Plants under Pressure (Webinar)
Declining Water Availability is Reshaping Plant Communities
Across the U.S. Southwest, more frequent drought and rising temperatures are intensifying the long-standing issue of groundwater overconsumption, with important consequences for the resilience and recovery of ecological communities. Learn about ongoing research in and around Borrego Springs that examines how declining groundwater availability is reshaping desert plant communities through direct and indirect pathways.
What to Expect:
- Learn how the effects of declining water availability can interact with land management decisions to shape recovery trajectories.
- Gain insight into how these pressures contributed to the passage of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the first statewide regulation of groundwater use.
- Explore difficult decisions about retiring irrigated farmland and broader questions about how limited groundwater resources should be allocated.
Who Should Attend:
- Ecologists, botanists, and environmental scientists interested in climate impacts on ecosystems
- Water managers, planners, and sustainability professionals working on groundwater and drought resilience
- Conservation practitioners and land managers focused on habitat recovery and desert ecosystems
- Policy professionals and decision-makers interested in California water management and land-use challenges
- Students, educators, and researchers studying climate change, ecology, or natural resource management
- Community members and environmental advocates interested in the future of water and ecosystems in the Southwest
REGISTER TODAY!
Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom. Instructions to access the webinar will be sent the week of the event.
Cost:
ABF Member: $8 Not a member? Join today for as little as $35 and go to this event for free!
Non-Member: $10
Student: $5
Cancellation Policy & Scholarships: Please see our FAQs page to read our cancellation policy and learn about scholarship options.
What Past Participants Are Saying:
“Depth, thoroughness and clarity of information as well as intriguing videos”
“I always eagerly anticipate upcoming virtual programs…they are terrific.”
“The presenter was articulate, well-paced, and really knew the topic.”
Bio:
Laurel Brigham is a plant community ecologist whose work currently focuses on conservation and restoration in the Colorado desert, particularly in the context of dwindling water resources. She is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Irvine.
