Taylor Hawes directs the Colorado River program at the Nature Conservancy. Before participating in a panel on the river’s future, she talked about her fondness for gluten-free cookies, cheese, and sea kayaking—and her hatred of hypocrisy—in the Zócalo green room.
What was the last thing that inspired you?
I saw a video last night from a high school about the issues around race. It was an interactive poem by two 10th graders—one Jewish, one black—about their families and their lives. If I were that smart in the 10th grade I’d be pretty happy.
What’s your favorite water sport?
Sea kayaking.
What food are you most likely to binge eat?
I can’t eat cookies because I’m gluten-free—so, gluten-free cookies. They’re not as good as the ones with gluten though.
How much is too much to pay for a haircut?
Seventy-five dollars.
Flat or sparkling water?
Flat.
What do you love to hate?
Hypocrisy.
What surprises you most about your life right now?
That I have grandkids. I have step-grandkids. At age 45.
What’s your favorite condiment?
Is cheese a condiment? Or ketchup.
What’s the last board game you played?
Scrabble.
What’s hanging on your living room walls?
A lot of artwork, and some cool brass stars with the water symbol in the middle.
