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The Women in Water Scholarship Fund encourages young women to pursue fulfilling careers developing, managing and conserving water. This annual scholarship has been increased to $7,500 annually by the WIW Board of Directors. It is awarded to a woman pursuing an undergraduate degree in preparation for a career in any element of water resources, including water law, communications, community and government relations, or engineering.

Tayla Wiedeman of Eaton, Colorado Awarded Our 8th Women in Water Scholarship

On track to graduate in May of 2028, Tayla Wiedeman was unanimously awarded the Women in Water Scholarship for the 2026-27 academic year. She is a junior at Texas Tech University, majoring in Agriculture Communication with a double minor in Agriculture Business and Political Science.

“Tayla demonstrated in her application essay her firm commitment to a career in Western water,” WIW Board President Christine Arbogast said. “She grew up on a farm in northern Colorado, has worked for the Larimer and Weld Irrigation Company and this summer is an intern in one of Colorado’s major water law firms. There is no question she will follow a path that leads to meaningful contributions to our water community.”

“Water is and will continue to be the future of our world. It will take passionate and dedicated advocates to ensure this resource is conserved for generations to come, and I look forward to being that voice,” Tayla said in her essay. Read Her essay. Essay

Receiving the Women in Water scholarship is truly an honor. As I continue my degree at Texas Tech University and begin looking for careers post-grad, it is humbling to know that I have a network of powerful women who support me. The future of the world depends on water and those who are willing to fight for it. I cannot wait to see what the future holds, and I am grateful for Women in Water's support along the way! 

The academic year 2027-28 application process will open in April of 2027.

We care about women in water because we are women in water.

ABOVE: (left to right) WIW President Christine Arbogast, Upper Colorado River Commissioner Becky Mitchell and Commissioner of Reclamation Camille Touton celebrate the groundbreaking of the Arkansas Valley Conduit in Pueblo, Colorado.

The number of women in leaderships roles in Western water has grown immensely as opportunities to make a real difference in our unique, semi-arid region are on the rise. 

ABOVE: Congresswoman Celeste Malloy of Utah joined WIW Board President Christine Arbogast at a fundraising event for the scholarship fund in Utah

The photos on this page are just a few which showcase the breadth of talent that is coming to the challenging world of water sustainability and resilience.   The WIW scholarship fund strives to continue the range of possibilities to make a tangible difference in our Western communities, large and small. 

If you would like to help us sustain this scholarship fund, please consider a one-time donation, a monthly or annual contribution, or a legacy contribution.  Your participation will be greatly appreciated, and your contributions are 100 percent tax deductible as provided by law.

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Invest in women.
When you contribute to the Women in Water Scholarship Fund, you're helping young women pursue fulfilling careers developing, managing and conserving this finite resource.

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