WRRC Webinar Features 104(b) Grant Recipients’ Research
Image: Phoenix Spivey
On November 20, recipients of grants from the 104(b) Program presented a WRRC Webinar on two water-related research projects. A team from Arizona State University — Ame Min-Venditti, a PhD student in the School of Sustainability, and Angelina Mann, an undergraduate student double majoring in English (Creative Writing) and Spanish Literature and Culture — presented first. Min-Venditti and Mann explored the cultural and spiritual connections with water of Arizona’s 22 Native Tribes and the sharing of Tribal water stories. Their study included hosting a course on research development and writing support in which students and community members gathered weekly to research, write, and publish opinion pieces (op-eds) in local and Tribal news outlets. This work helps illuminate the stories of members of marginalized communities and the disruption to river systems resulting from urban development. Next, Vanessa Buzzard, a research scientist in the U of A School of Natural Resources and the Environment, presented the work of Phoenix Spivey, a recent U of A Master’s student, on the impact of green infrastructure on soil health and ecosystem function. Spivey’s research included field sampling days that offered opportunities for participation by community members and education on the benefits of rainwater harvesting. In her presentation, Buzzard illustrated the dramatic increase in microbial activity in soil with the introduction of rainwater, which improves nutrient cycling and enzyme activity for improved vegetation growth.
The WRRC provides grants through the 104(b) program to fund student research on regionally relevant water topics. The program, administered by USGS, is open to faculty and researchers at any of Arizona’s three state universities. Applications for the 2025 104(b) grants will be due to the WRRC in early March 2025. Look for an announcement inviting proposals in January.