April 2, 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. 

The Freshwater Collaborative and the UW-Milwaukee Center for Water Policy are co-hosting an Earth Day webinar featuring James Wasley, UW-Milwaukee professor and 2024-2025 Water Policy Scholar. He will present research on the possible future uses of the Dredged Material Disposal Facility at the Port of Milwaukee as well as examples of closure and conversion to future public uses in other parts of the Great Lakes. 

Register 

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

The Environmental Analysis Lab at UW-River Falls is hiring two paid interns from any Universities of Wisconsin campus to work on a National Science Foundation-funded project to investigate nutrient transport in soil. Full-time summer work. Apply by May 1.

Read the full position description

Aquarius Systems is seeking a student with a background or strong interest in freshwater studies, plastic pollution reduction, or environmental science to assist in data collection and analysis for an experimental stationary debris skimming device. This is a hands-on opportunity to contribute to environmental research and gain field experience in freshwater pollution mitigation. Minimum 10 hours per week May through October at a pay rate of $21 per hour. To apply, submit a brief statement of interest and relevant experience to info@aquarius-systems.com

Read the complete job description

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

UW-Eau Claire’s Environmental Science Day brings together high school students, teachers, and university faculty and students for a day of freshwater exploration and discovery. 

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. Application deadline is May 15. Link to application: tinyurl.com/k12groundwater

Download a flyer

UW Oshkosh is hosting a three-day camp for high school schoolers. Students 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. Aside from a $25 participation fee, all costs will be covered by the Freshwater Collaborative. Limited to 20 participants.

Download a flyer

UW-Green Bay is accepting applications for its High School Freshwater Summer Scholars program, supported by the Freshwater Collaborative. These are paid positions that provide students with opportunities to complete hands-on freshwater research with a UW-Green Bay mentor. Apply by April 14. 

More information and apply

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.

June 16-July 3
UW-Milwaukee/UW-Whitewater. 2 credits.

Learn about laboratory and field methods used to assess the environmental and health effects of water pollution. Experiences will include field sample collection, water quality and chemical analyses, acute and chronic toxicity testing, introduction to pollutant-induced gene expression, and time on UW-Milwaukee’s research vessel. Open to 10 students from ANY university. Download a flyer.

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/ 

UW-Green Bay will host "Community Conversation on Nurturing Northeast Wisconsin’s Freshwater Economy" on Thursday, April 17 at 4 p.m. in the Christie Theatre. Speaker Peter Annin, director of the Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation at Northland College and author of The Great Lakes Water Wars, will discuss the Green Bay region and Wisconsin’s strategic position on the Great Lakes amidst global water scarcity. A panel discussion will follow. 

Register 

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