WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
Join us for a Timely Topics panel discussion about Wake County’s water resources and the challenges we face in ensuring the abundance and quality of our water supply.
Timely Topics events are usually in person and happen monthly, with a summer hiatus. They are a great way to meet fellow League members and to better understand key issues. This month, our speakers are water-quality experts:
Lauren Daniel: DEQ, Division of Water Resources Water Education Programs
Lauren Daniel is the Water Education Program Coordinator for NC DEQ, where she leads several impactful programs, including Project WET, It’s Our Water, NC Stream Watch, and the NC Water Education Pen Pal Program. Lauren was recognized by DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson for her outstanding contributions to water education in North Carolina (April 2025), was named the national Project WET state coordinator of the year (June 2025), and won NC Wildlife Federation's Governor's Achievement Award for Environmental Educator of the Year (2022). Her leadership and commitment are helping to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards across North Carolina.
Kelsey Sosa: NCSU, Team Lead, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Water Quality
Kelsey Sosa is the Agriculture and Natural Resources Director at NC Cooperative Extension, Wake County Center. Her work focuses on educating residents about the environmental impacts of urban development, water quality, stormwater management, environmental health risks, and the stewardship of natural resources.
Mitch Woodward: NCSU, Area Specialized Agent, Watersheds and Water Quality
Mitch is an Area Specialized Agent with NC Cooperative Extension, specializing in water quality and watershed protection research and education. He works with local city, town, and county partners, universities, industry, and NGOs across the state to educate stakeholders and to demonstrate effective stormwater control measures and streambank repair practices to protect water quality. He has installed hundreds of stormwater control practices and stream restoration practices, and delivers 20 to 25 educational workshops annually across the state. Mitch has worked for The DuPont Company, Penn State University, University of Maryland, and the United States Department of Agriculture, and has been with NC State and the NC Cooperative Extension since 1997. He grew up on the family farm in Middletown, Delaware.