Our 2021 Annual Water@UW-Madison Symposium took place May 7th 9:00am-12:00pm.
Our theme was Opportunities in a Changing World. During this symposium, we learned about state-level action plans on climate change and PFAS, the power of the arts in improving water relations, as well as how state agencies and university researchers are tackling new questions at the intersections of water and COVID-19. As we confront the major issues of our time, this exceptional lineup of presenters shared about their work conducting research, enacting policy, and asking key questions.
If you’d like to watch a recording of this event, visit Wisconsin Eye.
The recording is free and open to the public. Simply create an account.
To request a transcript or make any other accommodation requests contact Water@UW-Madison at water@mailplus.wisc.edu.
Program Overview
Opening Remarks
Jennifer Hauxwell, Water@UW-Madison Chair, Associate Director, UW-Madison Aquatic Science Center
Rebecca Blank, Chancellor UW-Madison
Tony Evers, Governor of Wisconsin
Mandela Barnes, Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
Setting the Stage: Statewide Perspectives
Steve Ackerman, UW-Madison Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education
Preston Cole, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary
Mandela Barnes, Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) Working Groups
Steve Vavrus, Senior scientist, Nelson Institute Center for Climatic Research
Katie Hein, Lake Monitoring Lead, Wisconsin DNR, Water Resources Working Group
Matthew Mitro, Research Scientist, Wisconsin DNR, Fisheries Working Group
Chris Kucharik, Professor and Chair, Department of Agronomy, UW-Madison, Agriculture Working Group
Madeline Magee, Monitoring Program Coordinator, Wisconsin DNR, Great Lakes Working Group
Adam Bechle, Coastal Engineering Outreach Specialist, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Coastal Resilience Working Group
Dan Wright, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UW-Madison, Infrastructure Working Group
Natalie Chin, Climate and Tourism Outreach Specialist, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Working Group
Spotlight on Arts & Culture
Alexis Frasz, Co-Director Helicon Consulting
Martye Griffin, Director of Ecosystem Services, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District
Julia Buskirk, Humanities Exchange Fellow, UW-Madison Center for the Humanities & Water@UW-Madison
Statewide Coordination on PFAS
Christy Remucal, Professor Civil and Environmental Engineering, UW-Madison
Mimi Johnson, Policy Director, Office of Emerging Contaminants, Wisconsin DNR
Moderated Panel
Martin Shafer, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene
Tim Asplund, Wisconsin DNR
Sarah Yang, Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Exploring the Intersection between Covid+Water
Jason Knutson, Wastewater Section Chief, Wisconsin DNR
Jeffery Steele, Environmental Health Specialist, Division of Facilities Planning and Management, UW-Madison
Gregory Harrington, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UW-Madison
Coty Weathersby and Diana Mendez, UW-Madison McMahon Lab
Ashley Trudeau, PhD student, Freshwater and Marine Sciences, UW-Madison
Sharon Moen, Eat Wisconsin Fish Outreach Specialist, Wisconsin Sea Grant
Closing Remarks
Caroline Gottschalk Druschke, Water@UW-Madison Incoming Co-Chair, Professor of English
Matthew Ginder-Vogel, Water@UW-Madison Incoming Co-Chair, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering