At Reed, she took a class in water and the American West, which led to additional classes in environmental economics. After graduating with a degree in economics, Huque worked as a senior analyst for EcoNorth, a Portland-based consulting firm that provides economic valuations of natural resources projects.

While the position exposed her to a broad range of environmental issues, she decided to shift her focus to work specifically in water conservation at the local level. She applied for a data science position with Eagle River Water and Sanitation District, a water utility company in Vail, Colorado.

“It ticked off all my boxes, working with water, working with data, and working somewhere local where you can really get to know a place well,” she said.

At Eagle River, she analyzed water consumption and implemented two data-driven rate structure overhauls aimed at water conservation. 

One of the toughest challenges regarding water management is mistrust of data and science, Huque said. 

“People see conservation coming into their world as external forces telling them how to manage their land. To do the work effectively, you have to be really involved in the community and learn from the people you want to help. You have to find common ground and establish joint investments,” she noted.

Huque came to YSE for its water specialization track and to enhance her capacity to work across disciplines and perspectives. Her classes include studies in coastal waters, land management, and the intersection of water management and climate change.

As a research fellow with YSE’s Ucross High Plains Stewardship Initiative, Huque is providing economic valuation of investments in fish, wildlife, forestry, and land conservation for Blackfoot Challenge, a nonprofit that coordinates conservation efforts in Montana’s Blackfoot Watershed.

“YSE is helping me move forward in working with people with differing values and communicating better with stakeholders and community members. That’s even more important than data skills,” she said.