Integrating Water Research, Outreach, and Teaching in the Northern Plains and Mountains Region

Water is a defining element in both economic and environmental terms in the Northern Plains and Mountains Region (NPM). Its presence (or lack of) impacts local and regional economies, as well as the value and appearance of the natural environment. New demands on natural resources, increasing growth, and changes in agricultural production methods require new responses in water resource management. Therefore, management of water quantity and quality is a high priority within the Region. The NPM Regional Water Program integrates research, education, and extension programs to develop and deliver knowledge-based programs addressing protection and improvement of water resources. Program objectives engage issues such as: Watershed Monitoring and Management; Agricultural Water Conservation and Protection; Drinking Water - Human and Livestock Health; and BMP Development, Training, and Assessment. Regional efforts to integrate research, education, and extension include: -Provide tools and training to improve assessment of health and management of watersheds, including restoring and protecting water quality for multiple benefits. - Empower agricultural water users to maximize water use efficiency, conserve irrigation water, and minimize adverse impacts of irrigation and other water management practices to the environment. - Enhance the capacity of agricultural consultants, educators, policy-makers, and other professionals to advise and educate water users regarding best management practices (BMP) applicable to agricultural water conservation. - Develop, promote the use of, and evaluate extension-outreach programs, educational tools and resources addressing human and livestock drinking water quality, irrigation water suitability, and functionality and maintenance of on-site septic systems. - Foster adoption of monitoring and management practices that improve drinking water quality, minimize exposure of humans, livestock, and soils to impaired water quality, and reduce undesirable interactions between private drinking water supplies and domestic wastewater treatment systems. - Develop and coordinate water quality activities that increase BMP adoption and produce measurable water quality improvements. Category: Committee for Shared Leadership Type of Presentation: Poster Presentation