The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin is training Wisconsin’s water workforce to address water challenges.
We partner with the private sector, nonprofits, government agencies, tribal nations, and community members on programs and collaborative research that
- Engage middle school and high school students and encourage them to study water and environmental sciences.
- Offer intensive hands-on coursework where college students learn lab and fieldwork techniques.
- Teach students technical and professional skills through undergraduate research and internships with on-campus and external partners.
- Create a jobs pipeline that strengthens Wisconsin’s workforce.
The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin is a statewide initiative of the 13 public Universities of Wisconsin.
Spotlight Stories
- Freshwater@UW Research Program Inspires Missouri Native to Study and Work in Water
A native of Kansas City, Mo., Emily Valentine hadn’t considered a career in water until she went to UW-Madison. “I loved that the campus was on Lake Mendota,” she says. She enrolled as a chemistry major and after getting involved… - An ‘Accidental’ Career Path From Undergraduate PFAS Research to Employment
Olivia Stellpflug says she accidentally specialized in water. She graduated from UW-Stevens Point in May 2025 with a degree in chemical engineering. She chose her major because she was interested in plastics pollution and wanted to make products with fewer… - UW-River Falls Microbial Ecology Course to Create Resource for Monitoring Water Quality
Minnesota native Alonne Brown recently transferred to UW-River Falls and couldn’t be happier with her choice. The junior, who is majoring in Ecology and Organismal Biology, says the university offers far more hands-on experiences than her previous institution. For example,… - Tracking Emerging Contaminants in the Greater Milwaukee Estuary
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. Inna Popova, an assistant professor of soil chemistry, environmental toxicology and contaminants at… - UW-La Crosse Summer Camp Gets Teens on Mississippi, Opens Eyes to Freshwater Careers
Ninth grader Ivy from Fountain City says participating in the My River Adventures summer camp at UW-La Crosse was one of the highlights of his entire summer. “It was a really good balance of fun and learning. It was great… - Spring Courses Explore the Connection Between Agriculture and Water in Wisconsin
Farming is a vital part of Wisconsin’s economy, and agricultural practices significantly impact the state’s water resources. The Ag-Water Nexus Seminar and Ag-Water Nexus Field Experience equip students with a broad, interdisciplinary education that integrates agricultural and environmental perspectives. The…
News
- Applications open for UW-Green Bay High School Freshwater Summer Scholars Program; deadline April 13March 11, 2026
- Freshwater Opportunities Bulletin, March 2026March 4, 2026
- Applications for 2026 DAM Crew Due May 15February 26, 2026
- PFAS Education Picks Up ‘STEAM’ at UW-Stevens Point DayFebruary 9, 2026
Events
- Freshwater Students at Research in the Rotunda, March 11February 24, 2026
- Info Session for Internships with Watts Water, March 19February 20, 2026
- Great Lakes Freshwater Symposium: The Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup, March 5February 19, 2026
- Steering Committee Meeting, Feb. 19, 2026February 17, 2026
Stay Informed
Our e-newsletter will keep you informed about how the Freshwater Collaborative is training Wisconsin’s future water workforce and building partnerships that solve freshwater challenges.
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Experts Directory
The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin includes faculty and staff from the 13 Universities of Wisconsin, creating an extensive network of professionals working in the water industry. They can speak to about a variety of water challenges in our state.
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