Designing for Adaptation: a Webinar, 2026

Join us on September 16 from 11:30 AM–1:00 PM MT | 1:30–3:00 PM ET for Designing for Adaptation, a webinar featuring presentations from the three interdisciplinary teams that emerged from the 2026 Field Workshop. Hear what the fellows learned, the questions they encountered, and the ideas they developed around some of the region’s most pressing water and land challenges.

Date: September 16, 2026
Time: 11:30 AM MT | 1:30 PM ET | 90 minutes
Registration: Free webinar. Advance registration required.

In July 2026, 12 fellows worked alongside farmers, water managers, land stewards, conservation practitioners, and community leaders across the San Luis Valley and Taos Plateau to explore what drought adaptation can look like in practice. You can read about the 2026 Field Workshop here.

The webinar will feature presentations from three teams:

Headwaters – Exploring land and forest stewardship strategies to reduce wildfire risk and protect water systems. Presented by Audrey Snyder, Euwan Kim, Kelsey Romero & Stephanie McMorran. In partnership with Jocelyn Catterson, Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust.

Center – Exploring how producers can reduce groundwater use while protecting livelihoods and agricultural identity. Presented by Angie Kaufman, Cameron Blakely, Leah Coe & Noah Silber-Coats. In partnership with Madeline Wilson, Mosca-Hooper Conservation District/Secana Co.

Conejos – Exploring how acequia and ditch systems can adapt to drought while sustaining water sharing and ecological knowledge. Presented by Kethry Soares, Moneer Ba-Ahmad, Xiaodong Yan & Ximena Diaz Velasco. In partnership with Angie Mestas, CSU Extension/Conejos County Conservation District.

Come hear what the fellows learned, the questions they encountered, and the possibilities they identified for adapting to a drier future.

The Designing for Adaptation symposium is supported by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Gates Family Foundation.