Happy Spring,
Despite our recent blizzard conditions and snowfall, spring is here. Enrollment is open for our summer hands-on courses for undergraduates and for several high school experiences. You'll find more information about our 2026 summer offerings below as well as stories about other ways we are training students for the water workforce.
Earlier this month I met many Freshwater Collaborative–funded students at Research in the Rotunda and learned about their project. They are so impressive! Their names and projects are on our website, and we'll be featuring Q&As with them over the next few months.
Before the year gets too far along, we want to share our 2025 Highlights Video. Thank you to all our stakeholders who make Wisconsin THE place to study and work in water!
Best,
Marissa Jablonski
Executive Director
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UW-Green Bay researchers recently published results from a six-year study that show that agricultural runoff treatment systems are one of the most cost-effective options for meeting Wisconsin’s nutrient reduction goals. They are also an excellent training site for students. Read about the research and student training.
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A unique research collaboration is providing students at all levels with interdisciplinary hands-on training in a critical field: analyzing how emerging contaminants affect a major urban waterway. Check out how a soil scientist and an aquatic biogeochemistry researcher have combined forces to conduct contaminant research in the Greater Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern. Read more about the AOC research.
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Olivia Stellpflug says she accidentally specialized in water. Conducting PFAS research with Freshwater Collaborative–funded faculty members at UW-Stevens Point led her to a job with Fehr Graham Engineering and Environmental, where she consults on environmental remediation and drinking water systems. Read about her journey.
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Environmental microorganisms affect the health of everything — soil, water, humans, plants, animals and even insects. A course at UW-River Falls gives students hands-on experience studying these organisms. With a new grant from the Freshwater Collaborative, students will begin building a database of organisms called diatoms, which will offer a new tool for monitoring water quality. Read more about the course and database.
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Research and Internship Opportunities |
Please share opportunities with students interested in hands-on training. Details available on our website.
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The Watts/Bradley Internship Program is your chance to bring what you’ve learned in the classroom to life! Watts Water hires engineering interns for its Menomonee Falls location and nationwide. If you missed our March 19 info session, you can access the recording online
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Environment Wisconsin is hiring Conservation Advocates. This position is ideal for recent graduates or those who will graduate in May. Madison is the preferred location, but other locations in Wisconsin will be considered.
- Environment America is hiring interns to work with its issue advocacy teams and state offices across the country.
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West Virginia University and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation are looking for field interviewers to survey visitors to the waters and coastal areas of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary. These positions are based in Wisconsin.
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The University of Wisconsin Sea Grant College Program is accepting applications for the National Sea Grant College Program’s John A. Knauss Marine (and Great Lakes) Policy Fellowship Program. The program matches graduate students with hosts in the legislative and executive branches of government in the Washington, D.C. area, for one-year paid internships.
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DAM Crew Summer Experience, July 20-31 |
Join the 2026 Dam Analysis Monitoring (DAM) Crew! This is a two-week river monitoring and restoration workshop experience through UW-River Falls. Participants will learn from professionals involved in dam removal and river restoration and monitoring, and will assist with monitoring plan implementation.
Students from any Universities of Wisconsin school are encouraged to apply. Participation is free, and funds are available for food and travel expenses. All participants will have the opportunity to attend a water-focused regional scientific conference in the year following their participation.
Apply by May 15.
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Undergraduate Courses and Lab and Field Experiences |
Freshwater Collaborative courses offer students immersive field and lab work to prepare them for the workforce. Details available on our website.
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- May 1-3: Ag-Water Field Experience. Three-day, one-credit collaborative field course hosted at UW-Platteville and offered to students enrolled at UW-Platteville, UW-Green Bay, UW-River Falls or UW-Stevens Point.
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May 18-June 5: Field Hydrology, GEOL 472. Three-week field course in western Wisconsin offered through UW-Eau Claire in collaboration with UW-River Falls and UW-Stout. Open to students from any university.
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May 25-June 5: Special Topics in Freshwater Science Laboratory and Field Techniques. Two-credit hybrid course with faculty from UW-River Falls and UW-Green Bay. Students must apply. Lodging and accommodations provided. Open to students from any university.
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June 8-July 3: Human Interactions with Lake Michigan Coastal Ecosystems. Three-credit hands-on course explores the human impacts on Lake Michigan coastal ecosystems from Green Bay to Kenosha. Taught by UW-Milwaukee and UW-Green Bay. Limited to 12 students from any university.
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June 15-July 27: Elements of Water. General education course for undergraduates and is open to high school students enrolled in the Early College Credit Program. Open to students from any university.
- June 23-July 3: EGRT 374: Field Sampling and Analysis. Two-week field course in northern Wisconsin offered through UW Oshkosh. Open to students from any university.
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Freshwater Collaborative offers immersive experiences for K-12 students and educators. Details available on our website.
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High School Freshwater Summer Scholars Program at UW-Green Bay. Participants in this 10-week paid internship program engage in freshwater-centered research and have enhanced opportunities to explore water science careers and research through field trips and presentations. Open to students enrolled in high school, including graduating seniors. Apply by April 13.
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Freshwater Science Field Experience in Western Wisconsin, June 21-25. Explore western Wisconsin’s lakes, streams, and groundwater with faculty and students from UW-Stout, UW-Eau Claire, and UW-River Falls. Open to 24 high school juniors and seniors. All participants are eligible for full-tuition scholarships thanks to funding from the Freshwater Collaborative.
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K-12 Educator Groundwater Workshop at UW-Eau Claire, June 26. This workshop is free to any educator in Wisconsin who participates in K-12 science education. Participants receive a groundwater model for their school. Apply by May 15.
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Freshwater High School Experience at UW Oshkosh, July 13-15. Conduct hands-on research, pilot water drones, explore waterways on a pontoon boat, learn about freshwater college majors and careers, and enjoy fun evening activities in the residence halls. Open to 20 students. Aside from a $25 participation fee, all costs are covered by the Freshwater Collaborative.
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My River Adventures Camp, July 27-31. Students live on the UW-La Crosse campus while they enjoy a week of 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. Limited spots available.
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600 E Greenfield Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204
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