The Freshwater Collaborative annual FresH2O Partner Event brings together faculty and staff from the 13 Universities of Wisconsin to discuss water challenges and workforce development in Wisconsin with partners from industry, government agencies, tribal nations, K-12 schools, and nonprofit and advocacy groups.
Registration Is Now Closed
If you RVSP yes and need to change your response, notify freshwater-collab@uwm.edu ASAP to open the spot for another attendee.
FresH2O Partner Event Details
Friday, Sept. 19, 2025
12:30-6 p.m.
UW-Madison Pyle Center
702 Langdon Street | Madison, WI 53706
pyle.wisc.edu/
https://pyle.wisc.edu/about/parking/
Agenda Snapshot
| 12:30-1 p.m. | Check In |
| 1-1:45 p.m. | Freshwater Collaborative Welcome and Keynote Address: Wisconsin Coastal Management Program’s statewide priorities and the role water plays in Wisconsin’s recreation and tourism economy Lee Lounge/Rm 109 |
| Mike Friis, Director, Resource Policy Bureau, Wisconsin Department of Administration and President, Coastal States Stewardship Foundation | |
| Cassie Mordini, Director, Office of Outdoor Recreation, Wisconsin Department of Tourism | |
| 2-3:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions |
| PFAS Research Around the State, Rm 213 | |
| Freshwater Programs for K-12 Educators and Students, Rm 209 | |
| 3:30-4:45 p.m. | Panel Session: Wisconsin’s Water Policies and Legislative Priorities, Rm 213 |
| 4:45-5:15 p.m. | Sharing Lessons from Sessions, Lee Lounge/Rm 109 |
| 5-6 p.m. | CONNECTIONS & CONVERSATIONS, Lee Lounge/Rm 109 |
| Enjoy drinks, appetizers and conversations with colleagues and potential new partners. |
Session Details
All FresH2O registrants are invited to participate in any of the sessions.
PFAS Research Around the State
Town of Campbell Supervisor Lee Donahue and UW-Madison Professor Mike Cardiff will discuss their partnership and the outreach they have conducted to address the ongoing PFAS crisis in Campbell. Lightning talks from PFAS researchers around the state will follow the presentation along with time to network and discuss PFAS research.
Freshwater Programs for K-12 Educators and Students
Attracting young people to careers in water is essential to Wisconsin’s workforce development. The new Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin Outreach Network will help to connect university faculty and staff with K-12 educators and students across the state and provide meaningful support for freshwater outreach throughout Wisconsin. This session will be led by Liz Sutton, outreach program manager for the UW-Milwaukee’s School of Freshwater Sciences, and Becca Franzen, director for the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education at UW-Stevens Point.
Wisconsin’s Water Policies and Legislative Priorities
Wisconsin legislators will discuss water challenges, water policies and legislative priorities in our state. State senators and representatives from both political parties have been invited to participate in a panel moderated by Tressie Kamp, assistant director for the UW-Milwaukee Center for Water Policy. Members of the Freshwater Collaborative Water Policy Network are encouraged to attend.
Connections and Conversations
Participants will share what was learned during the sessions followed by time to dive into deeper conversations and connections with potential collaborators. Light appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks provided by the Freshwater Collaborative. Cash bar available.