Coconino Community College - Flagstaff

This class is available both in-person and live on Zoom.

Water is life. In this course, we explore where our water comes from, how water gets to people, and water challenges facing communities across northern Arizona. Topics include hydrology, groundwater, springs, watersheds, and the scientific processes that influence water availability in the arid southwest. Through a scientific lens, participants will examine how climate variability, drought, and changing water demands affect the water systems that sustain communities, ecosystems, and economies. Science communications and citizen science are included. The course blends short lectures, guest speakers, interactive discussions, and optional field experiences to explore physical systems delivering water to homes. By the end of the class, participants will understand the water systems in which they are a part of, the natural and human factors that influence water availability, and will develop new tools to support their active civic engagement in community water conversations and decision making.

Co-instructors Michellsey Benally and Chris Kuzdas have combined decades of experience working with communities across the landscapes of the West and beyond.

Michellsey serves as the Grand Canyon Trust's Water Advocacy Manager, working alongside tribal and rural communities to safeguard groundwater in the Grand Canyon and Little Colorado River regions. Prior to that she worked at the Arizona Department of Water Resources managing groundwater regulation across the state.

Chris earned a PhD from Arizona State University. He currently serves as the Arizona Water Program Director for the Environmental Defense Fund. He serves on the Governor's Water Policy Council and spends his time collaborating with local communities to shape water policy discussions and decisions that impact them.

• This class meets 10/27, 10/29, 11/03, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.
• There will be an optional field trip on Thursday, Nov. 5 that will be in-person only. Details will be provided.
• Also, there will be an optional in-person community service opportunity on Saturday, November 7.

This Fall 2026 Water & Society class pairs with a governance and policy focused Water & Society offered in the Spring semester.