UF/IFAS Miami-Dade filled their long-vacant Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN) Agent position this month. The hire? Morgan Hopkins, a water reuse and
conservation expert from Oklahoma.
Having just completed her master’s work this summer, Ms.
Hopkins now takes center stage with Miami-Dade’s Urban Conservation Unit, an
outfit that administers what is possibly the best funded urban landscape irrigation rebate program in the state, in the most populous county in Florida.
Big personalities take on big tasks in high-profile
settings. IrriGator recently interviewed FYN Agent Morgan Hopkins to learn more about her background and her big plans for water in Miami-Dade.
What is your background in water and/or conservation?
I hail from Oklahoma. The Great Plains. While I was there I
attended Oklahoma State University (OSU). My undergrad focused on Environmental
Science Policy. That’s where I received my formal education on conservation and
the environment. But I really delved into water conservation during my master’s
program in the OSU Horticulture Department. I was on a grant with Oklahoma City
to create and promote a water conservation program. We were coming into our
fourth year of drought and my role as the graduate research assistant was to do
public education while also continuing my research in reclaimed water use in
golf course irrigation and public acceptance of reclaimed water use in Oklahoma.
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| Learning the ropes: Morgan Hopkins at a recent landscape irrigation evaluation |
What are some of Oklahoma’s current water challenges?
Water is a very contentious subject in Oklahoma, especially
when we’re in drought. We’re known for having a drier climate. Everyone knows
about the dust bowl from the 1930s. We also experienced a big drought in the 1950s. Oklahoma is based largely on oil production and agriculture so water is
very important for both those industries. So when we go without it our economy
and people feel the impact.
What is it about Extension that interests you?
I worked with Oklahoma’s Extension through my master’s
research and found out how Extension helps the community. I really enjoy that
their sole purpose is to help people – to educate and serve the community in a
way that is research backed but also backed by counties and business and
agriculture. I enjoy tying in the academic research side with the public outreach
and working with people.
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| #UFIFASMIAMIDADEUCU2015: Morgan Hopkins and Jesus Lomeli |
What do you think a successful water program looks like in
the diverse, populous context of Miami-Dade County?
I think a successful water program would be one that everyone knows about regardless of your economic or social status; it’s something that serves everyone. That would be the basis to me: a program that everyone is aware of and everyone feels is actually benefiting their community as well as the environment.
Follow Miami-Dade FYN Agent Morgan Hopkins on twitter as she continues with her important
water work in South Florida.
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