Water is crucial for many rural communities. Yet, with increasing drought conditions across the U.S., consistent access to this life-giving resource is becoming harder. Amidst such challenges, most research for climate resilience has urban areas in the spotlight. But the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Rural Prosperity Nebraska initiative and Oklahoma State University aim to shift this focus.
Thanks to a new award from the National Science Foundation, these researchers have initiated the Rural Confluence project. This effort is designed to directly tackle climate-related challenges in rural regions.
Mary Emery, the director of Rural Prosperity Nebraska, shared that while this year hasn't been the harshest in terms of drought, it’s essential to be ready. By enhancing our understanding of climate extremes and resilience measures, the project hopes to better equip Nebraska communities for the future.
Tyson Ochsner professor of plant and soil sciences at from Oklahoma State, emphasized the importance of the project's name, Rural Confluence. It signifies the merging of ideas and communities, much like rivers, with water being a central theme.
This initiative isn't a solo act. It's a joint venture that includes Oklahoma State, Rural Prosperity Nebraska, Louisiana State University's Gulf Scholars Program, Western Oklahoma State College, and Northern Oklahoma College.
Ochsner highlighted the importance of water resources in climate change discussions, aiming to bridge the gap between rural areas and the scientific community. By identifying solutions, the team can benefit local communities and provide actionable insights for global rural communities.
Photo Credit: environmental-protection-agency
Categories: Nebraska, General