Lakeshore Water Institute
The Resource of
Our Future
Education, community and science-based policies to improve water quality.
Today, about 3.6 billion people live without safely managed sanitation, and 2.6 billion people lack basic hand-washing facilities. Global warming will only exacerbate lack of access to clean water. Through the Lakeshore Water Institute, we aim to educate and engage youth and develop science-based decisions for leaders at the local government level. The ultimate goal is to cultivate a water ethic and, by doing so, enhance the quality and prosperity of our entire lakeshore region.
In Collaboration with Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership
The Lakeshore Water Institute (LWI) is a collaborative partnership between UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus and the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP). This partnership began in 2009 and helped build the citizen-led Friends of Hika Bay in Cleveland when the restoration project began at Centerville Creek. Student interns expanded data collection into four other creeks which all flow into Lake Michigan. In 2012, Carsten’s Lake was sampled, and sampling points were added on Pine Creek. In 2013, the Little Manitowoc River in downtown Manitowoc was added as the next focus for restoration.
Water Testing
On Campus
Meaningful data leads to meaningful change.
On campus, our student interns are responsible for data collection and analysis from local watersheds on a weekly basis through the summer. Fall and winter information is a summary of data taken by all students in the introductory biology classes. This testing helps diagnose potential problems and establish a baseline of water quality. The LNRP host regular public presentations of the project results with analysis from the interns.
Our Partners
This collaboration is coordinated by the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP) with the community-led Friends of the Manitowoc River Watershed, Friends of the Branch River Watershed and Friends of the Twin Rivers (East & West). LNRP was founded in 2003 by a small group of friends who believed in the power of community. Their work advocates for our communities and our water.
Let's Connect
Manitowoc campus features a wealth of water knowledge. If you have questions about the Lakeshore Water Institute, or want to know more about research happening on the lakeshore, get in touch with Becky Abler, professor of biological sciences here at UW-Green Bay.