This year we have witnessed some big water moments––from the key water funding reauthorization to the widespread backlash against data centers and the emergency Colorado River cuts. One thing we have learned is that dialogue is at the heart of making progress on the major water challenges.
We need to bridge diverse perspectives and build shared trust! So to respond to this moment, we hosted our second annual Summer Series for our Color of Water network, a community of 100+ experts of color across the U.S., consisting of issue-focused conversations. Over the course of six weekly sessions, our members connected, exchanged ideas, and shared resources.
about the summer series
Our session topics were:
- Indigenous and tribal water issues and nature-based, community-led solutions
- Water policy and infrastructure funding and data centers
- Drought and water scarcity in the Colorado Basin and the West
- National coalitions and networks for water access and affordability
- Guest speakers: Clean Water for All’s Jennifer Collins, Water Equity and Climate Resilience Caucus’ Yasmin Zaerpoor and US Water Alliance’s Scott Berry
- Narrative change in water and climate
- Guest speakers: Climate Justice Alliance’s Jessica Xiao and The Margin’s Bryce Cracknell
- Water quality and public health in the South, Texas Gulf, and Appalachia
Visual practitioners Ashanti Gardner and Alan Quiros joined our sessions to capture the key takeaways and ideas. Take a look at the graphic notes they took below and make sure to zoom in to see the details!
key topics and resources
Members were particularly interested in topics like the land back movement, data center oversight, national collaboration and coordination, and data-backed storytelling. A key takeaway across the Summer Series was the need to spark collective action. We are grateful for the energy, time and resources our members shared as part of their broader leadership in the water movement. Below are some noteworthy links they shared:
- Union of Concerned Scientists Nature-based Solutions Guide (English, Español)
- The Water Leadership Institute
- Indigenous Data Alliance
- The Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure
- Water Hub: 2026 message testing on agricultural and data center water use in the West
- Communities Centered: Frontline Perspectives on Hyperscale Data Centers in Washington State
Check out our full list of resources here. To learn more and get in touch, check out our directory of 150+ members available for speaking engagements, interviews, and more!
You can watch the time-lapses of the visual note-taking below:
