As ecologists, we are keenly aware of the connection between water and biodiversity. As citizens, we also have an inherent understanding of the importance of water to our own livelihoods. Nowhere in the United States is water availability more of an issue than in the West with its vast stretches of arid land. As part of the ESA SEEDS Western Sustainable Communities project, this workshop will focus on the highly complex issues surrounding water in the western region. The challenges to the western water supply are formidable, the issues vary by state, and communities are affected differently. For example, 30% of residents on the Navajo reservation are hauling water from community wells, some of which are unregulated and contaminated. During this workshop, we will highlight the importance of bridging ecological research and policy initiatives to work toward solutions to the major water challenges in the west. As students working in interdisciplinary and culturally diverse teams, we are moving toward sustainable communities from an ecological, economic, political, and justice point of view. Last year we gathered for the ESA meeting amidst the largest drought in Texas history. This year, we gather in an area known for its rainfall. But no matter where we meet, we have a wealth of knowledge within the ESA community to contribute to environmental issues that are much larger than our research results. Highlighting issues surrounding water in the western US, the SEEDS community will highlight how ecologists can engage to make their research relevant to society.