The Town of Taos announced the launch of the Water Leadership Institute (WLI) in collaboration with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC), he University of New Mexico (UNM) Taos, and  the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) on July 14. The program aims to address water scarcity by fostering new teams of leaders and activists according to a press release by the Town of Taos.

“Water scarcity is a community problem that requires new teams of leaders and activists to solve,” Umida AG CEO Joseph Gallegos said, according to the press release.

The Water Leadership Institute (WLI) has been launched in Taos, New Mexico, through a collaboration between the  RCAC, UNM Taos, and NMED. The WLI program is scheduled to be held at the Taos UNM Campus from August to November 2023 according to the press release.

“The Leadership Institute is a great place to develop leadership skills and gain deep water knowledge to play a more active role in solving water problems and building a better future for your community," Gallegos, a 2021 graduate of the Water Leadership Institute and entrepreneur said, according to the press release.

Starting on August 11, the WLI will conduct four no-cost sessions, providing a distinctive platform for the water community, including board members, water operators, office staff, parciantes, and managers, to collaborate, according to the release. The program aims to address challenges and find solutions relevant to local water providers, while also enhancing participants' personal leadership skills. The sessions will involve in-depth discussions led by experts covering a range of water-related subjects, including national and state water policies such as the Lead and Copper Rule and PFAS, the State Water Plan, funding opportunities, asset management, advocacy, and conflict resolution.

The Water Leadership Institute Workshop Series is scheduled to take place one weekend per month from Aug. 11 to Nov. 3, 2023. No prior water management or leadership experience is necessary to participate; the only prerequisites are a full commitment to attending all the sessions and a strong desire to contribute to the community. Attendees will have the opportunity to earn Operator Credits and Board Member credits by participating in the WLI according to a press release by the Town of Taos.