Looking to whet your appetite for learning about water? Look no further than the Southwestern Water Conservation District’s 40th annual seminar.

This year’s event is titled “Fluid Horizons: Navigating the Waters of Innovation,” and attendees are invited to attend the day’s panels focused primarily on how to thrive in a dryer future.

It will take place March 27 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Sky Ute Casino Resort in Ignacio.

“It's for anybody who's interested in water, you don't have to be a water manager,” said conference organizer Elaine Chick.

Despite last year’s banner water supply, the region remains in the throes of a historic drought that is forcing water managers, farmers and others who directly rely on the Colorado River and its tributaries to adapt.

The conference will open with a blessing and welcome from Southern Ute Indian Tribe Chairman Melvin J. Baker, as well as comments from SWCD General Manager Steve Wolff and Board President Jenny Russell.

The first panel of the day will address interstate and tribal matters and will feature Colorado Water Conservation Board Member and SUIT Vice Chair Lorelei Cloud. The Upper Colorado River commissioners for Colorado and New Mexico will also sit on the panel.

“We've had rain, we've had some good years, but it does not make up the scarcity that still continues,” Chick said. “We have to be smart. We have to be innovative.”

Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenberg will moderate a conversation on finding innovative solution for agriculture.

One of the afternoon panels will feature voices from around the state, and a second will cover local and funding opportunities.

The final panel of the day will be a round-robin of achievements by stakeholders in the Southwest.

A full agenda can be viewed at swwcd.org.

Over 300 people attended last year’s seminar, Chick said, and she hopes to see similar attendance this year.

Tickets cost $50, include lunch and can be purchased at eventbrite.com.

rschafir@durangoherald.com