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
- Gain Hands-on Research Experience in High School Freshwater Summer Scholars Program
When Maddie Mueller saw an Instagram post about a summer high school freshwater program at UW-Green Bay, she immediately applied. “I plan to go into the freshwater science field and wanted some real in-lab experiences.” says Mueller, a senior at… - A Novel Approach to PFAS Removal and Awareness Efforts
When it comes to PFAS research and education, Seyed Javad Amirfakhri is professionally and personally invested. Amirfakhri is an Assistant Professor of Paper science and Chemical Engineering at UW-Stevens Point who is conducting innovative PFAS removal research. He also has… - Research Collaboration Tackles Phosphorus Pollution and Educates Youth
If you’ve seen blue-green algae on local lakes and rivers, you’ve seen the effects of agricultural runoff — particularly phosphorus pollution. This nutrient contaminates Wisconsin’s freshwater lakes and negatively impacts water quality and safety for human consumption and aquatic life.… - Student Profile: Phosphorus Transport Research
Riverbed sediments can be an important source of phosphorus to Wisconsin waterways, increasing blue-green algae and negatively impacting aquatic health, human health, and local economies. With a three-year grant from the Freshwater Collaborative, faculty and students at UW-Green Bay and… - Environmental Science Day Inspires Next Generation of Freshwater Scientists
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. “Our first Environmental Science Day [in May 2024] was a huge success,” says Sarah Vitale, an… - UW-Green Bay Internship Helps Undergrad Choose a Career Path
Gaining hands-on experiences helped Sam, a biology major at UW-Green Bay, determine her career path. During her freshwater science internship with the Stream Team, Sam participated in water monitoring and lab analysis, and learned how she could play a role…
News
- Water Words, Spring 2025March 12, 2025
- Abstract Deadline Is March 15 for UWs Symposium for Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, and Creative ActivityMarch 5, 2025
- Freshwater Opportunities Bulletin, March 2025March 5, 2025
- April 14 Deadline to Apply for UW-Green Bay High School Freshwater Summer Scholars Internship ProgramMarch 4, 2025
Events
- K-12 Educator Groundwater Workshop, June 30March 12, 2025
- Research in the Rotunda, April 2March 5, 2025
- Recording of Great Lakes Freshwater Symposium: Monitoring and Controlling Invasive Species in the Great LakesFebruary 19, 2025
- PFAS Workshop for High School Teachers, April 3February 14, 2025
Stay Informed
Our quarterly 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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