Mitigating PFAS Contamination of Groundwater: Biochar Sequestration of PFAS in Biosolid Leachate at the Field Scale

A Collaborative Research on Synthesis of Carbon-based Materials

PFAS is a group of chemicals detected in the drinking water of millions of Americans due to their widespread applications. They have been linked to several health concerns. The main objective of this work is to synthesize graphene oxide (GO) from sustainable resources, such as walnut shells, and to investigate the performance of GO for PFAS removal from water. Several students from UW-Stevens Point and UW-Madison will be trained to perform the research. Moreover, they will participate in disseminating the results, collaborating with industrial partners, engaging our community with STEM education, and increasing public scientific literacy on PFAS contamination.

A Community Science Analysis of River Mouths Along the Western Lake Michigan Shoreline

Original Project Description: This project will leverage an existing collaboration between the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity to engage community scientists in data collection. An undergraduate researcher will be paired with mentors who specialize in ornithology and ecology and will engage campus communities at UW-Green Bay and UW-Milwaukee in collecting rigorous scientific data that will be used to provide recommendations for best land management practices of coastal habitats, including Great Lakes beaches and river mouths.

Outcomes: The undergraduate led volunteer community scientists in documenting 42 coastal bird species between June and November 2022. The most frequently detected species included Ring-billed Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, and Double-crested Cormorant. Bird observers also detected uncommon species, including Baird’s Sandpiper , Great Black-backed Gull, and Ruddy Turnstone. There was marginally higher coastal bird species richness in stream mouths compared to coastal areas. The analysis identified five coastal bird species that use stream mouths significantly more than coastal areas: Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Killdeer and Spotted Sandpiper. The student developed skills in conservation field work (e.g., conducting field surveys, scouting, communicating with landowners), sampling design, data management (e.g., organizing data forms, entering data), coordinating and communicating with volunteers, scientific writing, conducting GIS and statistical analyses, and giving presentations at research symposia.

A Freshwater Science Field Experience in Western Wisconsin: The First Step in Developing a Skilled Workforce

Original Project Description: The Freshwater Science Field Experience (FSFE) targets junior and senior high school students across Wisconsin and creates a gateway for prospective undergraduate students interested in freshwater science. The FSFE will provide a weeklong immersion experience that will utilize multidisciplinary activities (e.g., hydrogeology, stream flow studies, wetland investigations) to introduce student participants to a wide range of freshwater science topics in western Wisconsin. The fundamental goal of this program is to leverage high school student participation in the FSFE to spark interest in an undergraduate degree and career in freshwater science.

Outcomes: This was the second year of a six-day hands-on experience for high school juniors to increase interest in water education and careers.  Fifteen high school students participated in a variety of activities and traveled throughout the state experiencing freshwater resources. The program was taught by professors at UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls and UW-Stout.

Read more: High Schoolers Jump Into Freshwater Science

 

A Freshwater Science Summer Field Experience in Western Wisconsin

Original Project Description: The weeklong Freshwater Science Field Experience is designed as a field intensive, hands-on learning opportunity that will utilize multidisciplinary research activities in western Wisconsin to introduce participants to a wide range of freshwater science topics. It will target junior and senior high school students from across Wisconsin, creating a gateway for recruiting prospective undergraduate students interested in freshwater science. The second objective is to develop a certificate in Freshwater Science, which will be a multi-institution, interdisciplinary educational initiative that will provide specialized training in freshwater science and complement a wide range of undergraduate degrees.

Outcomes: Faculty designed a six-day hands-on experience for high school juniors to increase interest in water education and careers. This pilot program ran for the first time in August 2021 and was taught by professors at UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls and UW-Stout. Several undergraduate students participated as teaching assistants during the field experience for high school students. High school students received training in the following field-based modules: Wisconsin Surface Water and Groundwater System Biodiversity in Riverine Systems Aquatic Invasive Species Impact on Ecological Restoration Cowart/Juneau Introduction to Great Lakes Watershed Biogeochemistry.

Read More: High Schoolers Jump Into Freshwater Science

An Evaluation of Phosphorus Loading Through Lacustrine Groundwater Discharge in Lake Altoona, Eau Claire County, WI

Original Project Description: Phosphorus loading in Wisconsin is responsible for significant lake eutrophication, causing a loss of recreational tourism, reducing commercial fisheries and decreasing biodiversity. Researchers will evaluate the role of nutrient loading through lacustrine groundwater discharge in Lake Altoona in Eau Claire County and identify probable sources of phosphorus to that hydrologic system. A UW-Eau Claire undergraduate student will participate in all phases of the project, including field data collection, laboratory analyses, data compilation and results dissemination. This project complements ongoing investigations at UW-Eau Claire in collaboration with UW-River Falls and the USGS Upper Midwest Water Science Center.

Outcomes: This investigation provided an excellent mechanism for involving undergraduate students in a meaningful scientific investigation with societal implications that are important to higher education and the community at large. Students were introduced to the scientific methodology applied in real world problem-solving and to the practical applications of geologic research. Results were disseminated at the Lake Altoona District annual meeting, and presented at the Annual Geological Society of America Meeting in 2022. One of the students presented at the Wisconsin section of the American Water Resources Association Meeting in 2021 and 2022.

API: International Collaborative Communities Virtual Lab

Original Project Description: UW-La Crosse and its education abroad provider, API, will offer a virtual local and global community engagement opportunity/training program that addresses the Grand Water Challenges. Students will work collaboratively with team members from different international and domestic backgrounds to explore the basics of making changes, to recognize areas of challenge in the community and globally, and to produce a feasible action plan based on those challenges. Each project will support a local area’s need/issue through an international lens based on one of the 10 Grant Water Challenges.

Outcomes: This 12-week program gave students a platform to develop valuable hands-on experiences by putting academic theory into practice. Participants engaged in global dialogues about freshwater, sustainability, and international impacts of climate action through a series of “Cultural Close-Ups.” International facilitators provided insight into an issue and generated interactive dialogue. For example, global facilitators from Costa Rica and Chile provided insight into whether water usage is a public service or private good. Other “Cultural Close-Ups” examined locations and cultures, including Krakow, Poland; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Rome, Italy. Students also identified local water-related projects that impact rural Wisconsin communities, including La Crosse and their home communities (domestic and international). Topics included PFAS in water systems, how to reuse water bottles to solar disinfection water to make it safe to drink, community rain gardens, and human trafficking in river communities.

A presentation at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators conference in June 2022 featured this international experience with an international audience.

Aquatic Biogeochemistry of Wisconsin Waters

Original Project Description: Faculty will collaborate to develop an interdisciplinary course in aquatic biogeochemistry that will utilize UW-Whitewater’s analytical instrumentation and equipment. This course will blend the expertise of current faculty (in limnology, wetlands, stream ecology, marine biology, aquatic toxicology and fluvial geomorphology) to offer hands-on training and immersion in aquatic biogeochemistry. This course will be part of a planned immersion semester in analytical chemistry and aquatic toxicology for Freshwater Collaborative students throughout the UW System.

Outcomes: The PI developed a syllabus for an Aquatic Biogeochemistry of Wisconsin waters course for UW-Whitewater students. If taught this course has the potential to train and develop talented students/professionals to join the workforce to address issues surrounding watershed quality, land use effects, and water security. The course was specifically designed to bring local government and organizations into the classroom and field to help students connect with the community. The course will be able to be taught when faculty loads allow.

Building a Toolbox to Evaluate the ROI on Redevelopment of Areas of Concern

Original Project Description: Faculty from the Institute for Water Business at UW-Whitewater will collaborate with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and UW-La Crosse to help students develop a uniform model that would value how Area of Concern (AOC) sediment cleanup and restoration projects affect a community’s economic vitality. This work will build upon an initial analysis of the economic impact of the Lower Menominee River AOC and will help provide quantitative information on the value of water improvements to state and local decision makers as these partners consider future projects in other AOCs.

Outcomes: Five students worked with the WDNR to develop a database of sites that are impacted by sediment cleanup and restoration to calculate the return on investment for these projects.

Building Field and Laboratory Experiences for Freshwater Science Students

Original Project Description: Faculty will use funding to build, facilitate, and enhance a world class freshwater sciences undergraduate degree program at UW-Milwaukee with multidisciplinary curricular and professional experiences available to students across the state. This includes 1) launching and enhance the field, lab, and capstone components of the program 2) creating a centerpiece Great Lakes transformative course  that highlights Wisconsin’s unique position on Lake Michigan and 3) redesigning field and lab techniques courses as a “pipeline to jobs” component of the program.

Outcomes: With applied field, lab, and capstone experiences, students learned the fundamentals of data collection and analysis in different settings and disciplinary approaches, including hydrology, chemistry, biochemistry, genomics, biology, ecology, aquaculture, and economics. This was accomplished through collaborations among faculty at UW-Milwaukee, UW-Milwaukee Waukesha, and UW-River Falls. Faculty also partnered with local, state and federal agencies to deliver content directly to students.

Efforts included: 1) offering Frshwtr 322: Ecology and Evolution in Freshwater for the first time at the Waukesha campus, 2) creating and piloting the capstone courses 660/661, which involved a collaboration with Veolia, and 3) revitalizing lab and field courses with input and hands-on experiences from staff at USGS and the WDNR.

The School of Freshwater Sciences has been successful in mentoring students in laboratories under UW-Milwaukee’s Student Undergraduate Research Fellowships. It had seven undergraduate students working in six faculty labs in 2023. Examples of success: a 2024 graduate received a Fulbright Award to pursue a PhD at the University of Illinois Chicago, a student received the Carl J. Weston Scholarship from Wisconsin Sea Grant, and numerous students who took the Expedition to Lake Michigan course worked as lab volunteers and joined several expeditions in 2023 and 2024.

Enrollment for this new degree program has grown each year since its launch in 2021. The funding provided for enhancements that engage students in hands-on work early and often in the courses and continuing until graduation.

Building Water Projects into an Environmental Math Course

Original Project Description: This project creates a new general education math course that shows students how to build and work with mathematical models that describe nature and how people interact with the environment. The course will highlight freshwater topics, such as storm runoff models and fish stocking, and will provide a solid foundation for students to study freshwater issues in more advanced courses and research projects.

Outcomes: Faculty created a course that provides students with the mathematical skills needed to approach problems in environments science and policy. Many of the projects designed for the course require students to perform a quantitative analysis in MS Excel and provide a policy position for hypothetical state agencies to act on. The course was offered for the first time in summer 2022. Students commented on the real-world nature of the course and the immediate transferability of the skills they were learning. They enjoyed a project based math course and enjoyed the freshwater theme of the projects. Faculty members who saw the course development were impressed with the foundational skills covered in the course and the applied nature.

Climate and Water: Innovative Weather for Future Professionals

Original Project Description: The Atmospheric Science program at UW-Milwaukee has provided a weather decision support experiential learning program called Innovative Weather to UW-Milwaukee students since 2007. This program serves the weather risk mitigation needs of community partners while serving the professional training goals of students. The Freshwater Collaborative support, recognizing the close connection between weather and freshwater, will extend this program’s reach across the state by providing this expertise to interested UW System researchers.

Outcomes: Faculty trained and provided experiences in real-time forecasting for 12 students and expanded the program to include students from a second UW campus (Madison).

Collaborating to Protect and Monitor Streams in an Agricultural Landscape

Original Project Description: Achieving a better understanding of Wisconsin’s water resources is essential for their long-term sustainability. However, for an individual agency or entity, limited personnel and resources can compromise this understanding. The proposed student-focused, collaborative approach integrates various stakeholders to mitigate these challenges. This project is a cooperative effort among UW-Platteville faculty advisors, undergraduate students, the Harry and Laura Nohr Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to monitor and assist management of stream communities and habitats in agriculture-based watersheds of southwest Wisconsin.

Outcomes: Ten UW-Platteville undergraduates helped assess stream restoration efforts of Trout Unlimited and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Students conducted fish, macroinvertebrate, and habitat surveys at eight stream sites in Grant County. They surveyed more than 25 sites within agricultural landscapes of southwest Wisconsin for the presence/absence of freshwater mussels. They also participated in a mussel relocation effort associated with a bank stability project on Goose Island in the Mississippi River. Additional collaborators included Army Corps of Engineers, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The research team conducted hands-on stream invertebrate demonstration for elementary students in association with the Lancaster Public Library. Data were presented at the 2023 National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Eau Claire, 2023 Research in the Rotunda in Madison, and the 2023 annual meeting of the Nohr Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Platteville.

More about this project:

• UW-Platteville Student Researchers Support WDNR, Trout Unlimited Conservation Efforts
• UW-Platteville Students Spotlight: Mussel and Fish Surveying

Collaborative Planning for Water Research at the Mann Valley Farm

The project will design an outdoor, multidisciplinary teaching and research space for studying agricultural water management issues in western Wisconsin. After investigating the available technologies through site visits and professional workshops, faculty will design research infrastructure for the UW-River Falls campus farm that is adaptable to changing needs and emerging issues. This living laboratory will offer students state-of-the-science training opportunities in agricultural water monitoring and management. It will also allow the university to host collaborative programming, research and outreach with other UW campuses, regional industries and local stakeholders.

Collaborative Undergraduate Course on Managing the Mississippi River

Original Project Description: This new cross-campus, cross-disciplinary course will connect students to their watersheds and foster an understanding of how changes in one part of a hydrologic system impact those upstream and downstream. Students will examine how land-use change and Mississippi River management have resulted in the infrastructure that we depend on and the environmental impacts that threaten natural waterways. This transformative course will bring students onto the Mississippi River, highlighting it as both a natural and managed system. It will present the benefits and challenges of river management for diverse stakeholders.

Outcomes: Faculty developed a new hands-on collaborative course, The Mississippi River: Might and Managed (ENV303 at UW La Crosse, BIO 4410/CIVENG 4980 at UW-Platteville) focused on the Mississippi River. The course was offered spring 2022 and 2023, and enrolled from the two universities. The course included nine speakers from local, state, and federal partners, who discussed topics such as recreation and tourism, the economics of shipping, and flooding in rural communities. Students also toured the Dubuque Lock and Dam to learn about transport on the Mississippi River, Effigy Mounds, and the National River Museum. Students collaborated across campuses on a final interdisciplinary paper.

This course helps students appreciate the complexity of freshwater management, including the needs to use expertise from multiple disciplines and to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders.

Comparative Wisconsin Freshwater Mussels Assessment: An Undergraduate Research Initiative

Original Project Description: Freshwater mussel research is a rapidly emerging field due to their importance to water quality, their role as ecosystem health indicators and their threatened status. This project will train two undergraduate students in freshwater mussel conservation work and provide hands-on research opportunities to two graduate students. Students will engage with state agencies and in outreach that will raise mussel and water quality awareness in Wisconsin and highlight important work being conducted by Wisconsin’s state universities and agencies. This research will also provide the foundation for an international research exchange program between UW-Platteville and Murdoch University in Australia.

Outcomes: COVID-19 restrictions led to significant changes to the proposal, and some unexpectedly positive results. The faculty researchers paired Freshwater Collaborative funds with other grants, which allowed them to conduct an additional year of research, expand the area researched and provide an additional seven students (for a total of 10) with research experience. Undergraduates conducted field and lab-based research and data analysis and worked closely with the WDNR to assess the health of freshwater mussels in multiple river systems in southwest Wisconsin. In addition, the PI involved students in two undergraduate courses. The research team discovered an unknown population of mussels in the restored Sunfish Lake in Hazel Green and assessed its seasonal habitat and biotic community.

Students conducted research with the public in Dubuque, Iowa, in collaboration with the Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, and at the Upper Sugar River Mussel Monitoring Workshop. They also collaborated with the WDNR to build a virtual workshop for Wisconsin Water Week, and they shared their research at multiple virtual research symposia and Research in the Rotunda.

Read more: Students Add Muscle to WDNR’s Mussel Monitoring Program

Computational Modeling for the Response of Dry Bean Yield to Irrigation

Original Project Description: Funding will allow an undergraduate student to work with a small research team to calibrate a simulation model for managing agricultural water resources for growing dry beans in certain soil types. The desired outcome of this research is a data-driven mathematical model that will make up the code that will be translated into a mobile or online app for usage in the field or office. This app will help agronomists and their growers make smart decisions about when and how much to water their crops.

Outcomes: Students developed a nascent expertise in mathematical modeling, scientific computing, data analysis, and agricultural water management. Working with the agronomists and farmers taught them how to make their findings and any technology they develop understandable and practical for the community they serve. Additionally students made several presentations at NCUR, MAA Spring Sectional meeting, and Research in the Rotunda.

The numerical experiments guided research efforts to refine the mathematical model and help determine the necessary input parameters for improving the model’s predictive capabilities. This more robust simulation model allows for varying inputs and provides a more pragmatic approach that is specific to the needs of dry bean growers in several Wisconsin counties. This optimized simulation model can help agronomists and their growers be more efficient with their water usage. Agronomists can quickly test a variety of inputs on their laptops versus running experiments in the field, which helps them rapidly learn effective watering strategies. The model can be altered for a variety of soil types and updated as more or higher-quality data is provided. Faculty researchers used these results to write their next proposal for funding the building of five weather stations for data collection.

Read more: Predicting the Life Story of a Kidney Bean

Continuation and Expansion of the Red Cedar Watershed Monitoring Project

The Red Cedar Watershed experiences frequent blue-green algae blooms due to phosphorus pollution. Numerous projects have been implemented to reduce runoff and restore stream channels and buffer areas. This project continues to examine the effectiveness of those projects while expanding research efforts to include whole-ecosystem and watershed processes to determine the root causes of the toxic algal blooms regularly seen in lakes in the region. Students from UW-Stout, UW-River Falls, UW-Eau Claire, and UW Oshkosh will work during the summer to survey streams, riparian corridors, and wetlands while also monitoring Lakes Tainter and Menomin to help guide management decisions regarding the Red Cedar Watershed to serve as a model for other similarly impacted watersheds throughout the region.

Continuing the Work of the Data Analysis and Monitoring Crew

The Data Analysis and Monitoring Crew (or DAM Crew) is a two-week, hands-on, field-based training experience for UW students who are interested in river health and restoration. Participants work directly with practicing environmental professionals to attain the skills to implement a monitoring plan to assess ecological and geomorphological changes in a riverway that result from dam removal. The DAM Crew is a public-private partnership among UW-River Falls, the City of River Falls, Interfluve Inc., the Kinni Corridor Collaborative, and Trout Unlimited. Participants gain in-demand technical skills, increase their professional network, and serve the River Falls community.

Creating an Institutional Infrastructure for a Communication Hub to Support a UW System-wide Water Policy Network

Original Project Description: This project provides long-term, institutional infrastructure for a communication hub to create a Water Policy Network of faculty, researchers and students who connect and collaborate on water policy issues across the UW System. The Center for Water Policy will convene regular virtual meetings of the Water Policy Network. The communication hub will support relationship-building across UW System, collaboration on research proposals and the development of water policy curriculum. It will also serve as a one-stop shop for government agencies, the private sector, NGOs, media and other stakeholders who would like to identify water policy collaborators and experts.

Outcomes: The Center for Water Policy hosted three events for the Water Policy Network and members of the public: UW Water Policy Network research methods presentation and discussion; Public Rights in Milwaukee’s Fresh Coast (which had nearly 300 registrants); and Depolarizing Water in Complex Social-Ecological Systems: Navigating Conflict and Consensus in Lake Beulah, East Troy, Wisconsin. Recordings from these events are posted on the Center for Water Policy’s YouTube channel. The center also helped lead the network’s working group on agriculture and water pollution. The working group includes several UW-System schools and is in the early stages of planning a retrospective conference on agricultural water management. The center also submitted one public comment to FEMA and one Nelson Issue Brief with members of the network.

Read more: Communications Hub Supports Water Policy Network

Creating and Characterizing a Zebrafish Knockout Line for Studying Methylmercury Metabolism

Original Project Description: This project will investigate the developmental effects of methylmercury, an environmental pollutant found in the freshwater resources of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region. With faculty guidance, an undergraduate student will create and characterize a zebrafish knockout line for a gene associated with the biology of methylmercury. Understanding gene interactions will enable improved guidelines for food consumption related to methylmercury, particularly for children and pregnant women. Data may also inform future research into other contaminants associated with Wisconsin’s freshwater resources.

Outcomes: The UW-Eau Claire undergraduate researcher helped to successfully create and characterize a zebrafish knockout line for a gene associated with the biology of methylmercury and created protocols for producing CRISPR reagents to induce mutagenesis in zebrafish. The research was presented at the virtual UW-Eau Claire Celebration for Excellence in Research and Creative Activities (2021), virtual Society for Neuroscience 2021 conference (Chicago, November 2021), and the Society of Toxicology 2022 conference (San Diego, March 2022). She describes her work in a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXP_E4CyWrM

The student was accepted into the 2021 Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program and into the neuroscience Ph.D. program at Binghamton University in New York.

Read more: A Knockout for Mercury?

Creating Collaborative Educational Opportunities with the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin

Original Project Description: UW-Stevens Point will lead an online educational pathway to a Freshwater Science minor. This program will allow systemwide access to UW-Stevens Point’s water resources curriculum, including core required courses and a series of electives. Select offerings from other UW System schools will be incorporated to develop a collaborative UW System Freshwater Science credential. The classes will provide fundamental understanding of the physical, chemical and biological aspects of freshwater resources. The curriculum includes an immersive, hands-on experience modeled after the UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources Summer Field Experience. Future development by Freshwater Collaborative members will expand immersive opportunities.

Outcomes: All curricular design and buildout was completed and external partners, including Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and K-12 educators, were engaged throughout the buildout to identify professional outcomes and skill development. Faculty coupled UW-Stevens Point’s current in-person CNR curriculum with the needs identified by professional partners to build an online/hybrid certificate that would be recognized by employers. The courses have not yet run as statewide offerings due to challenges with tuition sharing across the Universities of Wisconsin. These challenges are being worked on.

Cross-Campus and Partner Expansion of the Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Project

Original Project Description: The Red Cedar Watershed experiences frequent blue-green algae blooms due to phosphorus pollution. Numerous projects have been implemented to reduce runoff and restore stream channels and buffer areas. This project continues a pilot project to examine the effectiveness of those projects while expanding research efforts to determine the root causes of the toxic algal blooms regularly seen in lakes in the region. Students will work during the summer to survey streams and collect water samples to guide management decisions regarding the Red Cedar Watershed to serve as a model for other similarly impacted watersheds throughout the region.

Outcomes: Work completed under this project resulted in community engagement via partnerships with city and county governments, school districts, and nonprofits. Students participated in in-person, immersive experiential learning opportunities that strengthened their skills for job and internship placement and also aided in student retention. Work stemming from the project has also been incorporated in classroom activities at UW-Stout, including in its general education environmental science classes.

This project enhanced existing partnerships with the city of Menomonie, Dunn County Soil and Water Conservation, and the Red Cedar River Watershed Division of the UW-Extension as well as with researchers from UW-River Falls, UW-Eau Claire, and UW-Oshkosh. Students gained experiences not available at their “home” campus, and collaborators and co-PIs worked together to identify more potential collaborative research projects and funding streams using the initial data produced by this project.

Read more:

• Project Monitors Phosphorus Remediation Strategies; Trains Students for Workforce
• Students Fill Gap in Red Cedar Watershed Monitoring

Data Collection and Parameter Estimation for a Dry Bean Yield Response to Irrigation Model

The goal of this project is to help growers manage water resources and potentially increase yield. The research team at UW-Stout will construct automated weather stations and place them in fields containing crops. These stations will collect a variety of weather-related and plant-related data. UW-Stout’s team will analyze this data to help inform the agronomy team at corporate partner, Chippewa Valley Bean, so they can better advise their growers. Students working on this project will help construct weather stations and analyze data. Conducting this research will help these students develop a nascent expertise in precision agriculture.

Deposition and removal of emerging contaminants in the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern

The Greater Milwaukee Estuary faces pollution from emerging contaminants, such as PFAS and pharmaceuticals, posing risks to both the environment and public health. These contaminants are removed from the water through natural processes and accumulate in sediment, where they can persist for long periods, threatening organisms and humans who come in contact with them. The pollution history of these contaminants in the estuary remains poorly understood. This collaborative research project involves the analysis of sediment cores to study the contaminants’ history and behavior. The findings will aid in managing and remediating aquatic contaminations.

Developing an Easy-to-Apply, Integrated Approach to Modeling Freshwater Contamination from Farm Runoff Using Only Commercial Drones, Cameras and Software

Original Project Description: This project will study the flow of contaminants, such as pesticides, from farm fields to open water bodies. The project will use a commercial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV/drone) and camera to collect flow data over large farm fields and commercial software to investigate flow patterns and predict contaminant spread. The goal is to develop an easy-to-apply process for users with minimal technical knowledge about drones or flow simulation. This study can help farm communities, industrial farms and state agencies dealing with Wisconsin’s natural resources make informed decisions toward protecting freshwater bodies.

Outcomes: This small grant allowed researchers to purchase training modules at the ANSYS Learning Hub. It provided stipends to a student who worked on the training modules and for the instructor to review student learning outcomes.

Developing an Easy-to-Apply, Integrated Approach to Modeling Freshwater Contamination from Farm Runoff Using Only Commercial Drones, Cameras and Software

Original Project Description: This grant will provide additional funding to enhance student research experience, as part of a previously funded project that will use a commercial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV/drone) and camera to collect flow data over large farm fields, and a commercial software to investigate flow patterns and predict contaminant spread. The goal is to develop an easy-to-apply process for users with minimal technical knowledge about drones or flow simulation. This study could help farm communities, industrial farms and state agencies dealing with Wisconsin’s natural resources make informed decisions toward protecting freshwater bodies.

Outcomes: This grant allowed faculty to purchase training modules at the ANSYS Learning Hub and provided scholarships for four students to be trained on commercial fluid simulation software in summer 2022. Three students worked on analyzing fluid flow through ANSYS while the fourth student worked on image processing data generated by the drone flying over agricultural fields. The collaborating researchers/investigators worked on the data generated and disseminated posters at two conference in June 2023. Dr. Ghosh and Dr. Verma published at the Freshwater Sciences 2023 conference in Brisbane, (https://www.freshwaterdownunder2023.org/), and Dr. Xing published at the 2023 3rd International conference on signal image processing and communication in Kunming, China.

Developing an Introduction to Freshwater Undergraduate Course

Original Project Description: Faculty from five UW System institutions will develop an Introduction to Freshwater course to be offered on their campuses. This course will be the foundational introductory science-based course that will underpin the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin undergraduate curricula. It will be built around a series of carefully curated case studies that will span the breadth of freshwater science and its relevance to ecosystems and society. The course will ultimately be made available to students at all UW campuses.

Outcomes: Faculty from UW-La Crosse, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW Oshkosh and UW-Parkside collaborated to build a series of curated case studies that teach students about the complex interactions among the ecological, societal, economic, and physical aspects of water. The course includes readings, lectures, active learning exercises, and field trips and other hands-on learning experiences. The course rolled out at UW-Madison in fall 2021; at UW-La Crosse, UW Oshkosh and UW-Milwaukee in 2022; and at UW-Parkside in 2023. Between 2021-2024, the course was offered 15 times, and 450 students had taken it.

Course Offerings

Development of “People, Water and The Environment” Course

This project creates a new introductory-level course for UW-Stout’s Bachelor of Environmental Science program that introduces students to the human dimensions of conservation with a focus on water quality issues. This course will prepare students for conservation careers that involve working with communities, landowners and other stakeholders by combining theoretical, disciplinary and practical approaches to human environment interactions with applied case studies on freshwater issues, local field trips and guest speakers.

Development of a Collaborative Undergraduate Research Experience to Improve Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Adsorption in Nanoporous Solids

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (aka PFAS) are emerging contaminants in Wisconsin’s waterways. This project provides funding to develop a collaborative undergraduate research experience between UW-Stevens Point and UW-Milwaukee to develop new PFAS adsorption technology. Researchers will test our technology against PFAS contaminated waters including real-world samples from Wisconsin’s waterways. Hands-on experience using start-of-the-art instrumentation will prepare students to enter the workforce with experience in PFAS chemistry, analysis, and treatment.

Development of a Cross-Campus Certificate in Freshwater Studies

Original Project Description: Faculty will develop a collaborative certificate in Surface Water Studies through UW-Stout and UW Oshkosh with eventual course enrollment open to students at any participating UW campus. This three-course, nine-credit certificate will include an introductory online course in surface water resources and two summer field courses taught in surface water resources and environmental monitoring. This proposal builds on an existing course already approved at UW Oshkosh, while leveraging unique field study opportunities near each campus. This certificate will be open to all UW students to augment the majors on their home campuses.

Outcomes: Faculty developed courses and aligned curriculum in relevant existing courses to create a certificate of freshwater science between UW-Stout and UW Oshkosh.

Economic Impacts of Wisconsin Fishing Supported by the Freshwater Resources of Lake Michigan and Bay of Green Bay

Original Project Description: Student and faculty researchers seek to quantify the total economic value of the freshwater fishery resources of Lake Michigan and Bay of Green Bay to the state of Wisconsin. They will also analyze how different fishery management strategies and climate change scenarios may affect the quality, and therefore economic value, of these resources. Changes in quality and economic value in turn affect the health of regional economies and welfare of residents and visitors. Ultimately, this information helps inform resource managers about the most efficient and effective strategies available to maximize the value of this resource now and in the future.

Outcomes: This project created knowledge related to the health functioning of the Lake Michigan and Green Bay fisheries, which are substantial economic contributors to Wisconsin. Faculty trained four undergraduate students in the research process and economic analysis. This training involved structured weekly meetings, training and hands-on experience from the idea stage to final report completion. The team also engaged external constituencies, including the WDNR, the Lake Michigan Commercial Fishing Board, recreational anglers charter guides, and private companies, in real-world applied research relevant to the management of the fisheries. External stakeholders, such as the WDNR and state legislature, can use this research to help inform and guide future management and policy.

Educators and Students Rise to Freshwater Challenges

Original Project Description: This project will enhance community-based experiential learning opportunities for pre-college students and teachers around the Green Bay and Lake Michigan watersheds. The effort will build a community of freshwater-focused educators and middle and high school students, link to statewide water experts, and engage a diversity of urban to rural communities within the UW-Green Bay geography. Intended outcomes include promoting water career knowledge and aspirations among students, recruiting students to UW-Green Bay and UW System water-centric programs, building skills in students at all levels, and expanding equity, inclusion and diversity efforts.

Outcomes: Through the Educators and Students Rise to Freshwater Challenges grant, UW-Green Bay has built a network of K-12 students and educators working with faculty and staff on freshwater projects. The grant has multiple components that focus on watershed education and creating pathways from high school to college to careers in water. Students participate in field sampling, lab processing, and science communication, and they learn to work in a professional setting. Programs involved more than 2,000 K-12 students and 23 undergraduate and graduate students during the two-year grant period.

Funding supported

• Workshops and short trainings that provided educators with opportunities to develop water-focused curriculum. Educators also learn about statewide freshwater resources from partners including Wisconsin Sea Grant, Atlas Science Center, Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust, and others.
• Participation of 11 middle and high schools in the Lower Fox River Watershed Monitoring Program, through which students conduct local water quality monitoring. Students and teachers present their findings to community members at the annual Watershed Symposium.
• A High School Scholars Summer Internship Program that provides hands-on learning through lab and fieldwork, as well as outreach events. This program has grown from 3 students (2002), to 4 students (2023), to 10 students (2024). Students also learn about water-careers in Wisconsin during field trips with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and NEW Water. From the 2023 cohort, one student is at UW-Madison, and three students from 2024 are attending UW-Green Bay.
• The Wild Rice in the Classroom project through which UW-Green Bay faculty, staff and students work with Tribal and Indigenous partners on wild rice and restoration projects with the Oneida Nation, Menominee Indiana High School, and College of Menominee Nation.

Read more:

• High School Summer Internships Give Students Freshwater Experience Before College
• Wild Rice, Watershed Restoration and Hands-on High School Learning
• UW-Green Bay Workshop Provides Freshwater Education to K-12 Educators
• Water-Quality Monitoring Program Connects Teens to Environment
• Watershed Game Makes Water Science Fun for Students and Educators

Effects of a Mixture of Two Neonicotinoid Insecticides on Reproduction of Ceriodaphnia dubia Water Fleas and Growth of Gammarus pseudolimnaeus Amphipods

Original Project Description: Neonicotinoid insecticides are widely used in agriculture, and studies have shown that some aquatic invertebrates can be sensitive to them. In agricultural areas, mixtures of neonicotinoids are frequently detected in surface waters; however, very few studies have examined the effects of more than one neonicotinoid at a time. The project will provide for an undergraduate student who will work on toxicology tests to determine the effects of a mixture of two neonicotinoids on two aquatic organisms. Her data will be added to a larger collaborative project with UW-La Crosse and UW-Madison and summarized in a report to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Outcomes: Data collected in this project will be included in a final report for a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Data will also be summarized in a manuscript to be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. The undergraduate student gained knowledge and skills in several areas, including 1) measurement of water quality parameters in the field and in the lab; 2) field collection; 3) laboratory culture of test organisms: 4) preparation of reconstituted waters following U.S. EPA protocols; 5) experimental design, set up of and completion of acute and chronic toxicity tests; 6) use of Image J software; 7) preparation and packing of samples for analysis; and 8) statistical analysis. She had numerous opportunities to present her findings and was hired to work in quality assurance and control by Epic Systems, Inc. prior to graduation.

Read more:

• Something Fishy About Pesticides
• Student Research Leads to Love of Fish and a Job

Effects of a Mixture of Two Neonicotinoid Insecticides on Survival and Growth of Gammarus pseudolimnaeus Amphipods

Original Project Description: Neonicotinoid pesticides are often applied as a coating to crop seeds, but studies have shown that some aquatic invertebrates can be sensitive to neonicotinoids. This project will leverage collaborative research with faculty at UW-La Crosse into the effects of thiamethoxam and imidacloprid on aquatic invertebrates. The project will provide funding to hire an undergraduate student who will work on toxicology tests to determine the effects of imidacloprid on survival and growth of the G. pseudolimnaeus, which serves as food for fish and is an important organism in lakes and streams throughout Wisconsin.

Outcomes: Students set up and ran a number of toxicity tests. They also learned water quality parameters in the field and in the lab; field collection of test organisms; laboratory culture of test organisms; preparation of reconstituted waters following U.S. EPA protocols; use of Image J software and other skills. One of the undergraduates was accepted into graduate school where he is working on an important water-related project. The second student obtained an internship with an environmental consulting firm that specializes in water-related projects.

Results shared with the WI DATCP through quarterly reports. They were presented to other researchers working with neonicotinoids at the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Water Resources Association annual meeting and at the Midwest Chapter of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Annual Meeting in 2021 and the UW System Undergraduate Research Symposium in 2021.

Read more:

• Mentorship and Insecticide Insight
• Something Fishy About Pesticides

Engaging Undergraduate Students in Cutting-Edge Research on the Use of Earth Materials for the Removal of Contaminants including Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS)

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are forever chemicals, indicating that they stay in water and the environment permanently. UW-Parkside and UW-Milwaukee will engage 10 undergraduate students per year to conduct cutting-edge research for PFAS and color dyes removal from water. In addition, they will conduct PFAS analyses using state-of-the-art instruments for water samples collected from local drainage and Lake Michigan. The results will help southeastern Wisconsin to develop strategies to remove emerging contaminants from water and to help protect the region from contamination by forever chemicals.

Enhancing Water-focused Internships

Original Project Description: UW-Superior has required TRSP-400 internships for all Transportation and Logistics Management majors since 1999. These internships have typically been with marine transportation companies, ports, planning agencies and departments of transportation. This project aims to broaden internships to include collaboration with marinas, recreational boatyards, tribal communities and non-governmental agencies engaged with recreational and transportation use in northern Wisconsin’s Lake Superior ports. The enhanced internships will provide students with in-depth, hands-on learning. The methodology can then be applied across the state by other UW System universities.

Outcomes: The faculty member conducted extensive outreach to establish internship relationships for UW students. This included letters to marinas, harbor commissions, port authorities, marine associations, tribal nations and boating clubs.

Environmental and Health Effects of Water Pollution: A Transformative Experience for Undergraduates

Faculty will develop a two-course series focused on water pollution and its effects on environmental and human health, including an online, two-credit, introductory-level course and a three-credit field and lab course. Students will learn about major contaminant classes and methods for testing contaminant toxicity with a focus on agricultural water management and wastewater treatment. They will also learn how environmental legislation relates to water-quality criteria, Superfund sites, and mitigation and restoration of contaminated sites. Any UW System student will have access to the online lecture course, and students in the lab course will be provided hands-on experiences and the opportunity to meet with people who work in government, consulting or at a state lab.

Environmental Science Fair at UWEC: Water, Water, Everywhere!

This new project is a one-day multi-disciplinary Environmental Science Fair at the UW-Eau Claire campus for up to 100 regional high school students and accompanying high school teachers/advisers. The fair will include hands-on breakout sessions, a panel, a plenary speaker, and a traditional program fair for participants to interact with environmental science faculty at UW-Eau Claire. Freshwater Collaborative programming will be advertised to participants.

Establishing a Network for Cross-Campus Courses at the Nexus of Agriculture and Water

Original Project Description: This initiative will build a cross-campus network of UW System faculty to develop online course modules and field experiences at the intersection of agriculture and water resources. The initiative will leverage the regional variations in Wisconsin agriculture and the specializations of faculty on different UW campuses. Activities will provide a solid basis for broader collaboration to develop expanded opportunities for undergraduates at the nexus of agriculture and water.

Outcomes: Faculty and staff from six universities created a the Ag-Water Nexus Network to collaborate on educational opportunities at the nexus of agriculture and water. They developed a pilot field trip course for undergraduate students that explores the diverse agricultural-geomorphic landscapes of Northeast, Central and Southwest Wisconsin. Students from UW-Madison, UW-Green Bay, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Platteville enrolled in the course. They participated in site visits and meetings with farmers, county conservationists and researchers.

Read more:

• A Research Network at the Nexus of Water and Agriculture
• Ag-Water Nexus field trip explores water challenges, solutions in Southwest Wisconsin

Establishment and Support of the Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group

Original Project Description: The Red Cedar Watershed experiences frequent blue-green algae blooms due to phosphorus pollution. Numerous projects have been implemented to reduce runoff and restore stream channels and buffer areas. This project looks at how effective those projects have been by using aerial imagery to identify streams in the watershed where work has been done and areas that might be contributing to water quality problems. Students will establish monitoring locations in streams that are impacted by nearby land use and conduct monitoring to identify successes and areas for improvement in habitat management for water quality.

Outcomes: The first year of this project took place in summer 2022. Three students gained valuable skills in collecting and analyzing environmental data. They will be able to use their experience to bolster their employability in the environmental sector in Wisconsin and the larger Upper Midwest Great Lakes region.

Read more:

• Project Monitors Phosphorus Remediation Strategies; Trains Students for Workforce
• Students Fill Gap in Red Cedar Watershed Monitoring

Establishment of the Center for Rural Opportunities, Prosperity and Sustainability

This project supports the establishment of a center at UW-Stout that will help develop successful rural communities in the region through environmental and economic sustainability. The target audience of the center is UW-Stout faculty, students and the regional rural community of the Red Cedar Watershed. The goals of the center are to identify opportunities for research, service learning, outreach, community involvement and student experiences that will examine agricultural water management and the nonpoint source runoff of nutrients to address issues in environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Outcomes: The grant provided research assistantships to three undergraduates who wish to enter the workforce in water. In addition, the project worked with individual farmers and those interested in becoming farmers (specifically graziers) to find the opportunities and enter that occupation. The university in this capacity is providing valuable technical support to the community. Partners included WDNR, City of Menomonie, Trout Unlimited, 3M, Menomonie County Land and Water, and local farmers.

Read more: UW-Stout’s Center for Sustainable Communities Will Help Rural Communities Thrive

Evaluation of Downstream Juvenile Lake Sturgeon Passage Through Two Dams on the Menominee River

Original Project Description: Lake Sturgeon passage has been embraced as a restoration prescription in the Great Lakes. Adaptive management strategies dictate that quantitative assessment of passage benefits be provided to managers. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of downstream juvenile passage on the Menominee River and through the Park Mill and Menominee Dams. Faculty and student researchers will evaluate the movement of tagged age-0 lake sturgeon to better understand habitat use, downstream passage and survival. Our data will influence future fish passage operation at the Menominee facility and others around the Great Lakes and build justification for restoring spawning habitats in upstream areas where passage is discussed.

Outcomes: A total of 13 high school, undergraduate and graduate students participated in this project. Students collected larval lake sturgeon, provided husbandry and care, produced artemia for food, tagged lake sturgeon and released more than 500 juvenile lake sturgeon for tracking in the Menominee River Installation.

Releasing juvenile fish increases survival rates and also the probability of returning to spawn in local rivers. This project addresses the recommendations of the Lake Michigan Lake Sturgeon Task Group established in 2003 with support from the Lake Michigan Lake Committee as well as the Wisconsin DNR and Michigan DNR in their statewide Lake Sturgeon Management Plans.

The lake sturgeon project has been presented to numerous audiences including the Menominee Fishing Club, the Fish Tales Lecture Series (Door County), the National Meeting of the American Fisheries Society and the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.

Read more: UW-Green Bay Students Contribute to Lake Sturgeon Conservation Research

 

Evaluation of Filter Media for Phosphorus Removal in Agricultural Runoff Treatment Systems

Original Project Description: Edge of field treatments are required within the Great Lakes watershed to treat agricultural runoff and improve water quality. Agricultural runoff treatment systems — including constructed wetlands and sedimentation basins — reduce suspended sediment; however, additional technologies are required to further remove phosphorus. Student and faculty researchers will evaluate natural and industrial byproducts for their ability to absorb phosphorus. Results will be used by communities and conservation groups to facilitate selection and design of low-cost systems for treatment of field runoff receiving manure.

Outcomes: Results were used in a study through the Fund for Lake Michigan to evaluate a pilot reactive media system to facilitate phosphorus removal in agricultural runoff treatment systems. Testing filter media for Calumet, Outagamie and Brown Counties has become a core function of the PI’s lab. Preliminary data from this grant helped secure a $750,000 Capacity Building Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

The project trained three undergraduate students at UW-Green Bay in analysis of wastewater, experimental design, and data analysis beneficial to environmental engineers. Students presented their research at Research in the Rotunda. In addition, the research led to the development of a project for a capstone class (15 students) including similar research experiences.

Read more:

• Findings from Freshwater Collaborative Grant Help UW-GB Researchers Secure $750,000 in USDA Funding
• Fantastic Filters and Where to Find Them

Evaluation of Filter Media Sorption Kinetics and Flow Through Performance for Phosphorus Removal in Agricultural Runoff Treatment Systems

Original Project Description: Agricultural runoff often contains concentrations of phosphorus that can result in water quality issues, such as algal blooms. Sediment basins, constructed wetlands and buffer strips are often used to reduce phosphorus; however, more effective practices are needed to further reduce concentrations. This research will investigate sorption capacities of different media. Undergraduate researchers will assess modified manure solids and corn stover biochar as alternative media. Researchers will use results to obtain funding to develop field scale pilot systems that would provide UW campuses, communities and conservation groups with low-cost treatment systems for reducing phosphorus from agricultural runoff.

Outcomes: The overall goal of this project was to help identify media to be incorporated into a new system being installed at UW-Green Bay. Results generated from student research was essential in development of the edge of field phosphorus recovery systems to be tested using funds from a Fund for Lake Michigan grant.

Four undergraduate students at UW-Platteville gained hands-on experience working on this project over the course of the funding period. Two of the students helped develop experimental designs, analyzed water samples and data, and presented their research at Research in the Rotunda, all of which was beneficial to their future careers and professional development. In addition, other students got hands on laboratory experience analyzing samples throughout the project.

Examining the Neurobehavioral Toxicity of Mixtures of Two Neonicotinoid Pesticides in Fathead Minnow Larvae

Original Project Description: Neonicotinoid pesticides are an emerging contaminant of concern. Fish are not likely to show overt toxic responses following exposure to these pesticides; however, the researcher’s previous work has shown that acute exposure to thiamethoxam can stimulate embryonic motor activity in fish embryos and that in fathead minnow chronic exposure reduces survival and hatching success and delays the predatory escape response.

Outcomes: This project supported an undergraduate student who helped to reestablish the university’s fish culture following COVID shutdown and evaluated the effects of acute exposure to thiamethoxam. The student helped to characterize the sublethal toxicity of thiamethoxam in fathead minnows and contributed to ongoing studies related to toxicity of imadacloprid and mixtures of both pesticides to fathead minnow larvae. Students in the lab had the opportunity to job shadow at Davy Laboratories and met virtually with a toxicologist at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This led to a job opportunity for the graduate student working on this research.

Data from this research was published: Victoria†, S Duffy*, E Harrahy and TC King-Heiden. 2022. Embryonic exposure to thiamethoxam reduces survival and alters neurobehavior of fathead minnows. Env. Tox. and Chem. 41(5):1276-1285. The research was also presented at the UW-LaCrosse Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium, 2021; Midwest Regional Chapter for the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2022; and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North America annual conference, 2021.

Examining the Neurobehavioral Toxicity of the Emerging Contaminant Imidacloprid

Original Project Description: Neonicotinoid pesticides make up 90 percent of agricultural pesticide use nationally. A growing body of evidence suggests that exposure may adversely affect aquatic invertebrates and fish. This project will leverage collaborative work with faculty at UW-Whitewater into the toxicity of thiamethoxam and imidacloprid and will develop collaborative efforts with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service scientists. It will also provide funding for an undergraduate student who will receive research experience and develop workforce skills. Results may be useful in implementing use restrictions and developing surface water quality criteria to protect fish and aquatic life.

Outcomes: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the student primarily focused on performing literature searches and learned to design experiments. She also attended professional development activities virtually. This work led to additional grants from the Freshwater Collaborative to continue the research.

Expanding the LAKES REU to Wisconsin Students

Original Project Description: The Linking Applied Knowledge in Environmental Sustainability Research Experience for Undergraduates (LAKES REU) is a summer experience that brings students from across the country to UW-Stout to work on research related to phosphorus pollution and its mitigation in the Red Cedar Watershed. This project expands the learning, community engagement and career development opportunities currently provided by opening two spots for students in the UW-System who are enrolled in programs related to the Freshwater Collaborative.

Outcomes: Two students from UW-Eau Claire completed an intensive research project regarding water quality in the Red Cedar Watershed. One project was a GIS analysis to determine which land in the watershed is most vulnerable to runoff and soil erosion. The other explored the opportunities and constraints farmers face when transitioning to more sustainable farming practices (no-till, cover crops, etc.). Both projects are extremely helpful in thinking about how and where to target conservation efforts in the watershed.

Students gained enhanced technical and data analysis skills for their chosen fields (e.g. GIS, qualitative data analysis, interviewing). The biology student, for example, might enter conservation work and this field is increasingly recognizing the need for people with effective “people skills” and not just scientific knowledge. Being able to interact with and learn from community members and land owners is invaluable.

Read more: LAKES REU Students Explore Health of Red Cedar Watershed

Freshwater Camp: A Summer Field Experience for High School Juniors

Original Project Description: Opportunities for careers in freshwater are not well-known in underserved communities throughout the rural-urban corridor of southeastern Wisconsin. UW-Parkside and UW-Whitewater will offer a water-focused high school recruitment program in the region. This program will highlight important freshwater habitats, build participants’ confidence and skills with hands-on field and laboratory activities, and present information on freshwater career and training opportunities to an initial cohort of high school juniors from southeastern Wisconsin.

Outcomes: This Freshwater Camp introduced 11 high school students to a variety of freshwater habitats and global challenges. The program also provided teaching assistant experiences for one graduate student and one undergraduate student. Students collected fish and macroinvertebrate samples, measured water-quality parameters, learned about shoreland restoration and went paddling (many for the first time). They learned about a variety of careers associated with the water sector and discussed how some businesses involve the use of water.

Responses to the post-camp survey were overwhelmingly positive. Participants indicated that they enjoyed the experience and meeting students with similar interests. On a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high), students indicated the likelihood that they would consider a career in a water-related field as a 9.33 (average). All said they would recommend the camp to other high school students.

Read more: High Schoolers Explore Research and Careers at Freshwater Camp

Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin Statewide Internship Program

Original Project Description: Internships provide essential on-the-job training for students; however, there is currently no undergraduate internship program focused on career opportunities in water. UW-Milwaukee and UW-Madison will create a statewide program by expanding their relationships with current industry partners (DNR, USGS, SEWRPC) and engaging new ones through their connections with The Water Council. They will also establish an undergraduate-focused Industry and Agency Advisory Committee to strengthen and promote connections, to learn about undergraduate opportunities, and identify skills needed for internships and job placement. The goal is to develop a streamlined process for matching qualified UW students with water-related opportunities.

Outcomes: The primary accomplishment was the formation of an external advisory board, which consists of 22 industry agency and NGO partners across southeast Wisconsin. The School of Freshwater Sciences held a meeting of the advisory committee to gather feedback on field and laboratory skill sets specific to career options in water. That input will be used to tailor curriculum to the needs of employers. The advisory board members also participated in several professional development activities for students, including mock interviews and career panels. Several members are engaged in policy related activities at the Center for Water Policy and in the working groups for the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin.

The school also connected with USGS, MMSD and DNR to discuss pathways for internships that can lead to jobs in local and state agencies. These interactions resulted in listing opportunities in the Freshwater Opportunities newsletter. 100 percent of the Professional Science Masters students are doing internships. Two videos were also created to highlight freshwater education and careers.

Freshwater Collaborative University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Student Internships Through Collaborative Partnerships

This project focuses on career development around water-centric internships in collaboration with community partners. This project will build linkages among Freshwater Collaborative programming and businesses, industries and agencies across a 16-county footprint focused on water-driven economies stretching from the UW-GB campus in Sheboygan to the shipyards near the UW-GB, Marinette Campus. Internships will prepare students to help partners solve water challenges. Initially focused on collaboration across the Green Bay campus communities, the program could become part of the statewide Freshwater Collaborative network, linking students to professional opportunities more widely.

Freshwater Science Across the Curriculum: Linked Outreach and Advanced Educational Activities

The project continues to develop the Freshwater Science Field Experience in western Wisconsin, an outreach and recruitment program targeting junior and senior high school students. It is a field-intensive, hands-on learning experience that introduces participants to a wide range of freshwater science topics with specialists from UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout and UW-River Falls. The second objective of this project further develops an immersive eight-day Western Wisconsin Advanced Freshwater Field Course for undergraduates with hands-on experiences designed to increase the employability of UW System students across the state.

Freshwater Science across the Curriculum: Linked Outreach and Advanced Educational Activities in Western Wisconsin

This ongoing project includes two freshwater science field courses in western Wisconsin: one targeting junior and senior high school students and the other an advanced course designed for upper-level college students. These field-intensive, hands-on learning experiences introduce participants to a wide range of freshwater science topics with specialists from UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout, UW-River Falls, and UW Oshkosh. Courses are open to students enrolled in high schools across Wisconsin or from any UW System campus respectively.

Freshwater Science Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates

The Freshwater Science Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (FSREU) is designed to develop a research program focusing on freshwater science and involving multiple departments and regional campuses. This multidisciplinary thematic focus on freshwater issues, including the 10 Grand Water Challenges, will attract students and faculty from numerous departments. The FSREU is a collaborative project with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at UW-Eau Claire and will provide funding for up to 10 research projects in 2022. The program will highlight educational opportunities and potential career pathways in freshwater science to a wide variety of undergraduate students.

Freshwater@UW: An Immersive Undergraduate Summer Research Opportunities Program for the University of Wisconsin System

The Freshwater@UW Summer Research Opportunities Program provides immersive, hands-on mentored research experiences to 27 promising undergraduates within the 13 member institutions of the Freshwater Collaborative. The program’s central aim is to support the growth of our freshwater research enterprise and freshwater workforce through collaborative, cross-system programming designed to train, recruit, retain and diversify the next generation of freshwater professionals. Funds will support the third and fourth year of implementation and continued program development as we strive to create new, high-impact opportunities for talented students to build their skill and cultivate relationships within the UW System to that will help them seek further training in freshwater science.

From Field to Laboratory: Hands-on Techniques for Students in Water Sciences

Original Project Description: This course focuses on hands-on laboratory and field techniques for studying freshwaters. Researchers will provide training in practical aspects of field measurements and laboratory practices pre-and post-sampling for students. They will conduct field campaigns for various purposes; will discuss the complexity and uncertainty of fieldwork; and focus on obtaining and preserving samples, and appropriate labeling. The laboratory training will range from day-to-day tasks, such as properly pipetting, keeping detailed records, sample preparation, and storage, to more complex analytic work, such as analyzing water samples using analytical instruments. Faculty will also work with students work on data analysis and poster presentation.

Outcomes:  Faculty from UW-River Falls and UW-Madison developed this hands-on course and offered it for the first time in summer 2023 at UW-River Falls. Eight students enrolled in the course, four from each university. Field activities included a field trip that covered small headwater streams (Kelly Creek and South Fork), Kinnickinnic River, St. Croix, and the Mississippi River. Students learned to measure characteristics in well waters, measured the flow rate in streams and collected water samples. They also measured physical water characteristics, such as electrical conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and transparency. In the lab, students measured total suspended solids and volatile solids. They observed and compared these characteristics for different streams.

This unique course provided learning opportunities for field and laboratory techniques and safety training for students to diversify their skill sets in water-related subjects. Familiarity with water quality sampling, laboratory practices and research experience strengthens the readiness of future graduates to take on high-skilled job opportunities in the water workforce.

Read more: Hands-on Water Course Creates Safe Space for Learning

From Field to Laboratory: Hands-on Techniques for Students in Water Sciences

Laboratory and field training are essential in water-related fields of study. Faculty on this project will develop a two-credit transformative course that focuses on laboratory and field techniques for freshwater-related work. The objective is to increase students’ field and laboratory skills to support professional development and cultivate interest in freshwater sciences. Faculty will focus on practical knowledge of field measurements related to water quality and nutrient analysis and good laboratory practices pre-and post-sampling. They aim to reach out to an array of students from diverse backgrounds across Wisconsin.

Future Water Leaders Fund Student Pilot Program

UW-Milwaukee’s School of Freshwater Sciences will partner with The Water Council to expand the Future Water Leaders Pilot Program. This program will enable students to add tactical, in-field experience to their academic pursuits and actualize ideas that can be built and demonstrated to positively impact the Grand Water Challenges in Wisconsin. The Water Council promotes innovation and discovery in Wisconsin’s water community, and this program gives students an opportunity for high visibility for their projects within the business and stakeholder community, helping to create a pipeline to jobs.

Groundwater-Forest Interactions as Guide for Artificial Groundwater Recharge Strategies to Support Agricultural and Ecosystems in the Central Sands

Original Project Description: Food, forests and fisheries rely on groundwater in the Central Sands region. Extracting groundwater for irrigation has protected against drought and increased crop production, leading to a vibrant potato and vegetable industry. However, continued extraction has depleted groundwater reserves and threatens agriculture, forests, tourism and environmental systems. Research results will determine the extent to which groundwater depletion has reduced forest productivity in the region. Faculty and student researchers will evaluate the feasibility for managing the impacts of agricultural groundwater withdrawals using managed artificial aquifer recharge, which artificially recharges aquifers in a controlled condition to store water for later use.

Outcomes: Three undergraduates at UW-Platteville participated in a field campaign to collect tree-ring data along depth-to-groundwater gradients in two red pine plantations in the Central Sands. The students interacted with Wisconsin DNR forest managers and scientists to learn more about their sites and related research taking place in the state. A fourth undergraduate developed a GIS-based approach to analyzing LiDAR digital elevation data. This was used to determine canopy heights through remote sensing and compare canopy heights to depth-to-groundwater conditions at our field sites. The method was expanded to test for similar relationships at six other red pine plantations in the Central Sands.

Students presented their work to legislators and the general public at the 2022 Research in the Rotunda Event. One of the students presented at the 2022 National Conference of the American Association of Geographers. The undergraduate student team developed a strong camaraderie throughout the project that has resulted in a growing peer-to-peer support network within the lab and department, clearly underscoring the value of undergraduate research as a key high-impact practice.

The results of this work have initiated a line of research linking groundwater management with forest productivity in the Central Sands. This will help stakeholders recognize the full and real costs of actions that draw on a shared resource and will likely have policy implications for how water resource decisions are made.

How Does the Function of Lake Superior’s Littoral Zone Change in the Presence of Rock Snot, an Ecologically Disruptive Diatom?

Original Project Description: Invasive species have plagued the Great Lakes since the European settlement, and blooms of rock snot (Didymosphenia geminata) are occurring more frequently along its pristine shores and tributaries. Researchers will quantify the changes in the bacterial community and begin to understand the extent and change of function. They will use samples appropriate to answer these questions that were collected and preserved from a previously funded grant (a collaborative effort between the Minnesota Science Museum and UW Oshkosh).

Outcomes: Sampling was completed, and a relationship was found between depth and the distribution in Lake Superior. However, bacterial communities were more affected laterally than from depth. Human impacts seems like the likely cause for changes in the bacterial communities. Two students were involved in sample preparation, data entry and manipulation, and map generation. Data were presented at the International Diatom Symposium held in Yagamata, Japan, in 2023. Students presented at the WiSys SPARK Symposium in in Oshkosh in 2023.

How We See Water: A Transdisciplinary Course on Wisconsin Water Resources

Original Project Description: This course focuses on water-related issues impacting western Wisconsin and the needs of local businesses and organizations. It includes a substantial community-based learning experience that integrates multiple stakeholders, including cross-campus collaborations with other UW schools. Faculty from a variety of disciplines and students from different majors provide a team-based, transdisciplinary experience that expands how students understand and address water-based problems/opportunities in the region. The goal is to serve as a model for other campuses seeking to address water-related issues in a transdisciplinary manner and for the course to become part of the Freshwater Collaborative curriculum.

Outcomes: Professors in journalism, social work, agriculture law, limnology, and engineering collaborated to teach the course. Students engaged in activities that developed their knowledge and understanding of issues facing the local watershed through the perspectives of  multiple community stakeholders. They also interacted directly with local government officials, federal agencies, and a variety of local businesses. Throughout the project, they learned about the many water-focused jobs that contribute to the health of the watershed. One of the students got a water-related internship with the city. The project the students worked on all semester culminated in a community focused presentation that informed people about the complex challenges of the Kinni River Corridor dam removal project.

Human Interactions with Lake Michigan Coastal Ecosystems

Original Project Description: Faculty and staff will create a nine-day summer survey/field study course along Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan coast, stopping at major harbors and sites of social/environmental interest. Course content will be informed by completed/ongoing harbor mapping and the NOAA National Marine Sanctuary. Students will become familiar with Great Lakes ecosystem complexity juxtaposing natural areas against heavily human-impacted harbors. The focus will be on diverse efforts to restore/create a coastline in which harbors interact with the open coast in a way that facilitates “ecosystem services” i.e., humans derive benefits from the natural environment. Faculty intend coordination/engagement with the Wisconsin DNR and local stakeholders.

Outcomes: Faculty conducted visits to multiple sites to develop the course curriculum. A student from each university helped to inform curriculum by participating in the initial site visits (2022) and providing feedback on what elements they would find most useful for inclusion in the course.

The Human Interactions with Lake Michigan Coastal Ecosystems course provides many benefits for the students and communities along the coast. It offers students a deeper understanding of the unique Great Lakes ecosystems, focusing on human impacts such as pollution, habitat degradation, and climate change. Through hands-on experiences and exposure to real-world environmental challenges, students develop critical analytical skills and gain insights into the complex interactions between urban and rural coastal environments. Students connect with opportunities for career exploration and professional networking in environmental science, policy, and management. The communities along the coast gain fresh perspectives on their work, strengthen connections to the Universities of Wisconsin, mentor the next generation of professionals, and become more aware of the varying efforts of the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin to initiate water education and field experiences with undergraduate students.

The course was offered for the first time in 2024 with additional funding from theFreshwater Collaborative.

Read more: Undergrads Help Develop New Course About Human Impact on Lake Michigan’s Coast

Land Application and the Occurrence, Fate and Mitigation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Nitrate

Original Project Description: In Wisconsin, land application is typically the most cost-effective and common practice for handling biosolids, the semi-solid residual of wastewater treatment. However, groundwater contamination is a potential risk Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a suspected hazardous chemical present in numerous household products and used in manufacturing, aren’t included in biosolids land application regulations. This research will help predict future PFAS groundwater contamination, generate future guidelines to protect groundwater wells from PFAS, identify Wisconsin groundwater sources at risk, and evaluate a low-cost treatment (biochar produced from agricultural waste) to minimize PFAS and nitrate leaching. Undergraduates will be trained in methods for measuring the fate and transport of contaminants that affect water quality.

Outcomes: This project funded a total of eight undergraduates from four universities — UW-Green Bay, UW-Madison, UW-Platteville and UW-Stevens Point — to work on research under the mentorship of the PI from UW-Green Bay. Students conducted water quality monitoring and leaching experiments. Their preliminary data was used in two submitted proposals to the USDA, which are pending review. It was also included in a publication in ACS EST Water 2024, 4, 2, 413–426, and presented at the America Water Resources Association virtual conference in 2024.

Leachability and Plant-Availability of Phosphorus Sorbed to Agricultural Runoff Filter Media

Original Project Description: Agricultural runoff treatment systems, including sedimentation basins and filter media, are an edge-of-field practice that reduce nutrient inputs, such as phosphorus, to the surface waters of Wisconsin. Evaluation of filter media consisting of natural and engineered materials is ongoing, however, analysis is needed to determine sustainable end-of-life options that would keep phosphorus and other metals from leaching into the environment. Researchers will investigate the physio-chemical characteristics, desorption, plant availability, reusability and leaching potential of filter media to determine long-term treatment potential. Results will help communities and conservation groups select sustainable filter media for treatment of runoff from manured fields.

Outcomes: This grant built upon another funded grant that evaluated filter media for phosphorus removal in ARTS through isotherm trials. The media were evaluated for physio-chemical properties, desorption, plant availability, and resorption for the proposed study. The project trained three undergraduate research students in analysis of wastewater, experimental design, and data analysis beneficial to environmental engineers. In addition, the research facilitated the development of a project for a capstone class (eight students), including similar research experiences.

Lead, Facilitate and Support Policy Research for the UW Water Policy Network

Original Project Description: The Center for Water Policy leads, facilitates and supports the UW Water Policy Network, which serves as a hub for government agencies, private sector, NGOs, media and other stakeholders to identify water policy collaborators and experts. This project will foster collaboration on water policy research and curriculum across UW System by strengthening relationships among multidisciplinary faculty, researchers and students working on freshwater policy. The center convenes the UW Water Policy Network for presentations and discussions around key policy issues identified in the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin’s 10 Grand Water Challenges.

Outcomes: The Center for Water Policy coordinated and led the UW Water Policy Network. In February 2023, the Center for Water Policy co-hosted a statewide conference titled “Phosphorus: Lessons from 10+ Years of Numeric Standards for Wisconsin’s Waters.” This conference was a retrospective on Wisconsin’s phosphorus rules – analyzing implementation, compliance, and impact. The event connected academic researchers with professionals working on water issues, agricultural and conservation professionals and agencies, farmers and producers, policymakers, and the public. The conference featured academic research and case studies to foster discussion around policy mechanisms that address the ongoing challenge of phosphorus pollution. The goal of this conference was to help inform a research agenda for the next decade and beyond. Committee Members wrote the Phosphorus Post-Conference Report and published it along with the 2023-2033 Academic Research Agenda and Policy Recommendations.

The Center’s Water Policy Specialist legal postdocs conducted policy and legal research related to freshwater issues such as public access, flooding caused by climate change, phosphorus regulation in Wisconsin, and federal water infrastructure legislation. The team also hosted an Earth Month Webinar- Assessing Illness Risk from PFAS Drinking Water Exposures in Wisconsin., which featured the research of its 2022-23 Water Policy Scholar.

Several students from UW Law collaborated worked on the Phosphorus Conference. Additionally, the Center for Water Policy worked with one undergraduate intern who assisted in overall communication practices.

Lead, facilitate, and support policy research for the UW Water Policy Network

The Center for Water Policy leads, facilitates and supports the UW Water Policy Network, which serves as a hub for government agencies, private sector, NGOs, media and other stakeholders to identify water policy collaborators and experts. This project will foster collaboration on water policy research and curriculum across UW System by strengthening relationships among multidisciplinary faculty, researchers and students working on freshwater policy. The center convenes the UW Water Policy Network for presentations and discussions around key policy issues identified in the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin’s 10 Grand Water Challenges.

Leveraging the Strength of the Wisconsin Agriculture-Water Nexus Network (WAW2N) for Transformative Student Experiences

The cross-campus Wisconsin Agriculture-Water Nexus Network will create transformational education experiences that provide students with a greater understanding of the connection between agriculture and water and the need for multidisciplinary solutions that support both food production and maintaining high-quality freshwater resources across Wisconsin. The project will also support the online delivery of a newly designed cross-campus course at the nexus of agriculture and water, which will highlight learnings at the ag-water nexus attained under previous Freshwater Collaborative–funded projects. A multiday field trip course built around variations in southwest Wisconsin agriculture will complement the online course. Bringing together experienced and new faculty/staff as well as community and academic partners to co-develop transformative student experiences will also strengthen the Freshwater Collaborative’s goals. This project increases the number of involved UW institutions from three to six.

Limnology: Conservation of Aquatic Resources (Zoo 315)

Original Project Description: This project will begin to build the curricular foundation for core Freshwater Collaborative teaching activities at UW-Madison, including a hands-on summer limnology course open to UW System undergraduates and a freshwater-focused certificate program at UW-Madison. Faculty will employ a suite of strategies to recruit students from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups into the course and certificate program, with the aim of building the pipeline necessary for diversifying the field. Partnering with other programs will help recruit a diverse cohort of UW System students to gain enriching experiences at UW-Madison.

Outcomes: The course was offered in 2022 and 2023 and provided hands-on and enriching limnology coursework to two groups of students. The course received excellent reviews, and students gained knowledge and experiences to improve their engagement and stewardship of freshwater systems.

Micro- and Nanoplastics as Vectors for the Transport of Organic Contaminants in Freshwater Environments: Influence of Natural Organic Matter and Plastic Weathering

Original Project Description: Microplastics have been widely documented in fish, air and natural waters, and have been found in drinking water, sewage, soil and sediment. Nanoplastics have been shown to be even more toxic to organisms and could serve as vectors for transporting emerging contaminants and other organic pollutants into freshwater ecosystems. Researchers examined the interactions between these toxic plastics and selected organic contaminants to determine how natural organic matter affects how they break down in freshwater environments. This project trained four undergraduate students, fostered collaborative freshwater research between UW-Milwaukee and UW-Madison and produced baseline data that led to a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Outcomes: Faculty trained 16 summer interns, undergraduate and graduate students from UW-Milwaukee, in microplastics research and generated preliminary data for multiple proposals and peer-reviewed publications. Findings were used to help secure a $360,805 grant from the National Science Foundation.

Related research publications include:

• Lin, H., Bartlett, S.L. and Guo, L. 2023. Distinct variations in fluorescent DOM components along a trophic gradient in the lower Fox River-Green Bay as characterized using one-sample PARAFAC approach. Sci.Tot. Environ, 902: 165891. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165891
• Schutte, M.M., Kteeba, S.M. and Guo, L. 2024. Photochemical reactivity of water-soluble dissolved organic matter derived from microplastics and microfibers. Sci. Tot. Environ, 911, 168616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168616
• Lin, P., Klump, J.V., and Guo, L. 2024. Chemical speciation, reactivity and long-term burial of sedimentary phosphorus in a seasonally hypoxia-influenced freshwater estuary. Sci. Tot. Environ., 948, 174957. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174957
• Kteeba, S.M. and Guo, L. 2024. Photodegradation processes and weathering products of microfibersin aquatic environments. Environ. Sci Technol. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c03667
• Zhou, Z, Lin, H., D’Sa, E.J., and Guo, L. 2024. A comparative study of optical and size properties of dissolved organic matter in the lower Mississippi River and Pearl River. Marine Chemistry, (in press). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2024.104453

Meeting presentations/abstracts that acknowledge supports from Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin:

• Patel, P., Kteeba, S.M. and Guo, L. 2022. Spectroscopic analysis of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in natural waters. Poster presentation at the Symposium of the 2022 ACS Project-SEED Program. Milwaukee. August 5, 2022
• Guo, L., Lin, P., Klump, J.V., Bartlett, S,L. and Robertson, D.M.2023. Chemical speciation, transformation, and deposition of phosphorus in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. Phosphorus: Lessons from 10+ Years of Numeric Standards for Wisconsin Waters.  Madison, WI, February 7, 2023.
• Gibbs, S.J., Kteeba, S.M. and Guo, L. 2023.Photochemical degradation of disposable face masks and polypropylene in the environment. Presentation at the 15th Annual UW-Milwaukee Undergraduate Research Symposium. April 28, 2023.
• Sollberger, M., Weidert, D., Kteeba, S.M. and Guo, L. 2023. Evaluating the photochemical degradation of biodegradable plastics. Poster presentation at the annual UR@UWM symposium. UW-Milwaukee, August 4, 2023.
• Thao, N. Kteeba, S.M. and Guo, L. 2023. Effects of pH and ionic strength on the optical and colloidal properties of natural DOM and plastic derivedDOM. Poster presentation at the Symposium of the 2023 ACS Project-SEED Program, UW-Milwaukee. August 11, 2023.
• Schutte, M.P., Kteeba, S.M. and Guo,L. 2023. Yields, characterization and photochemical reactivity of water-soluble dissolved organic matter from microplastics and microfibers. 2023 ACS Fall Meeting, August 13-17, 2023. San Francisco, CA (Abstract ID: 3908504).
• Kteeba, S.M. and Guo, L. 2023. Photochemical behavior and degradation products of microfibers in freshwater environments. 2023 ACS Fall Meeting, August 13-17, 2023. San Francisco, CA (Abstract ID: 3920637).
• Guo, L., Gibbs, S., and Kteeba, S.M. 2023. Photochemical Reactivity of Disposable Face Masks and Polypropylene in aquatic environments. The2023 AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA , December 11-15, 2023 (abstract ID: 1414866 or paper#: H53R-1562).
• Gibbs, S., Kteeba, S.M., and Guo, L. 2024. Characterization of dissolved organic matter of Disposable Face Masks during photochemical weathering in Freshwater environments.Presentation at the NCUR 2024 Conference, California State University, Long Beach, CA, April 8-10, 2024.
• Choi, J., Kteeba, S.M., Swigart, J.M. and Guo, L. 2024. Chemical and Optical Characterization of Produced Water from the Permian Basin Oil Field. Presentation at the NCUR 2024 Conference, California State University, Long Beach, CA, April 8-10, 2024.
• Thao, N., Krueger, S.J., Kteeba, S.M and Guo, L. 2024. Impact on photo degradation and thermal leaching on chemical properties of plastics-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM). Symposium of the 2024 ACS Project-SEED Program at UW-Milwaukee, August 7, 2024.

Microbial Ecology, BIOL 312

Original Project Description: The biology department will develop a microbial ecology course that will help students gain understanding of the biology of microorganisms and apply this knowledge to explore how microbes help in the functioning of natural ecosystems. This course will offer hands-on experience for students to enhance their understanding of microbial interactions with plants and the environment. This grant will provide additional research and field opportunities for UW-River Falls biology students to work in the community and become competitive in the careers they want to pursue in the future.

Outcomes: Microbial Ecology was offered in fall 2022 and 2023. Students learned about microbial activities in comparison to terrestrial, fresh water and marine ecosystems, and various symbioses between microbes, plants and animals. They collected various soils and then set up model microbial ecosystems to understand how diverse niches develop in various environmental gradients. Four research students worked with the PI to study the microbiome of native and non-native Phragmites australis. A fifth UW-River Falls student worked with a colleague from the University of Minnesota on invasive zebra mussels. This work was part of a larger project to develop novel genetic biocontrol strategies for controlling this invasive. This summer research experience provided the student with a better understanding of what it is like to conduct independent scientific research with a multi-disciplinary group.

Microplastics – A Multidisciplinary Approach to Understanding Sources, Transport, Adsorption of POPs, and Fate in St. Louis River Estuary and Western Lake Superior

Original Project Description: Microplastic are an emerging aquatic pollutant. Faculty, five undergraduates and one graduate student will examine microplastics in the environment and in digestive tracks of aquatic organisms living in western Lake Superior and the St. Louis River Estuary to gain a clearer picture of the potential harm these particles can cause to the local water quality, food webs and human populations. Undergraduates from UW-Eau Claire will also collaborate with area high school teachers to develop a lesson plan about microplastics, and undergraduates from all three institutions will collaborate with staff from Duluth’s Great Lakes Aquarium to create an interactive exhibit to teach the public about microplastics in the St. Louis River Estuary and Lake Superior.

Outcomes: The student-faculty research team demonstrated the presence of microplastics on Wisconsin beaches, and their papers attracted the attention of a number of local news media. They are working on research that will provide better modeling of the Great Lakes for management and restoration, including from plastic pollution and oil spills.

UW-Madison trained a PhD student and four undergraduate students in field collection, computational modeling, and sample analysis. They also partnered with Madison East High School and a teacher from that school participated in research and developed a lesson plan for 45 high school students focused on careers in water. They also used funds to conduct a giant wave pool experiment on how plastics wash up on beaches. UW-Superior used funds to buy a spectrometer FTIR Summit X from Thermo Fisher in collaboration with the Department of Natural Sciences/Chemistry. Three undergraduate students from UW-Superior were trained in its use for future research projects, and four graduate students from Canada, Mexico, Belize, and Trinidad and Tobago participated in microplastics analysis training.

Research Publications:

• Davidson, B., Batista, K., Samrah, S., Mendoza, L.M.R., Pujara, N., 2022. Microplastic contamination of sediments across and within three beaches in western Lake Superior. J Great Lakes Res 48, 1563–1572. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2022.09.011
• Davidson, B., Brenner, J., Pujara, N., 2023. Beaching model for buoyant marine debris in bore-driven swash. Flow 3. https://doi.org/10.1017/flo.2023.31

Microplastics in the Lake Winnebago and Upper Mississippi River Systems and the Implications for Food Webs and Water Treatment Infrastructure

Original Project Description: Microplastic contamination poses a water-quality safety issue and is an emerging contaminant of importance for many stakeholders in Wisconsin. Researchers will collaborate with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Long Term Resource Monitoring Group to determine the quantity and types of microplastics in the Lake Winnebago System and the Upper Mississippi River. Results will inform advanced research that will help identify how environmentally realistic concentrations of microplastics impact freshwater food webs, human health and water treatment infrastructure. Several students will receive training in freshwater research and participate in team-building opportunities and cross-visits between universities that will prepare them for advanced degrees and jobs in the water sector.

Outcomes: Microplastics are an emerging environmental contaminant and it is important for the public and for the scientific community to understand the amount and types of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems so that eventually risk assessments (for people and other species) can be performed. This project helped establish a baseline for understanding microplastic contamination in key consumers (zebra mussels, fish) and in the water column of Lake Winnebago and the Mississippi River.

During the duration of the project, 17 students were trained at UW Oshkosh and UW-La Crosse on field and lab methods pertinent to sampling, identifying, and quantifying microplastics in Lake Winnebago and the Mississippi River. This skill development and training will provide countless opportunities for these students in the future. One of the students is already employed full time as a manager of the ERIC lab at UW Oshkosh, which specializes in water analysis. Two students mentored at UW Oshkosh are either pursuing or have obtained MS degrees in the aquatic sciences. These students will be well trained and poised for more advanced positions in the state’s water workforce.

This project led to publication in the September 2023 Water Air and Soil Pollution (DOI:10.1007/s11270-023-06643-8).

Findings were also presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Section of the American Water Resources Association, 2024 Annual Meeting of the Mississippi River Research Consortium, and 2024 Annual Meeting of the Midwest Chapter Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.

Mitigating Eutrophication Events: Understanding Controls on Phosphorus Contamination in Surface Water and Groundwater in Western Wisconsin

Phosphorus loading in Wisconsin is responsible for significant lake eutrophication, causing a loss of recreational tourism, reducing commercial fisheries and decreasing biodiversity. UW faculty and five undergraduate students will collaborate with the USGS Upper Midwest Water Science Center to investigate phosphorus migration in the hydrologic system and the potential impact of nutrient-loading through groundwater discharge on lake eutrophication. Findings may better inform sustainable management of lakes. Interested stakeholders include regulatory agencies, scientific organizations, environmental groups, the agricultural and silica sand mining industries, and communities across the state of Wisconsin and the upper Midwest impacted by phosphorus-driven eutrophication.

Mitigating PFAS Contamination of Groundwater: Biochar Sequestration of PFAS in Biosolid Leachate at the Field Scale

Sewage sludge or biosolids generated in Wisconsin are largely applied to agricultural lands. Through this practice, biosolids may be the most diffuse source PFAS contamination of groundwater resources. This project aims to evaluate onsite the PFAS immobilization performance of activated biochar incorporated in soils receiving biosolids, and to develop methods for PFAS analysis of soil and groundwater leachate. Four undergraduate students involved in the project will contribute to experimental setup, soil and water sampling; laboratory and data analysis; and results publication. The project will provide students and faculty with research experience critical to the development of an emerging contaminant workforce.

My River Adventures (MRA) Pre-College Camp

Original Project Description: The UW-La Crosse MRA camp is a six-day residential camp for incoming 7-12 grade students. Students will use the UW-La Crosse campus as their homebase while they enjoy a week of instructional sessions and visits to rivers in the Driftless region for hands-on fieldwork and lab activities in collaboration with UW- La Crosse faculty, local educators and community members. This camp fosters recruitment, access and aspirations for a career in STEM, specifically water-related sectors. Students will create connections with community leaders and educators who can introduce them to career paths and increase their interest in STEM post-high school.

Outcomes: Funding from the Freshwater Collaborative provided the camp, as well as food and lodging, free of charge to 30 students in the first year. Nine undergraduates served as mentors. Faculty led instructional sessions and visits to regional rivers and marshes in the surrounding area for fieldwork and observation. Participants worked one-on-one with an undergraduate mentor on various hands-on activities, including using GPS to navigate marshlands, flood plains and natural habitats; analyzing and identifying fish and plant species as part of DNR sampling activities; learning about water-quality sampling; and viewing specimens under a microscope. Camp participants heard from community members about their paths to their current careers. Students learned about various majors and how those connect to STEM careers. They also learned about different types of colleges and what the college experience can look like.

Read more: Camp Offers River Adventures, Water Education and Leadership Opportunities

My River Adventures (MRA) Pre-College Camp

The UW-La Crosse MRA camp is a six-day residential camp for incoming 6-12 grade students. Students will use the UW-La Crosse campus as their homebase while they enjoy a week of instructional sessions and visits to rivers in the Driftless region for hands-on fieldwork and lab activities in collaboration with UW- La Crosse faculty, local educators and community members. This camp fosters recruitment, access and aspirations for a career in STEM, specifically water-related sectors. Students will create connections with community leaders and educators who can introduce them to career paths and increase their interest in STEM post-high school.

Partnering to Boost Aquaculture Workforce Development in Wisconsin

“Where do we find young people interested in producing fish for food?” This is one of the most pressing concerns that Wisconsin food-fish farmers expressed in a recent needs assessment conducted by Wisconsin Sea Grant. To address this food security and workforce issue, collaborators from the University of Wisconsin campuses of Madison, Stevens Point and Milwaukee are cooperating with commercial fish farms and high schools, colleges, and universities with existing aquaculture programs to expand training opportunities for students across the state. The opportunities range from farm experiences and skill-building workshops to support for teams engaging in an annual aquaculture competition.

Pilot Project: Development of an In Vivo Method to Assess the Innate Immune Response in Fathead minnow Larvae

Original Project Description: Two undergraduate students will work with faculty from UW-La Crosse and UW-Madison to develop a new bioassay to study the immune response of wild fish. As part of their training, they will job shadow at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene to gain a deeper understanding of how bioassays are used in the field of environmental toxicology. They will meet with experts from the Wisconsin Department of Health to see how data from these bioassays can be used to inform water quality standards. Finally, they will network at science conferences to learn about job opportunities in the field of environmental toxicology.

Outcomes: Students and faculty developed an assay to examine the immunotoxicity of environmental contaminants and are using it in the lab. Their technical report, “Adaptation of the in vivo respiratory burst assay for fathead minnow larvae (Pimephales promelas),” has been submitted and accepted to the Journal of Immunological Methods. They are working on a second manuscript using these methods to test for immunotoxicity of two neonicotinoid pesticides in zebrafish and fathead minnow. Students also met with scientists at UW Madison Limnological center and Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene to learn about career paths related to water and toxicology.

Findings from this grant were used to secure a $259,990 grant from WI Sea Grant/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.

Predicting Crop per Drop in Sandy Soils

Original Project Description: As the world population grows, the demand for water and land from industries and municipalities increases. Farmable land and available water are becoming scarcer. These circumstances pressure farmers to generate higher yields without the ability to increase resources. The goal of this project is for two undergraduate student researchers to learn how to use statistics, mathematics and computer science to help growers manage water resources for growing dry beans in sandy soil types, which are not typically used for growing crops. Students will use mathematics to help growers predict their crop per drop.

Outcomes: Two student researchers were hired to work with two professors for the duration of the project. The students conducted a literature review, coded algorithms in Python, conducted a parameter study, collected and analyzed data. The student researchers worked with a team of agronomists and growers using mathematics, statistics, and computer science to optimize water-use efficiency for growing kidney beans. This project developed the skills of the students involved and helped growers understand how to use water more efficiently during the growing season. They gave several presentations, including at the LAKES and Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin Joint Poster Session at the Raw Deal, Menomonie in 2022 and the Chippewa Valley Bean ownership and agronomy meeting in 2022. Faculty initiated a collaboration with UW-River Falls to grow kidney beans in UW-River Falls greenhouse to collect the data needed to validate the mathematical model.

Read more: Predicting the Life Story of a Kidney Bean

Principles of Freshwater Informatics

Original Project Description: Funds will support the development and delivery of a new course that will teach students the background and skills necessary to work with large and disorderly data related to freshwater disciplines. Topics will include sound data management, best practices, common pitfalls and creating useful datasets. Students will use open-source freshwater data and gain hands-on experience while they problem solve as a team. Learning will focus on real-world water-sector examples to help students understand the beyond-the-classroom significance of their studies.

Outcomes: A new course was developed and delivered during the winter term 2023.  Through this course, students acquired necessary qualifications for a variety of positions in the freshwater sector. Participants in the course 1) gathered different types of freshwater data, 2) practiced sound data management and reproducibility, 3) manipulated and transformed data formats effectively, 4) learned how to prepare large, complex datasets for statistical analyses, and 5) gained an appreciation for the importance of data quality, archiving, and reporting. This was accomplished by having participants, 1) collect and organize freshwater data, 2) document analytical processes, 3) perform reproducible data manipulations and transformations, 4) conducting statistical analyses in R and Excel, and 5) document and report out metadata.

This course is now part of UW-Parkside’s Freshwater Resources Minor (Environmental Studies), Freshwater Resources Certificate (Environmental Studies), and Biological Sciences Major.

Quantifying the Impact of Spatial and Temporal Variation in Hyporheic Zone Fluxes on Phosphorus Transport and Release in Wisconsin Streams and Rivers

Riverbed sediments can be an important source of phosphorus to Wisconsin waterways, driving eutrophication and negatively impacting aquatic health, human health, and local economies. There is limited understanding of how groundwater–surface water exchange impacts river sediment phosphorus storage, and this study aims to quantify these processes. Students will characterize phosphorus and subsurface hydrology in stream sediments at two sites in central Wisconsin and conduct batch and column experiments on sediment samples to evaluate which biogeochemical conditions promote storage and release of phosphorus. Project findings are anticipated to inform land, nutrient, and water management decisions.

Summer Research Experience in Freshwater Ecology for Undergraduates

Original Project Description: This project supports the participation of five students in a Research Experience for Undergraduates experience coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit (WICFRU), which is part of the College of Natural Resources at UW-Stevens Point. The WICFRU provides unique hands-on opportunities for undergraduates to work on applied freshwater research and collaborate with federal scientists, university faculty, graduate students and researchers, along with agency personnel from the Wisconsin and Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and various tribal organizations from the Midwest.

Outcomes: Seven undergraduate students were trained in the Molecular Conservation Genetics Lab at UW-Stevens Point. They gained experience in laboratory handling and processing of fish genetic samples, including data curation, DNA extraction, and DNA amplification via polymerase chain reaction.

Each of the students undertook independent research projects that were presented at the UW-Stevens Point Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium. Several of the projects focused on improving efforts to manage lake whitefish and sea lamprey in the Great Lakes and in general to improve fisheries for several species that are popular among anglers or commercial fishers.

Research Presentations:

• Bass, E., S. Straus, J.J. Homola. Evaluating Relationships between Body Condition of Larval Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and Environmental Conditions. Poster presentation at the UWSP Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium, April 19, 2024.
• Hetzel, L., A. Springer, J.J. Homola. Effectiveness of a Lake Sturgeon qPCR Sexing Assay for Sex Determination in the American Paddlefish. Poster presentation at the UWSP Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium, April 19, 2024.
• McClure, K., P. Albosta, J.J. Homola. Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) eDNA Recruitment Detection in Lake Michigan’s Green Bay. Poster presentation at the UWSP Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium, April 19, 2024

Summer Research Experience Program for Undergraduates in the University of Wisconsin System

Original Project Description: In summer 2022, 10-12 undergraduate students will receive internships at UW-Madison to work on water research projects. Students will be paired with faculty affiliated with Water@UW-Madison and will work in laboratories and programs on campus. Students will meet regularly throughout the summer, be given opportunities for professional development and present their research at a reception in August. The internships are offered through the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin in conjunction with UW’s Sea Grant and Water Resources Institutes as part of a pilot program that will be expanded to UW campuses statewide in 2023.

Outcomes: This grant established the administrative processes and procedures for a statewide undergraduate summer research program. This included working with each participating institution to secure housing, set up payments, and welcome students to each campus. UW-Madison staff assisted students with finding access to food, locating on-campus resources, contacting a local support lead, and travel to and from their research location. Collaborating faculty and staff at local sites volunteered their time to welcome students and provide them with local support during the program.

Faculty worked with a total of 48 mentors who provided research support and training to 40 Freshwater@UW students total during the 2022 and 2023 summers. These numbers exceeded the overall enrollment target by 11 students. The program coordinator leveraged additional funding for the program after the first pilot year. Students practiced research and technical skills that are highly relevant to successful careers outside of an academic environment. The individual projects were often heavily focused on actionable science, technology development, and industry-relevant questions. Students also learned about professional communication, outreach and engagement, and navigating the job application processes. The connections each student made will help prepare them for future collaborative work.

In 2023, 85% of students reported an “excellent” or “good” overall research experience. All evaluated elements of the program, including orientation, capstone, professional development and the mentored research experiences, were most frequently rated as “excellent” by students.

Read more: Freshwater@UW Program Offers Plunge Into Summer Research

 

Surface and Well Water Field Sampling and Lab Analysis Experience

Original Project Description: The Environmental Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) is a certified water testing facility at UW Oshkosh that receives well and surface water samples from citizens, businesses and county agencies. This project provides funding for three students to take part in a specialized water lab analyses training program at the ERIC lab and a summer field experience at the Door County field site. They will learn the basics of many water-related laboratory methods and can work with field groups during the summer of 2021. Projects may include well water sampling throughout the community, beach monitoring and nutrient management studies.

Outcomes: UW Oshkosh hired more than 20 students for summer projects in 2021. These students came from UW Oshkosh, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Superior, and UW-Whitewater. Students were trained in field sampling and laboratory of water resources for environmental and business needs. Students participated in community embedded programs in Door, Manitowoc, and Vilas County. These projects included well water testing and samples, aquatic invasive mitigation and outreach with community partners. Students at the ERIC, Door, Vilas, and Manitowoc were trained in modern techniques in water sample analysis and were able to analyze samples that were needed for various business and community partners and projects. Students analyzed more than 7,000 water samples for citizens, businesses, and clients from around Wisconsin.

Read more:

• Student Spotlight: Monitoring Water Quality in Door County
• Student Spotlight: Madeline Marchiafava, UW-Eau Claire 
• Student Spotlight: An Nguyen, Environmental Science Undergraduate, UW-Stout

The Cost of Cleanwater: An Efficiency Analysis of Wisconsin’s Water Utilities

Students will conduct research through the Institute for Water Business on the efficiency of water utilities and will leverage previous research to identify how costs incurred by water districts in cleaning water leads to inefficiency and increased prices. This research seeks to identify the cost of remediation to provide regulators the information necessary to make informed determinations regarding contaminant assessments. Results will be available in a public report and submitted for peer reviewed publication.

The Dam Analysis and Monitoring Crew

Original Project Description: The Dam Analysis and Monitoring (DAM) Crew is a two-week, summer experience in which undergraduate students will learn about and contribute to a dam removal and river restoration project on the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls. The “Kinni” is a premier trout stream in western Wisconsin. Students will receive hands-on training from river restoration professionals in the region and then apply their technical skills to collect water quality and habitat data that is required in the official project monitoring plan. Two DAM Crew participants will continue the work through part-time, school-year internships to collect data, analyze samples and compile results.

Outcomes: Students collected monitoring data to assist in the implementation of the Kinnickinnic River monitoring plan in River Falls, WI. Students received instruction and training in river monitoring techniques, including monitoring-program development aquatic habitat assessment, benthic algae surveys, channel substrate characterization, riparian vegetation surveys, and water quality measurement. Students made connections with the WI DNR, Trout Unlimited, Interfluve Inc., the Kinni Corridor Collaborative, and other local government stakeholders. Two students were hired as interns to continue data collection during the spring semester.

Read more:

• Dam Removal Project Opens Flow of Student Training and Community Collaboration
• Student Spotlight: From DAM Crew to Interns

The Impact of Agricultural Runoff on Navigation: A Literature Review

Original Project Description: Recreational and commercial use of Wisconsin’s ports is a multibillion-dollar industry. Channels, slips and anchorages can become unusable when silt, mud and organic material reduce channel depths or block areas of use. Dredging is expensive and may have significant environmental impacts depending on the material being removed. In collaboration with various stakeholders of Wisconsin’s commercial and recreational ports on Lake Superior, a student researcher will help produce a literature review to identify gaps in research of the costs and environmental impacts of agricultural runoff on recreational and commercial navigation in northern Wisconsin.

Outcomes: An undergraduate student worked alongside the PI to identify resources to be included in the literature review. The student also wrote summaries of many resources to be included in the literature review. This project identified key issues surrounding runoff from streams and rivers of northern Wisconsin into Lake Superior so that stakeholders may make more informed decisions leading to a more vibrant commercial navigation and recreational boating industry throughout northern Wisconsin. Partners included Duluth Seaway Port Authority, Wisconsin Marine Association, Port of Washburn, Bayfield Harbor Commission, Town of Bell Harbor Commission, Wisconsin DNR, US Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve.

The Root Magazine: WATER

Original Project Description: UW-Parkside will produce an edition of the Root Magazine devoted to water in southeast Wisconsin. This project involves separate departments — art and design, communication, and literatures and languages — and three classes, one from each department, during the academic year of 2022, to produce the content and design of the magazine. Stories and articles produced on local and statewide freshwater issues will be presented in both English and Spanish. This effort represents an amazing opportunity for the arts, humanities and sciences to collaborate.

Outcomes: Students researched and wrote the articles for the water edition of ROOT Magazine as part of a community-based learning communications class. The water edition brought together students and faculty from Communications, Biology, and Art and Design as well as local photographer Glen Larson. The course was taught by veteran journalist Denise Lockwood, who owns the Racine County Eye and has written extensively about water issues. Issues were distributed throughout Racine. Students also also held a 90-minute panel discussion on campus that included UW-Parkside faculty and staff and local community members from the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network.

Read more: Getting to the ROOT of Water Challenges

Timing of Nutrient Release into Surface Water Systems Using Stable Isotopes as an Indicator of Flow Path in an Unconfined Karst Aquifer

Original Project Description: Chemicals applied at the surface can easily and quickly enter dolomite aquifer systems and contaminate the groundwater. This project will provide funding for an undergraduate student to work with UW-Green Bay faculty to identify and sample springs that drain from the unconfined dolomite aquifer in Door, Kewaunee and Brown counties and from precipitation. The student will learn to analyze water samples on state-of-the-art field and laboratory instrumentation and to use equilibrium modeling software that will aid him in future classwork at UW-Green Bay and later in the workforce.

Outcomes: An UW-Green Bay student identified potential springs in Brown and Door Counties for field testing. He and his faculty mentor contacted landowners to obtain permission to conduct sampling of 12 springs in May and July 2022. The student analyzed samples at the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences and learned about different analysis procedures. He worked with Dr. Mike Holly’s group at UW-Green Bay to learn the operation of the Sea Discrete Analyzer to run samples for total nitrogen and total phosphate. The student presented his work at the 2022 Geological Society of America meeting in Denver, the 2023 Research in the Rotunda, and the 2023 Student Watershed Symposium at UW-Green Bay.

This work increased the body of knowledge of groundwater quality in the shallow, dolomite aquifer of Door County and the impact of agricultural runoff in the region. These are aquifers impacted by significant stresses from land uses and an improved understanding of their water quality will help resource managers and other interested parties.

Training K12 Educators in Groundwater Science

This project entails a one-day groundwater workshop with K-12 educators in the Eau Claire Area School District, and a hands-on classroom experience for each participating educator with UW-Eau Claire faculty and undergraduate students. The workshop will include exploration of groundwater characteristics using physical flow models, field experience on the UW-Eau Claire campus well field, and a tour of the Eau Claire Municipal Water Treatment Plant. Participants will receive a groundwater model to keep and use in their classroom. The follow-up classroom experience will provide an opportunity for educators to see groundwater models used with their students and build connections to support other Freshwater Collaborative programming.

Undergraduate Student-Faculty Research Engagement on Developing Rapid, Easy-to-Use and Cost-Effective Test Kits for the Detection of E. coli/coliforms in Water

Original Project Description: The coliform group including Escherichia coli has been used extensively as an indicator that other illness-causing bacteria, parasites and viruses are present in water. While the current membrane filtration method for detecting coliforms and E. coli has adequate specificity and sensitivity, it is expensive and time-consuming. Faculty-student researchers will develop a test kit to detect a single cell in a maximum water portion that provides results within 24 hours at 37 C or 48 hours at room temperature and costs about $5 per kit.

Outcomes: Having water tested is the first step toward ensuring safe drinking water. While Dunn County Health Department helps private well water owners connect with area water testing labs, utilizing the BSL-2 lab at UW-Stout offered an alternative resource for residents and industry to test their well water and groundwater. It also helped students to enhance their laboratory analysis skills.

Through this grant, faculty-student collaborative research developed an easy to use, inexpensive and reliable test kits to detect a single cell of coliform bacteria, including E. coli, in a maximum water portion. This all-in-one bag assay kit can rapidly detect coliforms in water that contains high levels of organic matters, such as algae, soils, minerals, etc. The assay kit has benefited Wisconsin residents, farmers and food processors in helping thm test their water quality.

Eight international students participated in the project, and four earned dual degrees from UW-Stout and Changshu Institute of Technology, China. Students were trained with optimizing the biochemical formulation of culture media. They also shaped guidelines for good sampling practice plans to decrease the chance of inaccurate and misleading fecal contamination and to enhance interpretation of available data. The project fostered global research collaboration to ensure water quality/food safety in other countries.

Update to Healthy Recreational and Transportation-Focused Courses

Original Project Description: UW-Superior has offered a course about marine transportation management and a course about port and terminal management for more than two decades. These are the only undergraduate courses in the state of Wisconsin addressing these critical subjects impacting freshwater quality. Collaborating with industry, tribal communities, government agencies and not-for-profits, this project will update these courses to include topics related to sustainability, gentrification, waterfront management, recreational maritime business and the impacts of climate change. Enhancements will help educate tomorrow’s leaders to operate maritime facilities on the state’s lakes and rivers in a more sustainable manner.

Outcomes: Faculty and a student updated the TRSP-325 Marine Transportation Management and TRSP-405 Port and Terminal Management courses to include the impacts of climate change, sustainability, gentrification and recreational maritime business. The enhanced TRSP-325 course was offered in spring 2024. The enhanced TRSP-405 was offered in spring 2023. These are the only undergraduate courses in the state of Wisconsin addressing these critical topics. Students taking these courses as part of earning undergraduate degree in Transportation and Logistics Management are educated to serve in roles at ports, marinas, vessel operating companies, vessel agencies, vessel service companies and supply chains. With the enhancements, tomorrow’s maritime and port leaders in Wisconsin will be better educated to operate maritime facilities on the state’s lakes and rivers in a more sustainable manner.

UW Oshkosh Comprehensive FCW Capacity Building and Implementation Program

Original Project Description: UW Oshkosh will offer student training opportunities at the Environmental Research and Innovation Center (ERIC), a state-certified laboratory for many water testing parameters as well as a contract R&D laboratory for various community and industry projects. The partnership with the Freshwater Collaborative will allow students from any campus opportunities to work at ERIC field research sites (or take a field course) each summer, which embeds students in communities to study surface, well and groundwater. UW Oshkosh will also offer access to a research and teaching boat on the Lake Winnebago system at no charge to Freshwater Collaborative partners.

Outcomes: The Student Water Resource Training Program provides paid training opportunities at the ERIC lab to students enrolled at any of the Universities of Wisconsin campuses. Three student-faculty research projects funded. The ERIC lab housed two summer students from UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stout for water technical training along with two UW Oshkosh students. Thirty-four students participated in training as part of the ERIC water-centric operations. These included students from UW Oshkosh, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stout, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Madison, UW-River Falls, and seven non-UW campuses. Three posters were presented at the Great Lakes Beach Association in Sturgeon Bay.

UW Oshkosh conducted freshwater programming for three area high school groups and hosted a South Korean group of students at a northern Wisconsin field location for three days of freshwater experiences. The outreach specialist developed outreach and recruitment materials related to all freshwater programs at UW Oshkosh and used them at numerous recruiting events.

Funding also established Water Enterprise grants for faculty to create new collaborations with external partners. These grants partner companies and student groups to help solve issues critical to operations and/or the water resources challenges. Students worked on projects as part of their course work in the fall 2022 and spring 2023 semester and presented results to their industry partners. Three community-faculty-student collaborative projects were completed. UW-Madison researchers used UW Oshkosh resources Fox River and Winnebago Lakes to study wild rice ecology. The Freshwater 101 course was expanded to two lab sections after a very successful first offering. The field course (EGRT 374) previously developed as part of the Freshwater Collaborative was offered to all UW students each summer.

Read more: Student Spotlight: Monitoring Water Quality in Door County

UW Oshkosh Comprehensive Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin Training, Community Engagement, Business Enterprise, Research, and Recruitment Program

UW Oshkosh will offer student training opportunities at the Environmental Research and Innovation Center (ERIC), a state-certified laboratory for many water testing parameters as well as a contract R&D laboratory for various community and industry projects. The partnership with the Freshwater Collaborative allows students from any UW campus opportunities to work at ERIC field research sites (or take a field course) each summer, which embeds students in communities to study surface, well and groundwater. Funding from the Freshwater Collaborative will also allow for an on-campus STEM high school camp in summer 2024 (20 high school students). It will also provide resources for faculty-student research and student-industry projects. Freshwater Collaborative funding will continue to expand opportunities through the UW Oshkosh Freshwater 101 course (BIO/ENG 119) and partial support for a summer field sampling and analysis course open to all UW students. Finally, UW Oshkosh will continue to offer access to a research and teaching boat on the Lake Winnebago system at no charge to Freshwater Collaborative partners.

UW Youth Water Stewards Pilot

Original Project Description: The UW Youth Water Stewards Pilot introduces high school youth to water monitoring, data analysis and stewardship through guided hands-on fieldwork and learning opportunities on and near UW-River Falls. The project connects high school youth with university students and faculty and highlights water-related study and job opportunities. Students will also gain a stronger sense of community through collaborative service learning and through sharing results of their research with relevant government and community partners.

Outcomes: Twenty-one high school students from Renaissance Academy worked with university professors and student mentors, local government and business representatives, indigenous teachers and businesses to deepen their understanding of water science, future potential professions, and their community. In the course of their learning, they created or improved two rain gardens, assisted in two local erosion control projects under professional guidance and instruction, completed several water monitoring projects, and learned about aspects of healthy water, including learning from indigenous teachers about species of vital importance to regional food and culture, like wild rice. Students also gained more expansive understanding of the importance of healthy water and the need for scientific data on water health from guest speakers of various professional backgrounds, including indigenous teachers, local land trusts, scientists. At least one of this high school group is now attending a UW school.

Read more: UW-River Falls Program Engages Youth in Water Science, Stewardship

UW-Green Bay Pre-College Student Experiences in Freshwater, 2023-2025

UW-Green Bay Pre-College Student Experiences in Freshwater is the continuation and expansion of a project that will enhance community-based experiential learning opportunities for pre-college students and teachers around the Green Bay and Lake Michigan watersheds. The project will build a community of freshwater-focused educators and middle and high school students, link to statewide water experts, and engage a diversity of urban to rural communities within the UW-Green Bay region. Intended outcomes include building skills and career-oriented experiences for high school scholars interested in the water sector, recruiting students to UW-Green Bay and UW System water-centric programs, and expanding efforts toward equity, inclusion, and diversity of participants.

UWRF Ecological Restoration Institute

Original Project Description: The Ecological Restoration Institute (ERI) at UW-River Falls provides student trainings/certifications, internships and career development opportunities. The ERI is engaged in a variety of restoration projects that serve as a living laboratory for demonstrating watershed and land management best practices. Trainings and internship experiences ensure graduates are highly skilled and can have an immediate impact in their careers. This project will expand programming to students across the UW System and diversify the ERI’s projects and activities to become a leader in supporting next-generation agricultural water management practices.

Outcomes: The grant supported a program manager who facilitate activities for certifications in ATV Education and Safety, Boat Education and Safety, and Wilderness First Responder. A total of 92 undergraduates from UW-River Falls completed 198 certifications. The ATV and Boat certifications were conducted through the DNR and offered as a means for students to gain applicable certifications for their future careers. The Wilderness First Responder certification is hosted through Wilderness Medical Associates and required a credentialed instructor, which was paid for by the grant. The Wilderness First Responder certification meets the requirements for CPR/First-Aid and additional training for emergencies.

In addition, a UW-Stout student was hired as a summer intern to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on projects conducted on campus. This was her first field experience and while she excelled in the role, she developed a career interest with freshwater systems and mapping topography through bathymetry.

Read more: UW-River Falls Institute Helps Students Hit the Ground Running

Water, Health, and Habitat Interactions: Building Capacity for Water Careers and Education

UW-Milwaukee will lead a collaboration with five UW campuses to implement three intensive hands-on courses that were developed specifically for the Freshwater Collaborative. These summer courses will provide undergraduate students throughout UW System with an affordable opportunity to conduct research and field work on Lake Michigan. These courses also create a nucleus of classes for future planned freshwater certificate offerings.

This project will also expand a UWM field course, based on feedback from industry partners, to make it more accessible to students on other campuses or those working full time. Faculty will also build an intensive series of specialized aquaculture courses that complement workforce development efforts. In addition, UWM will host a daylong field work experience aboard the R/V Neeskay for undergraduates participating in the Freshwater@UW Summer Scholars Program, a statewide Freshwater Collaborative initiative led by UW-Madison that places undergraduates in research programs throughout UW System.

Collaborative Course Offerings Include:

• Environmental and Health Effects of Water Pollution. This is the hands-on component of a two-part course taught jointly by faculty from UWM, UW-La Crosse and UW-Whitewater.
• Expedition to Lake Michigan. This hands-on course, taught by UWM and UW-River Falls faculty, focuses on the hydrology and biogeochemistry of Lake Michigan and incorporates a problem-based approaches to solve real problems affecting Lake Michigan.
• Human Interactions with Lake Michigan Coastal Ecosystems. This four-week course led by UWM, UW-Green Bay and UW-Parkside explores the coast of Lake Michigan and will facilitate a greater understanding of human impacts on its coastal ecosystems.

Western Wisconsin Advanced Freshwater Science Field Course

Original Project Description: In this immersive course, undergraduate students enrolled in freshwater science-related majors will learn field and laboratory skills used to assess freshwater science investigations in geology, biology, geography and agriculture. Course content will include the study of watershed hydrogeology, lake and river biology management, water quality, nutrient and bacterial contamination, landscape restoration and community engagement with farmers. Participants will develop skills in field and laboratory data collection and analysis, map and imagery analysis, report writing and communication.

Outcomes: This new summer two-credit course was composed of a series of hands-on modules designed by experts in freshwater science across departments of geology, biology, geography, agriculture, environmental science, and engineering among the collaborating institutions. Topics included agricultural influence on nutrient contamination and lake eutrophication in the Red Cedar Watershed; fish biology and management goals of lake and river biologists; use of plants in nutrient management, landscape restoration and nutrient contamination of Lake Menomin; bacterial contamination of surface water in Wisconsin; community engagement investigation nitrate contamination with farmer-led watershed council; and quantifying groundwater and surface water interaction in the South Fork Valley. Participants were provided housing and food, and tuition assistance was provided for students exhibiting financial need. Participants were selected through an application process.

A total of 18 students enrolled across three campuses (UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls and UW-Stout). One of the student participants in the 2022 offering served as the teaching assistant in 2023. Participant experience was rated positively, including valuing the diversity of content and reinforcing interest in pursuing freshwater science as a career.

Read more: Multidisciplinary Water Exploration in Western Wisconsin

Wisconsin Water-based Sustainable Tourism Development Course

Original Project Description: An existing UW-La Crosse hybrid course, “Sustainable Tourism Development,” will be adapted so the course content and culminating experience focus on Wisconsin water-based tourism. A fully online version of the course will be created to make the course accessible to students UW System-wide and to expand collaborative opportunities to other institutions and industry partners throughout Wisconsin. This course will build students’ awareness of water-based tourism career opportunities, incorporate a high-impact experience in which students collaborate with an organization engaging in water-based tourism activities, and provide an opportunity for students to build their networks and find a job or internship opportunity.

Outcomes: Faculty enhanced a hybrid course to include new course readings and assignments focused on Wisconsin water-based tourism. A hybrid version of the course was taught spring 2023 with 13 students in the course. The students completed projects with three La Crosse County organizations. In the second year of the grant, faculty created a separate fully online version of the course. Content and assignments were adapted to fit an online format, video lectures were created, and marketing material was created and distributed to promote the course across the Universities of Wisconsin. The online version of the course was taught to 12 students in fall 2022 and 15 in spring 2023. Each student individually completed a sustainable tourism project based on a Wisconsin tourism-based organization. They learned more about what these organizations do, how they rely on freshwater resources, and how they can become more sustainable.