NewsDrop-June-2025

EAA OUTREACH

By: Nikki Young EAA Senior Community Engagement Administrator

29 YEARS OF OUTREACH HAS BUILT A CULTURE OF CONSERVATION HOW

TELL, SHOW, SHARE.

At the Edwards Aquifer Authority, science drives our mission — but it’s storytelling that brings it to life. Now in its 29th year, the EAA has evolved far beyond regulatory oversight. Through dynamic outreach programs — ranging from classroom visits to community events — our agency is building aquifer awareness that’s engaging, enduring, and essential to long-term sustainability.

“Every interaction is a chance to build understanding — and that awareness builds stewardship.” Michael De La Garza, Executive Director of Communications and Development

lecture halls. These engagements spark curiosity, reinforce water literacy, and help shape future stew ards of the aquifer. Flagship events like the Edwards Aquifer Summit and the Public Office Candidate Information Session offer something rare: direct dialogue between our leadership and the public. These gatherings allow policymakers, elected officials, and emerging community leaders to hear from our scientists and staff firsthand— creating space for transparency, trust-building, and meaningful engagement.

The challenges of drought, climate shifts, and growing demand make these exchanges more important than ever. EAA’s work is rooted in science, driven by ser vice, and brought to life through community-focused communication—helping people understand not just how the aquifer works, but why its protection matters. Partnerships and sponsorships further amplify our mission. Whether we’re supporting trail runs, eco-fo cused fundraising and awareness events, or educa tional initiatives that foster S.T.E.A.M. learning and environmental responsibility, we show up not just to participate, but to connect in meaningful ways.

“Our outreach is strongest when we’re embedded in the communities we serve,” De La Garza added. “When we collaborate with others who care about sustainability, aquifer awareness becomes part of a much larger movement.” Our outreach toolkit includes the Recharge Zone podcast, which explores the unique nature of the Edwards Aquifer and the people behind its protection; Aquifer In-Sight , our YouTube-based news maga zine program; and dynamic social media storytelling that brings the aquifer to life in real time. And through features like this one in NewsDrop , we continue to share timely stories that inform and inspire.

We also engage the public directly through new initia tives like our Rooted in Saving Water Calendar Photo Contest — encouraging residents to share their drought-smart practices and water-saving solu tions through inspiring images. But while these tools help us tell our story, it’s the people we connect with who keep the story going. Every student who asks a question, every resident who shares a post, every leader who walks away with a deeper understanding—each one becomes a story teller in their own right. As awareness of the aquifer grows, so does a shared commitment to its protec tion. Because safeguarding the aquifer isn’t just our responsibility—it’s everyone’s. And together, we’re

building a culture of conservation that reaches far beyond a single message or event.

As we celebrate 29 years of science and service, we reflect with pride on how far we’ve come—but more importantly, we look ahead with intention. The story of the aquifer is still being written, and every connection we make helps shape its next chapter. With each new voice that joins the effort, awareness deepens, and the responsibility to protect this vital resource becomes more widely shared. Here’s to the storytellers —past, present, and future—who will continue to honor and safeguard the aquifer for gen erations to come.

From tablings at resource fairs to hosting drive through plant pickup events, our outreach efforts offer more than just information. They create moments of meaning — opportunities for people to connect with the aquifer and see themselves in its story. Our Speaker’s Bureau program continues to be a vital tool, connecting EAA experts with students of all ages — from elementary classrooms to university

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