Moss eager to continue growth of Oklahoma Water Resources Center

Monday, January 23, 2017

The four main objectives of the Oklahoma Water Resources Center are clearly listed its website, water.okstate.edu.

1) Support research on all topics related to understanding and managing Oklahoma water resources. 2) Provide education and training opportunities for water specialists, professionals and students. 3) Outreach and information transfer in the Oklahoma water resource community. 4) Facilitate team-building to provide solutions to water issues.

As the final page of the 2016 calendar turned, so did the leadership of the OWRC. Housed in the Oklahoma State University Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the center is now under the direction of Justin Moss, Huffine Endowed Professor of Turfgrass Science in OSU’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.

He was appointed interim director after Garey Fox resigned from the position in early December.

“Dr. Fox did a great job in his two-plus years as director of the Water Center,” Moss said. “He pursued the objectives of the Water Center and has left in it a great place for Oklahoma. I’m going to do my best to continue down this path and really put an emphasis on creating a greater public understanding of what the Oklahoma Water Resources Center does.”

Made up of more than 75 faculty members across 11 OSU academic departments, including all nine in DASNR, the Water Center sponsors and conducts research to help Oklahoma answer some of its most troubling water concerns. Moss has been a contributing member of the OWRC for six years.

“Dr. Moss has had a very productive research and Extension record and has been innovative in addressing water conservation needs in landscape and turf management. He has been a close collaborator in the Oklahoma Water Resource Center,” said Tom Coon, OSU vice president of agricultural programs. “His breadth of experience has prepared him well for this important interim leadership role.”

Moss said he is excited about this position and the continuation of many of the events held by the OWRC to promote the teaching, research and Extension mission.