Water@UW Issue #255
April 17, 2025

Tap-In: Water@UW-Madison News

 
Celebrate Earth day at UW-Madison Earthfest
UW–Madison Earth Fest a weeklong collection of events held each April that celebrates all things environment and sustainability. This year’s event — the inaugural Earth Fest — runs from Monday, April 21, to Tuesday, April 26. Earth Fest is cohosted by UW–Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Office of Sustainability. From birdwatching tours, poetry recitations, experimenting with eco-dyes, interdisciplinary forums, plant swaps and more, Earth Fest has an event for everyone.
a collection of artwork from the Flow Project 2025
Artwork from this year's Flow Project. Artist credit starting from the top left: Ben Runzheimer, Dela Anderson, Gabriela Fuentes-Matamoros, Victoria Stock, Kaelen Smith
Water@UW-Madison's The Flow Project will be displaying a small number of works from this year's cohort at the Wisconsin Discovery Center in accompaniment to the Climate Courage Forum on Wednesday, April 23 from 2 - 7 pm. During the forum, there will be a live dance performance, a solo flute piece, and panel discussions.

Earth Fest is for everyone: not just the entirety of the UW–Madison community, but also our friends, supporters, and neighbors. Almost all Earth Fest events are free to attend, but several (specifically meal-related events) may require a nominal fee or registration.
Upcoming Events
FRIDAY, APR 18
Weeks Lecture Series: Biogeochemical Drivers of Manganese Cycling in Drinking Water Reservoirs; Madeline Schreiber (Virginia Tech); 140 Weeks Hall for Geological Sciences; 3:30 pm
TUESDAY, APR 22
CPEP Seminar: Climate Research Highlights; Ankur Desai, professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences, UW–Madison; The Wisconsin State Climatology Office; WICCI; STORM REU;   1-2 pm; livestream
Birdsall-Dreiss Lecture: How a river's periodic pulse affects its liver: hyporheic zones in the Anthropocene; Bayani Cardenas, University of Texas-Austin; 3:00 pm; AB20 Weeks Hall.
WEDNESDAY, APR 23
Limnology Seminar: Charlie Dougherty, UW-Madison CFL Dugan Lab (Exit Seminar); Water Science Engineering Lab; Zoom; 12:05 - 12:55 pm
Earthfest Climate Change Forum: A day of art, action, and stories of resilience as we explore what it means to show up for the planet, each other, and ourselves. Also Flow Project works will be on display! Discovery Building 330 N. Orchard Street; 2 -7 pm.
 
Opportunities
Highlighted deadlines occur prior to our next newsletter.
★ next to opportunities are new this week!
Click on the opportunity title or blue text for more information.
JOBS
Assistant Director - Center for Water Policy, UW-Milwaukee
This is a full-time, non-teaching academic staff position at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences. The application deadline is Apr. 20, 2025.
LTE Invasive Species - Door County Soil & Water Conservation Department
Responsibilities include controlling invasive plants like Phragmites and Japanese Knotweed, conducting boat inspections, surveying and mapping invasive species, and providing educational outreach. Apply by Apr. 30
Check the Wisconsin Wetlands Job Board and WiscJobs for more opportunities.
INTERNSHIPS/FELLOWSHIPS/RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
★ Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center Graduate Assistantship - UW-Madison
Sept 2025-August 2026
Current or incoming UW-Madison Ph.D. or M.S. students pursuing research applicable to the mission of the Midwest CASC are eligible for consideration. Students interested in working with state, federal, non-governmental, and tribal natural resource managers to create actionable science are particularly encouraged to apply. The Midwest CASC provides opportunities for research to support climate adaptation decision-making, training related to climate adaptation, researcher-stakeholder networking, and community engagement. 
Guidelines:
Required: 1. Pursuing research applicable to the mission of the Midwest CASC.
Participation in Midwest CASC training and educational opportunities (e.g., annual gatherings, online seminars). 2. Graduate advisor acknowledges assistantship support and agrees to enable participation. 3. Current or incoming UW-Madison Ph.D. or M.S. student.)
Preferred: 1. Interest in contributing to the capacity-building aims of the Midwest CASC. 2. Past or current experience working with conservation agencies and/or tribal entities engaged in climate change science and adaptation. 3. Additional project support contributed from applicant’s advisor or other departmental support.
To Apply: Submit the following as a single PDF to Kelly O’Ferrell (oferrell@wisc.edu): 1) 2-page (max) letter of interest from the graduate student; 2) Resume/CV of the graduate student; 3) Letter of support from faculty adviser. Application deadline is May 5, 2025.
 
The letter of interest from the applicant should describe the research that will be pursued and how this research is applicable to the mission of the Midwest CASC. Graduate advisors should provide a letter of support that describes how the CASC assistantship would benefit the student and how it would fit into the overall funding plan. The advisor’s letter should also indicate that they will enable the applicant’s participation in Midwest CASC training and educational opportunities. Questions can be directed to Prof. Jake Vander Zanden (mjvanderzand@wisc.edu) or Prof. Ben Zuckerberg (bzuckerberg@wisc.edu).
Hands-On Summer River Restoration - UW-River Falls
Join the two-week summer DAM Crew and learn professional skills for monitoring the impacts of dam removal on the Kinnickinnic River. UW-River Falls is hiring up to 12 students from any Universities of Wisconsin campus to work on the fourth annual DAM Crew. You will work alongside experts from Inter-Fluve and Trout Unlimited.  The summer DAM Crew is a free, non-credit experience provided through the Freshwater Collaborative. Funds are available for food, travel expenses and campus housing. Apply by May 20.
★ Beach Monitoring and Laboratory Analysis – Public Health Madison & Dane County
A typical day will include driving to sampling sites throughout Dane County,  transporting samples to the laboratory, setting up tests, and reporting results. Position open until filled.
Summer LTE Watercraft Educators - Green Lake Association
These positions focus on educating boaters about preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) through watercraft inspection and outreach at public boat landings around Green Lake. The roles involve watercraft inspection, educational activities, and data reporting, with positions running from late May through Labor Day weekend. The positions offer flexible, part-time hours with the opportunity for full-time work, and a competitive hourly wage with a performance bonus. Positions remain open until filled.
Check the Freshwater Collaborative's Research Positions and Internships page for more opportunities.
FUNDING
FY2025 Young Fishermen’s Career Development Projects
The National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) anticipates approximately $1,000,000 in FY2025 federal funds will be available to eligible applicants to support 2-3 projects that will develop and execute local, regional and national programs, workshops and services to enable fishermen to enter career paths and make a living supplying seafood from our oceans, coasts and Great Lakes. Applications must be submitted to Grants.gov by Apr 23, 2025.
New Open Innovation Challenge Topic - The Water Council
The Water Council and their corporate partners (A. O. Smith, Badger Meter, Watts Water and *new sponsor* Xylem) are seeking innovative solutions for the following topics.  Those include:
  • Sensors for biological organisms and disinfectant byproducts
  • Removal of organic contaminants from water
  • “Lab on a chip” for water and wastewater applications
You can find more information or refer any global researchers, startup applicants or SMEs HERE. There is prize money of $10,000 and exposure to the sponsor companies’ R&D teams for other potential engagement pathways. Due May 2
2025 National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) - National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Pre-Proposals are due May 6, 2025. There will be a pre-recorded, informational webinar about this funding opportunity that will be available starting April 1 on the NFWF website. The request for proposals is available here.
CONFERENCES
GBCP Spring Roundtable
Apr 29, 2025; 2025 Photo Contest is now open and accepting photos for next year's competition. Registration closes Wednesday, Apr. 22 
Water@UW-Madison Spring Symposium
The Art of Water Research
May 5 from 2:00-5:00pm at Varsity Hall III, Union South. Register now!
Wisconsin Idea Seminar - UW-Madison
Forest + River Journey: May 12-16, 2025
CSWEA 98th Annual Meeting
May 28-30, 2025; Monona Terrace, Madison, WI
Theme: One Water for All
Early bird registration ends on April 25.
14th International Symposium on the Biogeochemistry of Wetlands and Aquatic Systems
June 1-5, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; This year’s symposium theme is Deltas and the Coast: A Biogeochemical Nexus with Global Consequences.
IAGLR's 68th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research
June 2–6, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin
WaterSoftHack 2025
The vision of WaterSoftHack is to democratize access to advanced CI approaches and cybertraining materials within the water science community. 
Jul. 28 - Aug. 8, virtual.
Registration closes Mar. 31.
NALMS 2025 Annual Symposium
Navigating Change Together: Enhancing Lake, Reservoir, and Watershed Resilience
Nov. 4–7, 2025; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Abstracts due Friday, May 2.
★ Early Career Registration Grants applications are due May 31.
Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference (ECEC26)
Apr. 28-29, 2026; hybrid format: Zoom and in-person at the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign, IL
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Crossroads of Ideas: Toxins at the Tap
Join us on Earth Day 2025 for a thought-provoking fireside chat featuring experts Hilary Dugan, Manny Teodoro, and Christy Remucal. Delve into the world of PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—often referred to as “forever chemicals.” Our distinguished panel will explore the complex challenges these contaminants pose to our environment and public health, their impact on water systems, and the urgent policy changes needed to safeguard our future. Apr. 22; 7-8 pm; Discovery Building; free, reserve a spot.
Earthfest at UW-Madison
Hosted in partnership with the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, Earth Fest offers 50+ events exploring sustainability through science, art, food, and community. Apr. 21-29
Pieces from Water@UW-Madison's Flow Project will be on display at the WID during the EarthFest Forum: Climate Courage, on Apr. 23 from 2-7pm.
★ Stream An Invitation to Wonder - Wisconsin Wetlands Association
Celebrate Earth Day by exploring a Wisconsin Wetland Gem® through the lens of local filmmaker Ben Albert. The film, An Invitation to Wonder: Waubesa Wetlands, unveils the hidden beauty of a southern Wisconsin wetland through the eyes of a scientist and his grandson. The film is available to stream until Apr. 29 at 11 pm. There will be a virtual free Q&A on Sunday Apr. 27 with the film team. Registration required.
Community Breakfast - Clean Lakes Alliance
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
7:00 - 8:00 a.m. Coffee and conversation; 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast and program
Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center; 1 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI; purchase a ticket, table, or sponsorship here.
★ Stakeholder-Informed Spatial Modeling for Hydrologic Sciences Workshop - CUAHSI
This NSF-funded training workshop, co-sponsored by CUAHSI, will teach early-career researchers how to (1) integrate spatial and hydrologic sciences for modeling applications and (2) engage stakeholders to design model outcomes and model communication in a manner meaningful to model users. Apply by May 16, 2025
Free Fishing Weekend and Free Fun Weekend - WI DNR
June 7-8
During Free Fishing Weekend, all Wisconsin waters are open to residents and non-residents to fish without a license or trout or salmon stamp. However, organizations hosting free fishing events should note that all fishing regulations, including size and bag limits and species restrictions, will be enforced. June 7-8 is also Free Fun Weekend, so state park admission fees and trail passes are waived, too.

Organizations are invited to register their events with the DNR for additional promotion to the public. After registering, organizations can request materials to hand out at their events. The deadline to register events is May 29
NALMS 2025 Student Poster Contest
July has been Lakes Appreciation Month for the past 27 years. To help us celebrate, appreciate, and bring attention to lakes, we are inviting elementary, middle, and high school students to submit posters reflecting on how important lakes are to all of us. Submitted artwork will be a big part of NALMS’ celebrations through July across North America. Submissions are due Jun 20.
Contribute to a Special Issue of Energy Nexus - Pumped-hydro as an energy storage option
Energy Nexus, an interdisciplinary journal that covers the deep, broad, meaningful convergence between energy, water, and agriculture. This special issue seeks to publish new research and innovative industrial case studies on pumped-storage technologies and developments. Manuscripts will be due by 30 July 2025. You can read the full special issue scope here. Energy Nexus is currently offering a 30% discount on the cost of the article publishing charge (APC) for all papers published in this special issue.
SEMINARS OF INTEREST
★ Insights from the Lake Superior Coastal Wetlands Climate Resiliency Study Webinar - Lake Superior Collaborative
Join Mike Smale (Wisconsin Sea Grant), Cherie Hagen, and Madeline Magee (Wisconsin DNR) as they introduce a new vulnerability assessment framework designed to support climate-informed wetland management in the Great Lakes; Monday, Apr. 21 at 1:00 pm; register here
30th Annual CSWEA Education Seminar
8:00 am - 4:00 pm; Apr. 22 at the Monona Terrace in Madison, WI
Register to attend.
We have an exciting program to discuss trends in resource recovery for utilities in the Central States region. Often times, resource recovery technologies are focused on concepts such as energy production, natural gas recovery via RIN programs, nutrient harvesting, biosolids beneficial reuse, and water reuse; however, recent innovations in preliminary and primary treatment are enabling and even accelerating the adoption and impact of resource recovery solutions in our industry.
University Roundtable
Excellence at the Tap: Report Cards for Wisconsin’s Drinking Water Utilities; Manny Teodoro, Professor of Public Affairs, April 23; 11:30-1:00 pm; Varsity Hall Union South, Lunch included with registration fee ($15). Register here by April 8: https://go.wisc.edu/p5jx4
★ Lunch & Learn: OneMap: Wetlands, Hydro and Land Cover Mapping - Collaborative Action for Lake Michigan Coastal Resilience
CALM welcomes Jeff DuMez (GIS Coordinator / Land Information Officer, Brown County Planning & Land Services Department) and Jim Giglierano (former Geographic Information Officer, Wisconsin Department of Administration) to discuss their work on OneMap. OneMap is a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) pilot project with the goal of developing critical GIS data layers that can support habitat restoration, conservation projects, and other local planning and land use decisions. Wednesday, May 7; 12:00-12:30 pm, register here.
USGS National Water Availability Assessment Webinar
During this virtual event, attendees will learn about the key findings of the Assessment and how to access the data, hear stories of USGS water availability science across the country, and have the opportunity to ask questions of the team behind this effort. Wed. May 21, 3-4 pm. Register here.
CPEP Seminar
Every Tuesday from 1-2 pm in AOSS room 823 or livestreamed
EPA Water Research Webinar Series
Click here to receive notifications for upcoming webinars.
ONE NOAA Seminar Series
To subscribe/unsubscribe: Send an email with the word 'subscribe' or 'unsubscribe' in the subject or body to OneNOAAscienceseminars-request@list.woc.noaa.gov
Wetland Coffee Break
Bring your coffee and learn about wetlands! Sessions are held on Zoom and feature time for audience Q&A.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Americorps Earth Day - Green Bay
Apr. 22; 1660 E Shore Drive, Green Bay; 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Volunteers are asked to pre-register for the event using the online form. On the form, your group can select which activity you would prefer.
These include:
  • Tree planting at the Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Tree planting at Perkins Park
  • Trail mulching at the Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Garlic mustard removal at the Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Phragmites cutting and removal at the Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Park clean ups (8+ locations available)
Volunteer Stream Monitoring with Rock River Coalition
From April or May to October, our 200+ volunteer stream monitors collect monthly data about the health of our streams across the Rock River Basin. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and various county Land and Water Conservation Departments use the data to better understand watershed protection and restoration needs. Want to help protect a stream near you? Consider attending one of our hands-on training workshops. Anyone interested in volunteering or just learning more is welcome. By the end of the workshop, you’ll know how to measure water quality and be ready to adopt your own stream monitoring site. No experience or equipment needed!

Stream Monitoring Workshop Dates:

  • Saturday, Apr 26: Deforest (Dane County) Registration
  • Saturday, May 4: Watertown (Dodge/Jefferson County) Registration
  • Saturday, May 24: Clinton (Rock County) Registration
Mecan River Workday - Central Sands Celebration and Trout Unlimited
Spend a fun, FREE and impactful weekend in the Central Sands on Friday and Saturday as we work together to restore the Mecan River and come together as a community to enjoy the incredible natural resources of the region. Can't make the entire weekend? We'd welcome your support volunteering for the Mecan River workday on Saturday - bring friends and family to pitch in! Free registration and lodging. May 16 -17
Sign up to volunteer with River Alliance.
Help out with office work, events, fieldwork, or a group volunteering event. 
Sign up to volunteer with Clean Lakes Alliance.
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.
OTHER WATER NETWORKS
Wisconsin Sea Grant and Water Resources Institute listserv
The University of Wisconsin Sea Grant and Water Resources Institutes routinely share information about state and federal research and fellowship funding opportunities. To subscribe to Sea Grant and the Water Resources Institutes’ RFP listserv, send an email to jennifer.hauxwell@aqua.wisc.edu.
Wisconsin Sea Grant Education Listserv
Wisconsin Sea Grant invites you to join our listserv to receive announcements for professional learning opportunities and resources for teaching Great Lakes literacy to educators, students, youth and families. Send an email to akmoser@aqua.wisc.edu to be added to our list.
Aquatic Sciences Center Chronicle
Center for Limnology Newsletter
Send an email to limnology@mailplus.wisc.edu with subject line: Add to newsletter email list.
Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research
Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc. (CUAHSI)
Subscribe here.
Extension Natural Resources Institute Newsletter
Freshwater Collaborative Water Policy Network
Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin Newsletter
Great Lakes Commission Email Groups
GLIN-Announce; GLIN-Jobs; Great Lakes Daily News; Great Lakes Commission News
Green Bay Conservation
Email gbconservationpartners@gmail.com to join.
Lake Superior Collaborative Newsletter
Subscribe here.
North Central Region Water Network and Newsletter
The North Central Region Water Network is a 12-state extension-led collaboration working to ensure safe and sufficient water supplies across the North Central Region and beyond.
Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education
Water@UW-Madison is a resource for communication, collaboration, and information on water related research, events, and outreach in the UW water community and beyond. 
Learn more at our website: water.wisc.edu
Want to share a water-related shout-out, opportunity, or event?
Send an email with the name, date, time, location, and webpage of the event to water@mailplus.wisc.edu.
Water@UW-Madison
 
 
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON
Goodnight Hall  |  1975 Willow Drive  |  Madison, WI 53706
water.wisc.edu
water@mailplus.wisc.edu
Privacy Policy  |   Unsubscribe  |   Manage Preferences