Winter 2024 Water Words

Happy Holidays!

It's a good time to reflect upon this year's accomplishments and to recognize those who helped along the way. Much thanks to our academic and external partners, many of whom attended our second annual FresH₂O Partner Event in September.

The event included speakers from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection who presented on Wisconsin’s water priorities. Nearly 100 attendees participated in sessions on PFAS, water policy, K-12 outreach, and building partnerships.

I also want to extend our appreciation to Governor Evers and the State Legislature for their continued investment in the Freshwater Collaborative. Special thanks to Sen. Cowles and Rep. Kitchens for hosting a legislative hearing on Nov. 1, which allowed our faculty, staff and industry partners to showcase projects and research. The recording is available on our website.

This weekend the Universities of Wisconsin will celebrate their newest graduates. These alumni will become valuable members of Wisconsin’s workforce. We are proud to have helped some of them prepare for careers in water.

The hands-on summer courses and undergraduate research experiences funded by the Freshwater Collaborative — like the ones featured in this newsletter — provide students beneficial training opportunities that help them get jobs. We are grateful to have so many amazing partners in building our state's water workforce.

We look forward to 2025. Many thanks for your continued partnership.

Best,
Marissa Jablonski
Executive Director

Wisconsin’s aquaculture industry is facing staffing shortages. To address this, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, and UW-Stevens Point are collaborating with commercial fish farms and schools to create unique aquaculture experiences for high school and undergraduate students. They hope to inspire the next generation of aquaculture professionals and ensure the growth of our state’s aquaculture industry.

Knowing the correct way to collect and analyze water samples is a critical skill for water professionals. Undergraduates who take a collaborative hands-on course at UW-River Falls get expert training in lab and field techniques. They learn how to avoid costly errors before entering the workforce.

Wisconsin-based Chippewa Valley Bean is the largest processor and exporter of kidney beans in the world. The innovative company has created a unique partnership with UW-Stout to gain cutting-edge research and development. The project exemplifies how companies can partner with university faculty and students to create a win-win situation.

UW-Green Bay's High School Freshwater Summer Scholars program offers paid internships for high school students to work alongside researchers on real-world projects. Students gain valuable experience and get a head start on planning a career in water science.

Please share with students interested in hands-on positions. Details available on our website.

Center for Water Policy Undergraduate Communications Intern. Application deadline Dec. 15.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension is hiring a Natural Resources Program Coordinator. This is a part-time hybrid position ideal for entry level or mid-career employees. Includes benefits. Location is flexible. Application deadline Dec. 29.
Water Policy and Science Communications Grad Fellow. Must enroll in UW-Milwaukee's water policy thesis track master’s degree program by Jan. 31.
2025 Freshwater@UW Summer Research Program. Paid mentored research positions across the state. Application deadline Feb. 15.
Summer internships through UW Oshkosh's ERIC Lab. Positions will be filled by mid-February.
Clean Boats Clean Waters Summer Internships. Positions will be filled ASAP.

Freshwater Collaborative courses offer students immersive field and lab work to prepare them for the workforce. Details available on our website.

Jan. 21-May 16: Elements of Water. In-person at UW-Milwaukee.
Feb. 3-May 16: Fundamentals of Freshwater. In-person at UW-Parkside.
Jan. 27-May 9: The Mississippi River: Mighty and Managed. In-person at UW-La Crosse.
June 9-20: Expedition to Great Lake Michigan. In-person at UW-Milwaukee. Open to 10 students from any university on a first-come, first-served basis. Preregistration by Feb. 1 required. Housing and food covered by the Freshwater Collaborative. https://uwm.edu/freshwater/fcw2025/

Dec. 12: Learn Deep Collab Lab on Building Capabilities in K-12 Schools
Jan. 9-10: Virtual Harmful Algal Bloom Research Symposium
Feb. 25-27: Wetland Science Conference
March 26-28: Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention. Poster and lightning talk proposals due March 1.
April 2: Research in the Rotunda
April 3-5: Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers
April 10-11: Wisconsin chapter of AWRA. Abstract proposals due Dec. 20.
June 2-6: IAGLR's 68th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research. Abstract proposals due Dec. 16.

Did you miss the Dec. 10 Great Lakes Freshwater Symposium on the challenges and opportunities for offshore wind energy in the Great Lakes?

Watch Recording

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Water Words

Spotlight Stories

Aquaculture Experiences for Students Address Workforce Challenges

Hands-on Water Course Creates Safe Space for Learning

UW-Stout Students Provide Research Innovation for Kidney Bean Farmers

High School Summer Internships Give Students Freshwater Experience Before College

Research, Internship & Job Opportunities

Undergraduate Courses and Lab and Field Experiences

Events on the Horizon

Great Lakes Freshwater Symposium: Offshore Wind