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
- 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… - Undergrads Gain Unexpected Skills as Water Research Interns at UW Oshkosh
Never fall in the water while wearing waders! That’s one of the many lessons Abby Panier, a UW-Whitewater undergraduate student, learned last summer. Panier worked as a beach monitoring intern with UW Oshkosh, based in Manitowoc, Wisc. She collected daily… - Catching the Research Bug: Freshwater@UW Program Shaped a Water Scientist’s Future
Oconomowoc native Sam Krueger says the term “research” can be intimidating. Participating in the Freshwater@UW Summer Research Opportunities program showed her research can be fun and accessible. It also took away the intimidation factor in applying to graduate school. Krueger… - BenthicNet: How an Aquatic Insect Project Is Revitalizing Biomonitoring in Wisconsin
Andrew Malacara raves about “Bug Camp,” the informal name for training workshops that are part of a new project funded by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin. Malacara is one of six students from UW-Parkside, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Madison who are…
News
- PFAS Education Picks Up ‘STEAM’ at UW-Stevens Point DayFebruary 9, 2026
- Registration Open for K-12 Educator Groundwater Workshop at UW-Eau ClaireFebruary 4, 2026
- Freshwater Collaborative Bulletin, Feb. 2026February 4, 2026
- Registration Open for Freshwater High School Experience at UW OshkoshFebruary 3, 2026
Events
- Great Lakes Freshwater Symposium: The Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup, March 7February 3, 2026
- Career Fair for Students and Alumni, March 6January 29, 2026
- Freshwater Collaborative Steering Committee Meeting, Jan. 28January 26, 2026
- Freshwater Collaborative Steering Committee Meeting, Nov. 26November 24, 2025
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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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