“I’ve been in Water forever.”

               – Karen Novak Cesare

Karen’s Biography

Karen Novak Cesare was first elected to a six-year term on the CAWCD Board representing Pima County in 2014. But her passion about Arizona’s most precious commodity began much earlier. Karen was born in Phoenix and is a third generation Arizonan.

She is a registered Landscape Architect in Arizona and California and has been a small business owner since 1998, owning and operating Novak Environmental, Inc., a Tucson-based landscape architectural consulting firm.

Karen graduated from the University of Arizona with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Landscape Architecture from the College of Agriculture, School of Renewable Natural Resources.

Karen is married to Jeffrey J. Cesare. They have three adult children, who all live in Tucson. Karen also volunteers her time as an event supervisor for the Science Olympiad. She enjoys cycling, hiking, birding, watching University of Arizona basketball and football, and spending time with her family.

She has always been concerned about water and has worked in the areas of water conservation and water management policy for over three decades.

Karen’s CAP Work

  • Chair of the Public Policy Committee which interacts with state and federal officials. Karen has made several trips to Washington DC to meet with our federal delegation and partners.
  • Member of Finance Audit and Power Committee which makes recommendations to the full board on issues such as water rates.
  • Member of the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD) Committee. The CAGRD is a division of the Central Arizona Project with special duties that were assigned in 1993 by the Arizona State Legislature. The CAGRD develops plans to replace groundwater used by homes and businesses.
  • Participant in the Arizona Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) Steering Committee and the development of the DCP, including Pima County Work Groups. The DCP was approved at the state and federal level in 2019.
  • Member of the Energy Task Force which worked to diversify the CAP’s energy portfolio — including for renewable energy options.
  • Member of the Customer Service Task Force which increased public participation and stakeholder outreach efforts.
  • Public speaker providing education and information on water issues to community groups.
  • Quarterly guest on The Bill Buckmaster Show, KVOI AM 1030, providing information on the CAP.

Karen’s Issues

  • Getting Arizona into a strong position to enter Reconsultation of the 2007 Guidelines Colorado River Guidelines by building consensus among stakeholders concerning Arizona water issues.
  • Ensuring the sustainability of The Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD).
  • Encouraging statewide conversations and education about water and growth.
  • Continuing to increase the transparency of operations by the CAWCD.
  • Amplifying community outreach and education concerning water issues.
  • Continue leadership on the CAWCD Board as a Member who is knowledgeable on water issues, addresses concerns about the environment, is a steward of water conservation in Arizona, and supports Arizona farmers and responsible growth.
  • Growing support for the Multi-species Conservation Program.
  • Continuing to ensure that Arizonans have the water we need to continue to prosper and enjoy our great quality of life.

Karen’s Background in Community Service for Water Issues

As a young professional, Karen chaired the Outdoor Conservation Committee of the Southern Arizona Water Resources Association (SAWARA). She helped create the first Xeriscape Demonstration Garden at Tucson Botanical Gardens.

Karen has served on Tucson Water’s Citizen’s Water Advisory Committee (CWAC), including as the Chair. She was named to the Citizen’s Oversight Committee which was tasked with putting a public process in place to help Tucson solve the CAP Water Crisis in the 1990s.

As an elected CAWCD Board Member, Karen serves on several CAP Board committees (see details below in Karen’s Accomplishments).

She has participated in the Communications Task Force, Power Task Force and the Customer Service Task Force. She is currently focusing on expanding public awareness of the CAP and water issues and water conservation.

Karen’s Key CAWCD Accomplishments

  • Helped to develop the Drought Contingency Plan.
  • Voted to establish Minute 323 with Mexico for shared goals of boosting the reservoir levels in Lake Mead to prevent shortages through the establishment of the Binational Water Scarcity Contingency Plan, in which Mexico agreed to join U.S. states in temporarily taking less water from Lake Mead to prevent the declaration of a shortage.
  • Advocated for CAWCD improved Customer Service.
  • Increased the transparency and access to crucial water conservation information.
  • Supported the transition from the Navajo Generating Station (NGS) power supply to a diversified power portfolio that includes solar energy.

Karen’s Honors and Recognition

  • Inside Tucson Business 2019 Women of Influence Lifetime Achievement Award.
  • 2018 American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Arizona Chapter, Landscape Architect of the Year.

Karen’s Volunteer Activities and Community Service

  • Pima County Parks and Recreation Commission
  • Historic Canoa Ranch Commission
  • Tucson Citizens’ Water Advisory Committee (CWAC)
  • Science Olympiad Event Supervisor
  • American Society of Landscape Architects – Arizona Chapter, Chapter President
  • Arizona State Board of Technical Registration
  • Lohse family YMCA Board of Directors