Jacqueline Comito

Through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Dr. Jacqueline Comito heads several water quality and conservation initiatives. Comito, an anthropologist, was award a 2012 Dupont Pioneer Iowa Women of Innovation Award. She was recognized for her accomplishments and leadership in raising environmental and water literacy including: creation of "Water Rocks!," a statewide campaign that educates K-12 students about water; researching, writing and publishing the book "Water Quality Matters To Us All"; managing the Iowa Learning Farms program and producing the Culture of Conservation video series, which includes "Troubled Waters" and "Out to the Lakes." Both films have earned Iowa Motion Picture Association honors for documentary and educational production. Comito says that emotions and personal choices have as much of an impact on how people treat our soil and water, as do knowledge and economics. Her work aims to bring awareness, and ultimately, change our attitudes and behaviors toward water quality. Comito holds a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa.

The title of Dr. Comito's presentation is: "Visionaries or Bureaucrats?: Soil and Water Conservation Districts Capacity to Respond to a World with Extreme Weather Events"