Professor and Program Director
Utah State University
Bio:
Joanna Endter-Wada is Professor of Natural Resource Policy and Social Science in the Department of Environment & Society at Utah State University. Her research and Extension work focuses on water policy, urban landscape water use and conservation, the Great Salt Lake and its wetlands, the integration of land and water in planning, and the human dimensions of drought and climate change. She is a member of a project team working with the Division of Water Resources to bring the Growing Water Smart workshops to Utah and a member of the Great Salt Lake Strike Team.
Title: Promoting Water-Smart Growth Strategies to Help Preserve Great Salt Lake
Abstract: Land use change associated with population growth and economic development occurring upstream have significant long-term implications for Great Salt Lake. Establishing new water expectations, habits and use patterns is critical for altering the trajectory of water demand associated with growth in urban areas of the Great Salt Lake Watershed. Learn how integrating land use and water planning at local government levels and promoting water-smart growth strategies can reduce future urban water demand. This approach entails embedding water efficiency in patterns of new growth as a necessary counterpart to investments in conservation measures within existing areas, and has the potential to help communities achieve water neutral growth. Other strategies, tools and resources are available to help local communities grow water smart and to align economic considerations with needed policy change to benefit Great Salt Lake.