Gathering Under a Green Umbrella: Collaborative Rainwater Harvesting at the University of Arizona

The Parasol Club is a student-run, collaborative group focusing on sustainable resource use at the University of Arizona (UA), especially rainwater harvesting. The group’s fundamental idea is that, as a land-grant university in an arid environment, UA should serve as a learning laboratory for the development and demonstration of techniques for sustainable use of water and energy. Parasol’s success is due largely to its collaborative model in which students work closely with facilities staff, faculty, and administrators to identify sites, gather materials and labor, and bring projects to fruition. Completed projects serve as a testament to the effectiveness of the collaborative model. As the group has demonstrated the power of institutional collaboration at the university, its circle has widened to include members of several academic departments, additional facilities staff, and university administrators. New campus projects are planned, and the group has extended its reach to work with Tucson primary schools and neighborhood organizations on rainwater harvesting projects. This paper discusses Parasol’s model as an example for collaborative infrastructure and project development at an institutional level.