Talks

In this talk, Dr. Newman discusses the trajectory of cellular agriculture, a relatively new application of the technology involving injecting yeast with bacteria that forces the yeast to produce protein instead of alcohol. We discuss the feasibility of this method of agriculture, which may require 90% less land, 95% less water, and has 70% less of a carbon footprint than traditionally-raised cattle.

An introduction to common Arizona mosquitoes and discusses the diseases these mosquitos carry; the actions we engage in that encourage problem mosquito populations, like standing water or rain tanks without protected openings; and an explanation of what residents can do to reduce their personal risk of confronting mosquito-borne diseases.

Learn about private land conservation projects along the Whitewater Draw in Cochise County to rebuild and maintain woodland corridors for wildlife use. The restoration of 250 acres of Emory Oak habitat in Smith Canyon near Patagonia, AZ has improved forestland connectivity over 1.75 million acres of national forest land.

After the talk Rain for Plants and People, Cochise County resident Jennifer Lieberts brought up concerns about pecan orchards being planted in Elfrida. Cochise County Supervisor Peggy Judd, who hosted this talk for Growing Healthy Wilcox, encouraged Jennifer to talk about her concerns so Peggy could bring them to the attention of State Legislature.

This workshop presents the basics of groundwater, groundwater basins, and aquifers. It will also help you locate the Arizona Department of Water Quality index wells near you in Arizona to see actual data of water levels in your area. Presenter Mary Ann Capehart was the Community Coordinator of the Water Wise Program, UA Cooperative Extension, Cochise County.

Water and wildlife advocate Tricia Gerrodette, who presents some of the surface and groundwater legislative proposals and legislation in Arizona legislature in 2020 and 2021 and explains the consequences they would have for water conservation and the preservation of waterways and habitat, with a focus on Southeastern Arizona.

About cooperative efforts by the U.S. and Mexico to restore the San Pedro River’s once-flourishing beaver population, which helps restore the flow of the San Pedro by building dams that help slow and infiltrate the flow of water.

Water Wise’s MaryAnn Capehart discusses the basics of rain harvesting systems, a method for considering choosing larger-scale rain harvesting, and information on how to treat rainwater to meet drinking water standards

Dr. Monica Ramirez-Andreotta, UArizona assistant professor of Soil, Water and Environmental Science (SWES) explains the work of her lab and of promotoras, or citizen scientists, who surveyed the quality of harvested rainwater by collecting environmental samples from residential, school, and community gardens irrigated by harvested rainwater.