Three research endeavors at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater have been awarded nearly $40,000 in funding from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, according to information released by the university Tuesday.
The research projects — which vary from a Freshwater Summer Camp to developing a toolkit designed to measure the effects of water cleanup and restoration projects on a community’s economic vitality — will be initiated this summer, according to the release.
The first endeavor, titled: “Freshwater Camp: A Summer Field Experience for High School Juniors” will be led by Elisabeth Harrahy, associate professor of biology at UW-Whitewater, in collaboration with Jessica Orlofske and Laura Schulz at UW-Parkside. The team will pilot a water-focused high school camp in southeastern Wisconsin in June 2022. The project will highlight important freshwater habitats in the region, build confidence and skills with hands-on field and laboratory activities, and introduce potential freshwater career opportunities to students.
A second project, titled: “Aquatic Biogeochemistry of Wisconsin Waters,” will be co-led by Stephen Levas, assistant professor of geography, geology and environmental science, and John Ejnik, associate professor of chemistry, and will develop an interdisciplinary course in aquatic biogeochemistry that could be taken by future Freshwater Collaborative students from any UW System campus.
The third project, titled: “Building a Toolbox to Evaluate the ROI (return on investment) on redevelopment of Areas of Concern” will be led by professor of economics of The Institute for Water Business at UW-Whitewater Russell Kashian. The project will collaborate with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Office of Great Waters to develop a toolbox that will help provide more rigorous, quantitative information on the value of water improvements to state and local decision makers. In the study, undergraduate students will benefit from the ability to work on water quality issues from an economic perspective, according to the release.
The funding for the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin grants is part of a statewide initiative, backed by the Wisconsin State Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers, to tackle 10 grand water challenges and support curriculum development, undergraduate research opportunities, career development, and field training experiences for students interested in studying water-related fields at the 13 UW Schools, the release noted.
Forty-two grants, for a total of $3.42 million, are intended to further develop UW System-wide water science programs, internships and research opportunities. High school and undergraduate students will have opportunities to participate in hands-on field and research experiences with faculty throughout the state, allowing them to develop a diverse range of skills, the release continued.
Grant descriptions for the 2022 projects are available at freshwater.wisconsin.edu.
For more information regarding the UW-Whitewater projects, contact Elisabeth Harrahy, associate professor of biology, at harrahye@uww.edu or 262-472-1086.
Geese glide serenely Monday across water flowing within the recently dredged Cravath lakebed in Whitewater. The restoration project, which has been funded and facilitated by the city, is designed to make Trippe and Cravath lakes near downtown Whitewater better able to support recreational activity. The project has been underway for approximately two years. Water-related research projects are also the focus of three initiatives which have recently received statewide funding and will be facilitated through the UW-Whitewater this summer. The initiatives range from a Freshwater Summer Camp to the development of a toolkit designed to measure the effects of water cleanup and restoration projects on a community’s economic vitality. Kim McDarison photo.
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