WV Waterlink aims to democratize water resources management, governance, and equity in the mountain state by including citizen and community participation in the decision-making process around water security and climate change adaptation. In order to do this, communities need to be knowledgeable about the state (e.g., health, availability) and vulnerability of this critical resource and for whom water resources are currently being managed. WV Waterlink therefore will serve as an online information repository and community platform for Educating, Organizing, and Advocating for the best interests of people and communities in West Virginia and beyond. (Funded by Appalachian Stewardship Foundation and the WVU Center for Resilient Communities)
Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right.
Our Team
Nico Zegre - PhD, is an avid river explorer, associate professor of forest hydrology, and director of the West Virginia University Mountain Hydrology Laboratory. Nicolas adamantly believes that the lines between his work life and play life should be fuzzy, and working as a research hydrologist and educator allows him to combine his passions of whitewater kayaking, surfing, exploration of seldom trodden environments, teaching, and sharing the love of water and environmental sciences. Since the water cycle is global, Nicolas is compelled to travel and follow water from high mountains and streams to the seas.
Grace Dever - Master of Agriculture student focusing on water security and water justice throughout West Virginia. In addition to working in the MHL, Grace works in the WVU Center for Resilient Communities as a Geographical Information Systems Research Assistant. Grace received a B.S. in Environmental Soil and Water Sciences and a Minor in German from WVU. In undergraduate, Grace competed on the WVU Women’s Varsity Rowing team. To be able to connect her research and passion is why she loves working in the Mountain Hydrology lab. Grace grew up in Lakewood, Ohio on Lake Erie. Grace's entire life has revolved around water from a young age spending most of her time outside, hiking, rowing on a river or lake, or running. Prior to joining the MHL, Grace participated in the Appalachian Food Justice Fellowship and was exposed to many different perspectives on how to address food insecurity. After the fellowship, she began working as an undergraduate research assistant in the CRC creating and maintaining GIS datasets.
