responsibility of many different people in public and private sector. How can this shared responsibility be used as a rallying point around which different stakeholders can work together and make informed decisions – instead of serving as a point of divergence? The Groundwater Guardian program is a proven model of being a rallying point - and it has served communities across North America as a framework to involve their local population in proactive protection and conservation efforts. Get involved with a local Groundwater Guardian team or start your own!

SUSTAIN – Over the past few decades the rising living standards have led to sharp increases in water use, and this can be unsustainable, especially where supplies are scarce and/or vulnerable. We must achieve sustainable living standards, which means altering consumption patterns. Let’s look at our individual behaviors, and make choice, perhaps reducing meat consumption, considering smaller homes, using vehicles and appliances that are energy-efficient. The fact is that there is enough water available on Earth to meet the world’s growing needs, but without properly managing and sharing the water resources there will be water shortages.  We need to each live a sustainable lifestyle (in our professional and personal roles) to ensure our children’s grandchildren can do the same.

IT’S ONLY THE BEGINNING.

A lot has been done, but the fact of the matter is that the work is never done. Threats to our water supply, whether they be quality or quantity issues, are ongoing. Together we can write the story of how individually we each did our part – and collectively we meet the challenge. 

Let’s get started.

---

[1] UNESCO, Zaporozec, A., (2002), Groundwater Contamination Inventory, IHP-VI, Series on Groundwater No. 2, page 25

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1 Week Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

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Anniversary Story: Mr. Groundwater - Wayne Madsen" by Lee Orton

“Mr. Groundwater – Wayne Madsen”

By Lee Orton, Nebraska Well Drillers Association

Wayne Madsen receives the
Kremer award in 2000.

Wayne Madsen was a career water well pump installation professional, having assumed the ownership of a business established by his father in Trenton, Nebraska. Madsen’s Well Service was known throughout his service region as an operation which would get the work done professionally and promptly.

Madsen was elected to the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Well Drillers Association in the early 1980s, rising to become its President in 1990. In that role, Madsen championed the adoption of the laws providing for the licensing of the professional water well industry, the development of formal state water well construction standards, and the advancement of the professions by requiring continuing professional education to retain professional licensing.

Following his President’s tenure, Madsen became the Chairperson of the Well Drillers Association Public Education and Public Affairs Committees. In that capacity he, along with his wife, Jean, participated in dozens of public and community education events, from The Groundwater Foundation’s Children’s Festivals, to adult education forums sponsored by his Association Committees and by the Cooperative Extension at the University of Nebraska.

He contributed to the creation of “Wally Water” and “Wanda Water” and frequently donned those costumes with Jean, marching in parades and appearing at fairs or home shows to attract not only the children’s, but the parents’ attention to learning about groundwater.

Madsen chaired the Groundwater Day at the Capitol in Nebraska, which saw dozens of groundwater professionals working with the Legislators to increase understanding of groundwater for decision makers.

Madsen worked tirelessly on Groundwater Foundation events developed to educate others about groundwater. He served for a number of years on planning and advisory committees for the Foundation and provided significant volunteer time in the implementation of those programs.

Monty, Jean, and Wayne Madsen

Wayne Madsen was without doubt “Mr. Groundwater” in Nebraska.  Everyone who knew him respected his integrity and his tenacity in the delivery of his education efforts for the cause of groundwater management and wise use.  He was recognized by The Groundwater Foundation with its prestigious Kremer Award in 2000 and by his fellow groundwater professionals in 2001 with the first Wayne Madsen Award for Community Service.  The Madsen Award continues to be awarded to recognize other Nebraskans who have delivered community services for groundwater.

In 2014, following the death of both Wayne and his wife Jean, Wayne’s son,  Monty, and his wife, Earleen, contributed  $50,000.00 to establish a Groundwater Foundation Endowment Fund in memory of Wayne and all he stood for in groundwater conservation, management and education. A fitting Tribute to his legacy!

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2 Weeks Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

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Anniversary Story: "From Intern to Partner" by Dan N. King

"From Intern to Partner"

by Dan N. King, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department

I was hired in 2004 by The Groundwater Foundation where I served in different roles such as an Intern, GIS Specialist, and Program Assistant. I was employed for almost two years with my primary duties focused on the Foundation’s Blue River Basin Community/Source Protection Program. The project brought Nebraska and Kansas partners together to address excessive fecal coliform and atrazine impacts to source water throughout the basin. It was during this time that I had the privilege of learning from Groundwater Foundation founder, Susan Seacrest, who was relentless in her quest to educate and motivate people including me. I can remember her encouraging talks helping me to expand outside of my comfort area and to become the public health and environmental professional that I am today. The Blue River project included traveling throughout the basin Kansas where I met with community leaders and discussed how to move communities forward toward basin-wide water protection goals. It was a pivotal and growing experience. I would like to think that the Blue River Basin is healthier and safer because of our collective efforts.

I never thought my professional work would come full circle so soon and bring me back to The Groundwater Foundation but that is exactly what happened. Jump forward to 2006-07 when the Groundwater Foundation was again working to draw attention to a serious threat to ground and surface waters; that being pharmaceutical and personal care products. Highlighting a then recent study by the USGS, The Groundwater Foundation put themselves in the role of messenger and facilitator in organizing educational resources and opportunities for discussion and learning.

It was at that time as a newly hired Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department employee, that I attended a 2007 Groundwater Foundation workshop that brought concerned individuals, organizations, and communities together around the topic of water quality impacts from products that were finding their way into streams, lakes and drinking water. This workshop would be a couple years before the Associated Press investigative study that identified that some 10 million US citizens were drinking a cocktail of water, unwanted medications, and other waste products. Out of the workshop the Nebraska MEDS (Medication Education on Disposal Strategies) Coalition was formed to tackle the task of changing behavior away from flushing unwanted medications to waste disposal methods that were more protective of public and the environment.

The Nebraska MEDS Coalition went forward to change state law allowing for the return of medications to pharmacies for proper disposal. Following this important step, the Coalition rallied around a pilot project in Lincoln and Lancaster County to fund a medication disposal system that was conveniently pharmacy based. Now, some six years later and after state funds were appropriated for the effort, 260+ pharmacies across the state are actively collecting leftover medications with 8,000 pounds of medications being collected for safe and legal destruction. That is 8,000 pounds of pollution that will not be in our drinking water. I don’t believe this would have happened without the leadership and vision of The Groundwater Foundation. I’m proud to call myself a past employee and partner of The Groundwater Foundation. 

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3 Weeks Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

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Anniversary Story: "What Do the Numbers Say?" by Doug Sams

"What Do the Numbers Say?"

by Doug Sams, The Groundwater Foundation

A Groundwater Foundation perspective from the numbers side... 

After 15 plus years in tax and public accounting I decided to try a different career journey; I always enjoyed working with my charitable organization clients and when I saw a job ad for the Groundwater Foundation, I called.

My interview was with Susan Seacrest and Cindy Kreifels.  I don’t remember getting much said in word-wise because Susan was a formidable, energetic force wanting to make sure I started to grasp the importance of our groundwater resources.  Dial up some WOW!  A connection was made because I’ve been the Foundation’s accountant since 2007.

Over the past several months we have all enjoyed the stories and hearing about the impact of the educational programs and other projects of The Groundwater Foundation.  But there are “inside” stories rarely promoted; this is where I’ve had my “fun” (yes, accountants do have fun) working for the Foundation.  It’s been about our commitment to financial transparency for our funders, innovating new processes for more operational efficiency, having eight years of successful independent financial audits, facing the cash flow challenges of economic cycles, collaborating with funders and partners, and much more.

What do the numbers say?  There have been a lot of special folks and financial supporters helping The Groundwater Foundation team provide quality programs over the past 30 years.  A big heartfelt thank you to our supporters!  Let’s start on the next 30 years!

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4 Weeks Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

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Anniversary Story: "Evolving" by William Bieck

"Evolving"
By William Bieck, Certified Golf Course Superintendent, Heritage Hills Golf Course, McCook, Nebraska

Evolving is often described as the gradual development or progression to a more complex or organized state.  In more simplified terms it is “change.”  I have been a golf course superintendent for over 40 years and have seen the golf course industry evolve from the many advances in technology, science, and environmental understanding. It does not matter what profession you are associated with, we all have more knowledge and scientific tools available than ever before that will make us more productive and efficient.

 My “story” begins with a brief journey from my childhood and ends where my beliefs are today concerning our most important resource – water. I grew up in south-central Nebraska on a family farm in the 1960s. Gravity irrigation of row crops was king. Irrigation wells were drilled and land leveled to accept gravity flow. Water was taken for granted and considered an infinite commodity. We drank water directly from the wells without any thought of testing for quality. Nobody gave a second thought about how fertilizers or pesticides could have a negative impact on our underground water supplies. Irrigation discharges at the end of fields filled roadside ditches and eventually provided tributary flows into rivers and streams.  Our farm had a branch of the Big Blue River passing through it that we affectionately called the “sewer creek” (named appropriately because of discharges made into it upstream). It really didn't bother us in that we always fished and swam in the “creek.” We observed turtles, waterfowl, beavers, and muskrats.  I'll always remember the day when I went down to the creek and saw dead fish floating down the river. Something happened!

Fast forward to today. Pivot irrigation is now king. Water is applied much more uniformly and discreetly. Fertilizer and pesticides applications are monitored in such a way to protect our underground water supplies. Roadside ditches are dry with little or no irrigation waters leaving its application site.

My childhood shaped who I am today. I have evolved too. I now realize how our actions today will affect the environment of tomorrow. I am an advocate for the protection and conservation of groundwater. I have become a more skilled spokesman for the golf course industry on a state and national level, serving on numerous committees. That is why I became involved with the Groundwater Guardian Green Site program. I have to admit, when a peer suggested I join the group several years ago, I was highly skeptical. It would have been very easy to ignore the important environmental issues that always seemed to be confronting the golf course industry and let others “fight the fight.” I always considered myself a good environmental steward and was always trying to do the “right” things...so why should I get involved?

After reviewing the Green Site program, it revealed that I was already doing many of their suggested practices. The program would validate the positive things we were already doing. The program is essentially a self-evaluation process. It allows you to assess your facility and make changes at your pace and level of financial commitment. Plus, it provided positive press to local media outlets.  

The Green Site program has also given me the opportunity to network with professionals from other varying fields. It has allowed me to advocate on behalf of our industry and clarify any misconceptions. Often it is the uninformed public that can do irreparable damage. Communicating environmental issues to a “guarded” public will always be one of our greatest challenges. Thus, it is important to combat negative public perception with factual results. I am proud of our industry and feel we are leading the way to a cleaner and better environment. However, it may even be more challenging to convince our elected government officials and regulatory agencies to recognize the impact of their decisions. Our lawmakers must be able to balance environmental sustainability without jeopardizing economic vitality.

Evolution will continue.  Sensible and sustainable actions that produce results will be fundamental to a healthy tomorrow.

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5 Weeks Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

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Anniversary Story: "The Experience is Priceless" by James Burks

"The Experience is Priceless"
by James Burks, President, Senninger Irrigation

James Burks addresses attendees at the
2013 Groundwater Foundation
National Conference.

Get involved, enhance your life…the experience is priceless!

In May of 2009 I was invited to join the board of directors of The Groundwater Foundation. For me this was an opportunity to have a “voice at the table” regarding the utilization of this finite resource so critical to the welfare of the industry I participate in professionally, irrigation. I must shamefully admit that, at least initially, this was my primary motivation for getting involved. The past six years of service have been both a blessing and an education, and I am happy to admit that my motives have become much less self-serving.

Beginning with my first introduction to the Foundation I remain impressed with the organization’s strong reputation for public education through the promotion of responsible scientific data. By serving with The Groundwater Foundation I have seen the issue of water quality protection and resource conservation through the eyes of urban as well as rural water users. Users with an economic stake in protecting this resource as well as those just wanting to be sure that their grandchildren will not need to worry if their water is safe to drink….all coming together with the spirit of collaboration, not controversy.  

One of the greatest personal blessings I have received as a Foundation board member is the friendships with the genuinely caring people associated with the Foundation.  Awesome relationships occur when people’s hearts and hands come together for the purpose of helping others. So many bright and talented people, with varied personal and professional interests, are donating their time to help secure a sustainable supply of clean water for future generations. What a humbling honor, just to witness firsthand the magic that is The Groundwater Foundation.

Happy 30^th Anniversary to The Groundwater Foundation! Please accept my sincere appreciation for including me as a small part of this great journey. You have given me more than I can ever repay through priceless friendships and knowledge. And the best part of it all is… It’s just the beginning!

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6 Weeks Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

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Anniversary Story: "Was it Kismet?" by Jamie Kelley

Was it Kismet?
by Jamie Kelley, Former Groundwater Foundation Program Manager

Jamie Kelley presents at the Nebraska 

Children’s Groundwater Festival, which she also 

attended as a student.

The Groundwater Foundation has seemed to weave in and out of my life since I was young. As a girl in elementary school, the first time I heard of The Groundwater Foundation, or anything about groundwater for that matter, was when my class was invited to attend the Children’s Groundwater Festival. This was a special opportunity, not all classes got to go. It was like we had won the lottery. We arrived to school early that day to get on the bus and traveled to Grand Island. It was a big deal to be spending the day learning about groundwater.

Fast forward to my senior year of high school, I was doing a project for class. My partner and I wanted to find out about local groundwater issues so we interviewed Susan Seacrest, the founder and then president of The Groundwater Foundation. We met at her house and jotted down notes about the importance of motivating others to care for and about groundwater. Her enthusiasm for the cause was invigorating.

The next time The Groundwater Foundation crossed my path was in college. A small sign posted in my advisor, Bob Kuzelka’s, office jumped out to me. The Groundwater Foundation was looking for an intern. Was it fate that all those years ago I attended The Children’s Groundwater Festival and then interviewed Susan for a class project in high school?

Four years of college flew by, interning at The Groundwater Foundation was a huge part of those years. My spring breaks were spent in Grand Island at The Children’s Groundwater Festival, my summers were spent at The Groundwater Foundation office, and my senior thesis was focused on community asset mapping and behavior change, studying Groundwater Guardian Communities. As my college career came to an end, my time with The Groundwater Foundation was just beginning. After I graduated I was offered a full time job with The Groundwater Foundation. The fresh faced young college graduate excited about environmental education and about inspiring others to make a difference gladly accepted the opportunity to continue to work for a great organization.

I spent over 11 years working at The Groundwater Foundation and saw many times how the work being done made a difference. Was it a coincidence that The Groundwater Foundation impacted many lives, just like it had mine? An encounter with a young girl at the Outdoor Adventures in H2O summer camp is just one of these examples. On the first day of camp she arrived wearing a white sweater. We were puzzled by this, the camp’s name pretty clearly explains that we will be outside, going on adventures. So we asked her if she had another shirt, something more comfortable for the hot June day. It was then that she told us that it was not her idea to come to camp, that she did not like nature, and that her mom signed her up. Although she didn’t pretend to be enthused the first day, she came back, and each day she was more adventurous, more willing to dig into the exploration activities. By the end of the week she was having a good time…Success! But then camp was over and summer came to an end. You don’t know what impact those days at camp might have on the young students. Maybe they raise their hand in science class to answer a groundwater related question, maybe they told a parent not to water the lawn as much to conserve groundwater. Usually don’t know the impact. However, this camper’s story continued on to the next year. The first day of camp, there she was, ready, looking forward to the adventures of the week, and not wearing white or a sweater. Not only was she prepared and enthusiastic about the week ahead but she had brought friends along and they too were eager for what was to come.

Her story, my story, maybe its kismet how our lives were changed because of our interaction with The Groundwater Foundation. Maybe enthusiasm is spread through groundwater… No, is not luck or fate or some magic in groundwater. It is a passionate founder, Susan Seacrest, it is successful projects, it is innovative ideas, it is a dedicated and committed staff, board members, and Groundwater Guardians. It is all of these reasons that The Groundwater Foundation reaches so many lives, impacts so many communities, and makes a difference throughout the nation. It was not kismet at all. It is The Groundwater Foundation. 

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8 Weeks Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

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Anniversary Story: "What Nebraska Gave Michigan" by Christine Spitzley

What Nebraska Gave Michigan

by Christine Spitzley, Greater Lansing Area Groundwater Guardian Team, Michigan

I was born and raised in Michigan and am proud to have attended Michigan State University in East Lansing and my decision to live and work in the Great Lakes State has been very rewarding.  Pure Michigan has the longest coastline in the lower 48, where the water is salt and shark free.  We also have a quiet little secret, aquifers, which provide almost half of the state’s drinking water. Underestimated, under looked, and certainly underappreciated, groundwater is vital to our health and economy.

Christine Spitzley poses with the water drop mascot
at a water festival in Michigan.

In 1994, I was four years into my professional career as the Environmental Programs Planner at the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC), and the focus of my job was to provide groundwater education and policy guidance to 78 local units of government in a three county region.  The W.K. Kellogg Foundation had committed over $35 million to its Groundwater Education in Michigan (GEM) Program.  As a grantee, TCRPC focused on educating elected officials, but the long term goal was to expand that to a broader audience so that everyone in mid-Michigan would know, understand and want to protect its groundwater.  GEM provided money to universities, governments, NGO’s, health departments, etc. and emphasized the sharing and dissemination of each grantees successes and challenges.  But all good things come to an end and the mid 1990’s saw the conclusion of the GEM Program.  We had momentum, we had tools, we had success, and we now needed sustainability.

In 1994, sustainability was generally thought of only in financial terms.  Thanks in large part to our education efforts, local communities stepped up and replaced the funding we had been receiving from GEM.  But that was only part of the equation.  We had benefitted greatly from the GEM network and immediately missed the support and camaraderie of like-minded organizations.  We wanted to continue to share our ideas and to glean information and lessons learned from others.

A postcard from Nebraska inviting me to a conference in Washington D.C. to learn about the newly created Groundwater Guardian Program turned out to be the connection we sought to broaden our network of groundwater communities.  Sitting in a hotel meeting room, I saw dozens of people who spent their days working to raise awareness and increase the protection of this valuable resource.  People loaded with creativity, passion, and a commitment to an unseen resource that is frequently misunderstood and mistreated.  Their mission, like mine, was to help educate people so they cared enough about groundwater to change their behaviors.

The Greater Lansing Area was first designated as a Groundwater Guardian Community in 1995.  Our annual application is an opportunity for reflection as we select key projects for recognition.  Through the years, these have included wellhead protection, public awareness campaigns, children’s water festival, college curriculum development, and changes to public policy. The Groundwater Guardian network has also been a valuable source of information when we seek answers to emerging issues. 

The Groundwater Guardian designation provides acknowledgment for the work we do to protect groundwater.  Work that is not a state or federal mandate.  Work our communities are committed to because it’s the right thing to do.  Work that will gift future generations a legacy of safe water.       

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9 Weeks Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

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Anniversary Story: "Internship Changing Behavior" by Melissa Allen

Internship Changing Behavior

by Melisssa Allen, Groundwater Foundation Intern

Hi, my name is Melissa Allen, and I’m the intern here at The Groundwater Foundation. I began this internship with a two-month project of organizing and digitizing the photo archive, which stored an abundance of photos of almost every program, tour, festival and conference since the organization’s founding in 1985.

Through this first project, I acquainted myself with the history and people of The Groundwater Foundation. Through the Groundwater Guardian community networks, Groundwater University, the Children’s Groundwater Festivals – and the list goes on – individuals and communities across the country have worked together to educate the public about the importance of groundwater and its conservation.

The fact is, our environment is rapidly changing, and our uses and needs of water are changing along with it. Linking individuals and communities together to engage in water education is vital for its care and conservation.

I’m excited to be involved with an organization that is working at the forefront of this issue. For myself, I have not always been the most water-conscious person. In fact, I fancy myself as a hot-and-long shower enthusiast. But since joining The Groundwater Foundation as the intern, I have learned so much about the necessity of water for communities of all shapes and sizes. I’ve noticed changes in my own daily behavior that has lessened my water use based off of all that I’m learning here at the Foundation. As I learn more, I become more and more excited to help in the environmental education of my own community to keep our water flowing healthy and strong for generations to come.

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10 Weeks Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

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Anniversary Story: "Learning About AquiFIERS" by Brian Reetz

Learning About AquiFIERS

by Brian Reetz, former Groundwater Foundation Program Coordinator

It’s awesome to see The Groundwater Foundation celebrating such a historic anniversary. It shows the lasting impact that such an amazing organization can have on the local, national, and world scene. I was very fortunate to work for the Foundation for four years. I came into the Foundation with very little knowledge of groundwater and kept soaking it in (recharging, you might say), during the time I was there. I also knew there were a lot of experts in the area to lean on. 

A lot of my time with the Foundation was spent on the road with the Growing Groundwater in Nebraska program. I loved going into different communities across the state and talking about groundwater and how to keep it plentiful for future generations. I made a lot of lifelong friends because of this, who I’m still in contact with even though I’m now at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Glenn Korff School of Music.

In each of those communities there was usually an aspect where I worked with kids, the next generation so to speak. They were always so enthusiastic about learning more about water. We also worked with kids as part of the Outdoor Adventures in H2O Bright Lights camp in Lincoln, and it was here that I got to know Groundwater Foundation staff even more. Jennifer Wemhoff and Jamie Kelley were very kind to me when I started and we continue to have great relationships. They also knew how to keep me humble. During one day of the Outdoor Adventures camp, we did an activity where we made aquifers with ice cream – Edible Aquifers. Jamie and Jennifer thought it would be good for me to lead the activity. I thought, “Sure I’ll give it a whirl.”

Brian Reetz enjoys his Edible AquiFIER with students at 

the Outdoor Adventures in H2O Camp.

“Today, we are going to talk about AquiFIERS,” I said to the kids. My memory is that Jamie and Jennifer both looked at me in stunned silence, then smiled and laughed, and Jennifer said, “Don’t you mean aquiFERS?” “Oh yes, AquiFERS,” I said. AquiFIERS would be a running joke throughout the rest of my time at the Foundation and yet to today. As I said, they kept me humble. I think I rebounded quite quickly, but of course the kids were more consumed in making an ice cream treat that they could soon eat. As for me, it taught me to keep learning and reading about all I could about one of the world’s most important resources. 

During my time with the Foundation, I was proud to help develop the Water1der groundwater awareness app, currently out on the market in the Apple App Store. I think it’s a fun way to engage people in this tech savvy world and it’s been fun to see it continue to grow as well. 

I learned a lot about teamwork while working at the Foundation. Everyone pitched in all different areas to help push the mission forward and I’m so proud to always be a part of that, and can’t wait to see where the next years lead for such a fine organization. 

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11 Weeks Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

30th Anniversary Story Teller Sponsor
Marshfield Utilities

30th Anniversary Story Teller Supporter
National Ground Water Association

Anniversary Story: "No Pressure, Right?" by Anthony Lowndes

No Pressure, Right?

by Anthony Lowdnes, The Groundwater Foundation

I stepped into the role of Program Manager at The Groundwater Foundation in mid-January of 2015, knowing I would face some challenges and pressures. Part of my responsibilities was coordinating a project involving Science Olympiad (SO) and a trial event created by the Foundation, Hydrogeology: Water for the World. The event challenges students, through investigation and computer modeling, to identify potential groundwater management solutions.

I had never been part of SO before, and coordinating the logistics on top of being the event supervisor for a trial event was a full emersion into the world of competitive science. Hydrogeology was set to be a full event in 2016 thanks to the hard work of past staff member Amy Kessner and Groundwater Foundation President Jane Griffin over the last two years; all I had to do was not screw it up. No pressure, right?

Thankfully I was able to practice running the event on a smaller scale at two Regional Tournaments. Both tournaments were small but fiercely competed. On to State Tournaments. With a total of 11 teams competing in Nebraska and many others in Washington, Maryland, California, Utah, Illinois, and Indiana the pressure was on to coordinate all the event supervisors and ensure success to guarantee the National Tournament event would be well attended.

The morning of the National SO Tournament, held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, I still did not have an exact number of competitors.  I knew this would be a bigger, more competitive crowd and I had prepared the event’s test to be much more difficult than any previous. There were a total of 40 teams participating, with almost every state represented. Despite some mild hiccups while getting the event started, I was pleased with the outcome. It was amazing to see so many students engaged in a rigorous, science-based competition! The level of sportsmanship was incredible and I can’t wait to do it all over again next year. There were no changes to the rules and the committee agreed to move the event to full status for the 2016 tournament season!

Find out more about Hydrogeology at http://www.groundwater.org/kids/getinvolved/so/hydro.html. 

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12 Weeks Until the 2015 Groundwater Foundation National Conference and 30th Anniversary Celebration!

30th Anniversary Story Teller Sponsor
Marshfield Utilities

30th Anniversary Story Teller Supporter
National Ground Water Association