The Flagstaff chapter is pleased to announce that it has selected the Charles Avery Intern Scholar for 2024.
Heather has strong passion to continue her academic and professional career path towards work in the hydrological sciences. Knowing the shortage of and need for water resources professionals in Arizona and the Southwest, she is hoping to develop a career in the water resources of the Southwest Region.
Heathers first bachelor’s degree was in art education. A former high school art educator, she pursued a career in education for 5 years. However, seeing the growing need for developing environmental solutions to increasing natural resource issues, Heather felt her skills and passion would be better served by pursuing of additional studies in hydrology and water resources. She will achieve that goal by graduating from NAU in fall 2024 with a B.S. in geology.
While pursuing her degree, Heather has worked as a water resource technician for the City of Flagstaff, collecting field GIS data, creating hydrographs in Excel, and providing support for well assessment projects. She also attended WULF meetings with City staff to gain a broader perspective on the water needs of Arizona. Heather was the lead presenter, along with the director of water services and water production staff, providing updates about the city’s wells and ways to better conserve Flagstaff’s aquifers long term. These mentors have shown Heather that the science world needs more passionate women who want to see positive change in the hydrologic sciences.
Heather is now especially interested to learn more about surficial hydrologic processes and how they impact and influence watershed. She hopes that by working with hosts like the USGS, Natural Channel Design, and the Sustainable Springs Institutes, she will gain insight and work experience in surface water processes.