Growing Arizona: Water for the Future with Sarah Porter

Water has played a vital role in the long history of thriving agriculture in Arizona. For generations, agricultural production was the linchpin of the state’s economy, and cotton, cattle and citrus production had a significant influence on how Arizona communities grew. Water continues to support farming, ranching, and more recently, urban population growth. As Arizona adjusts to a hotter and drier climate, what is the future of water for agriculture and urban communities? Can Arizona continue to grow with increased competition for water and shrinking resources? How can we grow and sustain water resources? Join us for an important conversation about water, growth, and our future.

This program is cohosted by Phoenix Public Library. This is an in-person event.

Please be advised that we do not record the conversations in Frank Talks programs. We ask that all participants respect this rule. You participate at your own risk, and agree to hold harmless Arizona Humanities and the State Library.

Sarah Porter is Director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy. The Kyl Center promotes research, analysis, collaboration, and open dialogue to build consensus in support of sound water stewardship solutions for Arizona and the West. Before leading the Kyl Center, Porter served as the Arizona state director of the National Audubon Society and led the Western Rivers project, a multi-state initiative to protect and restore important river habitats in the Intermountain West. As deputy directory of Audubon Arizona, Porter was a key team member in the effort to launch the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, a nature education center located in a restored riparian habitat in South Phoenix. She is a member of the Governor’s Water Augmentation, Innovation and Conservation Council and Phoenix’s Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission.