One Water Summit: Charting a path for our shared-water future

One Water is the new guiding beacon that’s driving our shared-water future. But what is One Water? Is it a philosophy? Set of guiding principles? Our forum will cover that and more! Attendees will hear from leaders on subjects ranging from water equity to water resource management.

As climate change impacts our water resources it is vitally important that our communities understand how best to build resilience, manage demands, support public and environmental health, while ensuring economic prosperity for the long haul.

Join in the One Water conversation and learn how you can become a partner in ensuring an equitable and clean water future for all.

Moderator:

Shelly Parini-Runge, Clackamas Water Environment Services, External Affairs

Shelly is a passionate community builder. Her career strengths include strategic communications, designing results-driven community engagement initiatives, and raising support for critical public infrastructure projects. Shelly has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts in Organizational Communications from Marylhurst University. A past WaterReuse (WR) PNW Board member, Shelly currently serves as the Co-Chair of the WR PNW Oregon Committee for Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, and she also serves on the Oregon ACWA Education Committee.

Panel:

Councilor Kathleen George, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

Kathleen George has spent her career helping tribal governments accomplish their goals and build their future. Prior to being elected to the Tribal Council, Kathleen was the Director of Spirit Mountain Community Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Tribe. Before working in philanthropy, she partnered with tribal communities throughout Oregon and Washington on efforts to restore healthy environments to protect tribal people and their resources. Kathleen’s consulting firm, Cedar Consulting, worked in natural resources policy and strategic planning. Kathleen is also a graduate of Dominican University where she majored in Environmental Biology and studied public administration in Graduate School.

Representative Annessa Hartman, State of Oregon

Oregon State Representative Annessa Hartman is a member of the Haudenosaunee, Cayuga Nation, Snipe Clan, and the third Indigenous person elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. Representative Hartman serves House District 40, including Oregon City, Gladstone, and Unincorporated Clackamas County. Representative Hartman’s legislative focus includes supporting working families, human services, and infrastructure, which stems from her experiences as the child of a single, working mother, being a military brat, and being a Gladstone City Councilor. Representative Hartman’s background in events and hospitality has enabled her to utilize her strengths in planning, goal setting, collaboration, and communication.

Ron Wierenga, Clackamas Water Environment Services, Deputy Director

Ron is a 25-year professional in public works and environmental services. Currently, he is the Deputy Director for Clackamas Water Environment Services where he manages the District’s Business and Environmental Services. His scope includes administrative services, budget administration and finance, policy development, regulatory affairs, and strategic planning. Ron graduated with a Master of Science degree from Washington State University with support from the State of Washington Water Research Center. In his free time, Ron fly fishes for steelhead where he spends a lot of time standing in rivers thinking about how to make them healthier.

Jared Kinnear, Clean Water Services Reuse Program Manager

Jared oversees the Fernhill Wetlands Natural Treatment System, Reuse Program, and Biosolids Program. With a focus on ecological enhancement, the Reuse Program currently irrigates 1 million gallons daily, with plans for expansion to 5 million gallons daily to uphold water quality standards in the Tualatin Basin. The Fernhill Natural Treatment System, situated across more than 750 acres in Forest Grove, utilizes natural treatment systems, particularly wetlands, to enhance water quality by eliminating nutrients, introducing cooling effects, and reintroducing natural processes post-conventional treatment. Jared has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Montana in Natural Resource Conservation.