DWFI leverages the expertise of the University of Nebraska and extends it with strong state, national and international partnerships. To foster these relationships and build new strategic partnerships, the DWFI team attends industry conferences, participates in international meetings and accepts speaker invitations as their capacity allows. The following are some of the key conferences, events and meetings attended by DWFI staff over the past year.
World Water Week - August 21-24, 2023 - Stockholm, Sweden
World Water Week is a leading conference on global water issues, held every year since 1991. World Water Week attracts a diverse mix of participants to develop solutions to the world’s greatest water-related challenges. At this year’s World Water Week, DWFI met with strategic partners, engaged with new potential collaborators and participated in five different sessions with partners that included the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR), Netafim, the International Water Management Institute, the World Water Forum and the National Drought Mitigation Center.
StartUp Africa Innovation Olympiad - August 28 - September 2, 2023 - Accra, Ghana
DWFI Program Consultant Grace Mukagusara served as a panel judge for the StartUp Africa Innovation Olympiads. StartUp Africa is a real-world business concept competition, where students work in teams to conceive and test ideas for new business enterprises. With a theme of “Innovating Solutions for the 21st Century,” StartUpAfrica Innovation Olympiads provides students with an outstanding opportunity to acquire valuable knowledge and skills. Top national teams advance to a continental-wide competition to compete for funding that can be used to launch their proposed business.
World Water Council 84th Board of Governors meeting - September 9, 2023 - Beijing, China
DWFI Executive Director Peter McCornick attended the World Water Council's (WWC's) 84th Board of Governors meeting. McCornick is an elected member of the council’s board of governors and DWFI supported planning of the World Water Forum held in May 2024, the largest international gathering in the water sector which is co-hosted by the council.
IWRA World Water Congress - September 11-15, 2023 - Beijing, China
The XVIII International Water Resources Association (IWRA) World Water Congress is one of the world's largest congresses linking water policy makers, researchers and policy practitioners. During the Congress, heads of international organizations, high level government officials, experts, scholars, entrepreneurs and economists from all over the world share their knowledge, experience and practice regarding a wide range of topics related to water. DWFI Executive Director Peter McCornick attended the Congress following the WWC Board of Governors meeting.
INOVAGRI International Meeting and XXXII Brazilian Congress of Irrigation and Drainage (CONIRD) - September 13-15, 2023 - Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
DWFI Director of Research Christopher Neale was an invited speaker as an expert in new technology in irrigation at the INOVAGRI International Meeting, one of the largest scientific events in Brazil, with a focus on irrigation and the rational use of water in agriculture. The event also coincided with the XXXII Brazilian Congress of Irrigation and Drainage (CONIRD). DWFI Faculty Fellows Patricio Grassini, Daran Rudnick and Chris Proctor were also invited speakers at the event.
Nebraska Natural Resources Districts Annual Conference - September 25-26, 2023 - Kearney, Nebraska
DWFI participated in and hosted a booth at the Nebraska Natural Resources Districts (NRD) Annual Conference. Both the institute and the Nebraska Water Center work closely with NRDs in research and policy projects. NRDs are unique local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect Nebraska's natural resources. Major Nebraska river basins form the boundaries, enabling districts to respond best to local needs. Elected boards of directors govern districts and much of the funding comes from local property taxes.
DWFI Fall Welcome and Strategic Planning Retreat - September 20, 2023 - Lincoln, Nebraska
DWFI hosted a fall welcome event ushering DWFI supported students into their fall semester at the University of Nebraska. The event included an introduction to DWFI’s mission, an overview of DWFI’s significant research impacts and outputs and a moderated panel with industry experts from Lindsay Corporation, the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and DWFI.
Nebraska Water Conference - October 3-4, 2023 - Omaha, Nebraska
The 2023 Nebraska Water Conference, “Managing water resources in urban Nebraska: learning from the past to prepare for the future,” was hosted by the Nebraska Water Center (NWC) brought together global researchers, engineers, and water professionals to discuss crucial water issues in Nebraska’s cities. The conference featured expert panelists and speakers that discussed current natural resource challenges faced by Lincoln and Omaha while providing advice on the future of water management in eastern Nebraska. Attendees also toured a water treatment plant, as well as urban water and flood management projects. Planning is underway for the 2024 Nebraska Water Conference in Lincoln, Nebraska, October 9-10, 2024.
Rome Water Dialogues - October 4-5, 2023 - Rome, Italy
DWFI Director of Water, Climate and Health Jesse Bell spoke at the 2023 Rome Water Dialogue on water pollution risks and risk mitigation. DWFI International Advisory Panel member Rachel McDonnell, Deputy Director General of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), spoke in the same session on the topic of "One Water, One Health, One Planet." The Dialogue fosters collective implementation of FAO’s eight commitments to the UN 2023 Water Conference and raises awareness on the interlinkages, synergies and holistic solutions relating water to soils, land, climate change, biodiversity, fisheries, forestry, agriculture, food security and nutrition.
World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue - October 24-26, 2023 - Des Moines, Iowa
DWFI Executive Director Peter McCornick, Director of Research Christopher Neale, and members of the communications team Amber Poythress and Arianna Elnes attended the 2023 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue. The event, also known as the "Borlaug Dialogue," brings together individuals from more than 65 countries to address cutting-edge issues related to global food security and nutrition. The DWFI team participated in a main stage presentation on agricultural solutions for food and water security and hosted an exhibitor booth. Additionally, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced its selection of DWFI to lead its new Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Irrigation and Mechanization Systems (ILIMS).
Nebraska Natural Resources Districts Legislative Conference - January 23-24, 2024 - Lincoln, Nebraska
DWFI and the Nebraska Water Center (NWC) participated in the 2024 Nebraska Natural Resources Districts (NRD) Legislative Conference and served as a conference sponsor. DWFI staff presented in several conference sessions and hosted other university administrators and faculty to grow their relationships with Nebraska water managers. Connecting with NRD elected officials and staff, other state and local agencies, and supporting private companies is a hallmark of this event.
NASA Workshop on Midwest climate resilience - February 26-28, 2024 - Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska
UNMC and DWFI’s Water, Climate and Health Program co-hosted a regional workshop with NASA and the UNL School of Natural Resources titled "Harnessing the Heartland: Utilizing Earth Observation Data for Improved Environmental Health." Environmental public health experts from across the Midwest and the University of Nebraska System discussed current research, projects, and opportunities to collaborate in environmental public health in the areas of air quality, natural disaster preparedness and extreme heat. Another NASA-funded workshop for public health professionals on drought and human health is being planned for Fall 2024.
Nebraska Water Center Spring Seminar Series - Spring 2024 - Lincoln, Nebraska
The Nebraska Water Center (NWC), part of DWFI, in partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s School of Natural Resources, again hosted its annual Spring Water Seminar Series. The 2024 series considered water, wildlife, and livestock in Nebraska and beyond. Speakers from across the country considered how water quality and quantity impact livestock health and production, as well as wildlife habitat and endangered species.
Ogallala Aquifer Summit - March 18, 2024 - Liberal, Kansas
More than 200 policymakers, researchers, farmers and educators from eight states gathered in rural Kansas for the Ogallala Aquifer Summit to discuss challenges to the future water availability and safety of the region’s water. The Ogallala Aquifer, also known as the High Plains Aquifer system, covers portions of eight states and is the main source of irrigation and drinking water for much of the region. The Nebraska Water Center (NWC) co-sponsored the summit and Crystal Powers, NWC Extension Educator, served as a discussion facilitator. Renata Rimšaitė, a senior program manager at DWFI, presented on a panel titled "Understanding Ogallala Region Cross-Cutting Risk: Water Climate and the Economy.” This year’s summit builds on work established through the Ogallala CAP, of which NWC was a founding member.
Nebraska Women in STEM Conference - April 4, 2024 - La Vista, Nebraska
DWFI staff members Amber Poythress, Arianna Elnes and Frances Hayes attended and hosted a booth at the Nebraska Women in STEM Conference, which provides professional development opportunities for women in STEM careers across Nebraska. Many great connections were made with University of Nebraska colleagues and students, as well as industry partners.
Water for Food Research Forum - April 17, 2024 - Lincoln, Nebraska
DWFI hosted its annual Water for Food Research Forum, which showcases research from DWFI supported students and their Faculty Fellow mentors. With projects ranging in applications for high productivity agriculture, smallholder farming, and water quality, the students are addressing questions around how we can produce more food for a growing population with less pressure on our water resources. In addition to presentations and posters describing the students research, the event also included a panel showing potential careers future graduates could have outside of an academic setting and the pathways to get there. Immediately following the event, DWFI hosted a networking event leading into the Nebraska Water Center's Spring Seminar Series held at Hardin Hall on East Campus.
FAO Meeting in Rome - April 29-30, 2024
DWFI participated in the “Towards a High-Level Dialogue on the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG) Technical Preparatory Meeting,” hosted in Rome by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The objective was to engage FAO Member Countries to enhance collaboration, increase commitments and agree on maximizing WASAG’s impact going forward. As part of this event, DWFI collaborated with USDA-FAS, the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome, and other partners, including hosting a side session to showcase U.S. capacities.
World Water Forum - May 20-24, 2024 - Bali, Indonesia
DWFI played a key role in shaping the 10th World Water Forum, with a goal of ensuring that water for food was a key focus throughout the event. In total, DWFI experts participated in more than 12 sessions and events during the World Water Forum, including leading the “Water for Food and Agriculture” topic and hosting sessions at the Nature Hub Pavilion (which DWFI supported as a core partner) and the World Water Council Pavilion.
Nebraska Water Center Water and Natural Resources Tour - June 17-18, 2024 - Tecumseh and Nebraska City, Nebraska
The 2024 Water and Natural Resources Tour, “Discovering southeast Nebraska,” took industry experts to explore water practices in the region. Hosted by the Nebraska Water Center and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, the Tour featured projects and challenges faced by the Nemaha Natural Resources District, water use in orchards, second source water projects, water treatment, and more. DWFI served as a tour sponsor. The 2025 Water and Natural Resources Tour celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Tour and will be hosted in Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding areas.
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