MANHATTAN — The fifth Governor’s Water Conference was held Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 in Manhattan.
A new addition this year was the Kansas Water Office’s photo contest featuring Kansas water photos. The purpose was to involve more Kansans and youth in water appreciation and awareness. More than 150 photos were submitted to be voted on as the ‘people’s choice’ at the conference.
The winner will be featured on the 2017 conference brochure, website, social media platforms, Kansas Water Office and other locations throughout the coming year.
The People’s Choice results are as follows:
• 1st – Idlewild waterfall photo taken by Dennis Schwartz of Topeka
• 2nd – “Water Crazy Macy” taken by Melissa Zweygardt of St. Francis
• 3rd – Sunset irrigation photo taken by Patty Turnquist of Lindsborg
The winning photo is of Idlewild Lake Falls near Waterville in Marshall County. The second place photo was taken near St. Francis. Macy is Zweygardt’s neighbor’s mini Australian Shepherd who loves water. The third place photo was captured northwest of McPherson as the sun was setting over the corn field.
There were more than 550 attendees at the conference which highlighted the Kansas Water Vision implementation to date, focused on the value of water and action items needed to help solve Kansas’ complex water issues. Speakers were featured from all over the nation and the latest policy and research developments of water issues in Kansas were also featured.