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Haley Paul is the Arizona Policy Director for Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ Southwest. In this role, she distills complex natural resource policy and water management issues—via blogs, webinars, infographics, and more—to demonstrate why policy is important and how it impacts rivers, lakes, groundwater supplies, and wildlife habitat. Alongside a powerful network of Ô¼ÅÚÊÓƵ advocates, Haley seeks to improve the water outlook in Arizona and in the Colorado River Basin—for people and birds. 

As an Anthropology major in her undergraduate studies at Washington State University, Haley took a keen interest in better understanding how humans around the world and through time have organized themselves to sustain (or not) the natural resources on which they rely. While working on the student-run farm in Pullman, Washington, Haley gained a greater appreciation for agriculture and all that it takes to grow plentiful food and fiber. This led her to a graduate degree in Sustainability from Arizona State University where she examined the 1980 Groundwater Management Act and its impact on farmers and water use in central Arizona. 

With career stops along the way at the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension and the Town of Gilbert’s water department, Haley is passionate about working with people to protect our lands and waters in the southwest. Haley believes we must work together—across the political aisle as well as across interest groups—to sustainably manage our natural resources for future generations of people and wildlife.  

While no bird expert, Haley’s passion for birds is evidenced by her (now up to four) bird feeders and quizzing her children on the bird species hanging out in the yard.