Water Quality Award Goes To UNR Educator

WETLAB would like to congratulate Susan Donaldson, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension water quality education specialist, on receiving the McCurry Excellence in Water Quality award!

Presented by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Donaldson was recognized earlier this month for her extensive and long-time contributions to water quality in Nevada.

Highlights in Donaldson’s work in the field of water quality include leading a statewide tall whitetop and noxious weed education campaign, where she received a Silver Spike Award of Excellence, she established the Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials Nevada Program to provide water quality education for land-use decision making, she partnered with public agencies to create the Water Wise Program, and she launched a pesticide applicator safety training website with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, according to an article from Nevada Today, University of Nevada, Reno.

She has presented her work around the world, speaking at the 13^th Australian Weeds Conference in Perth, Western Australia, according to the article.

“Dr. Donaldson’s water quality education efforts have greatly informed the public. She is directly responsible for helping stakeholders apply their knowledge and skills to solve community environmental challenges,” said Colleen Cripps, administrator of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection in the article. “We are thrilled to be able to recognize her efforts with this year’s Wendell McCurry Award.”

The award, established in 1999, honors Wendell McCurry who, over a 33-year career, advocated for water quality, established Nevada’s water quality standards and represented the state on the National Association of Clean Water Administrators.

WETLAB appreciates Donaldson’s work in water quality and specifically her contributions to educating both our state’s decision makers and the public on the important issues of water quality.