Building Big Things Together: CBCD at the Columbia Basin Development League Conference

The Columbia Basin Conservation District (CBCD) team and board members attended the Columbia Basin Development League (CBDL) Conference and Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 13th, in Moses Lake. The event provided an opportunity to engage with regional leaders, producers, and agency partners on water sustainability, irrigation efficiency, and collaborative projects shaping the Basin’s agricultural and water landscape. This year’s theme, “Building Big Things,” highlighted large-scale initiatives working to advance the Columbia Basin Project.

CBCD staff and board members gather together at the 2025 CBDL Conference and Annual Meeting at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake on Thursday, November 13, 2025.

CBCD staff and partners contributed to several presentations throughout the day. Kristina Ribellia, CBCD Executive Director, joined Jon Erickson, Development Coordinator from the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District (ECBID), to present on the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program (OGWRP), showcasing collaborative efforts to support sustainable groundwater use. Harold Crose, CBCD’s Senior Technical Advisor, highlighted the Columbia Basin Project and the vital role of irrigation in sustaining agriculture that feeds communities and the nation. Additionally, Kristina Ribellia and Dr. Sasha Richey McLarty of Washington State University co-presented on the Columbia Basin Sustainable Water Coalition (CBSWC) and the upcoming Groundwater Web App, an interactive tool designed to help monitor and analyze groundwater resources across the Basin.

Left: Harold Crose, CBCD’s Senior Technical Advisor, shares his presentation titled “Just Add Water” at the 2025 CBDL Conference. Right: CBCD team snaps a selfie—most of us wore green that day, completely unplanned. Great minds (and wardrobes) think alike!

A special moment of the conference was the honoring of Alice Parker, a long-time advocate and leader in the Columbia Basin. Parker played a pivotal role in advancing the Columbia Basin Project, and her dedication to regional water development, infrastructure planning, and community collaboration helped shape the Basin’s irrigation system, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.

Kristina Ribellia, CBCD’s Executive Director, Presents on the OGWRP at the 2025 CBDL Conference.

CBCD staff thoroughly enjoyed the conference, connecting with stakeholders, sharing district initiatives, and learning about regional water and development priorities. A big thank you to CBDL for hosting a fantastic event and highlighting the “big” work happening throughout the Columbia Basin!