Amidst the ongoing severe drought in Arizona, a new exhibition at Northern Arizona University is shedding light on the state’s pressing water crisis. This unique exhibit combines art and educational panels to explore how Arizonans can secure their water future.
Lucero Radonic, an environmental anthropologist at NAU, shares insights on the exhibit titled “Our Water: Innovations and Collaborations in Arizona.” Radonic explains, “The idea is to see how can we live in this landscape, how our ancestors lived in this landscape in productive ways.”
This collaborative initiative involves NAU, Arizona State University, and the governor’s office’s water insecurity project, which uses art to portray relationships with water in the Colorado Plateau region. It showcases historical Tohono O’odham irrigation techniques alongside the modern-day challenges faced by Navajo, Hopi, and border communities lacking piped water.
The exhibition also examines the impact of artificial intelligence on water consumption and suggests ways to adopt more sustainable practices in AI usage. Additionally, a collaborative effort between local residents, nonprofits, and the state to monitor and restore the Rio de Flag is highlighted, showcasing a community-driven approach to ecological conservation.
Radonic emphasizes the need for collective action, stating, “How can we work with others to advance water security, not only for humans, but also for non-humans?” She hopes the exhibit will inspire visitors to recognize the challenges and possibilities for achieving water security in Arizona.
The showcase will remain open to the public at the NAU School of Communications gallery until June 19, with visiting hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
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