© 2024 Permanent Forum of Binational Waters. All Rights Reserved.
Water scientists Across Borders
We are a binational and multidisciplinary institution of Water scientists and experts dedicated to improve water resilience along the Mexico-US border region.
Founded in 2019 in the State of Texas, we expanded quickly to the rest of the border states of Mexico and the United States.
Our network of scientists, government officials, non governmental organizations, industry, and community members, collaborate to address our critical water challenges through research, communication, and public engagement.
By bridging the gap across stakeholders from both countries, we promote sustainable solutions that protect shared water resources and the communities that depend upon them.
Water Unites Us, Our Guiding Principle
Water unites us across borders and communities, and at Binational Waters, we deeply believe in the unifying power of our shared resources.
Our Mission: Strengthen Water and Environmental Resiliency at the Border Region
Improve the environmental and water resilience of border communities through scientific research, communication and education.
We foster cross-border cooperation that turns water challenges into opportunities for growth and long-term sustainability based on water related facts.
Our Vision: Building Resilient and Sustainable Border Communities
We envision resilient and prosperous border communities to address water challenges and ensure a sustainable future.
As Water scientists, we aim to ensure a sustainable future of our shared water resources through effective and efficient water management at transboundary scale.
Meet the Board
Our board includes a diverse group of professionals committed to address border water challenges.
Rosario Sanchez
Director
Ph.D on Water Management and Hydrological Sciences. Leading the U.S.-Mexico aquifer assessment program for the state of Texas. 15 years experience in transboundary water issues, international water law and policy.
Samuel Sandoval SolÃs
Associate Director
Specialized in Water Resources Management. His work centers on balancing human and environmental water needs through improved reservoir operations.
Saúl Arciniega
Information and data
Civil Engineer, Ph.D. in Water Resources. Specializes in water evaluation, climate impacts, and water-energy nexus. Expert in hydrological modeling and water data science.
Cecilia Garcia
Project Manager
Experienced legal professional with a strong academic foundation and international expertise in law, diplomacy, project management, and translation. Skilled in navigating complex legal and cross-cultural challenges in public and private sectors
Gabriela Rendón Herrera
Strategic Planner
Biologist and illustrator focused on conserving Mexican biodiversity. She led the communication department at environmental NGOs, specializing in environmental education, scientific outreach, and strategy design for natural resource management.
Erick Velázquez
Programme Specialist
MSc. in Environmental Economics, is a specialist in environmental governance and public policy with experience leading international teams in transboundary water issues.
Marco Tulio Castro
Media manager
Communication consultant with a focus on media-based strategies. He holds degrees in administration, journalism, and communication.
Meet our team
Passionate water experts serve border communities, bridging countries to solve critical water challenges. We transform obstacles into opportunities for sustainable solutions.
Project development
Erick Velazquez
Programme specialist
Erick Peralta
Grant writer
Jessica Alvarez
Grant and fundraising
Iris Aguilar
Grant writer
Events
Raquel Neri
Events manager
Jerry Kurtyka
Specialist Content Writer
Montserrat Santibañez
Women in Water Coordinator
Media
Marco Tulio Castro
Media manager
Marco Antonio Sánchez
Community manager
Eduardo Ibarra
Graphic designer
Jesús Ochoa
Web Content Moderator
Meet our Advisory Committee
Experienced and recognized advisors from both sides of the border guide our passionate team in tackling cross-border water challenges for the benefit of border communities.
Luzma Fabiola Nava
Researcher, University of Guanajuato
Carlos Rubinstein
Principal RSAH20 Solutions
Aimee Roberson
RÃo Grande Joint Venture Coordinator
José Luis Castro Ruiz
Professor and Researcher, COLEF
Matthew Sanderson
Professor of Sociology, Kansas State University
Jude Benavides
Associate Professor of Hydrology, UTRGV University
Gabriel Eckstein
Professor of Law and Director of TAMU Law Program
Carmen Julia Navarro
Professor and Researcher, University of Chihuahua
Todd Votteler
Strategic Counselor. Texas Water Journal
Collaborating across our border
Since 2019, Binational Waters has been actively forging partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including universities, binational institutions, NGOs, governments, and private sector entities.
These alliances, whether through donations, research collaboration, joint projects or strategic support, have been crucial in advancing our mission of engaging stakeholders to promote creative and holistic strategies to improve our water and environmental challenges.
Key Partners & Collaborators:
- Universities: Partnering with leading academic institutions to conduct cutting-edge research and provide data-driven solutions to water challenges.
- NGOs: Working alongside non profit organizations that share our vision of sustainable water management and community resilience.
- Governments: Engaging with local, regional, and national governments on both sides of the border to implement water policy and management strategies.
- Private Sector: Partnering with industry leaders who prioritize sustainable practices and water conservation efforts.
Our Leading Donors
We are proud to collaborate with some of the most respected organizations in water science, research and management. These partners are critical in driving our mission of building strong communities on the border.
Their support allows us to continue addressing the region’s most pressing water challenges and to create lasting, sustainable solutions.
Code of Ethics: Promoting Professional and Positive Conduct
Our Code of Ethics reinforces the Permanent Forum of Binational Waters (PFBW)’s commitment to maintain professional, healthy, peaceful, and enriching behavior within its platforms and to assure the respect of our mission and values. It has the objective to promote a positive and safe environment for all related individuals and communities that interact with the PFBW..
Our Code of Ethics serves as our normative guide for circumstances that may be considered in conflict with our values, in which it is necessary to make a discretionary decision.Â
This code applies to directors, collaborators, members, advisors and participants of the PFBW. It serves as a reference on which the members and collaborators of the Executive Committee can relay when making decisions within the organization.
Our Philosophy
- Transboundary Cooperation
- Socialization of Science
- Holistic and Resilient Approaches
Our Values
Respect: For opinions, gender, sex, origin, race, culture, religion, and philosophy.
Humility: Openness to other ideas and perspectives.
Diversity: Recognition and integration of differences.
Reliability: Accuracy and honesty in generating and disseminating information and water related facts.
Empowerment: Supporting and uplifting others by sharing knowledge.
Leadership: Promoting cooperation, science dissemination, and the integration of water management approaches.
Teamwork: Harnessing our unique strengths to move towards a common goal.
Glosary
Misuse of the Platform: Behaviors or content that hinder dialogue, promote aggression, discrimination, politicization, misrepresentation of information, or contradict our institutional philosophy and values.
The Complainant: A person or group of people who make a formal complaint about misuse of the platform or a violation of our Ethics Code.
Member Subject of Complaint: A person or group of people accused of misuse of the platform.
Member Misusing the Platform: A person or group that commits a misuse of the platform.
Our Protocol
1. Honor Committee
The Code of Ethics reinforces the PFBW’s commitment to maintain professional, healthy, peaceful, and enriching behavior within its platforms, aiming to promote a positive and respectful environment for users and members. This code applies to all directors, collaborators, members, and participants of the PFBW, providing a guide for decision-making within the organization.
2. Sanctions
Sanctions may include barring the member(s), institution, or content from the PFBW, either temporarily or permanently. The Honor Committee will notify the member(s) misusing the platform or in violation of the Ethics Code in writing about the complaint and the decision, after which the sanction will take effect.
3. Conflicts of Interest
If the issue involves one or more members of the Honor Committee, those members will be excluded from the evaluation process.
4. Grievance Procedure
Grievances must be submitted using a formal form, which will be reviewed by the Honor Committee. It is essential to provide necessary information and evidence to support the validity of the complaint; otherwise, it will be dismissed. The Honor Committee will decide whether to give the member(s) subject of complaint the right to reply before making a decision.
5. Privacy and Confidentiality
Grievances will be handled privately and confidentially by the Honor Committee, and the personal information of the complainant will be kept secure.