Tap-In: Water@UW-Madison News

Weeks Lecture Seminar: Why Heterogeneity Matters: A Molecular Perspective on Trace Element Cycling in Modern and Ancient Aquatic Systems

Join the Department of Geoscience for this weeks seminar given by Dr. Anthony Chappaz, Professor of Molecular Geochemistry at Central Michigan University. 3:30-4:30PM; 140 Weeks Hall.

Wetland Coffee Break: Seeley Lake Dam Removal: Restoration of a Baraboo Hills Floodplain Valley

Join the Wisconsin Wetlands Association for this weeks Wetland Coffee Break given by Dave Kraft from Hey and Associates, Inc. 10:30AM; Virtual. Register Here.

CPEP Seminar: Connecting Climate, Energy, Equity, and Resilience across Social Scales 

Join the Center for Climatic Research for this weeks seminar given by Dr. Chelsea Schelly, Professor from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. 12:30-1:30PM; 823 Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences.

Limnology Seminar: Will Lake and Stream Fishes Respond Similarly to Environmental Change?

Join the Center for Limnology for this weeks seminar given by Dr. Karen Alofs, Associate Professor in the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan. 12:05-12:55PM; Water Science Engineering Lab and Online. Zoom Link

The event will explore new research and offer opportunities to network with faculty, staff, and students. Highlighting the variety of ecology research across campus, the Fall Symposium will feature talks by UW faculty as well as two keynote addresses. 3:00-6:00PM; Varsity Hall, Union South.

Biology Colloquium: Learning From the Past to Manage Inland Lake Fishes for the Future

Join the Department of Biology for an upcoming Biology Colloquium given by Dr. Karen Alofs, Associate Professor in the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan. 3:30-4:30PM; B302 Birge Hall.

Weston Roundtable: Wisconsin’s Hidden Ocean Legacy: The Great Lakes Policy that’s Rebuilding Global Fisheries

Join the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment for an upcoming Weston Roundtable given by James Workman, Author & Environmentalist 4:15-5:15PM; 1153 Mechanical Engineering.

The 2026 SM Born Environmental Stewardship Lecture, presents: 

By Dr. Jack McLaren, Aquatic Ecology Program Manager at the Henry's Fork Foundation. The Henry's Fork of the Snake River is one of the West's premier trout fisheries, and a case study in how science-based, collaborative conservation can resolve conflict over a scarce resource. 

Tis position provides technical expertise and education on water resource and aquatic invasive species issues to citizens, resource organizations, municipalities, and County Departments and Committees. Typical duties include training citizens to do monitoring, performing field work, attending water resource organization meetings, facilitating and writing lake and aquatic plant management plans, performing site visits to assess erosion and recommend conservation practices, and implementing cost sharing programs for conservation practice implementation. Apply Today.

The Natural Resources Water Educator designs, delivers, and evaluates research-based educational programming and services in Wood County. Build cross-sector partnerships, support watershed-based conservation initiatives, and help communities manage water resources effectively. Applications due October 18.

UW-Stevens Point is seeking a Director and Outreach Program Specialist to guide the Extension Lakes team. Extension Lakes is comprised of 5 team members and has statewide responsibilities to develop, design, and deliver multi-program, lake-related education. Program planning and delivery is coordinated within the UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources in coordination with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the UW-Madison Division of Extension. Applications due October 18th.

The Gerig Fish Ecology Lab is recruiting a student to study Lake Superior food-web ecology as part of the 2026 Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative. The student will examine predator and prey fish diets, conduct laboratory and fieldwork, analyze data, and collaborate with state, tribal, and federal partners. The research assistantship includes a full tuition waiver and 2.5 years of guaranteed funding, with a flexible start date between January and March 2027 preferred. Interested students should contact Dr. Brandon Gerig at gerig@uwm.edu

The Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey is hiring a 50% Project Assistantship to support a study of patterns in groundwater recharge in Wisconsin. The PA will work with a team of hydrogeologists and hydrologists to estimate groundwater recharge across Wisconsin, compare the results of different methods, and evaluate possible drivers of change over the last several decades. The appointment runs from January-December 2027. Applications due October 25.

Calling all STEM grad students and postdocs: are you interested in careers involving teaching or community engagement? Consider becoming a WISCIENCE Fellow! We offer three immersive, year-long Fellows Programs that equip you with career-ready skills and experience. Each program pairs in-depth training in inclusive, evidence-based practices with hands-on experience in a mentored practicum. Applications due October 25.

The WISCIENCE Peer Leader program is an excellent opportunity for STEM undergrads who are interested in supporting their peers while gaining valuable leadership experience and skills. Program activities can also count toward the UW–Madison Leadership Certificate. Applications due November 1.

Check the Sustainability Research Hub's curated list of funding opportunities related to environmental sustainability.

NOAA's Climate Program Office has released a new Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Earth System Science and Services Partnership. The Earth System Science and Services Partnership (ESSSP) supports research, programs, projects and other activities related to NOAA’s mission, primarily through collaborations among scientists and professionals in areas of mutual interest associated with understanding and predicting changes in the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, coasts, land, and ice and their interrelated effects on ecosystems, weather and hazards, and communities and infrastructure. Applications must be received by 11:59PM PCT on October 26, 2026.

The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) has approximately $1.2 million available for coastal wetland protection and habitat restoration, nonpoint source pollution control, coastal resource and community planning, Great Lakes education, and public access and historic preservation projects. A virtual grant workshop is offered September 8, 2026. Application deadline: November 3, 2026.

The USGS issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity with a short turnaround time for submission. From the NOFO, priorities include: The rapid expansion of data centers and other water intensive industries that rely on public supply systems has outpaced the availability of accurate, transparent, and timely information about their water use. Existing datasets often contain gaps, inconsistencies, and uncertainties that limit the ability of communities, utilities, and policymakers to make informed decisions. As public concern grows and water resource pressures intensify, there is a critical need for improved methodologies that can more reliably characterize industrial water withdrawals, cooling demands, and local impacts. Applicants must work with the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute (WRI) for submissions and must submit materials to WRI by an internal (state) deadline of 10 am, November 5, 2026. 

The U.S. Forest Service, in partnership with the EPA, is offering about $3.5 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants through the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program. Funding is open to projects in the Lake Superior basin portions of Michigan and Wisconsin, in areas identified as priority conservation areas for wildlife habitat connectivity. Federally recognized Tribes, local governments, and qualified nonprofits can apply for up to $1 million, matched 1:1 with non-federal funds, to help purchase private forestland and establish community forests. Applications due December 8, 2026

Oct 28. Madison, WI. The Office of Sustainability invites you to participate in UW–Madison's fifth annual Sustainability Symposium The symposium brings together campus and community partners to share research, projects, and ideas advancing sustainability at UW–Madison. This year’s program will feature lightning talks, poster presentations, and a keynote address on sustainability and entrepreneurship by Dr. Erica Plambeck '94, professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

November 3–6. Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Water resources in this semi-arid setting are under increasing pressure, compounded by watershed-scale disturbances and a warming climate. Warmer and drier conditions during the growing season often lead to agricultural, urban, and environmental water demands surpassing the available water resources.

To discuss these and other important management issues, NALMS is pleased to return to Canada for NALMS 2026! The program will feature workshops, field trips, presentations, networking events, and vendor displays. Registration Open.

November 4–6. Michigan City, Indiana. Supported in part by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, University of Illinois Extension, and Purdue University. We are now accepting proposals for Organized Symposia/Workshops. Our goal is to provide a dynamic forum for sharing research, discussing emerging issues, and strengthening collaboration across the Great Lakes community. Symposia and workshops are the scientific centerpiece of the meeting and help shape the overall program. If you have an innovative idea on a timely topic relevant to Lake Michigan science, management, or community engagement, we invite you to submit a proposal for consideration. Registration Open.

January 19-21. Ashland, Wisconsin. This year's theme, Celebrating Resilience Through Connection, invites participants to reflect on resilience as a quality of partnerships, communities, and people, as well as an ecological concept. We'll share stories from the field, learn from each other's work, and explore where deeper collaboration can help us go further together.

February 23-25. Elkhart Lake, WI. The conference runs for 3 days and includes keynote addresses, topical oral sessions, a poster session, workshops, working groups, roundtable discussions, evening networking events, and field trips to area wetlands. The WWA is seeking proposals for oral and poster presentations about recent wetland research, initiatives, and projects by November 15th. Student scholarship applications are due January 12, 2027.

April 20-21. Virtual-Only Format. The 2027 ECEC will feature presentations on the latest in emerging contaminant research, policy, and outreach in the soil, water, air and built/human environments. Researchers, educators, businesses, government officials, regulatory agencies, policymakers, outreach and extension professionals, environmental groups, members of the public, and medical, veterinary, and public health professionals are just some of the occupations invited to attend and present at the conference. Call for Abstracts Closes December 1, 2026

April 14-16. Stevens Point, WI. The Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Partnership is now accepting proposals for for concurrent sessions, workshops, posters, and lightning talks. This statewide convention brings together professionals, students, community members, and businesses who love water. The 2027 Convention will explore how water weaves us together and nourishes all life, creating places where communities gather, unite, and find common purpose. Protecting our waters is a shared responsibility that connects us to past and future generations. Learn more and submit a proposal HERE.

May 24-28. Duluth, MN. The internationally recognized center of Great Lakes research, will host the International Association for Great Lakes Research's 70th annual conference, a hybrid event featuring four days of scientific sessions on the theme "Great Lakes, Global Impacts." Hosted by the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Grab your colored pencils and tablets: all UW–Madison students are invited to participate in the 2026 WISCIENCE Sticker Contest! We’re looking for designs that bring the hidden parts of STEM into view—from microscopic worlds to invisible processes and forces. The winning design(s) will be made into stickers that get shared with the campus STEM community. Winner(s) will also get a prize! Deadline November 15th.

Rock River Coalition is looking for volunteers to help weed the newly planted Riverside Park Creekside native garden in Riverside Park, Watertown, Wisconsin. These workdays will take place 9am to 12pm on the 2nd Saturday and the last Thursday of each month from May 28 to October 29. No experience is needed to participate. Sign up at this link.

Educational program of Crossroads at Big Creek Learning Center and Nature Preserve in Sturgeon Bay, WI that presents the science of Great Lakes fisheries to Door County and beyond. All presentations will be held in-person at 7PM (CST). Zoom and Facebook Live links will be available and offered in partnership with the Door County Library. To participate online, visit the Door County Library calendar.

Current’s Third Coast Water Seminar Series is back! Relaunching in Fall 2025, the series returns with a sharpened focus on the research, technologies, and policies advancing a circular water economy both in the Great Lakes region, the broader U.S., and globally. First Wednesday of each month.

Every Wednesday 12:05 - 12:55 in WSEL 2nd floor West and Zoom

Every Tuesday from 12:30-1:30PM in RM 811 of Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences or livestreamed

Educational talk series open to the public. Second Wednesday of the month from 4:00-5:00pm at The East Side Club in Madison

Click here to receive notifications for upcoming webinars.

To subscribe/unsubscribe: Send an email with the word 'subscribe' or 'unsubscribe' in the subject or body to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov

Bring your coffee and learn about wetlands! Sessions are held on Zoom and feature time for audience Q&A. Dates vary.

Help out with office work, events, fieldwork, or a group volunteering event. 

We are happy to place volunteers on projects that support our lakes! Opportunities include skilled office and administration assistance, special events, and watershed projects like shoreline restoration or beach clean ups.

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