The National Drought Mitigation Center celebrated its 20th anniversary April 22 at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum.
Founder Don Wilhite, current director Mike Hayes and the nearly 20 center faculty and staff welcomed dozens to the event with hors d’oeuvres and drinks. An earlier celebration, planned for December, had been postponed.
The drought center was established in 1995 with the intent of helping to develop and implement measures to reduce drought vulnerability across the United States. Rather than respond only when a situation had developed into a crisis, the center hoped to and continues to stress drought preparedness and risk management.
Among some of the tools the center has played a role in or developed over the years are: the U.S. Drought Monitor, U.S. Drought Impact Reporter, Drought Risk Atlas, VegDRI and a suite of web-based drought management decision-making tools.
