The Freshwater Collaborative works to build capacity across the Universities of Wisconsin and to collaborate with partners in industry, government, nonprofits, tribal nations and the community.
LinkedIn Community
Through the Freshwater Collaborative community, we connect with partners in academia, industry, government, nonprofits and communities to train students for water-related careers and to conduct cutting-edge research that addresses water challenges.
If you work in water or aspire to, we invite you to follow us!
Great Lakes Freshwater Research Symposiums
The Freshwater Collaborative hosts a quarterly online water symposium series in partnership with the Great Lakes Higher Education Consortium and Council of the Great Lakes Region. These events seek to encourage and advance collaborations, share science across borders, encourage students in research and career opportunities and present research that is solving real-world problems.
Past Symposia
- Groundwater Policy Developments, Feb. 13, 2024
- Protecting Wetlands Post Sackett Decision, Oct. 3, 2023
- PFAS, Public Health and Policy, June 29, 2023
- The Impact of Phosphorus Rules, Feb. 28, 2023
UW Water Policy Network
The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin supports the UW System Water Policy Network, which is coordinated through the Center for Water Policy at UW-Milwaukee. Members share ideas, leverage a variety of research methods, collaborate on research proposals, and develop water policy curricula for use across the System. Annually, the Center for Water Policy selects and funds a Water Policy Scholar from among the Network members to work on policy issues related to one of the Grand Challenges.
FresH2O Partner Event
The inaugural FresH2O Partner Event, hosted by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, brought together UW System faculty and staff and partners from industry, government agencies, and nonprofits to discuss issues such as PFAS, phosphorus pollution, collaborative water research, and how to enhance the pipeline to jobs in water industries.
Phosphorus Conference and Resulting Research Agenda
The Center for Water Policy and the Freshwater Collaborative co-hosted a statewide conference to evaluate a decade of research and experience implementing Wisconsin’s phosphorus rules and their impact on water quality. More information:
- Full post-conference report
- Academic research agenda for the next decade
- Policy recommendations to reduce phosphorus pollution and improve water quality
- Videos of the full conference
UW-Oshkosh Fleet and Equipment Resources for Field Experiences
UW Oshkosh offers the resources below to UW faculty, staff and students at NO COST if you have any interest or need for an economical field experience. These opportunities include:
- A pontoon boat (and other research boat) on the Fox River that has access to the Lake Winnebago system and can be used by faculty and classes in the academic year and summer for class outings and research. A professional staff member can captain the boat for your group, if needed.
- The Environmental Research and Innovation Center (on the bank of Fox River where boats are located) has a classroom and lab facilities available for sample processing for classes or research. There is plenty of parking for buses or cars.
- Water sampling equipment and supplies for the above can be used at the facility or you can bring your own equipment. Specialized equipment and analysis may also be available depending on needs.
- Marine debris boat and drone demos are available for courses.
Guest dorm housing for groups is also available if an overnight is needed.
Contact:
Gregory T. Kleinheinz, R.S., Ph.D.
Viessmann Chair of Sustainable Technology
Chair, Department of Engineering & Engineering Technology
UW-Oshkosh
kleinhei@uwosh.edu