ADMINISTRATIVE NEWS:
We had discussed having an administrative retreat August 23-24 in Tucson. That will not work, so we are looking to bring the CEDs/Department Heads/School Directors/Ag Center Directors for an administrative retreat in Tucson, January 3-4, 2008. Please hold these dates. Also remember, the V-V is holding its annual Ranch Explorers Day on August 25 in Mahan Park (near Happy Jack). It is a great experience.
FOCUS ON FACULTY:
- Congratulations to Kristine Uhlman (Area Assistant Agent, Water Resources Research Center & Pima County) who was reappointed by Governor Napolitano for another three-year term to the Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission. The Water Protection Fund provides grant money to implement projects and research to protect Arizona's riparian areas.
- Congratulations to Kai Umeda who was appointed to the AZ Invasive Species Advisory Council representing the UA and Ed Northam who was also appointed representing the Weed Management Associations.
- Congratulations Beth Tucker who received a 2007 4-H Families Count: Family Strengthening Award for Arizonas Kinship Care of Northern Arizona program.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS:
As of July 1, 2007, the maximum eligibility amount available from our Professional Development Funds will increase from $750 to $1,000. These funds are available to faculty with 100% Extension appointments, with the amount being adjusted based on the Extension appointment percentage. These funds are to be used to support the professional career development through attendance or training for specific educational experiences or materials or professional meetings/events. While we have had to cut funding in other areas (e.g., Enhancement Grants), this area seems to be a priority for all faculty and Extension Administration.
WORKING GROUPS AND STATE INITIATIVES:
Funded proposals for Working Groups and State Initiatives for FY 2007-08 are located at http://cals.arizona.edu/internal/programs/index.html.
WEB CASTING PRESENTATIONS:
The remaining Web casting presentations for the Maricopa County Extension Director position, titled The Vision for Extension in Maricopa County: Short Term and Long Term will be as follows: Sharon Hoelscher-Day , July 16 , 3:00-3:45pm and Monica Pastor , July 9 , 11:15-12:00pm. We are also in the process of scheduling a presentation for Buddy Borden (from Nevada). All presentations can be viewed at http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/webcasts.html using Internet Explorer (NOT Netscape) and Windows Media Player. For more information or questions, contact Glenda Thompson (520.621.3621).
UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES:
- The SmartScape Program is hosting a 6-series informative half-hour television show through Tucson Access Television's program, Tucson Vision. Water conservation topics including local and statewide efforts (June), Xeriscape Turf and Drip Irrigation (July), and Water Quality and Rain Water Harvesting (August) will be presented by UA Extension and SmartScape/WaterSmart Instructors. Running June 9 through August 23 , these cable television programs will air on Saturdays at 5:30pm and Thursdays at 7:30pm on Access Tucson Channels (99/Cox and 74/Comcast). A full list of programs and dates are provided on the SmartScape website at http://www.ag.arizona.edu/pima/smartscape. For questions or more information, contact Kathryn Hahne, SmartScape Program Coordinator (520.626.5161).
- From July 18-20 , Family, Youth & Community (FYIC) will conduct a special meeting designed to better understand the theoretical history of youth programs, including 4-H, and the current research that supports this work. Guest speakers will be Drs. Dale Blyth and Joyce Walker of the University of Minnesota, Center for 4-H and Community Youth Development, who will discuss current work of scholars such as Reed Larson and Rich Lerner. Dr. Walker has been actively involved in the work that Reed Larson is doing around dilemmas that youth workers face when working with young people. This will be a working session offering time for learning and discussions. The meeting will begin at 10:00am on July 18 and conclude at 12:00 noon on July 20. You can contact any FYC Scholar or Lynne Borden with any questions and Lynne Borden to register. Registration deadline is July 9.
- The Fourth Symposium on Southwest Hydrometeorology will take place on September 20-21 at the Tucson Hilton East Hotel. The event will provide a forum to discuss and present research issues associated with mid-latitude, subtropical, and tropical weather systems that affect the Southwest United States, and to discuss the impact of these systems on hydrologic systems. Since the Third Symposium in 2002, there have been considerable advances in both hydrologic and meteorological science; these advances have created a foundation for a much closer relationship between these disciplines. Extensive, ongoing research is underway through the North American Monsoon Experiment. Deterministic, ensemble and probabilistic forecasting has advanced. Close working relationships across academic, government and private sectors have opened new areas of investigation to address questions on how to add value to both weather and water forecasts. This symposium seeks to strengthen these relationships and continue to advance our understanding of the complex weather and hydrologic forecast issues in the Southwest U.S. For more information, visit the workshop Web site at http://www.atmo.arizona.edu/swhs/.