Greetings Groundwater Enthusiasts!
I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying the epic battle between winter and warmth this spring. I happen to love winter, and it’s always a little sad to see the snow and cold fade—but after the mud dries up, I’m grateful for the chance to spend more time outdoors in warm weather, too.
I began my term as MGWA president about two and a half months ago, and the Board and I are busily planning the spring conference and other opportunities for members to gather, learn, and connect. This year’s conference theme is groundwater age, and we received an excellent set of abstracts—so get ready for some informative and engaging sessions! My hope is that the conference sparks in‑depth conversations about technical approaches to estimating groundwater age, how age information supports groundwater resource management, and how we communicate about slow-moving things. Change occurring over decades is particularly challenging to convey in a world where so much happens at the speed of the internet.
Building on the work of the previous Board, we have also been focusing on increasing student involvement in MGWA. To support that goal, we created opportunities for students to showcase their work through lightning talks and posters at the spring conference. Great news: we received several submissions! Please be intentional about welcoming and connecting with these up‑and‑coming professionals at the spring conference.
The hard work of the Board over the past two years—restructuring, implementing administrative changes, and upgrading operational systems—is paying off. We are only beginning to realize the potential of the new structure and leadership. The fact that we are pulling together a conference in just four months is a testament to all the groundwork laid before my term began.
There are always new ideas to explore. Please feel free to share suggestions for conference themes, gatherings, events, learning opportunities, or anything groundwater‑related with me or any Board member. Help us shape the future of MGWA during this exciting time!
Respectfully,
Jared Trost, MGWA President
MGWA is committed to developing a just, equitable, and inclusive groundwater community. Click on the button below to read MGWA’s full diversity statement.
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