A portrait of Haley Paul.

Haley Paul

Policy Director, Arizona

Haley Paul is the Policy Director for Audubon Southwest in Arizona. In this role, she distills complex natural resource policy and water management issues—via blogs, webinars, infographics, and more—to demonstrate why water policy is important and how it impacts people and birds. Alongside a powerful network of Audubon advocates, Haley seeks to influence water policy outcomes in Arizona and in the Colorado River Basin, pushing them to be more inclusive of environmental needs and the needs of those historically excluded from water management decision-making.

As an Anthropology major in her undergraduate studies at Washington State University, Haley took a keen interest in better understanding how humans around the world and through time have organized themselves to sustain (or not) the natural resources on which they rely. While working on the student-run organic farm in Pullman, Washington, Haley gained a greater appreciation for agriculture and all that it takes to grow and harvest healthy, nourishing food. This led her to a graduate degree in Sustainability from Arizona State University where she examined the 1980 Groundwater Management Act and its impact on agriculture in central Arizona.

Haley believes we must tell the truth if we are going to improve our water management systems for people and birds—and that starts with an understanding of how we got to where we are, and why we need to fix things. The continued inequities we see, even just within the state of Arizona—where not all of the state’s residents have access to clean and reliable drinking water—should make headlines in the same way the shortage declarations on the Colorado River do. It is Haley’s hope that Audubon can be a positive contributor in the evolution of our water management systems so that they are more just, equitable, and inclusive. Climate change is giving us no other choice but to innovate and adapt.

While no bird identification expert, Haley’s passion for birds is evidenced by her two bird feeders, her desire to identify new birds in her Sibley’s guide, and her overall appreciation of the diversity and color birds bring to our world.

Contact

haley.paul@audubon.org

Articles by Haley Paul

Audubon Gives Testimony In Support of Funding to Remove Invasive Plants Along Arizona's Rivers
Western Rivers Action Network

Audubon Gives Testimony In Support of Funding to Remove Invasive Plants Along Arizona's Rivers

— The grant funding would help restore native plants and habitat.
What happened in Vegas? When it comes to water, this doesn’t stay in Vegas
Western Rivers Action Network

What happened in Vegas? When it comes to water, this doesn’t stay in Vegas

— Feds don’t want to gamble on risky water future—and give new urgency to complete the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan.
What is Going on with Water Planning in Arizona?
Western Rivers Action Network

What is Going on with Water Planning in Arizona?

— Work continues on a drought plan that will better prepare Arizona for a drier future for people and birds.
Eight Natural Resource Issues for the next U.S. Senator from Arizona
Western Rivers Action Network

Eight Natural Resource Issues for the next U.S. Senator from Arizona

— No issue defines Arizona’s past and its future more than water.
10 Things You Should Know About Arizona’s Groundwater Management Act
Western Rivers Action Network

10 Things You Should Know About Arizona’s Groundwater Management Act

— Why protecting groundwater is so important for people and birds.
Shortage on the Colorado River is Imminent, but a Catastrophic One is Not
Western Rivers Action Network

Shortage on the Colorado River is Imminent, but a Catastrophic One is Not

— Parties in Arizona must keep pushing to leave more water in Lake Mead.
Balancing the needs of rivers, riparian habitat, and housing while ensuring environmental protections and sustainability for Arizonans
Western Rivers Action Network

Balancing the needs of rivers, riparian habitat, and housing while ensuring environmental protections and sustainability for Arizonans

— How a recent ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court fails to protect the San Pedro River and current and future residents in southeastern Arizona.
Dense Forests, Encroached Meadows, and Devastating Wildfires
Western Rivers Action Network

Dense Forests, Encroached Meadows, and Devastating Wildfires

— How Audubon and the Arizona Elk Society work together to protect rivers in the West.
Using less and paying more. A conundrum it seems, until you dig a little deeper
Western Rivers Action Network

Using less and paying more. A conundrum it seems, until you dig a little deeper

— Doing nothing about the Colorado River’s decline is too risky