Board of Directors

Pierre Bondoumbou, Board of Directors

Pierre Bondoumbou joins WMG with a special interest in expanding its mission and vision internationally and specifically in Africa. Pierre before receiving a Master’s Degree in Renewable Natural Resources at the University of Arizona worked as a forest resource management chief planner in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is currently working in Tucson, Az for A.I.R.E.S Inc, as a developmental support professional where he assists people with disabilities to achieve their full life potential. Pierre has extensive experience working with diverse groups and is fluent in English, French, Russian and two African languages.

 Chris Brooks, Advisory Board

Chris Brooks left the humid Midwest for the desert 25 years ago to learn about water.  After earning a degree in hydrology from the University of Arizona he worked in consulting for 16 years before returning to his alma mater for a law degree, with the goal of focusing his future efforts on water policy.  He is currently employed by the Water Resources Department of the Tohono O’Odham Nation, helping them manage their limited water supplies.  In all he does, the over-arching goal is efficient management and use of water – a resource we all depend on everyday, but still undervalue its importance in many of the choices we make.  Chris is raising a family in Tucson and hopes that someday this community can learn to sustainably manage its water supplies so that his children can continue to call the desert home.

 Ross Bryant, Board of Directors, Treasurer

Ross Bryant has been involved in community issues since moving to Tucson in 1988. He is interested in approaching problems, both social and environmental, at the neighborhood level. He has been an active participant in his neighborhood association as vice president and president.  He believes that implementation of sustainable resource projects such as water conservation is highly effective at the the community level. The success of community projects can serve as a catalyst for larger-scale projects with expanding goals and a wider audience. Ross has a technical background in remote sensing and scientific computing and enjoys interesting books and the beauty of the Sonoran desert in his spare time.

Jared is a co-founder of Watershed Management Group and holds a MSc in Watershed Management and a PhD in Natural Resource Management. He has conducted ecohydrology research for the US Department of Agriculture and US Forest Service and has implemented community-based conservation programs in the US Peace Corps. He has also managed projects funded by the US Agency for International Development. Jared is currently working on international program development and establishing WMG's office in India.

 Evan Canfield, Advisory Board

Evan Canfield has a PhD in Agricultural Engineering and is registered professional Civil Engineer with a specialty in water resources. Prior to settling in Tucson he worked for humanitarian organizations doing agricultural development work in Asia and Africa. He has worked on water conservation initiatives as Chair of an advisory panel to Tucson Water. He currently holds an adjunct faculty position in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Arizona. His specialty is hydrologic modeling, and he has helped develop tools to predict the viability of passive and active water harvesting designs to accomplish the dual objectives of providing water for plants and managing stormwater.

 Greg Corman, Advisory Board Member

Greg Corman is the owner of Gardening Insights, a Tucson landscape design and horticultural consulting company. His experience includes thirty years of horticultural and design work, mostly in desert areas of Australia, the Middle East, and the Southwestern US.  An avid hiker and plant geek, he is always looking for new species for landscaping and new ways to use plants to create interesting and enjoyable landscapes. He also loves exploring salvage yards for great stuff to turn into sculptures and garden features. Greg is well known in Tucson for his innovative classes on landscape design and he is the Southwest expert for the online gardening education site Learn2Grow.com. He is on the board of the Drylands Institute and an advisory committee member for the University of Arizona Arboretum. Greg has BS and MS degrees in Agriculture from the University of Arizona and the University of Maryland, respectively.

Ilene Grossman, Board of Directors

Ilene is passionate about sustainable living and finds the grassroots, local, and international work of WMG to be inspired and effective.  She has worked in environmental education on the Chesapeake Bay, in Bangkok, Yosemite National Park, Texas and Wisconsin.  With water as the central theme of her life and work, Ilene worked in water conservation in Texas and currently is the Water Conservation Manager for Tucson Water.  She has a BA in Ecology and an MA in Environmental Education & Interpretation.  Ilene enjoys most things outside - hiking, camping, running, gardening, farmers' marketing, traveling, and cooking.

  Henry Jacobson, Board of Directors

Henry has lived in Tucson since 1979 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona. As a Registered Professional Engineer he has over 20 years of experience in general site development and foundation design. He is active in his neighborhood association and has helped implement small infrastructure improvements in several midtown neighborhoods in central Tucson. Since 2005 Henry has operated a steel fabrication business working with local builders and homeowners.  He is interested in facilitating creative infrastructure improvements to enhance the quality of life of his neighbors. Other interests include recreational cycling, swimming and travel adventures with friends and family.

 Julie Jonsson, Board of Directors

Julie Jonsson is a native Oregonian with a passion for environmental issues.  She is particularly interested in collaborative conservation and human interaction with the environment.  She received a B.S. in Environmental Science from Oregon State University with a focus on rangelands.  In 2007, she moved to Tucson to fulfill a lifelong desire to live in the southwestern desert.  Julie earned a Professional Science Master’s degree in Applied Biosciences from the University of Arizona.  While there, she also earned a Graduate Certificate in Water Policy.  She has experience in the fields of environmental compliance, land conservation, and science education.

 Torey Ligon, Board of Directors

Torey Ligon has a long term commitment to sustainable living practices and a special interest in food production and distribution. As a Tucson resident, she realizes that water management is an integral part of any local food system, and she hopes to see a more robust and diversified local agriculture network in Southern Arizona in the near future. Torey has a degree in public policy from Oberlin College, and a certification in permaculture design. She is also a Master Watershed Steward and a docent at the Nature Conservancy leading tours of TNC's property to highlight many techniques for harvesting water.  Torey brings experience in community outreach and sustainability education to the WMG Board and welcomes the opportunity to promote water harvesting as a means to responsibly grow food in the desert.  In her spare time, she enjoys biking, gardening, reading, cooking, and learning about the desert.

 Andrea Martin, Board of Directors, Secretary

Andrea has recently returned to Tucson after working as a satellite software engineer in California.  She has been a self-educated naturalist for as long as she can remember.   While earning an Electrical Engineering degree and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona, she became convinced that her work should be focused on furthering an understanding of the desert environment and the sustainable practices of the humans who inhabit it. Andrea is now actively pursuing and implementing her beliefs.

 Jill Nunes, Board of Directors, Chairperson

Jill has worked with non-profit organizations on staff and board positions for many years.  She believes that non-profit organizations provide an opportunity for people working together with common passions to produce amazing results. A member of the WMG co-op, she knows the power of the co-op model and has a ferro-cement rainwater harvesting tank in her back yard as a product of that power. With a background in fundraising, marketing, public relations and producing events Jill brings a diversity of perspective to the WMG Board of Directors.  Jill is also involved with promoting the Tucson music community and enjoys dancing, camping, caving and travel.

Catlow Shipek is a founding member of WMG. Catlow and fellow co-founders based the philosophy of WMG on the watershed model using water as a link to bring stakeholders together. He received a MSc in Watershed Management from the University of Arizona. He currently works as a hydrologic technician studying soil erosion and sedimentation processes on southwestern rangelands with the USDA ARS Southwest Watershed Research Center located in Tucson, Arizona.

Joe Silins, Board of Directors, Vice Chair

Joe was first drawn to WMG by the community-centric focus of the organization's programs, and by the diverse set of partners and participants that these programs engage.  Prior to his involvement with WMG, Joe was involved in several water conservation projects along the Arizona-Sonora border, and received a MS in Planning from the University of Arizona.  In addition to his interest in water conservation, Joe's professional interests include community development and affordable housing, and he's gaining valuable experience in these areas in his current position with the Pima County Community Development and Neighborhood Conservation Department.  In his free time, Joe enjoys running, swimming, camping, salsa dancing, and enjoying Tucson's gorgeous mountain views.

Adam Springer is committed to improving livelihoods through community-based watershed management. He served for two years as a Permaculture Advisor in the Kingdom of Lesotho in southern Africa, collaborating with the World Food Programme, Red Cross and local government and school officials to provide sustainable food supplies to children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  Adam has also worked with USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program promoting sustainable farming techniques in the North Central US. Since moving to Tucson to pursue a PhD in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Arizona he has worked to improve the effectiveness of local watershed partnerships in southern Arizona concerned with the sustainability of ecosystem services.