News

University interns gain environmental job skills assessing health of region ��. waters

giffeyt — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:00:00 +0000

University interns gain environmental job skills assessing health of region ��. waters giffeyt September 18, 2025

Latest grants from Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin bring $389K for research, education, monitoring

By Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin and Tom Giffey / ��

Cayanna Erickson says interning with the 2025 Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group will give her a step up when she enters the job market. The University of Wisconsin-Stout undergraduate recently declared a B.S. environmental science major, and the summer internship gave her experience with hands-on field work.

“My career goals involve water monitoring, specifically in the Eau Claire area as that is where I am from originally,” she said. “The skills that I learned this summer directly relate to what I want to do in the future.”

Erickson was one of six students from ��, UW-Eau Claire and UW-River Falls who spent the summer collecting and analyzing data that helps show the impact of restoration efforts in the Red Cedar Basin. This watershed includes Lakes Menomin and Tainter, which are listed as impaired by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Nutrient pollution causes frequent harmful algal blooms in these water bodies and others throughout Wisconsin.

Despite the multitude of problems facing the Red Cedar Basin, the lakes and rivers are heavily used for angling, recreation and power generation. This has led to multiple restoration projects to improve the health of the watershed.

The initial monitoring group was started two decades ago as a volunteer organization but languished after its leader retired. It was revived with funding from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, a partnership of Wisconsin ��. 13 public universities, connecting with industry partners, local communities, policymakers and advocacy groups. Since 2022, Freshwater Collaborative funding has provided continuity of data collection and built capacity to gather data from more sites and more diverse ecosystem types. Eighteen students have participated so far, and recent funding investments will ensure the project continues.

Students Carter Lane of ��, right, and Grant Ableson of UW-River Falls survey black ash impacted by emerald ash borers in Muddy Creek.

Fulfilling a community need

“The Red Cedar River Basin Monitoring Group trains students to collect data on aquatic ecosystems and fills a critical need of collecting data related to management and restoration,” said Nicole Hayes, an assistant professor at ��.

Hayes said the goals of the Red Cedar River Basin Monitoring Group are twofold. First, it leverages the expertise of scientists at �� to work with local community groups to understand how environmental change is impacting lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands in the watershed. Second, it builds a better understanding of how these ecosystems are responding to ongoing degradation and mitigation and restoration efforts. The data gathered is used to support management decisions.

“We are informing best management practices in trout stream restoration and maintenance,” added Professor Amanda Little, program director for environmental science. “Students are studying harmful algal blooms and monitoring the zebra mussel invasion of Lake Menomin in order to better understand the dynamics of the lake. Future projects will investigate aquatic vegetation restoration in local lakes to improve fish habitat. Students are also studying sedimentation in Galloway Creek in Menomonie to understand the impacts of sanding during the winter and erosion on this urban stream.”

Four �� educators – including Hayes and Little as well as Associate Professor Keith Gilland and lecturer Julia Chapman – collaborate with DNR Fisheries, the City of Menomonie, Dunn County, Beaver Creek Reserve, the Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and The Prairie Enthusiasts, among others. This allows students to start building a professional network while gaining professional skills.

�� student Cayanna Erickson, left and UW-River Falls student Grant Ableson measured sediment type, sediment depth and particle size to assess soil erosion on Galloway Creek.

Each intern also develops an independent research project in addition to contributing to the overall data collection. Several students have continued their research projects into the following academic year, and many have presented their findings at local, state and even national conferences.

This summer, Erickson ��. independent student project focused on zebra mussels, an invasive species first identified in Lake Menomin in 2024. “I hope that the survey allows for a deeper understanding of the abundance of zebra mussels in our lake as well as their high-density areas,” she said. “In turn, both city and county could use the data as a means for reducing/confining the spread of zebra mussels.”

Erickson concluded that the internship was an “amazing experience” that will prepare her for future classes.

Little agreed, adding that working on the project prepares students for what lies ahead. “Students will be well-prepared for specific upper-level courses that incorporate the skills from the summer,” Little said. “The wide range of projects that they worked on over the summer are great resume-builders and give them a broad scope of work to discuss during interviews. This internship really makes them super-competitive due to both the breadth of skills and the depth of their own individual project which demonstrates leadership and initiative.”

Thanks to Freshwater Collaborative funding, 14 of the interns have received scholarships to participate in additional freshwater coursework at ��, UW-Eau Claire and UW-River Falls. The coursework helps prepare them for their internships and provides the opportunity to work with faculty and students from other universities.

Crop Per Drop: �� students provide soil and water R&D for Chippewa Valley Bean

How much water does it take to grow 100 pounds of kidney beans? Most people wouldn’t think to ask such as question — but if you are a family business competing

New funding announced

The Freshwater Collaborative recently announced that funding would continue for the Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group for the next two years thanks to money included in the most recent state budget, which covers 2025-27.

In total, �� will receive $389,256 for four projects:

The Red Cedar River Basin Monitoring Group will receive $258,452 to continue the internship program and related research projects.

Crop Per Drop, a collaborative research project between �� and UW-River Falls aimed at understanding and improving water use in dry bean production, will receive $30,307.

Field Hydrology, a three-week summer field course for upper-level students from ��, UW-Eau Claire, and UW-River Falls, will receive $21,050.

Water in Western Wisconsin: An Interdisciplinary Freshwater Field Camp for High School Students, a collaboration among the three western Wisconsin universities that targets rising high school seniors, will receive $79,447.

Overall, the Freshwater Collaborative will invest $4.2 million in projects that involve faculty, staff and students from all 13 Universities of Wisconsin, as well as dozens of partners from industry, government, local communities, tribal nations, nonprofits and K-12 education. They will increase research and training opportunities for high school, undergraduate and graduate students and will address Wisconsin ��. biggest water challenges, including PFAS and phosphorus pollution.

“The Freshwater Collaborative has helped campuses develop innovative statewide courses, programs and research collaborations over the past five years,” said Marissa Jablonski, executive director for 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.”

The funding is part of a statewide initiative, backed by the Wisconsin State Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers, to tackle Wisconsin ��. grand water challenges and support recruitment, hands-on curriculum, undergraduate research opportunities, career development, and field training experiences for students interested in water-related careers.

Grant descriptions for the latest funded projects are available at freshwater.wisconsin.edu.

�� Center for Sustainable Communities aims to help rural areas thrive

Rural communities experienced broad population decreases between 2010 and 2020 for the first time in history, impacting jobs, health care, education and more.

Environmental Science

All Environmental Science News

University interns gain environmental job skills assessing health of region ��. waters

Latest grants from Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin bring $389K for research, education, monitoring

September 18, 2025

Research across realms: Students present to legislators, supporters at Research in the Rotunda, April 2

Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin scholars discuss importance of stream restoration to health of state ��. watersheds

March 31, 2025

Biology professor joins team of scientists to study glacial methane emissions in Iceland

Research finds small organisms play significant role in slowing emission of greenhouse gas

January 31, 2025

Latest grants from Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin bring $389K for research, education, monitoring Students take water samples on Lake Menomin

University Marketing

Search Keywords: Freshwater CollaborativeRed Cedar Basin Monitoring Groupenvironmental science

Hero Caption: As part of the Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group, students from �� and UW-Eau Claire collect water samples to measure microcystin, a toxin produced by harmful cyanobacteria, near Wakanda Park on Lake Menomin.

Nicole Hayes

Full Name: Nicole Hayes

Job Title: Assistant Professor

Include in Directory: Yes

College: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Department: Biology Department

Program

All Degree Programs

Curriculum Vitae: Dr. Nicole M. Hayes CV (103.02 KB)

Education:

CSTEMM

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Research across realms: Students present to legislators, supporters at Research in the Rotunda, April 2

goersab — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 13:38:34 +0000

Research across realms: Students present to legislators, supporters at Research in the Rotunda, April 2goersab March 31, 2025

Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin scholars discuss importance of stream restoration to health of state ��. watersheds

Abbey Goers

Student researchers from �� and other UW campuses will showcase their research at Wisconsin ��. Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday, April 2, during Research in the Rotunda.

Members of the Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group collect water samples at Gilbert Creek / Theodore Welch

Among �� . presenters this year are two Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin scholars, whose research focuses on the vital importance of native animal and plant species to the overall health of Wisconsin ��. watersheds:

Michael Buss, environmental science, of Madison: Impacts of Trout Stream Restoration on Macroinvertebrate Communities. Mentors are Nicole Hayes and Julia Chapman.
Theodore Welch, environmental science, of Milton: Competition Between Invasive Reed Canary Grass and a Native Sedge in a Western Wisconsin Trout Stream Restoration. Mentors are Amanda Little and Keith Gilland.

Students, representing all degree fields, will discuss their research with legislators, state leaders, UW alumni and supporters from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with remarks at noon by UW President Jay Rothman.

“The research projects embody the personal and intellectual growth experienced by the students who created them,” Rothman said. “They are a tangible representation of the Universities of Wisconsin ��. ongoing commitment to build the talent pipeline and to expand knowledge and ideas that are vital to the state ��. success – objectives that are an integral part of our 2023-28 Strategic Plan.”

Now in its 21st year, more than 1,500 students have presented at the annual event, hosted by Universities of Wisconsin.

“Empowering students to present their research to legislators at the Capitol not only amplifies their voices but also bridges the gap between education and policy-making, fostering a future where informed decisions shape our society,” said �� . Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Director Anne Hoeltke.

Impacting stream restoration in Wisconsin

Buss is an avid fisherman and is invested in the surface waters of Wisconsin. “It is intriguing for me to study the effects of restoration efforts on the surface waters I care so much about,” he said.

Buss, Welch, and other �� students and faculty members of the Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group collected water, macroinvertebrate, and plant samples from Gilbert Creek and other streams and lakes in the area over summer 2024.

Members of the Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group collect water samples at Gilbert Creek / Theodore Welch

The Gilbert Creek sub watershed contains 23.8 miles of classified trout water, including Gilbert Creek Fishery and Wildlife Area, a 241-acre property approximately 7 miles west of Menomonie. Restoration of the creek began in the mid-2000s and continues in various sections.

“Our research could impact how the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources carries out stream restorations and adds to the knowledge they have on how stream restorations impact stream ecology,” Buss said.

Macroinvertebrates are an integral part of stream systems. They are a critical food source for fish and are important in processing organic matter, he added.

A few of the most common macroinvertebrates the group found in their samplings were caddisfly larvae, mayfly larvae and scuds.

“We found that macroinvertebrate communities across stream restoration ages were more similar than we expected, but our research suggests that there may be age-related trends,” Buss said. “Newly restored sites may initially have a very different macroinvertebrate community composition that quickly shifts towards the assemblages seen in older restorations. Eventually, all restoration sites seem to settle on similar communities.”

Gov. Tony Evers meets with student researchers at Research in the Rotunda, 2024 / Joe Koshollek, Capitol photographer

Reed canary grass is a prevalent and aggressive invasive species that is best controlled by fire and herbicide. Having a native competitor, like native sedge, could help land managers and restorations use a biological control in managing reed canary, Welch said.

Native grasses and sedges were planted to provide cover and nesting habitat for wildlife, and the plants’ root systems help to reduce bank erosion and filter out pollutants in the stream.

Samples were collected from three plots at zero, 3 and 6 meters from the bank, 50 meters apart. Reaches were defined by the year they were restored, Welch said.

“The oldest restorations had the greatest percent cover of the hairy-fruit sedge, compared to newer restorations in the Gilbert Creek. There was a trend for percent cover of hairy-fruit sedge and increasing distance from the bank,” he added. “Reed canary grass had an opposite trend. However, at zero meters, where reed canary grass had highest abundance, there was a significant negative trend with increasing percent cover of hairy-fruit sedge.”

�� student Ava Cinealis presents her research at Research in the Rotunda, 2024 / Joe Koshollek, Capitol photographer

Welch likes to see these projects progress as time goes on. “More information on the outcomes of these stream restorations provides better tools on what does and doesn’t work in achieving functioning native communities,” he said.

Buss and Welch will graduate in May. Buss plans to work in water quality monitoring or a water-related field, while Welch will work for a restoration company in southern Wisconsin. They each plan to apply to graduate school.

Students across degree fields presenting

Researchers at RITR are nominated by faculty, staff and a student committee. Seven other �� students, including a third Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin scholar, will discuss their research with attendees:

Corey Brisiel, applied social science, of Eau Claire: Off-Campus Housing in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Tina Lee and Courtney Juelich.
Luke Denney, computer science, of Byron, Minnesota: Kintsugi 3D Builder: User Experience Design and Implementation. Michael Tetzlaff.
Bryanna Hoffman, biochemistry and molecular biology, of Eau Claire: Changes in the Chemical Properties of Surface Waters in Dunn County. Ana Magdalena Vande Linde.
Emmett Jaakkola, applied mathematics and computer science, of Apple Valley, Minnesota: Electric Circuit Simulation with Explicit Simulation of Mobile Charges. Daniel Sinkovits.
Bria Moore, psychology, of Wisconsin Rapids: Elderly Americans: Maintaining Independence and Well-Being. Molly Welch-Deal and Sarah Wynn.
Lindsey Redepenning, applied mathematics and computer science, FCW scholar, of Elk River, Minnesota: Precision Agriculture: Measuring Crop Per Drop Using the Internet of Things, Machine Learning, and Mathematical Modeling. Keith Wojciechowski.
Cassie Sciarra, applied social science, of St. Paul: Social Determinants of Substance Use Disorders and Addiction Treatment: Evidence from Arbor Place Professionals. Lee and Juelich.

Crop Per Drop: �� students provide soil and water R&D for Chippewa Valley Bean

How much water does it take to grow 100 pounds of kidney beans? Most people wouldn’t think to ask such as question — but if you are a family business competing

�� leadership attending are Chancellor Katherine Frank, Provost Glendalí Rodríguez and Head of Staff Kristi Krimpelbein.

In addition, 12 �� students will present at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research from Monday, April 7, to Wednesday, April 9, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. More than 4,000 undergraduates from all disciplines from across the country will attend.

Student & Faculty Research

All Student & Faculty Research News

�� professor brings aspects of grandfather ��. experience in Battle of the Bulge ‘back to life’

Oss uses AI tools to decipher World War II journal, recreate portraits, landscapes

January 28, 2026

Breaking ground for polytechnic partnerships: �� top story highlights of 2025

Heritage Hall renovation, AI innovations, industry-sponsored focus among year ��. notable headlines

January 21, 2026

AI reshaping industry: New �� course sets AI-use as baseline competency in filmmaking

Wheeler ��. ‘Relic’ offers students glimpse into possibilities as they create original films

January 14, 2026

Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin scholars discuss importance of stream restoration to health of state ��. watersheds Research in the Rotunda, 2024. Greg Anderson, Capitol Photographer

University Marketing

B.S. Environmental Science

Our B.S. Environmental Science program offers lab-based learning, applied research, and field experiences to prepare you to conserve the natural world.

Learn More

Capitol project: Science student ��. research on prion disease highlighted in Madison

Ava Cinealis was interested in science when she graduated from Sheboygan North High School, but she wanted to do more in college than learn it from a book: She

Search Keywords: Research in the Rotundaenvironmental science degreestream restoration

Hero Caption: Undergraduates from around the state will present their research at Research in the Rotunda on Wednesday, April 2. Photo by Greg Anderson, Capitol photographer

Office of Research & Sponsored Programs

Investigate. Collaborate. Disseminate.

The mission of the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) at Wisconsin ��. polytechnic university is to create and support a university culture that promotes research and assists the �� community in securing the funds to advance research, scholarship, industry collaboration, and other innovations.

ORSP offers support to faculty, staff, and students in their research endeavors. We guide researchers through the pre-award funding process, offering support in proposal development, budget development, and submission. Read on to learn more about our services.

Campus-Wide Support

Extramural Grant Applications and Administration
Internal Professional Development Grants
Research and Grant-Related Workshops and Training
Compliance
- Institutional Review Board
- Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee
- Responsible Conduct of Research
- Financial Conflict of Interest
Research Day
- Outstanding Faculty and Student Researcher Awards

Browse a full list of services

for �� faculty and staff through the ORSP intranet

Student Support

Student Research and Dissemination Grants
Connections to Academic Journals for Publication
Annual Events
- Research in the Rotunda
- National Conference on Undergraduate Research
- UW Symposium
- Quick Pitch
- SPARK Symposium

Browse a full list of services

for �� students through the ORSP intranet

Research Sponsors & Partners

�� partners with a number of State, Foundational and Federal Sponsors, including but not limited to the following (in alphabetical order):

3M Foundation
American Lung Association
American Math Society
Centers for Disease Control
Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin
Margaret A. Cargill Foundation
National Endowment for the Humanities
National Science Foundation
United States Department of Commerce
United States Department of Defense
United States Department of Education
United States Department of State
West Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Xcel Energy Foundation

�� professor brings aspects of grandfather ��. experience in Battle of the Bulge ‘back to life’

Oss uses AI tools to decipher World War II journal, recreate portraits, landscapes

January 28, 2026

Breaking ground for polytechnic partnerships: �� top story highlights of 2025

Heritage Hall renovation, AI innovations, industry-sponsored focus among year ��. notable headlines

January 21, 2026

�� faculty integrate A.I. research in machine learning, business technology, composition courses

University ��. 360-degree approach to artificial intelligence aims to ‘equip students with hands-on experience and an applied understanding’

October 29, 2025

Web Production ORSP

Search Keywords: ORSPresearch servicesstudent research supportfaculty research supportresearch grant support

Include in Directory: On

Research Day 2018

Contact Information

Office of Research & Sponsored Programs

201 Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center

715-232-4042

rs@uwstout.edu

Get a glimpse of research

at �� 2024-2025

Watch this video

Check out Research Day

Protection of Research Subjects:

For the safety of human subjects, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a federally-mandated review board that exists to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects.

To ensure animal safety, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) monitors and regulates the use of animals in research. Please find the IACUC Whistleblower Procedure here.

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Biology professor joins team of scientists to study glacial methane emissions in Iceland

goersab — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 14:51:50 +0000

Biology professor joins team of scientists to study glacial methane emissions in Icelandgoersab January 31, 2025

Research finds small organisms play significant role in slowing emission of greenhouse gas

Abbey Goers

In the summers of 2018 and 2019, an all-female team of scientists ventured to the glaciers of Iceland to research the complex interactions between glacial systems, climate change and methane emissions.

Their findings were recently published in Scientific Reports. The study, one of only a handful of its kind, examined how melting glaciers release trapped methane – a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming – and how microbes in glacial streams and lakes prevent that methane from reaching the atmosphere.

The team was led by 2019 National Geographic Explorer Kristin Strock, associate professor of environmental studies at Dickinson College.

Nicole Hayes at Solheimjokull / Nicole Hayes

She was joined by �� biology and environmental science Assistant Professor Nicole Hayes; Bridget Deemer, a research ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey; and Dickinson student Rachel Krewson.

“Studies that span the land, ice, water, and air are rare because it requires an interdisciplinary and full ecosystem kind of perspective,” said Strock, who noted the critical work was possible because of the team ��. interdisciplinary fields.

Clues to mitigating climate change in polar regions

Hayes’ research is on the effects of climate change on aquatic ecosystems, such as lakes and reservoirs.

She met Strock and Deemer when the three were PhD graduates, and together, they applied for a National Geographic Explorer grant to research the “Thermal controls on methane dynamics in Icelandic lakes: In-situ incubations across a geothermal temperature gradient.”

Nicole Hayes, right, and Bridget Deemer at a glacial lake / Nicole Hayes

Polar ecosystems are being affected by climate change at a higher rate, including sea ice thinning, permafrost melting and accelerated glacial melt, with rapid loss of ice volume reported in 260 small glaciers across the globe.

“These ecosystems are really interesting because as they start to warm, they release greenhouse gases that have been trapped under the ice,” Hayes said.

“We know that under glaciers is the right environment for methane-producing microbes to live. These microbes create methane as part of their metabolism. As glaciers melt, they release large amounts of methane – a potent greenhouse gas.”

In their journey across Iceland, the team collected samples at four locations from three glaciers: Langjökull, Snæfellsjökull, and Sólheimajökull. At Sólheimajökull, they sampled water from a paraglacial lake and river.

To reach these locations, they rented a four-wheel pickup truck from an outfitter, drove down long gravel roads and parked on the side of the road to begin their trek to each site.

Nicole Hayes, left, and Bridget Deemer collecting meltwater samples / Nicole Hayes

With no lab base, they carried in all their equipment, including inflatable rafts, oars and an electric trolling motor, as no gas motors were allowed.

“There were constant 20 miles-per-hour winds. It was very challenging to do fieldwork,” Hayes said. “But Iceland is very cool. At Thingvellir National Park, it is one of the few places where the Mid-Atlantic Rift is above sea-level. You can stand in the middle of two tectonic plates. Iceland is also famous for its midges – non-biting mosquitoes that emerge in mass every spring. They were everywhere.”

The team tested glacial meltwater samples onsite using the headspace equilibrium method – or shaky bottle method, Hayes said.

“By filling bottles with meltwater, measuring the amount of methane at the start, incubating them for 24 hours and agitating the bottles, we could then measure the methane in the shaken gas bubbles to tell us how much methane the aquatic microbes in the ecosystem used up.

“Methane is an important molecule for some microbes, which use the gas in their metabolism and turn it into carbon dioxide,” Hayes said.

Nicole Hayes at Djupavatn / Nicole Hayes

The team found that when glacial meltwater enters lakes and streams, the microbes in the tributaries can consume large amounts of methane via a natural biological process called microbial methane oxidation, which may reduce atmospheric methane emissions from glaciers by up to 53%, significantly mitigating the impact of the greenhouse gas.

By incorporating methane oxidation into estimates of glacial methane emissions, scientists can more accurately assess the impact of melting glaciers on the global climate.

This expedition led Hayes to think more about under-ice research. Locally, she has studied how climate change may be affecting Lake Menomin, just blocks away from ��.

“Climate change is affecting our winter conditions here in Wisconsin, too,” she said. “Often, we think of lakes being inactive in the winter, because light tends to be limited under the snow and ice. But with warmer winters and thinner ice, we’ve been looking at how much algae is growing under the ice. We can ask questions like, ‘Does a greener winter lake affect the summer algal blooms?’”

Eystra Gíslholtsvatn, a glacial lake in Iceland / Nicole Hayes

Hayes thinks the best way to protect polar regions, glaciers, lakes and reservoirs, and the best way to combat climate change is through government policies and individual actions.

“In Wisconsin, we all experience the effects of climate change firsthand. Warmer winters with less snow and less ice mean less ice fishing, skiing and snowmobiling,” Hayes said. “The data collected by scientists across the globe is just as clear. Humans are changing Earth ��. climate. The real question is, how are we solving climate change.”

�� environmental science Program Director Mandy Little believes that “We are lucky that our faculty are highly engaged in globally important research and bring that cutting-edge experience to our students’ courses and research in environmental science and biology.”

The study was originally proposed by Krewson as part of her senior research thesis in environmental science as a student at Dickinson.

The team ��. research was funded by a grant from the National Geographic Society, with additional support from the U.S. Geological Survey, the Churchill Exploration Fund and the Dickinson College Research and Development Fund.

�� . biology department offers undergraduate degrees in applied science; biochemistry and molecular biology; biology; and environmental science, as well as an online master's conservation biology. �� also offers degrees in chemistry and physics.

Student & Faculty Research

All Student & Faculty Research News

�� professor brings aspects of grandfather ��. experience in Battle of the Bulge ‘back to life’

Oss uses AI tools to decipher World War II journal, recreate portraits, landscapes

January 28, 2026

Breaking ground for polytechnic partnerships: �� top story highlights of 2025

Heritage Hall renovation, AI innovations, industry-sponsored focus among year ��. notable headlines

January 21, 2026

AI reshaping industry: New �� course sets AI-use as baseline competency in filmmaking

Wheeler ��. ‘Relic’ offers students glimpse into possibilities as they create original films

January 14, 2026

Research finds small organisms play significant role in slowing emission of greenhouse gas Nicole Hayes' research

University Marketing

B.S. Biology

Our B.S. Biology program combines applied research, lab experiences, and field work to prepare you to enter industry or pursue professional health programs.

Learn More

B.S. Environmental Science

Our B.S. Environmental Science program offers lab-based learning, applied research, and field experiences to prepare you to conserve the natural world.

Learn More

Search Keywords: climate change researchglacial methane emissions

Nicole Hayes

Full Name: Nicole Hayes

Job Title: Assistant Professor

Include in Directory: Yes

College: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Department: Biology Department

Program

All Degree Programs

Curriculum Vitae: Dr. Nicole M. Hayes CV (103.02 KB)

Education:

CSTEMM

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Can Trump just order new names for Denali and the Gulf of Mexico?

hugginsm — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 16:45:27 +0000

Can Trump just order new names for Denali and the Gulf of Mexico?hugginsm January 25, 2025

Geography professor Innisfree McKinnon explains who decides what goes on the map.

Innisfree McKinnon

This article appeared in Scientific American, Fast Company, News Break and others, and originated from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.

President Donald Trump ��. executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska ��. Denali, the tallest peak in the country, has resulted in lots of discussion. While for some, such renaming might seem less important than the big problems the country faces, there is a formal process in the United States for renaming places, and that process is taken seriously.

Usually, so people don’t get confused, official, agreed-upon names are used by the government. In the U.S., place names are standardized by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which is part of the U.S. Geological Survey, the agency in charge of making maps.

In his executive order, Trump asks the Board on Geographic Names “to honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans” and change its policies and procedures to reflect that.

Usually, renaming a place starts locally. The people in the state or county propose a name change and gather support. The process in each state is different.

Lake Bde Maka Ska, formerly Lake Calhoun, is the largest lake in Minneapolis. / YinYang/E+ via Getty

How to change a place name

Minnesota recently changed the name of a large lake in Minneapolis to Bde Maka Ska, which the Minneapolis Park Board described as “a Dakota name for the lake that has been passed down in oral history for many years.”

The board voted to change the name and took its request to the county commissioners. When the county agreed, the request was then sent to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which made it official for Minnesota. Then, the state of Minnesota sent the request to the Board on Geographic Names, which made it official for the entire U.S.

It ��. a lot of paperwork for something so seemingly minor, but people get passionate about place names. It took 40 years to rename Denali from the name established in the late 19th century, Mount McKinley.

The state of Alaska requested the name change in 1975, but the Board on Geographic Names didn’t take action. Members of the Ohio congressional delegation – President William McKinley was from Ohio – objected over many years to requests to rename the mountain, and the board did not act on those requests.

The president appoints the secretary of the Interior Department. The secretary works with the heads of related agencies to appoint the Board on Geographic Names. Current committee policy states, “Input from State geographic names authorities, land management agencies, local governments, and Tribal Governments are actively pursued.”

In 2015, President Barack Obama named a new leader for the Department of the Interior, Sally Jewell. Just as Obama made a trip to Alaska in late August 2015, Jewell declared the name change official under a law that allows the secretary of the Interior to change a name if the board doesn’t act on the proposal in a “reasonable” amount of time.

Today we’re returning Mount McKinley to its native name - Denali, a step to reflect the heritage of Alaska Natives. pic.twitter.com/WyzQImKymX
— President Obama (@POTUS44) August 31, 2015

“This name change recognizes the sacred status of Denali to many Alaska Natives,” Jewell said. “The name Denali has been official for use by the State of Alaska since 1975, but even more importantly, the mountain has been known as Denali for generations. With our own sense of reverence for this place, we are officially renaming the mountain Denali in recognition of the traditions of Alaska Natives and the strong support of the people of Alaska.”

You won’t find the Gulf of America on any map. / Sean Gladwell/Moment via Getty

If someone objects to a name change, they could ask the courts to rule on whether the name change was made legally. Going back to Bde Maka Ska, some people objected to changing the name from Lake Calhoun, so they took the state natural resources agency to court. Eventually, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the name change was done correctly.

Alaska ��. two U.S. senators and prominent state figures have strongly objected to Trump ��. renaming attempt.

How not to change a place name

Renaming the Gulf of Mexico is a different kind of case, however, from renaming a geographic place within U.S. borders.

The gulf is not within the territorial U.S. On the coast, the first 12 miles from shore are considered part of that country, but outside of that is international waters.

The Board on Geographic Names could change the name to Gulf of America on official U.S. maps, but there is no international board in charge of place names. Each country decides what to call places. And there is no official way for the U.S. to make other countries change the name.

It ��. possible that the U.S. could formally ask other countries to change the name, or even impose sanctions against countries that don’t comply.

If the names were officially changed in the U.S., the government would use the new names in official documents, signage and maps. As for all the people and companies in the world that make maps, they usually use the official names. But there is nothing that would force them to, if they believed that a certain name is more widely recognized.

On Jan. 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior issued a statement on the name changes:

“In accordance with President Donald J. Trump ��. recent executive order, the Department of the Interior is proud to announce the implementation of name restorations that honor the legacy of American greatness, with efforts already underway.

"As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America and North America ��. highest peak will once again bear the name Mount McKinley….The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, under the purview of the Department of the Interior, is working expeditiously to update the official federal nomenclature in the Geographic Names Information System to reflect these changes, effective immediately for federal use.”

This story has been updated to reflect the Department of Interior ��. statement on Jan. 25, 2025.

The Conversation

All The Conversation News

Building with air – how nature ��. hole-filled blueprints shape manufacturing

Professor Anne Schmitz investigates how nature provides a blueprint for better engineering.

February 5, 2026

Polytechnic universities focus on practical, career-oriented skills, offering an alternative to traditional universities

Professors Kelly Droege and Laura Reisinger details what distinguishes the polytechnic universities from traditional education.

December 11, 2025

Plantation tourism, memory and the uneasy economics of heritage in the American South

Professor Betsy Pudliner investigates the nexus of tourism and our painful national history.

August 5, 2025

Geography professor Innisfree McKinnon explains if POTUS can just order new names for Denali and the Gulf of Mexico. Denali Park Mountain Range

University Communications

College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Excitement, accomplishment and potential are three words that probably best describe what you will experience here.

Search Keywords: Mt. McKinleyDenaliGulf of MexicoGulf of AmericaExecutive Powers

Innisfree McKinnon

Brief Biography: I am a human-environment geographer with GIS expertise. I'm trained as a political ecologist and have done research on environmental and community planning, conservation conflicts, loss of agricultural land to urbanization, rural tourism, sustainable cites, use of GIS and mapping in the social sciences and humanities, and spaces for children/youth. I teach a wide range of courses including general geography courses, environmental & food studies, and GIS.

If you need help with GIS or geospatial technologies, please refer to my website or YouTube channel.

Teaching Interests: human geography, environmental studies, geographic information systems

Research Interests: community and regional planning, conservation planning, political ecology, geographies of food and agriculture, urban-rural interactions, geographies of tourism and recreation, participatory and critical GIS, citizen science, critical geographies of children and youth

Full Name: Innisfree McKinnon

Job Title: Associate Professor

Include in Directory: Yes

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: Social Science Department

Program

All Degree Programs

Curriculum Vitae: Dr. Innisfree McKinnon CV (282.81 KB)

Website: YouTube Channel

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Geography

University: University of Oregon

Degree: M.A. Geography/Landscape Architecture

University: University of California, Davis

Degree: B.S. Environmental Science

University: Antioch College

CACHSS

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Inspiring Graduate: An Nguyen, B.S. Environmental Sciences

goersab — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 21:20:00 +0000

Inspiring Graduate: An Nguyen, B.S. Environmental Sciencesgoersab January 13, 2025

‘I have not only grown academically and professionally but personally, since Stout always provided me with opportunities.’

Inspiring Graduate: An Nguyen (’24)

Hometown: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Degree: B.S. Environmental Science
Concentration: Resources Conservation
Minor: Plant Science

An Nguyen had a three-year gap in her education before beginning her college career at ��. During that time, she worked for AIESEC, an international, youth-run organization, to strive for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“This experience helped me discover I was passionate about nature and committed to solving environmental issues. I wanted to study abroad to seek a better education in environmental science, and I found Stout,” Nguyen said.

An Nguyen and Chancellor Katherine Frank at commencement / ��

She had never heard of the Midwest or Wisconsin before but was impressed by the nature and the hospitable people, she said. It was in Menomonie that Nguyen experienced her first snow in the winter of 2020.

Snow fell again on Dec. 14, when Nguyen earned her bachelor's degree and crossed the commencement stage at ��, along with 510 �� graduates.

“I am honored to be accepted for a doctoral program in biological sciences at Michigan Tech University. In the next five years, I will study Lake Superior's acidification, a project funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. I will have the opportunity to work my dream job as a freshwater researcher, with world-class scientists in the field,” Nguyen said.

An Nguyen celebrates at commencement / ��

How has your �� experience changed you?

I have changed thoroughly since I started here. It's like living a new life.

Every day I got up with excitement because I knew I was going to chat with Dr. Nicole Hayes about research, and I always appreciated her for answering my never-ending questions. Because I knew that Dr. Mandy Little was going to show us plant memes and interesting ways to identify plants; I loved her jokes even though I didn't always understand them. Because I knew that I could join Dr. Keith Gilland and Dr. Julia Chapman for a weekend to do a control burn on a prairie to restore it. Because I was wading in a beaver pond in March with Dr. Julie Beston to collect data for my capstone. And so many more fun experiences I have had here.

An Nguyen (front, left) with professors and peers on Advisement Day / An Nguyen

I have become more confident and enthusiastic about what I am doing. I have not only grown academically and professionally but personally, since Stout always provided me with opportunities.

How well has �� prepared you to work in your field?

I think I am very well prepared for my future career due to the variety of roles I took as a college student. I have a lot of lab hours to apply what I learned in lecture.

I have a special interest in freshwater; therefore, I have done most of my research on freshwater ecology, including algae, walleye, beaver dams and water quality.

My favorite lab was probably Wetland Ecology with Dr. Little, who let me play with dirt, mud, and sedges, and figure out the wetland boundary. I always went home with a dirty face and fingers but felt down-to-earth.

An Nguyen will soon begin her doctoral program in biological sciences at Michigan Tech University / ��

I am a lab assistant for a few biology courses, where I prep for the dynamic of the lab and help students to maximize their lab experience. I am also a teacher ��. assistant for the MATH-90 course, a nightmare for some students who struggle with math. Here, I have walked with a lot of students through the first steps in their college journey.

I have done multiple internships throughout my years here. I interned at the UW Oshkosh ��. Environmental Research and Innovation Center during my sophomore year, through the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin. I took part in biogas testing, compost testing, bacteria testing in drinking water and surface water, and hydroponics.

Environmental science student gains lab experience through Freshwater Collaborative

Nguyen completes internship with Environmental Research and Innovation Center

I interned with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission during my junior year, where I stayed in the beautiful Northwoods and fished every day.

This past summer, I had a chance to explore Menomonie's water system more through a project funded by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin and led by �� professors.

I also participated at �� . annual Research Day, presenting research posters on “The Impacts of Beaver Activity in Western Wisconsin on Class II Trout Streams and the Adjacent Riparian Wetland Over Time,” “Trends in Long-term Dissolved Oxygen in Midwestern Lakes in Response to Climate Change,” and “Under-Ice Light and Nutrient Limitation of Attached Primary Producers and Phytoplankton.”

At Research Day 2024, I received a Student Honorable Mention at the Outstanding Researchers of the Year awards ceremony.

An Nguyen receives a Student Honorable Mention award from Provost Glendali Rodriguez and Chancellor Katherine Frank / ��

What stands out about your �� experience?

When I talked to students from other UW schools, I realized that Stout provided us with more lab time and personal support.

I can't say how much I am thankful for not only all of the enthusiastic faculty in the biology department and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. They were always willing to support me whenever I needed them. Without them, my research couldn't be done, and I would not be me today.

I appreciated the small class sizes, the dedicated professors, the unique lab experiences and the research opportunities supported by ORSP.

How did your involvement on campus impact your experience?

I was an active member and then the vice president of the Natural Areas Club. We hosted volunteer opportunities for people who love to go outside, enjoy nature and do something for it. I am also a part of the International Club. Together, we made the annual International Night vibrant and meaningful.

An Nguyen presents at Research Day / ��

More importantly, I would not have completed my college degree without the support from the Office of International Education and the You Are Welcome Here scholarship, which I received for four years, and the scholarship from the Kettle Moraine Garden Club, given to only two students in Wisconsin. I was honored to be one of them this year.

What challenges did you face in earning your degree?

My biggest challenge was the language barrier. I came to Stout during COVID and the masking policy, and that made communication very hard for me as this was my first time living abroad.

An Nguyen breaks through the ice to collect water samples with Professor Nicole Hayes / An Nguyen

I was very quiet at first because I had a hard time adapting to a new place and a new education system.

But this hardship taught me the lesson of being confident and overcoming my shyness. I spoke up although I might make no sense, but speaking up itself was my achievement.

What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?

I am most proud of myself as I never give up. If I didn't know something, I would teach myself to do it, and I was excited to do so. I think this spirit has helped me achieve good academic standing and the offer for a fully funded PhD program. With this spirit, I have built good connections and life-long relationships with people I worked with.

I would love to say thanks to all faculty and staff who I have interacted with, and who are always nice and patient to me. My success today can never be without your willingness to support and your kindness.

Inspiring Graduates

All Inspiring Graduates News

Inspiring Graduates Share Their Stout Experiences

Celebrate our graduates as they cross the commencement stage and reflect on the journey that brought them here

December 23, 2025

Inspiring Graduate: Hanahh Eggum, M.S. Training & Talent Development

Supporting campus community through the Dean of Students Office

December 23, 2025

Inspiring Graduate: Zaid Abdullah, M.S. Operations & Supply Management

Automation Displays procurement engineer aims to deliver measurable value to organizations

December 23, 2025

‘I have not only grown academically and professionally but personally, since Stout always provided me with opportunities.’ An Nguyen

University Marketing

B.S. Environmental Science

Our B.S. Environmental Science program offers lab-based learning, applied research, and field experiences to prepare you to conserve the natural world.

Learn More

Alumni recognize communication, connections, genuineness as necessary to be trusted leaders

‘Be a difference maker’: 510 graduates at Dec. 14 commencement ceremony look to impact the future

Inspiring Graduate Q&As

Is content a Story?: Yes

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

CLRR choice: Limnology center research supporting work on Green Lake water quality

polingj — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:00:00 +0000

CLRR choice: Limnology center research supporting work on Green Lake water qualitypolingj January 6, 2025

Association for state ��. deepest natural inland lake seeking answers through scientific analysis of phosphorus in its estuaries

Covering more than 7,600 acres, Green Lake is one of Wisconsin ��. largest and best-known natural, inland lakes. It ��. also the deepest such lake in the state, at 236 feet.

The 1,000 members of the Green Lake Association rightly take pride in their important local and state resource, in southeastern Green Lake County. The lake has a rich Ho-Chunk tribal history, and users enjoy two beaches, eight boat launches, 44 miles of shoreline and angling for its 40 species of fish.

GLA members also are rightly concerned. Building over decades, a problem with excess phosphorous at two inlets, the Silver Creek Estuary and the County Highway K Marsh on opposite ends of the lake, has been getting worse. Phosphorus acts as a fertilizer and spurs plant growth.

Green Lake had two beach closures last summer because of toxic blue-green algae blooms and another six-week bloom in the marsh. GLA is working to reduce the phosphorus and hopefully the toxic blooms by turning to a state and national leader on the issue, the Center for Limnological Research and Rehabilitation — CLRR — at ��.

Duckweed covers the Silver Creek Estuary, right, where the creek flows into Green Lake under the County Highway A bridge. / Photo by Phil Burkart

“The Green Lake Association is being proactive. They’re doing the right thing. These are the lakes that can be managed. Let ��. nip it in the bud,” said Bill James, CLRR founder and director.

Based on state standards for water quality, Green Lake ��. degraded water quality already has resulted in it being listed as “impaired.”

“People are noticing the lake is changing,” said Stephanie Prellwitz, chief executive officer of the Green Lake Association, who noted that the algae bloom in the marsh was the first she’d seen in her 11 years with GLA.

“The lake is giving us warning signs. For a gem of a lake like Green Lake, it ��. important we take the necessary steps to reduce phosphorus sooner rather than later. It ��. time to step back and plan how to tackle a challenge of this magnitude,” Prellwitz said.

CLRR Field Coordinator Andrew Schneyer, left, and Laboratory Coordinator Conor Dougherty show a gravity coring device like the one used to take sediment cores on Green Lake. / ��

Along with best management agricultural practices, such as no-till farming and cover crops, that can help reduce phosphorus in the watershed, “What new tools can we bring to the table to sequester phosphorus from these inlets?” she said.

Warmer winters this century likely aren’t helping. Since regular lake monitoring began in 1939, Green Lake has frozen in the winter all but three times, but two have been in the last three years. Plus, Green Lake is staying frozen about a month less each winter compared with 1939.

Warmer water is “allowing lakes to biologically cook for longer, and algae is taking full advantage of it to grow,” Prellwitz said.

Along with CLRR, which is providing testing and scientific expertise, GLA is working with Stantec, a sustainable engineering consulting firm, to address the issue.

Andrew Schneyer measures soluble phosphorus on a spectrophotometer in the CLRR lab. The sample is subjected to reagents that react with phosphate to form a blue color. / ��

Sediment cores and analysis

Eighty percent of phosphorus entering Green Lake flows through its two main inlets. Over time, phosphorus has built up in the sediment of the inlets. It feeds plant life, like algae and duckweed, and depletes oxygen in the water. This causes a chain reaction of sorts, with excess phosphorus diffusing from the sediment, moving into the lake and reducing water clarity.

“We’re not hitting our long-term goals. We need a 60% reduction in phosphorus just to remove the lake from the impaired waters list,” Prellwitz said.

CLRR analysis by James will indicate the rate of phosphorus diffusion. Analysis on 24 sediment cores, taken in summer in and in early fall, are being conducted by CLRR employees Conor Dougherty, lab coordinator, and Andrew Schneyer, field coordinator, in the CLRR lab in �� . Jarvis Hall Science Wing.

Long cylinders were plunged into the creek and marsh bottoms at four stations to extract the cores.

In the lab, the sediment is tested with and without oxygen to determine how much phosphorus is released. Once the rate is determined, James and a science advisory panel assembled by GLA will analyze the data and provide recommendations to treat the estuaries. More research could be necessary in 2025 before any action is taken.

Sediment is tested in an environmental chamber at �� . CLRR lab. Each system is gently bubbled continuously with either nitrogen or air. / ��

“Bays are manageable. One of our goals is to try to stop what ��. coming into the lake,” James said.

James was a research aquatic biologist for 32 years in Spring Valley — Pierce County — with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory – Eau Galle Aquatic Ecology Laboratory.

“Bill is a leading expert who has advanced how we measure internal loading in sediment,” Prellwitz said.

James has a master ��. degree in limnology from Kent State University and has taught an undergraduate course at �� in Aquatic Ecology and Management and a graduate course in Advanced Limnological Approaches.

Center for Limnological Research & Rehabilitation (CLRR)

We focus on eutrophication issues and management solutions for freshwater systems.

�� has an undergraduate program in environmental science, with a concentration in aquatic biology.

CLRR is a center located within the �� Office of Corporate Relations and Economic Engagement.

Other CLRR lake projects

While a treatment plan for Green Lake is to be determined, CLRR is using alum, a natural compound, to manage water quality in six state lakes that are listed as impaired:

Half Moon, in Eau Claire
Cedar, Long, East Balsam and Big Round, in Polk County
Big Doctor, in Burnett County.

CLRR sediment testing has supported other lake projects in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Except for Big Doctor Lake and Cedar Lake, the treatments have been highly successful in mitigating the problem. Ongoing testing is conducted on each lake to adjust treatments as needed; a new approach may be needed on Big Doctor and Cedar, James said.

“These lakes are big, complicated ecosystems. It ��. not a cookbook recipe,” James said.

Solitude Lake Management, a Florida company with an office in St. Paul, applies alum in the lakes based on CLRR ��. analysis.

CLRR was created to help lakes meet state standards for levels of phosphorus and chlorophyll in the water and for water clarity, to stop algae blooms and improve recreation.

“There ��. a purpose to this — preserving the beauty of Wisconsin Lakes. It ��. one lake at a time,” James said. “It ��. human-driven — we create the problem and have to solve the problem.”

###

Environmental Science

All Environmental Science News

University interns gain environmental job skills assessing health of region ��. waters

Latest grants from Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin bring $389K for research, education, monitoring

September 18, 2025

Research across realms: Students present to legislators, supporters at Research in the Rotunda, April 2

Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin scholars discuss importance of stream restoration to health of state ��. watersheds

March 31, 2025

Biology professor joins team of scientists to study glacial methane emissions in Iceland

Research finds small organisms play significant role in slowing emission of greenhouse gas

January 31, 2025

The Green Lake Association is working to reduce phosphorus and toxic algae by turning to a leader on the issue, ��'s CLRR. CLRR 1

University Marketing

University ��. limnology center helps bring clear water back to region ��. lakes

From left, intern Heidi Lieffort, CLRR Director Bill James and CLRR Manager Mai Lia Vang sample water from Horse Creek in Polk County.

Hero Caption: Phosphorus-loaded sediment flows from the County Highway K Marsh, at left, into Green Lake under the highway bridge. The Green Lake Association is working with �� . CLRR limnology center to reduce phosphorous. / Photo by Derek Kavanaugh.

William James

Full Name: William James

Job Title: Senior Researcher

Include in Directory: Yes

Department: Corporate Relations & Economic Engagement Center for Limnological Research & Rehabilitation (CLRR)

Curriculum Vitae: William James CV (45.97 KB)

Website: William F. James Journal Publications

Education:

Discovery Center CSTEMM

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

STEMM Student Expo highlights first-year to senior projects, collaborations on Dec. 12

goersab — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 13:00:00 +0000

STEMM Student Expo highlights first-year to senior projects, collaborations on Dec. 12goersab December 9, 2024

Honors Chemistry student teams pair up to develop biodiesel, test toxic chemicals in the lab

Abbey Goers

At �� . STEMM Student Expo, hundreds of first- to senior-year science, technology and engineering students will debut their applied research and projects from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, in the Memorial Student Center second floor.

From research to prototypes to solving problems for an industrial or community partner to creative activities, it is an opportunity for students across the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management to collaborate on projects and discuss their research with each other, faculty, industry partners and university and community members.

Among the STEMM students will be 23 Honors Chemistry first-year students, who worked in teams to develop and complete their own chemistry lab projects, including one team of brothers who created a biodiesel and another team who tested how different lab chemicals can damage clothing, equipment and even skin.

Honors Chemistry first-year students are just some of those who will present their projects at the expo

The STEMM Expo is one of a number of signature events taking place this week, which also include the Stout Game Expo and the School of Art and Design Senior Show, which showcase what distinguishes �� . polytechnic model of education.

The Stout Game Expo, western Wisconsin's largest game developers’ event, will feature the works of about 250 students from 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 11, in the upper level of the Memorial Student Center.

During SGX, first-year to senior students in game design and development-art; and the game design concentration in computer science debut original, playable tabletop games, board and card games, conventional video games, virtual reality experiences and rhythm games.

The SOAD Senior Show celebrates more than 100 students’ works in graphic design, video production and animation, industrial and product design, interior design, game design and studio art. It is from 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 13, in Applied Arts and Micheels Hall.

Metals, comics, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking and photography exhibitions and sales by students will also be throughout the building.

Biodiesel and toxic chemicals in Honors Chemistry

In the first-year Honors Chemistry course, Professor Marcia Miller-Rodeberg gave the students free rein to decide what their projects would be for the STEMM Expo.

“The point of these projects is to give the students to opportunity explore things that are interesting to them and learn how to conduct experiments,” she said.

Connor Tieman and Carter Tieman, lab partners and twin brothers from Thorp, designed an experiment that would teach them about a specific field in chemistry.

Brothers Connor Tieman and Carter Tieman create a biodiesel with canola oil

“We decided to create a biodiesel – a renewable energy mostly composed of canola oil,” said Connor, a mechanical engineering major. “We became interested when researching renewable energy and the chemistry behind the process. We delved deeper and discovered that we could make our own, given the right materials.”

In their project, Blazing Biodiesel, they pursued developing a functional biodiesel that would perform as effectively as possible.

“To start our experiment on day one, we heated the canola oil, dissolved methanal and sodium hydroxide into the oil and allowed the solution to separate for a week. On our next lab day, we took samples of the biodiesel, the newly separated glycerol, and the stock canola oil and carefully combusted each sample to test how well they combusted,” said Carter, environmental science major.

They think the STEMM Expo is the perfect opportunity to implement their ideas. “Participating in the expo is allowing us to creatively engage with projects that allow us to have self-directed learning, which leads to a deeper understanding and the satisfaction of completing a project,” Connor said.

Lauren Barclay and Allie Turany determine how textures fair against different lab chemicals

Lab partners and mechanical engineering majors Lauren Barclay and Allie Turany wanted to determine how skin, different fabrics and personal protective equipment hold up against common chemicals used in an average chemistry lab.

“In most chemistry labs, the instructor will issue a warning when strong chemicals are being used and will typically require the use of gloves and eye coverings, as chemicals can eat through clothing and should be used carefully,” said Barclay, of Prior Lake, Minn. “This made us think, ‘How toxic are these chemicals, and what would happen if they spilled on your skin or clothes?’”

For their project, You Vs. Toxic Lab Substances, they tested whether what they’d heard was exaggeration or truth, having never experienced a chemical spill or accident themselves.

They used common clothing materials, rubber gloves, and untreated and untanned squirrel hide as a substitute for human skin, placing each in beakers of various acids with high molarity.

“We hypothesized that the cotton and the gloves would fare the best in terms of testing, since they are used for PPE. The synthetics – a half cotton blend and full polyester – were likely to have worse results, or lose more mass, than the cotton since it is a cheaper alternative and made with plastics. The skin was most likely to have detrimental results,” said Turany, of Cornell.

Barclay and Turany look forward to seeing the diverse range of projects displayed at the expo and learning about their peers’ studies in different majors and classes.

“People attending can learn a lot about many different topics. We put a lot of work into completing our projects. We would love to show them off to those interested,” Barclay said.

�� . Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering offers six undergraduate degrees, including computer and electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, plastics engineering, engineering technology and packaging, as well as four minors and a master ��. in manufacturing engineering.

Along with the environmental science major, �� has undergraduate programs in biology; applied biochemistry and molecular biology; chemistry and physics.

CSTEMM

All CSTEMM News

�� cybersecurity program ranks No. 14 in nation as students excel in cyber defense competitions

Program has earned national credentials, international reach during its first four years

March 2, 2026

Career-connected learning: SkillsUSA brings nearly 400 middle, high school students to ��

Engineering, technical, design competitions prepare young people for future careers

February 25, 2026

�� announces Latha Ramakrishnan as provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs

Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan will advance strategic priorities, foster academic initiatives at Wisconsin ��. ��

February 18, 2026

Honors Chemistry student teams pair up to develop biodiesel, test toxic chemicals in the lab honors_chemistry_individual_experiements_4.jpg

University Marketing

Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering

The Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering focuses on enhancing the learning experience for students in ��'s engineering programs.

Biology Department

Biology helps us understand ourselves, other species, and our place in the earth's ecology, and what life is and how it functions.

Hero Caption: The STEMM Student Expo will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, showcases hundreds of students' applied research and collaborations

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Students from across country address water quality issues in Red Cedar watershed with �� mentors

goersab — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 18:17:31 +0000

Students from across country address water quality issues in Red Cedar watershed with �� mentorsgoersab July 22, 2024

LAKES researchers to present on dynamics of water quality, community efforts to protect it on Aug. 8 at Raw Deal in Menomonie

Abbey Goers

Undergraduate researchers from across the U.S. and Canada have spent the summer in the Chippewa Valley investigating water quality awareness, invasive species, groundwater pollutants, public opinion and local mitigation for positive change in the Red Cedar watershed.

Led by �� co-directors Professor Tina Lee and Senior Lecturer Arthur Kneeland, LAKES REU students from eight universities are collaborating on research to improve the health of the watershed and develop sustainable solutions with community and government partners, local citizens and policymakers.

The interdisciplinary team of students represents a range of academic fields: anthropology, biology, environmental science, political science, mechanical engineering, and applied mathematics and computer science.

LAKES students gather on a hillside for a soil lesson at a local farm / Tina Lee

Students and mentors will present their findings from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Raw Deal, 603 S. Broadway St., Menomonie. Community members are encouraged to join them in conversations about the local environment and issues facing the watershed.

Their research will be shared with local policymakers through reports, conversations and participation in the Red Cedar Water Quality Partnership in hopes of facilitating positive change in land use and water quality regulations and practices.

LAKES 2024 researchers

In addition to Lee and Kneeland, LAKES mentors include Professor Devin Berg, Assistant Professor Nicole Hayes and Professor Kim Zagorski.

“LAKES gives students the experience of being able to focus on research for a whole summer and to really immerse themselves in the problems they are working on. They get to work with and get to know community members and work on a problem that is important to the community,” Lee said.

Lee believes it ��. important to consider the issues of water quality and pollution from various angles, from the biology of pollutants to human interactions with waterways.

“To address the dynamics of water quality issues in the Red Cedar watershed, we need to understand the people who live and own land here in an empathic way,” she said. “Our research adds to our knowledge and helps inform those who are working to address water quality issues. It ��. important to understand the economic, social and cultural constraints people face as well as the capacities they have to help address problems, and these topics are a key focus of our work.”

Students, their degrees, schools and mentors are:

Murphy Boksanski: environmental science at University of San Francisco, Lee and Kneeland
Eva Elbert: environment and gender, sexuality, feminist and social justice studies at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Lee
Lara Erickson: environmental studies at Carleton College, Northfield, Minn., Zagorski
Olivia Franklin: community sustainability at UW-Stevens Point, Zagorski
Maya Hoffman: public health science at University of Maryland College Park, Hayes
Jennifer Kahn: biology at UW-Stevens Point, Hayes
Lucas Krueger: anthropology and history at Beloit College, Lee
Jessica Qualich: mechanical engineering at ��, Berg
Shayla Riley: public policy at Georgia State University, Atlanta, Zagorski

LAKES students collect plant samples during a soil lesson at a local farm / Tina Lee

LAKES REU is in its ninth year at ��. It is funded by the National Science Foundation and by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, which works to enhance its water-related academic programs.

Lindsey Redepenning, an applied mathematics and computer science student at ��, and Professor Keith Wojciechowski are collaborating with LAKES researchers. Their research is funded through a separate Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin grant.

“Environmental sustainability and water quality is such an important issue and one we can’t ignore. Mentoring students is the absolute best part of my job, and it ��. a privilege to get to know such an amazing group of young people each summer,” Lee said.

Making a decade of research accessible

Boksanski thinks that a direct pairing of science and communication is uncommon for undergraduate research opportunities, which makes LAKES stand out from other programs.

He is collaborating with local organizations to post infographics in the community to best present nearly a decade of LAKES research collected by nearly 100 students.

He read 20 peer-reviewed papers on scientific communication and found that different forms of communication appeal to different audiences and that the most effective presentations are jargon-free with simple statistics and offer background on researchers to give them credibility.

“The process of synthesizing nearly a decade ��. worth of data can be grueling. You cannot fit all the information into a few reports, so picking the most important information from each topic is the biggest challenge,” Boksanski said.

“But it is rewarding. To put everything together and share our research with our community is important and feels great.”

Social Science: Activism in the community

As an applied anthropologist, Lee feels strongly that she should apply her research skills to problems that affect the area “since I’ve made it my home and am raising my children here,” she said.

Her hope for Elbert and Krueger is that they build a strong grounding in interviewing and qualitative coding techniques and are more prepared to conduct research in their careers or graduate school.

LAKES students help with fencing at a local farm / Tina Lee

Elbert ��. project is connected to work Lee has been involved with in collaboration with Grassland 2.0. She is interviewing community members from a variety of sectors in the area to explore what a healthy rural community would look like to them, what changes they see that should be made and how the community might come together to make those changes.

Krueger will present on the history of environmental activism around the Red Cedar watershed. He is reviewing archival material and interviewing community members to highlight their efforts.

“From the Great Lakes to wild rice, to the success of Chicago and Minneapolis as river cities, water and Midwestern culture are nearly synonymous. By studying either, we learn more about both,” he said.

Krueger believes that changes in water are reflective of changes in culture, citing the reversal of the Chicago River by civil engineers in 1900 and the damming of the Red Cedar River in the 1880s to create a mill pond for the lumber industry, forming what is now Lake Menomin.

“By studying what people protected and how they did it, we can better appreciate the water and land around us,” he said.

Biology: surveys on wind patterns and zebra mussels

Hayes wants Hoffman ��. and Kahn ��. LAKES experience to be their first steps as independent researchers as they survey harmful aquatic plant and animal species on Lake Menomin.

“I want Maya and Jennifer to leave LAKES with a better understanding of the scope and magnitude of the impact humans have on lakes and of how much we still need to learn about lakes,” she said.

LAKES students Olivia Franklin, Lara Erickson, Jennifer Kahn and Maya Hoffman / ��

Kahn is surveying the zebra mussel population density and hopes to raise awareness of the invasive species. In one field experience, she led Hoffman, Erickson and Franklin on a search for the mollusks at Lakeside Boat Launch near the Menomonie Public Library.

The finding of zebra mussels in the lake is recent. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources discovered several hundreds of the mollusks last fall when removing docks from the lake before winter.

At Lakeside, Kahn turned over rock after rock and sifted through sediment. She identified several zebra mussels, as well as Chinese mystery snails, also an invasive species.

“There isn’t a way to get rid of zebra mussels once they arrive, but we can limit the spread. People need to be aware of the species’ presence to prevent accidental introductions to noninfested water bodies. They should inspect and remove any aquatic plants or animals from their boats, trailers and equipment before leaving a launch,” Kahn said.

LAKES students collect zebra mussels and Chinese mystery snails on Lake Menomin / ��

Hoffman is determining the impact of wind patterns on cyanobacteria bloom sizes and distribution.

This research on the harmful algae formations is her first exposure to limnology – the study of freshwater bodies. She has conducted different forms of data collection in the field, trekking through streams and collecting lake water samples while boating across Menomin and Tainter lakes. She is also gaining hands-on laboratory skills, filtering water samples to find Microcystis toxin concentrations and nutrient makeups and measuring algae colonies under the microscope.

“Looking at wind as a factor with cyanobacteria blooms is especially important when considering a recent phenomenon called atmospheric stilling,” Hoffman said. “This phenomenon is a climate change-driven pattern in which surface-level winds have been decreasing across the globe. These decreasing wind levels have been linked to increased harmful blooms in various other lakes across the world. Finding a link between climate change-driven patterns and these harmful blooms is an important sign to put more focus into this pressing environmental issue.”

Political science: Connecting awareness and policy

LAKES offers Erickson, Franklin and Riley an intersection of political science and environmental studies.

Erickson is compiling and analyzing perceptions of nitrate contamination in private wells in Dunn County, which may impact residents’ health and well-being.

Franklin is researching urban and residential runoff, its effects on waterways, public opinion and local mitigation on runoff. She is also investigating attitudes regarding sustainability and public perception.

Riley is a nontraditional student who grew up in a neighborhood next to a paper mill. Over the years, she noticed that people from the area suffered from reproductive issues and various cancers, including herself. She began to wonder if there was a link between the two. The experience inspired her passion for environmental studies.

Her LAKES research involves understanding if there is a relationship between a household ��. awareness of local water pollution, the source of their indoor water and its quality.

“Existing research shows a strong connection between awareness and policy,” Riley said. “I think gaining detailed knowledge about local water quality issues empowers residents to take informed actions, whether advocating for better practices, participating in local initiatives or implementing personal changes to improve their own water safety.

“LAKES has been instrumental in my development as a student and researcher. It perfectly aligns with my plans to engage with and advocate for communities like my hometown and Dunn County to understand what resources are needed to make the changes necessary to improve the quality of life.”

Mechanical engineering and mathematics: Advancing agricultural technology

Berg, Qualich, Wojciechowski and Redepenning are collaborating on research to advance agricultural technology, working in the Jarvis Hall Greenhouse Lab on campus and with Chippewa Valley Bean of Dunn County, the world ��. largest producer of dark red kidney beans. Wojciechowski is a project consultant at Chippewa Valley Bean.

LAKES student Jessica Qualich and AMCS student Lindsey Redepenning measure kidney beans in the Jarvis Hall Greenhouse / Keith Wojciechowski

Qualich, of Buffalo Grove, Ill., is growing kidney beans using Farmbot, an automated three-axis robotic farming system housed in the greenhouse. Farmbot allows Qualich to study precision planting, watering and soil analysis techniques and climate simulations.

Redepenning, of Elk River, Minn., is using Farmbot to receive data input such as irrigation levels and to take photos of the kidney bean crop canopy cover twice weekly. The data and photos help her track growth through a canopy cover model, which displays leaf area, ground cover area, plant conditions and productivity.

Redepenning was drawn to ��'s AMCS program because it offers “the perfect balance of math and computer science to give me a wealth of knowledge in both subjects.” She will graduate in December 2025 and plans to work in industry or earn her master ��. degree.

AMCS student Lindsey Redepenning installs a Farmbot to collect data at Chippewa Valley Bean / Keith Wojciechowski

Students’ 2024 research will be posted in August on the LAKES website, where past research is also available.

Students receive a $5,400 research stipend for the summer, as well as housing in �� . residence halls, a $450 food allowance, up to $500 in travel reimbursement and funding support to travel to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research to present their final research findings.

Applied Learning

All Applied Learning News

Supporting entrepreneurs: Edgewood Bakeshop benefits from business students’ cost accounting project

Successful small business collaborates with class to improve operations, sales

February 20, 2026

AI reshaping industry: Advanced Machine Learning students develop impactful, competitive models

Projects result in innovative way to search course bulletin, play digital Othello board game

January 22, 2026

Breaking ground for polytechnic partnerships: �� top story highlights of 2025

Heritage Hall renovation, AI innovations, industry-sponsored focus among year ��. notable headlines

January 21, 2026

LAKES researchers to present on dynamics of water quality, community efforts to protect it on Aug. 8 at Raw Deal in Menomonie LAKES students collecting invasive species on Lake Menomin

University Marketing

Experience LAKES REU

Experience LAKES REU. Spend two months in Menomonie, WI, research with professional mentors and present your findings at an academic conference.

Hero Caption: LAKES students look for zebra mussels on Lake Menomin for a research survey on the invasive species.

Tina Lee

Dr. Lee is an applied anthropologist who specializes in the anthropology of the contemporary United States, specifically public policy and inequality. She is a graduate of the Anthropology PhD program at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center and has conducted research about the child welfare system, environmental governance, and humanitarian engineering. She is the author of Catching a Case: Inequality and Fear in New York City's Child Welfare System, published by Rutgers University Press in 2016, as well as serval articles based on her fieldwork in New York City. A book chapter on her follow-up work on child welfare in rural Wisconsin will be published soon. She is also the co-director of the LAKES REU, an NSF-funded research experience for undergraduates site which trains students through research on phosphorous pollution in the Red Cedar Watershed and how it might be mitigated. She teaches anthropology, research methods, and women and gender studies courses and is the program director for the Applied Social Science major as well as the Stout Core Director (Stout's polytechnic version of general education).

Teaching Interests: Cultural Anthropology, Anthropology of Gender, Anthropology of the Contemporary U.S., Qualitative Research Methods, Applied Anthropology

Research Interests: Gender, Race, Poverty and Class; Family and the Law; Women ��. Activism; Public Policy; Urban United States

Full Name: Dr. Tina Lee

Job Title: Professor / Program Director / Certificate Advisor

Include in Directory: Yes

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: Social Science Department

Program

All Degree Programs

Curriculum Vitae: Tina Lee CV (57.7 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Anthropology

University: The Graduate Center, City University of New York

Degree: Women's Studies Certificate Women's Studies

University: Graduate Center, City University of New York

Degree: M.A. Anthropology

University: Arizona State University

Degree: B.A. Anthropology

University: University of Houston

CACHSS

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Arthur Kneeland

Skills: Teaching, Entomological taxonomy, sampling and IPM. Sustainable Agriculture, GIS proficiency, ARCgis and ERDAS. Statistical proficiency, SAS,

Teaching Interests: Entomology, lab teaching,

Research Interests: Innovative sustainable agricultural techniques, Insect Ecology,

Full Name: Arthur J. Kneeland, M.S.

Job Title: Senior Lecturer

Include in Directory: Yes

College: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Department: Biology Department

Curriculum Vitae: Arthur Kneeland CV (51.93 KB)

Education:

Degree: M.S. Renewable Resources Entomology

University: University of Wyoming

Degree: B.A. Sc Applied Science Lab Management

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

CSTEMM

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Young scientists share enthusiasm with �� professors, retired area educators at Science Exploration Day

goersab — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 13:30:00 +0000

Young scientists share enthusiasm with �� professors, retired area educators at Science Exploration Daygoersab June 10, 2024

Free family event at Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area proves community, university commitment to natural areas

Abbey Goers

On a sunny Saturday morning in May, 24 area children became young scientists in hands-on activities led by �� environmental science faculty and retired area educators at the Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area ��. annual Science Exploration Day.

The second- to sixth-graders learned about the creatures and habitats of the preserve while exploring with volunteers �� biology professors Keith Gilland and Julia Chapman and committee members Mark Mosey and Paul Verdon in three 50-minute sessions.

Gilland and Chapman have volunteered at the preserve since 2019, collaborating with community members and �� students to enhance its habitats.

“The connection we have with the preserve has been really valuable for providing our environmental science students opportunities to do research, gain hands-on experience and develop new skills,” Chapman said.

Professors Keith Gilland and Julia Chapman look under logs and rocks for insects and creatures to show the children / Julie Bates-Maves

During the science day, Gilland and Chapman focused on grassland bugs and critters and the ecology of a prairie; Mosey on amphibians and reptiles; and Verdon on rocks and minerals. In turn, they learned about the children ��. enthusiasm for their topics as questions and observations poured in.

“Science lends itself to wanting to share it with anyone who is genuinely interested. Children are naturally curious about their surroundings, and I feel obligated to help them better understand their world. Just seeing the interest and knowledge they possess, I have renewed hope for the future,” said Mosey, who taught life science to middle and high school students in Colfax for 33 years.

Verdon taught earth and space science in Menomonie for 33 years and served as environmental education coordinator for a decade.

“I frequently encouraged interested students to consider science as a career,” he said. “It ��. so important that the general public has a good understanding of the earth and how it works, so that we can take care of it. With the changes that our environment is facing, it ��. more important than ever.”

Retired science teacher Paul Verdon shows children how minerals shine in water / Julie Bates-Maves

The Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area offers several events and activities throughout the year. Located roughly one mile north of downtown Colfax on State Road 170, it comprises more than 150 acres, with access to the Red Cedar River. The 12-acre Ferry Pond is popular for fishing and motorless boating, and a walking path takes hikers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers through wooded and prairie areas.

�� clinical mental health counseling Professor Julie Bates-Maves often visits the preserve with her family and attended the science day with her children.

“It ��. a beautiful place to explore. Having Stout partner to provide programming at no cost for local children is even better. This event was so much fun. I’m so thankful for the time that Stout professors put in alongside other local educators. It ��. a fantastic free resource for our region.”

Grassland bugs and critters

Gilland and Chapman led the children on a short walk through the portion of the preserve that is being rehabilitated as prairie and oak savannah, east and south of Ferry Pond. They talked about some of the prairie plants and why they are important habitat for various insects and animals at the preserve.

Professor Keith Gilland shows children a prairie skink / Julie Bates-Maves

Native grasses and flowers are being replanted to create habitat for grouse, pheasants, small predators and insects. Chapman strewed native flower seeds while Gilland turned over dead logs to find roly-poly pill bugs, ants and beetles.

One of the groups spotted a painted turtle crossing the preserve road to reach the Red Cedar River. Chapman described how to identify a painted turtle by looking for the yellow lines on its head and red pattern on its belly, versus a slider turtle, which has a red stripe behind its eyes and no red on its belly. While painteds are native, sliders are non-native and are pets that people have released.

Throughout the day, they found garter snakes and five prairie skinks – a small lizard with tiny limbs that appears to move like a snake through the thick grass.

Gilland explained how the presence of the small predatory reptile is evidence of the returning health of the preserve and an indication of a returning balance to the food chain. There are small insects to feed the small reptiles and birds; and native plants to feed small herbivores and omnivores like skunks, raccoons, foxes and coyotes, as evidenced when a child found skat with hair and bone.

Amphibians and reptiles

Mosey is on the preserve ��. management committee and helps document phenology on the property. His sixth-grade science teacher made science fun with a lot of hands-on learning, and his dad took him hunting and fishing at an early age.

Retired science teacher Mark Mosey shows children aquatic plants in the preserve's wetland area / Julie Bates-Maves

“I learned about the river ecosystem, and it became a part of me from then on,” he said. “I became a science educator because I realized how important it was to share knowledge about how things work in nature and how we as humans are part of that system.”

Walking the preserve road to the wetland area on the west side of Ferry Pond, he and the children saw painted turtles basking on a log. They passed a dead softshell turtle and talked about how its shell differs from most turtle species.

At the wetland area, Mosey had set aside a ten-gallon bucket and a small fishing net. He had hoped to net a frog or two, but instead netted some aquatic plants, algae and snail eggs for the children to examine.

On the north shore of the pond, Mosey pointed out a dried broken turtle shell. He and the children talked about the differences between amphibians and reptiles, including the structure of their eggshells, where they lay their eggs and how their young are born.

The children presented him with interesting questions and their own observations and facts, including how sea turtles return to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs and how they may dig multiple holes to lay their eggs in, to save some from predation.

A chorus of American toads / ��

Mosey, a Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey volunteer, helps conduct counts of the amphibians in Dunn County. He explained to the children that to count, he listens for their calls during different periods in the spring and summer, and notes either one call, two calls or a chorus of three or more.

He explained how there is only one species of toad in Wisconsin, while there are 11 species of frog. They then listened for calls, identifying spring peepers, gray treefrogs and the American toad. Mosey also played calls on his phone, and the children practiced mimicking the sounds they heard.

Rocks and minerals

Verdon, who serves on the preserve ��. planning committee, grew up in northeast Iowa, exploring the Mississippi River valley. Like Mosey, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping and hiking.

“This experience was a major factor in choosing a career in science education. Also, my dad was a science teacher,” Verdon said. “I’ve always tried to make science fun and engaging for my students. Hands-on science in an outdoor setting is a perfect combination.”

Retired science teacher Paul Verdon and children examine quartz crystals in rocks / Colfax preserve

Sitting around a picnic table near the new Ferry Pond fishing pier during the exploration day, Verdon introduced children to the three types of rock – igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. They focused largely on agates and quartz, formed deep within the earth under intense heat one billion years ago.

Verdon passed around examples from his own rock collection, explaining how quartz crystals are formed and how it is harder than most rocks, lasting long after others have eroded. Holding an apple-size agate in his hand, he sprayed it to show the children how water can bring out the true color of a rock and make its minerals shine.

They then walked along the road through the prairie area to a gravel pile to look for agates and other rocks the children could keep.

A child collects small agates and other rocks / ��

Verdon explained that the preserve is the site of an old quarry and that the gravel below their feet could be 50 feet deep because glaciers deposited a mass of rocks across the region upwards of two million years ago, when the rivers were 50 feet higher.

The children picked through the gravel, asking Verdon about the rocks they found. Even after their rock session ended and they joined their other sessions, they continued to look for agates on their walks.

Hands-on environmental activities embody polytechnic experience

Gilland and Chapman conduct controlled burns at local natural areas with the Prairie Enthusiasts, including the Colfax preserve and Dobb ��. Landing, north of Lake Tainter. They recruit and train �� students to help with these burns. Gilland also instructs a one-credit chainsaw safety course.

Over the past couple of years at the preserve, they have removed invasive plant species, such as buckthorn, Siberian elm and non-native honeysuckle, from the prairie area and have seeded and planted trees.

They cut, hauled, stacked and burned organic material to expand the native grassland and to open the area around a new kestrel nesting box and osprey nesting platform.

Professor Julia Chapman looks through the prairie grass for small creatures / Colfax preserve

“These hands-on opportunities are a win-win. Our students get the experience of managing natural areas and the local natural areas benefit from their contributions. This embodies the polytechnic experience at ��,” said environmental science Program Director Mandy Little.

This summer, Little, Gilland, Chapman, Professor Nicole Hayes and students are studying the effects of beaver on riparian areas at Beaver Creek Reserve, in Eau Claire County; and water quality and riparian stream area management at the Gilbert and Wilson Creek trout stream restorations, as part of the Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Grant through the Wisconsin Freshwater Collaborative.

They are also studying the effects of ash die-off on the local black and green ash swamps at Muddy Creek State Wildlife Area; and will manage and monitor properties around Galloway Creek in town.

Faculty and students have also removed invasive plant species from the south shore of Lake Menomin with the Lower Chippewa Invasives Partnership; worked toward prairie restoration at Menomin Park on the northeastern shore of Lake Menomin; identified more than 200 plant species at Devil ��. Punchbowl; and monitored the health of Red Cedar watershed through LAKES REU.

Civic engagement is one of �� . enduring commitments and is at the core of preparing students to lead in their chosen fields and in their communities.

Environmental Science

All Environmental Science News

University interns gain environmental job skills assessing health of region ��. waters

Latest grants from Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin bring $389K for research, education, monitoring

September 18, 2025

Research across realms: Students present to legislators, supporters at Research in the Rotunda, April 2

Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin scholars discuss importance of stream restoration to health of state ��. watersheds

March 31, 2025

Biology professor joins team of scientists to study glacial methane emissions in Iceland

Research finds small organisms play significant role in slowing emission of greenhouse gas

January 31, 2025

Free family event at Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area proves community, university commitment to natural areas Science Exploration Day, grassland bugs and critters with Keith Gilland and Julia Chapman

University Marketing

B.S. Environmental Science

Our B.S. Environmental Science program offers lab-based learning, applied research, and field experiences to prepare you to conserve the natural world.

Learn More

B.S. Biology

Our B.S. Biology program combines applied research, lab experiences, and field work to prepare you to enter industry or pursue professional health programs.

Learn More

Hero Caption: �� professors Keith Gilland and Julia Chapman look for grassland bugs and critters with children at Science Exploration Day. Photo provided by Julie Bates-Maves.

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

�� Center for Sustainable Communities aims to help rural areas thrive

polingj — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 19:33:54 +0000

�� Center for Sustainable Communities aims to help rural areas thrivepolingj June 4, 2024

UW, Freshwater Collaborative grants support environmental, social, economic efforts of faculty, students

By Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin

Rural communities experienced widespread population decreases between 2010 and 2020 for the first time in history, impacting jobs, health care, education and other services.

�� is in a unique position to help strengthen Wisconsin ��. rural communities. Since 2021, the university has received multiple grants from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin to help faculty and students engage with and support local communities in western Wisconsin.

A key project was helping to establish the Center for Sustainable Communities. The goal of this emerging center is to help identify opportunities for research, service learning, outreach, community involvement and student experiences that strengthen environmental, social and economic sustainability in rural areas.

�� environmental science Professor Keith Gilland, left, and students conduct stream research near Menomonie. / ��

One of the first research projects to fall under the center ��. umbrella is being funded by a two-year, $175,000 Innovation Grant from the Universities of Wisconsin. A multidisciplinary team of �� faculty will build a network of eight sensors that monitor temperature, humidity, wind, soil moisture, heat and other factors. The data collected will help farmers make decisions about their crops and increase their profitability.

Faculty are also working with faculty at UW-Madison and Grassland 2.0 to create a learning hub around agriculture issues in the Red Cedar Basin. Grassland 2.0 is a collaborative group of farmers, researchers, and public and private sector leaders who focus on restorative agricultural process. Their goal is to work together to increase farmer profitability while also improving water quality, soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

“The learning hub was proposed by our local community,” says Tina Lee, professor in the social science department who is helping to lead the center and is working on the Innovation Grant. “We are getting community input from the agricultural sector on what the learning hub will look like.”

B.S. Environmental Science

Our B.S. Environmental Science program offers lab-based learning, applied research, and field experiences to prepare you to conserve the natural world.

Learn More

The center will go beyond farming, however. Keith Gilland, an associate professor of biology who teaches environmental science, leads the Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Group funded by the Freshwater Collaborative. He and his students work with Trout Unlimited, Prairie Enthusiasts and the City of Menomonie to evaluate the effects of trout stream and prairie restoration.

“There ��. a big component of what we’ve done with the Red Cedar Basin that ��. rooted in the idea that for healthy, thriving rural areas it ��. not just about farms,” he says. “We also need healthy natural environments. We need recreational activities and places people want to go to spend time.”

Gilland is exploring ideas to expand his research and partnerships through the center. He wants his research to improve conditions in Menomonie from an environmental standpoint while also getting more students involved in that work so they can get hands-on experience that trains them for the workforce.

As the center grows, it will become a central place where community members can tap into faculty expertise beyond water quality and create service-learning projects for students in a variety of areas from economics to healthcare to rural education.

“The goal is for people in the community to bring projects to us that they are interested in having done so that students could work on them,” Lee says. “This could become a one-stop shop for small communities in the area with a focus on improving both the natural environment and local economies.”

###

Rural communities experienced broad population decreases between 2010 and 2020 for the first time in history, impacting jobs, health care, education and more. Red Cedar Basin 2

University Marketing

Interdisciplinary innovation: �� professors’ wireless sensor network for crops receives $175,000 grant

In a perfect world, farmers could wave a magic wand over their fields and get bigger and better crops, save money and energy, and help the environment.

Tina Lee

Teaching Interests: Cultural Anthropology, Anthropology of Gender, Anthropology of the Contemporary U.S., Qualitative Research Methods, Applied Anthropology

Research Interests: Gender, Race, Poverty and Class; Family and the Law; Women ��. Activism; Public Policy; Urban United States

Full Name: Dr. Tina Lee

Job Title: Professor / Program Director / Certificate Advisor

Include in Directory: Yes

College: College of Arts & Human Sciences

Department: Social Science Department

Program

All Degree Programs

Curriculum Vitae: Tina Lee CV (57.7 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Anthropology

University: The Graduate Center, City University of New York

Degree: Women's Studies Certificate Women's Studies

University: Graduate Center, City University of New York

Degree: M.A. Anthropology

University: Arizona State University

Degree: B.A. Anthropology

University: University of Houston

CACHSS

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Keith Gilland

I am interested in the impacts humans have on the environment and the ways we can mitigate those impacts through the restoration of Wisconsin's natural communities. Here at Stout, I work on the reclamation and restoration of oak savannas, prairies, and riparian corridor communities in the Red Cedar Watershed with the aim to improve surface water quality through land management practices. I work with several local groups including the Prairie Enthusiasts, Trout Unlimited, the Lower Chippewa Invasives Partnership, and local governments to implement and monitor restoration projects involving students in the Environmental Science Program as well as our General Education courses.

I manage the UW-stout Greenhouse, advise the Natural Areas Club student org, and teach courses in Plant Biology, Restoration Ecology, Biostatistics, Research Methods, and Sustainability. My student researchers and I are currently working on projects involving urban stream stressors and restoration, invasive plant management, wetland restoration, and prairie/savanna restoration on former sand and gravel mine sites.

Full Name: Keith E. Gilland, Ph.D.

Job Title: Associate Professor

Include in Directory: Yes

College: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Department: Biology Department

Program

All Degree Programs

B.S. Environmental Science

Curriculum Vitae: Keith Gilland CV (197.36 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Plant Ecology

University: Ohio University

Degree: B.S. Botany/Environmental Science

University: Miami University

CSTEMM

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

Include in Directory: Off

Exclude from Internal Site Search: No

News

University interns gain environmental job skills assessing health of region ��������. waters

Fulfilling a community need

Crop Per Drop: �������� students provide soil and water R&D for Chippewa Valley Bean

New funding announced

�������� Center for Sustainable Communities aims to help rural areas thrive

Research across realms: Students present to legislators, supporters at Research in the Rotunda, April 2

Impacting stream restoration in Wisconsin

Students across degree fields presenting

Crop Per Drop: �������� students provide soil and water R&D for Chippewa Valley Bean

B.S. Environmental Science

Capitol project: Science student ��������. research on prion disease highlighted in Madison

Campus-Wide Support

Browse a full list of services

Student Support

Browse a full list of services

Research Sponsors & Partners

Biology professor joins team of scientists to study glacial methane emissions in Iceland

Clues to mitigating climate change in polar regions

B.S. Biology

B.S. Environmental Science

Can Trump just order new names for Denali and the Gulf of Mexico?

How to change a place name

How not to change a place name

College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Inspiring Graduate: An Nguyen, B.S. Environmental Sciences

Inspiring Graduate: An Nguyen (’24)

Environmental science student gains lab experience through Freshwater Collaborative

B.S. Environmental Science

Alumni recognize communication, connections, genuineness as necessary to be trusted leaders

CLRR choice: Limnology center research supporting work on Green Lake water quality

Sediment cores and analysis

Center for Limnological Research & Rehabilitation (CLRR)

Other CLRR lake projects

University ��������. limnology center helps bring clear water back to region ��������. lakes

STEMM Student Expo highlights first-year to senior projects, collaborations on Dec. 12

Biodiesel and toxic chemicals in Honors Chemistry

Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering

Biology Department

Students from across country address water quality issues in Red Cedar watershed with �������� mentors

LAKES 2024 researchers

Making a decade of research accessible

Social Science: Activism in the community

Biology: surveys on wind patterns and zebra mussels

Political science: Connecting awareness and policy

Mechanical engineering and mathematics: Advancing agricultural technology

Experience LAKES REU

Young scientists share enthusiasm with �������� professors, retired area educators at Science Exploration Day

Grassland bugs and critters

Amphibians and reptiles

Rocks and minerals

Hands-on environmental activities embody polytechnic experience

B.S. Environmental Science

B.S. Biology

�������� Center for Sustainable Communities aims to help rural areas thrive

B.S. Environmental Science

Interdisciplinary innovation: �������� professors’ wireless sensor network for crops receives $175,000 grant

University interns gain environmental job skills assessing health of region ��. waters

Crop Per Drop: �� students provide soil and water R&D for Chippewa Valley Bean

�� Center for Sustainable Communities aims to help rural areas thrive

Crop Per Drop: �� students provide soil and water R&D for Chippewa Valley Bean

Capitol project: Science student ��. research on prion disease highlighted in Madison

University ��. limnology center helps bring clear water back to region ��. lakes

Students from across country address water quality issues in Red Cedar watershed with �� mentors

Young scientists share enthusiasm with �� professors, retired area educators at Science Exploration Day

�� Center for Sustainable Communities aims to help rural areas thrive

Interdisciplinary innovation: �� professors’ wireless sensor network for crops receives $175,000 grant