By Blake Jackson
The University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) has been awarded $324,944 from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin to support seven water quality projects the university is leading or partnering in.
This funding is part of more than $4.2 million allocated in the 2026-27 state budget to enhance water education and research programs, with the goal of strengthening Wisconsin’s water workforce.
The initiatives will provide research and training opportunities for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students while tackling critical issues such as PFAS contamination and phosphorus pollution.
“The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin shows the power of our universities when we come together to address Wisconsin’s needs,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman.
“By expanding water-related degree programs and providing students with professional training opportunities, our universities are preparing future leaders while also strengthening Wisconsin’s economy, protecting our natural resources, and serving communities and industries throughout our state.”
Much of the investment will go toward expanding established programs from the past five years, including summer camps, internships, fieldwork-based courses, and undergraduate research. Additional funding will back new efforts such as a river studies course, PFAS research, water quality assessment tools, and peatland-focused projects.
“The Freshwater Collaborative has helped campuses develop innovative statewide courses, programs and research collaborations over the past five years,” said Marissa Jablonski, executive director of the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin.
“With this latest round of funding, we are committing to ongoing investment in those programs that will best recruit and train the next generation of water professionals to address the needs of Wisconsin.”
At UWRF, projects range from precision agriculture research in dry bean production to field hydrology courses, interdisciplinary camps for high school students, and statewide agriculture-water seminars.
“UWRF has always prided itself on being a student-centered institution that provides its students with high-impact learning experiences,” said Jill Coleman Wasik, professor of environmental science.
“Freshwater Collaborative support empowers us to create and offer additional transformative opportunities that prepare students for impactful careers in water-related fields.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zms
Categories: Wisconsin, Education