May 7, 2025

The Freshwater Opportunities Bulletin is published the first Wednesday of each month except July. It provides information about water-related conferences, collaborative courses and field experiences, undergraduate research positions and internships, and other opportunities for students, faculty, and staff at the Universities of Wisconsin.

Please share information with students and colleagues on your campus. 

If you missed James Wasley's talk on Possible Future Uses of New Lakefront at the Port of Milwaukee, you can watch the recording. He presented extensive research and recommendations for Milwaukee's Dredged Material Disposal Facility and provided examples of what's working well in other parts of the country. 

Watch recording 

Are you recruiting undergraduates for research positions or internships? We can help spread the word and post your positions to our website. Email the information to freshwater-collab@uwm.edu. 

Are you looking to gain hands-on experience in river restoration? Join the two-week summer DAM Crew and learn professional skills for monitoring the impacts of dam removal on the Kinnickinnic River.

UW-River Falls is hiring up to 12 students from any Universities of Wisconsin campus to work on the fourth annual DAM Crew. You will work alongside experts from Inter-Fluve and Trout Unlimited. One student will be hired as a part-time intern during the academic year. The summer DAM Crew is a free, non-credit experience provided through the Freshwater Collaborative. Funds are available for food, travel expenses and campus housing. Apply by May 20 at https://forms.gle/Xfdh1s7GtgWyWasSA

Download a flyer for your campus
Read more about the experience from one of last year's participants.

The Ernest Oberholtzer Foundation is offering a week-long educational program on Mallard Island in Rainy Lake, located along the Minnesota and Ontario border. Except for transportation to Rainy Lake and food, the program is free for undergraduate students.

Activities include exploration of Oberholtzer’s extensive library and archives, work projects to improve the island, short hikes and canoe paddles, and shared meals prepared by participants. Traditional Anishinaabe ceremonies may also be offered when elders are available.To apply, complete the application form under “Stewards of the Wilderness.” Applications due June 15.

Download a flyer for your campus

Please share opportunities below with K-12 students and educators. 

UW-Eau Claire will host a free workshop that covers the fundamentals of groundwater flow, and includes field and model activities, as well as a tour of the water treatment plant. Educators who participate in science education at the K-12 level are eligible to apply. Apply by May 15 at tinyurl.com/k12groundwater

Download a flyer

The PFAS Education Workshop, created and hosted by Seyed Javad Amirfakhri at UW-Stevens Point, helps middle and high school educators bring PFAS education into their classrooms. These materials are downloadable and free for any educator to use. Download PFAS Workshop Materials

UW-La Crosse is hosting a multi-day camp for incoming 9-12 grade students. Students participate in instructional sessions and visits to rivers in the Driftless region for hands-on fieldwork and lab activities in collaboration with UW- La Crosse faculty, local educators and community members.

More information

Freshwater Collaborative courses offer students immersive field and lab work to prepare for the workforce. Additional details and downloadable flyers and presentation slides available on our website. 

June 9-June 20
UW-Milwaukee/UW-River Falls. 3 credits.

Dive into a hands-on learning adventure focused on the limnology, Web-based climate and weather models, and biogeochemistry of Lake Michigan! This unique course uses a problem-solving approach to tackle real-world environmental challenges affecting Lake Michigan. Open to 10 students from ANY university. Get details.

July 7-Aug. 16
UW-Milwaukee. 3 credits.

This general education course addresses the importance of water in biological, ecological, physical, climate and economic systems, and the consequences of distributing the natural water cycle. Info at freshwater.wisconsin.edu/for-students/fcw-courses-experiences/ 

Sept. 2-Dec. 11
UW-Milwaukee. 3 credits.

Get hands-on experience in designing experiments, conducting fieldwork, and analyzing real-world data using R! This immersive course covers everything from sampling techniques and regulatory frameworks to mastering lab instruments and data interpretation. Includes field trips, expert guest lecturers, and a capstone project. Non-UWM students can enroll as non-degree (grad) or university special (undergrad) students if they meet the prerequisites. Contact Mal Kaul, malkaul@uwm.edu, for more information. Read more about the course.

Were you forwarded this email? Would you like to receive news from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin?

You’re getting our quarterly newsletter, but are you following us on social media?