Water Wonks Hour: Online Monthly Lecture Series
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance is pleased to introduce our 2025 Water Wonks Lecture Series. Water Wonks will feature a host of experts sharing innovative ideas and details about their work in the world of water. The series is a free community education opportunity.
2025 Water Wonks Hour Lecture Series Topics
Lecture #1: Wednesday January 22nd | 3:30pm CST
The History of flooding. The Edwards Plateau: Land Water and Development. Presented by Char Miller (Pomona College W.M. Keck Professor of Environmental Analysis and History).
Lecture #2: Wednesday February 26th | 3:30pm CST
The values of the Net Zero Water concept and how it integrates with the adoption of the One Water Framework across Texas. Presented by Chandler Crouch (Texas Water Trade Net Zero Water Engineer).
Lecture #3: Wednesday March 26th | 3:30pm CST
Opportunities in Local Policy: What GCDs, Counties, Cities, and HOA Boards Can Do to Protect Groundwater. Presented by Marisa Bruno (Hill Country Alliance Water Program Manager).
Lecture #4: Wednesday April 23rd | 3:30pm CST
Overview of research and policy proposal completed over the course of GEAA Earthshare Texas Fellowship. Presented By: Javier Lopez (Earthshare Green Leaders Fellow).
Lecture #5: Wednesday May 28th | 3:30pm CST
"The Future of Water in the Hill Country." Presented By: Robert E. Mace, Ph.D., P.G. The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment Department of Geography and Environmental Studies Texas State University
Lecture #6: Wednesday June 25th | 3:30pm CST
"The 2025 Legislative Session: What we've learned, what can we do next?" Presented by Rachel Hanes - Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance Policy Director.
Lecture #7: Wednesday July 23rd | 3:30pm CST
2D modeling processes for predictive flooding risks. Presented by Daniel Perry Ecological Engineer - San Antonio River Authority.
Lecture #8: Wednesday Aug 27th | 3:30pm CST
“Smarter Writing, Faster Research: Using AI for Water Work”. Presented by Roxanna Deane, President Comal Conservation.
Lecture #9: Wednesday Sept 24th | 3:30pm CST
Low Impact Development and Nature Based Solutions for Watershed Protection. Presented by Mikel Wilkins PE Senior Engineer - San Antonio River Authority.
Lecture #10: Wednesday Oct 22nd | 3:30pm CST
"Soil carbon analysis process, the USDA 2014 soil carbon survey, working with urban areas and the San Antonio baseline soil carbon data - where do we go from here?" Presented by Travis Waiser MLRA (Major Land Resource Area) Soil Survey Leader at U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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Lecture #3:
Opportunities in Local Policy: What GCD's, Counties, Cities, and HOA Boards Can Do to Protect Groundwater
Wednesday, March 26th at 3:30pm CST
Hill Country Alliance | Water Program Manager
Synopsis: With the Legislature in session, many water wonks are focused on state water policy at the capital. While there’s no denying the importance of state investment and focus on our growing water challenges, there is also a lot that can be done at the local level to protect our groundwater resources. This webinar will spotlight policy opportunities from four Hill Country Alliance resources looking at what GCD’s, Counties, Cities, and HOA Boards can do to promote groundwater conservation in the Hill Country.
Bio: In her role as Water Program Manager at the Hill Country Alliance, Marisa works with local Hill Country partners, including grassroots advocates and elected officials, to promote policies and projects that advance water supply resilience and protect groundwater and surface water flows. She got her start in Texas water as a program strategist for the Texas Water Foundation. She currently serves as an alternate for the Water Conservation Advisory Council and Region L Regional Water Planning Group. Marisa received her Master of Environmental Management from the Yale School of the Environment, where she specialized in water resource management and policy. Her graduate research focused on Texas groundwater management and community water planning.
REGISTER FOR LECTURE #3
2025 Water Wonks Hour Lecture Series Speakers
Char Miller (Lecture 1 Speaker) is currently the W.M. Keck Professor of Environmental Analysis and History at Pomona College. Prior to moving to California, he taught at Trinity University for 26 years – and loved almost every minute of it! He is the author of the award-winning West Side Rising: How San Antonio’s 1921 Flood Devastated a City and Sparked a Latino Environmental Justice Movement (2021); San Antonio: A Tricentennial History (2018); and San Antonio: Deep in the Heart of South Texas (2004).
An earlier version of this talk led to one of his current projects, a biography of William. L. Bray, who taught botany and forest ecology at UT-Austin between 1897-1907. Bray’s pathbreaking research and writing on early twentieth century human demands on the Edwards Plateau’s natural resources, and their downstream consequences, have had a profound impact on how we continue to think about this vast terrain.
Chandler Crouch (Lecture 2 Speaker) is a professional civil engineer with nearly a decade in the Texas water industry. His professional tenure includes community based impact while serving in the US Peace Corps and detailed water project implementation for major municipalities across Texas. A native Central Texan, Chandler has a strong awareness of the balance between conservation of our water resources and the population driven development Texas is facing.
Through leading the Net Zero Water Program, Chandler provides guidance and technical expertise to stakeholders and decision makers on applying onsite water reuse and conservation technologies. Chandler holds a BS in civil engineering from Texas A&M University in College Station and lives in Lake Travis, Austin with his wife.
Marisa Bruno (Lecture 3 Speaker) works with local Hill Country partners, including grassroots advocates and elected officials, to promote policies and projects that advance water supply resilience and protect groundwater and surface water flows. She got her start in Texas water as a program strategist for the Texas Water Foundation. She currently serves as an alternate for the Water Conservation Advisory Council and Region L Regional Water Planning Group.
Marisa received her Master of Environmental Management from the Yale School of the Environment, where she specialized in water resource management and policy. Her graduate research focused on Texas groundwater management and community water planning.
Javier Lopez (Lecture 4 Speaker) graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with dual degrees in International Relations as well as Government. Javier has just recently completed Teach for America, teaching 5th grade in Massachusetts. A native Texan, Javier looks forward to being an advocate of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance and becoming more involved overall within the environment policy sphere. Water being such an essential part of life and everyday living, Javier feels honored to be able to be a small part in working towards the mission of the GEAA.
Robert Mace (Lecture 5 Speaker)
Robert Mace is the Executive Director and Chief Water Policy Officer at The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and a Professor of Practice in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Texas State University. Robert has over 30 years of experience in water resources and policy.
Before joining Texas State University in 2017, Robert worked at the Texas Water Development Board for 18 years, ending his career there as the Deputy Executive Administrator for the Water Science & Conservation office. While at the Board, Robert worked on understanding groundwater and surface-water resources in Texas; advancing water conservation and innovative water technologies such as desalination, aquifer storage and recovery, reuse, and rainwater harvesting; regional and state water planning; and protecting Texans from floods. Prior to joining the Texas Water Development Board, Robert worked nine years at the Bureau of Economic Geology at The University of Texas at Austin as a hydrologist and research scientist.
Robert has a B.S. in Geophysics and an M.S. in Hydrology from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and a Ph.D. in Hydrogeology from The University of Texas at Austin. He published a book on groundwater sustainability in 2022 and is currently working on a book about water resources and climate change.
Speaker Pending (Lecture 6 Speaker)
Rachel Hanes holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX and a Master of Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. She has multiple years of experience in the environmental and water policy fields and in working within and with non-profits and local, state, and federal governments.
Before joining GEAA, Rachel served for three years as a program analyst for the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation in the Reclamation Law Administration Division and later in the Colorado River Binational Program, working to help manage and conserve water in the West.
Rachel has also worked for the Natural Resources Defense Council on their decarbonization efforts, the City of Pittsburgh Department of Mobility and Infrastructure on their Complete Streets and green infrastructure initiatives, the Tarrant County Tarrant Transit Alliance, the Office of Congressman Joaquin Castro, the League of United Latin American Citizens on environmental issues along the border, and the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center in San Antonio on local water issues.
A Texas native, Rachel grew up in Fort Worth and made frequent trips throughout Hill Country. After short stints in Pittsburgh, Washington, DC, and Denver, Rachel is thrilled to be back in San Antonio, where she can merge her interests in water and environmental policy with her love of her home state and adopted city.
Daniel Perry (Lecture 7 Speaker) An experienced civil engineering and environmental science graduate from the University of Texas at San Antonio. A combined 6+ years experience in the environmental science and water resources fields. I have spent 6 years working as a Civil Engineer in the Water Resources Field, gaining experience working with hydraulic and hydrologic model development, master drainage plans, alternative flood mitigation analysis, and FEMA Base Level Engineering development.
Through his work Daniel has gained experience working in ArcGIS, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, InfoWorks ICM, and other drainage design programs such as MicroStation, FlowMaster, HY-8, and others.
Daniel is interested in applying sustainable, practical solutions to help provide flooding relief in communities.
Roxanna Deane (Lecture 8 Speaker) Roxanna Deane is the current president of Comal Conservation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the land, water, and wildlife of Comal County. She retired after 52 years as a librarian, much of that time as a reference librarian. She has always been an early adopter of technology. Librarians were among the first to embrace the World Wide Web, recognizing its power to connect people with knowledge. Her curiosity now drives a deep interest in artificial intelligence. She has had a paid subscription to ChatGPT for two years and also uses platforms like Claude and Perplexity.
INTERESTED IN SPONSORING THE WATER WONKS LECTURE SERIES?
Support Water Education & Showcase Your Business as a GEAA Water Wonks Sponsor today.
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA) invites your business to become a valued sponsor of our Water Wonks Online Monthly Lecture Series—a free, engaging, and informative program focused on the critical water issues facing South Central Texas.
Why Sponsor Water Wonks?
By sponsoring this popular educational series, your business will:
✅ Demonstrate Environmental Leadership – Align your brand with water conservation and sustainability, key issues for businesses and communities relying on the Edwards Aquifer.
✅ Connect with an Engaged Audience – Our attendees include policymakers, industry professionals, scientists, educators, and environmentally conscious residents who care deeply about our region’s water future.
✅ Enhance Brand Visibility – As a sponsor, your business will receive recognition in event promotions, during the live lectures, and across our digital platforms, increasing your reach and credibility.
✅ Support Community Education – Help us provide free, expert-led discussions that empower the public with knowledge about water policy, conservation, and protection efforts in South Central Texas.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We offer a range of sponsorship levels, allowing your business to be featured prominently in our outreach and programming. Let’s work together to create a meaningful partnership that benefits both your company and our community’s water future.
Join us in safeguarding the Edwards Aquifer and promoting informed stewardship of our most precious resource—water.
Contact us today to learn more about sponsorship opportunities!
