Every year since 2015, WM and The Thunderbirds have partnered with Change the Course to leverage the tournament’s influence and the power of sports to drive awareness around water conservation and to directly restore water to Arizona rivers and communities.
How They Inspire
Change the Course has been activated onsite at the tournament through signage and social media to teach fans about their embedded water footprint and how they can conserve water in their daily lives. The 2022 tournament features a large “water drop” in the WM Green Scene to engage fans in freshwater issues and solutions and highlight how tournament sponsors are moving the needle for positive change.
The Impact They’re Making
Over the course of this eight-year initiative, the WM Phoenix Open and CtC partners have helped restore 368 million gallons of freshwater to Arizona ecosystems and communities. They support freshwater projects across the state, including improving habitats for native species; helping farmers improve irrigation efficiency and switch to less water intensive crops; and providing access to clean drinking water for Tribal Nations.
Waste Management’s water stewardship leadership inspired the Green Sports Alliance and Bonneville Environmental Foundation to award them the first Water Stewardship Influence Award.
