From attempting to agree on dinner as a family, to leading an unproductive team meeting, trying to make group decisions is a scenario every one of us is challenged with. Collaborating in a way where all parties can actively participate while feeling seen and heard supports a healthy work environment, promotes interdisciplinary solutions, and encourages adaptability.

My name is Matthew Jensen. I’m the River Run Network Intern with Watershed Management Group here in Tucson. Every day, I wake up, I go to class, go to work, and live my life. Every day, I drink lots of water because everyone needs water to live.

The Arizona Initiative for Resilience and Development, or AIRID, connects university researchers with communities, countries and other research partners to develop solutions and build resilience to global stresses such as climate change, COVID-19, and the rising cost of food and fertilizer due to the war in Ukraine, to name a few.

Q: What’s better than one program that supports diverse students in developing as environmental professionals?

A: THREE programs that support diverse students in their development as environmental professionals, gathered together on a late fall afternoon in Tucson, having a picnic!

Earlier this month, Earth Grant intern Maria Mata Robles traveled to Albuquerque, NM with her Earth Grant internship mentors at Southwest Decision Resources (SDR) for the 2022 Southwest Adaptation Forum (SWAF), an event planned by SDR in collaboration with Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center and several other organizations. She spent three days there, engaging in meaningful conversations about desert adaptation and gaining valuable experiences in conference facilitation.

Karletta Chief, University of Arizona Distinguished Professor and Extension Specialist and Director of the AIRES Indigenous Resilience Center, was honored with a Wings WorldQuest 2022 Women of Discovery Award today in New York City, New York. She joined four other unique and impactful women in receiving this year's award.

We're thrilled to have one of last year's student cohort members, Lexis Meza, join our educational team this year as the Earth Grant Program Assistant. As Program Assistant, Lexis is co-facilitating leadership development workshops, managing our social media, and supporting outreach activities.