Open AccessOne World One Water Center for Urban Water Education and Stewardship
Author(s) -
Haynes Sandra,
Cech Thomas V.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of contemporary water research and education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1936-704X
pISSN - 1936-7031
DOI - 10.1111/j.1936-704x.2015.03202.x
Subject(s) - outreach , stewardship (theology) , internship , center (category theory) , metropolitan area , political science , library science , public relations , politics , public administration , sociology , engineering , geography , law , archaeology , chemistry , crystallography , computer science
The One World One Water Center for Urban Water Education and Stewardship (O'WOW Center) at Metropolitan State University of Denver is an innovative program designed to educate students and others about the important role of water in Colorado's economy and environment. The Center was created in 2011 with a $1 million donation to develop “urban water stewards” from diverse backgrounds and a wide range of disciplines. Students who study hydrology, history, politics, biology, water law, psychology, theater, art, geography, environmental science, chemistry, conflict resolution and negotiation, and other disciplines will be guided toward internships, careers, and volunteer opportunities to help shape new solutions for local and statewide water issues. To date, approximately 6,000 people have been directly reached by the O'WOW Center during the first four years of operation with potentially thousands of others reached indirectly. Outreach activities have included water festivals, water summits, author talks, seminars, media events and field trips. This paper illustrates the need for the O'WOW Center and presents information regarding MSU Denver, the Pilot Project and how the Center was created. The new Water Studies minor and Water Studies Certificate, fundraising and other current projects of O'WOW are described. Finally, the paper explores successes and challenges experienced by the faculty and staff of the O'WOW Center.