Enviropreneurs Welcome

January 21, 2012 //

Last year, I encouraged applications to the Enviropreneur Institute with this blog post titled: I am an Enviropreneur. All of the sentiment expressed in this post holds true today and applications are being accepted here. I, once again, hope all interested parties apply and leave you with the following quotes:

Entrepreneurship is the pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled – Howard Stevenson

And

If you find a job you love, you’ll never work again – Winston Churchill

And

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take – Wayne Gretzky

Innovative Water Transfers Survey Results

January 15, 2012 //

Innovative Water Transfers — Survey Results from State Managers on Prezi

On December 12 & 13 of 2011, I had the fortunate opportunity to attend the Innovative Water Transfer III workshop put on by the Western Governors’ Association and the Western States Water Council. All of the meeting proceedings can be found here. I enjoyed the meeting and was, once again, reminded how localized and fragmented these markets really are. Although there was one summary presentation, from Carlee Brown of the Western Governors’ Association, I found particularly interesting. This presentation summarized survey results from western state water resource managers (presentation embedded above). It’s good to hear their thoughts, as they’ll play a decisive role in these markets. None of this content is revolutionary, but is good to see on a western scale. The summarized version is as follows:

1. Legal requirements: Agencies rule over the water rights changes, but not the actual monetary deal.

2. Mitigation: Most states consider impacts to other water users and environment.

3. Market Drivers: Urban/Suburban Growth

4. Most Common Barrier: Public Opinion

5. Informal Agreements: Increasingly common circumvent regulatory process.

I also like the use of PREZI of course.

book review: where good ideas come from

January 9, 2012 //

I just finished one of the better books I’ve ever read: Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson. The book presents 7 parameters that facilitate idea creation:

1. The adjacent possible. Ideas within communities thrive on each other.

2. Liquid networks. This medium makes innovation easier. Encourage social flow not solitude.

3. The Slow Hunch. Ideas develop slowly over time.

4. Serendipity. In what appears lost, ideas can be found.

5. Error. Failing fast leads to wins.

6. Exaption. Don’t recreate the wheel. Borrow.

7. Platforms. Ideas are built and spread on foundations. These foundations are platforms.

Although I generally agree with these seven, there was one reoccurring notion throughout the book that I found especially thought provoking. Ecosystem Design.

Johnson applied ecosystem analogies for our societies, cultures, and markets. For example, the dynamics of a corral reef mimic our cities. I’ve recently developed similar thoughts in relation to ecosystems and markets. I’d argue a market is an ecosystem. The same structure and dynamics of species and their environment present in ecosystems also exist with people, companies, brands, and their markets. I’m still flushing out the details of this idea. Call it a slow hunch.

Any thoughts?

Ecosystem Marketplace: WET News

January 4, 2012 //

Just consider this a repost of the Ecosystem Marketplace Water Environmental Trading News. Why? Because Lotic was featured twice. Well, at least 1 and a 1/2.

1. Can his water bank help Montana solve its water problems?

1.5 Instream Flow Transactions are Big Deals in the West.

In addition to this greatly appreciated media, the newsletter is also full of other great reads on one of my favorite topics: water markets. A recommended read worth reposting.

11 lessons of 2011

December 31, 2011 //

I just received a request from the Environmental Leader asking me to share a quote for a lesson learned in 2011. Not surprisingly, this made me reflect on 2011 in a level that far surpassed this request. I felt inclined to share.

1. Water is a big deal. WATER is becoming a media darling and this makes for exciting times within this industry. In spirit of this simple thought, I couldn’t help but have some fun with the question: Is water a big deal?

2. Water markets are highly localized and fragmented. In 2011, I had the fortunate opportunity to attend and present at water conferences across the county. After each of these experiences, I was reminded of the localized and fragmented nature of these water markets.

3. Never trust a water right. A lesson learned in 2010, but I was frequently reminded of this lesson in 2011.

4. If it’s quick its not a water deal. I filed the first change to water marketing in the state of Montana in October. This project is two years and running…. emphasis on running.

5. Water Banks rule. In continuation of #4 above, I had the fortunate opportunity to work on some water banking projects in 2011. Here’s a link to a recent article on the topic. I’ve always felt strongly about water banks’ role in water markets of the West and this feeling was strengthened in 2011.

6. We need wetlands. Wetlands: filter water, mitigate floods, house fish and wildlife, increase species diversity, recharge aquifers… Wetlands have long provided vital ecosystem services. Reallocating water rights to wetlands use provides an opportunity to secure these eco-assets and capitalize on future aquifer recharge markets.

7. Stories Spread. Story telling is the ultimate transmission of ideas, concepts, brands, etc. The art of a well crafted and positioned story can help overcome the complexity associated with water and ecosystem markets.

8. Try. It is well documented and I learned first hand in 2011, “trying things” is the basis for growth and innovation.

9. Experiments in good tasting Spaghetti. If you review, Lotic’s book of business you’ll see a wide range of services. One of my MBA professor’s even accused me of executing the Spaghetti approach. This consists of throwing Spaghetti against the wall and seeing which one sticks. In 2011, I started focusing specifically on the Spaghetti that tasted the best. AKA, do what you love, love what you do.

10. Change. Change drives markets. Change also sustains business. Look for changes in 2012.

11. Thanks. Can thankfulness really be a lesson? I think so. Thanks for listening.

last minute water wishes for Christmas

December 23, 2011 //

Every year, Christmas arrives on the 25th of December. And, every year shoppers are scrambling to fill last minute Christmas wishes. Well, if you have the time, energy, and pocketbook I have a couple of last minute Christmas water wishes.

100,00 acre-feet of consumptive use on the Colorado front range.
Non-arguable hydrologic studies for all western surface and groundwater.
Consensus on climate change.
An accurate online water rights database, with consumptive use data.
Helios Switch 115-4 tip flex Fly Rod.
A Master’s thesis on the topic of water that doesn’t highlight the importance of water in the first 2 sentences.
The end of Adjudication.
A MLS and price database for all water rights trades.
A water conference with great slides.
Basin closure for all new water rights appropriations.
Abolish recognized beneficial uses of water.
A greater emphasis on water conservation.
A logical solution for winter mitigation water.
More water infographics.
Free entries to the Water Rights Trading Summits of 2012.
Increased demand for Water Restoration Certificates.
Another great year in 2012.

Thank you for considering these wishes. More importantly– and in all seriousness– Merry Christmas! It’s better to give than receive.

10 reasons to trade, WATER

December 11, 2011 //

Tomorrow, I’m headed to the Innovative Water Transfers Workshop III in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event’s hosts–the Western Governor’s Association and the Western States Water Council–state:

This workshop will bring together approximately 50 people from across the Western states to discuss the most promising strategies to promote smart and innovative water transfers in the West.

As you may imagine, I’m looking forward to the event and decided to submit written materials for the workshop. It’s no secret that I believe trading solves the Western water woes, and it probably won’t come as a surprise this is the topic I tackled in my materials. Ten Reasons to Trade.

10 Reasons to Trade

Water Rights Markets Keep Forward Motion

December 4, 2011 //

EBJ -Water Rights
I recently had the fortunate opportunity to participate in an Environmental Business Journal article on the status and future of water rights markets. This article is now published and I felt inclined to share.

the people of water

November 26, 2011 //

In follow-up to my terrific trip to the 2011 AWRA meeting, I made some observations of the people of water (highlighted above). Personally, I like them all. For what appears to be a relatively simple substance, the polarity and conflicting human views associated with water make it an intriguing market.

The characterizations highlighted above are by no means exhaustive and, obviously, my opinion. Just consider them the people of WATER part one. Feel free to share ideas or suggestions for part two.

can new mexico turn blue into green?

November 7, 2011 //

Tomorrow morning, I will board a plane for the 2011 American Water Resources Association Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. At this event, I will present my vision for turning blue into green through water marketing to both the conference and the local Business Water Task Force.

An example of this vision, was highlighted in an Ecosystem Marketplace article published last week: Can his Water Bank help Montana Solve its Water Troubles? Also, here’s the link.

While at this conference, I intend to tweet the highlights (in my eyes) from @loticwater with the hashtag #AWRA2011

It should be a fun one in the world of water; I hope to see you there.