March 2023
Together, we're securing water for today and tomorrow ...
Bringing it all back!
The Board of Directors welcomes Marina West, the Agency has won an award for its financial transparency, and the High Desert Innovators Water Summit makes a splash. Read all about it and more inside this edition of the Agency’s newsletter!

The Mojave Water Agency has 2023 planned out! Join us for a new series of workshops, in-person events and services.

Follow us on social media for more of the latest news and updates @mojavewater
Your Mojave Water Board of Directors
Hayhurst, Page and West installed to
Mojave Water Agency Board of Directors

The Mojave Water Agency Board of Directors recently installed incumbents Jeanette Hayhurst and Mike Page; and welcomed new Board Member Marina West to serve 4-year terms as a result of the November election. 

Marina West joins the Agency with decades of experience in water management. As a fifth generation Californian, her family pioneered in farming, water science, management, and environmental protection. She is licensed by the state of California as a Water Treatment Operator and holds the highest-level certification offered by the state in Water Distribution. Marina also earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from Cal State San Bernardino.

Mike Page, is a long-time resident of the high desert. Page was originally elected to serve on the agency board in November 2001 and has since represented Division 4 which encompasses Spring Valley Lake and most Victorville. Mike is the Senior Director of Philanthropy at St. Mary’s Medical Center foundation. 

Jeanette Hayhurst worked for the City of Barstow where she served in a variety of departments including economic development, housing, and parks and recreation, and retired as the Community Services Director. She was elected to the MWA board in 2018, and is a past President.  

Innovators Water Summit - A Success!
Students awarded scholarships at MWA Water Summit 
The Mojave Water Agency recently made a splash in the minds of middle and high school students at its annual Innovators High Desert Water Summit. The event was the culmination of two scholarship competitions that offered $3,000 in each winning category. The event also included water industry speakers, breakout sessions and student presentations on the campus of High Desert Church in Victorville. 
Curiosity Quest - Joel Greene
Students from La Contenta Middle School in Yucca Valley took home the top prize in the Problem Solvers competition that tasked teams with developing software to help homeowners transform their yards from water-wasting landscapes to beautiful, drought-tolerant works of art. In January, the students presented their projects to a panel of judges while being filmed for the award-winning PBS show Curiosity Quest hosted by Joel Greene. 
Upcoming Events
From Seed to Salad online course
Tuesdays, March 7 to May 23
6 to 7 p.m.
Nothing "beets" gardening and Tony Walters from the Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District knows all the dirt on how to grow the best desert garden while conserving water.

The Mojave Water Agency will bring its FREE "From Seed to Salad" online course to the public this March! If you are interested in learning more on how you can conserve water and garden your own foods like fruits and vegetables, this course is for you!

Wonders of Water
Tuesday, March 28 - 5:30 to 7 p.m.
We're bringing back our community workshop series! Join us in March for our second course in a new series of workshops for 2023!

The March workshop will focus on residential gardening and landscaping.

The March 28 presentation will be held at the Agency Headquarters in Apple Valley. These events are FREE and open to the public!

For more information, contact Kenny Sousa at (760) 946-7038 or email ksousa@mojavewater.org

Mojave Water Agency lauds Governor’s water resilience decision
For more than 60 years, Mojave Water Agency has been charged with ensuring the continued availability of water to the residents and land within its 4,900-square-mile service area. Despite recent precipitation events, Southern California, and the Agency’s service area in particular, remain precariously dry, which is why MWA fully supports Governor Newsom’s decision to temporarily modify required water releases from reservoirs to the State Water Project and Central Valley Project facilities. 

The Governor’s Executive Order N-3-23 was the result of a temporary urgency change petition to relieve the 1999 requirement to increase flows in February and March. This will strategically retain more water in the state’s reservoirs for delivery to water users later in the year. 
Agency receives transparency award
The Mojave Water Agency has received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) in recognition of its efforts to promote transparency and good governance. 

Additionally, to be considered for the award, special districts must demonstrate the completion of essential governance transparency requirements, including conducting ethics training for all board members and properly conducting open public meetings. 

The Mojave Water Agency continues to provide remote access to all public meetings. The corresponding agendas and reports can be found online by visiting the agency’s website. 

SDLF is an independent, non-profit organization formed to promote best practices among California’s special districts through certification, accreditation, and other recognition programs. 
 
For more information on all upcoming events and services, visit www.mojavewater.org or call the agency at (760) 946-7000. 
Small Water Systems Training
The Mojave Water Agency and California Rural Water Association, in support of the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan, will offer three free classes this spring as part of their small water systems training series.

March 22 - Drought and Water Shortage Management Plans

May 3 – Tanks and Maintenance

June 14 – Emergency Response Plans

All classes are free and will be held at Agency Headquarters from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and includes a light lunch.
Mark Your Calendar
Board Meetings - 9:30 a.m.
  • March 9
  • April 13, 27
  • May 11, 25

Agency Office Closures
In addition to our alternating Friday closures, Agency offices will be closed for the following holiday observances:
  • May 29 - Memorial Day
Connect with us!
www.mojavewater.org
(760) 946-7000