UWM School of Freshwater Sciences

Our Experimentation and Analysis in Freshwater Sciences field course (FRSHWTR 513) is offered each fall. Equipping students with essential skills in water quality analysis, microbiology and sampling techniques.

Interested? Enroll in PAWS today!

Freshwater Field Course | Freshwater Collaborative UW-Milwaukee’s freshwater field course offers students practical hands-on experiences and connects them to professionals working in water science. Learn more!

Water sustains life. 🌍💙 This , take action to protect our greatest natural resource: freshwater!

Which of these do you already do? Let us know! ⬇️

Can you believe it? It's already time to enroll in classes for Fall 2025! Get ready to dive into hands-on learning in the fall with these featured courses, plus many more great offerings. 📚

Spoiler: Some are GER courses that are open to any student looking to fulfill Natural Science credits!

6 Freshwater Courses to Dive into This Fall We’ve rounded up six standout Freshwater and Atmospheric Science courses to consider as you’re enrolling in classes in PAWS.

Want to study abroad next year? Learn about air pollution and ancient cultures in Mexico! Now accepting applications for UWinteriM 2026.

Frequent closures at Milwaukee's South Shore Beach led the McLellan lab to discover a localized pollution problem.

A reminder that science, and years of research, can help spot the right fix, even if it’s just a few hundred feet away!

South Shore Beach moves to improve water quality Frequent closures at Milwaukee's South Shore Beach led scientists to discover a localized pollution problem.

Klaper lab PhD student Emma McKeel successfully defended her dissertation titled “The Molecular, Physiological, and Morphological Impacts of Carbon Dot Surface Functionalization on Interactions with Plants and Microalgae”

Congrats to Dr. McKeel! 🎉 👏

Thank you for your generous donations in surpassing our goal of 40 donors for the Freshwater Ship Time Challenge! ⚓

Together, we unlocked $15,000 from Beth Partleton for scholarships and fellowships. We also set a new record with 61 total donors and over $20,000 raised!

Many thanks to alumni, friends, partners, and the campus community for your support!

Exciting strides are being made to revive the sturgeon population in the Milwaukee River!

Our own Fred Binkowski's 1979 breakthrough work with the DNR as well as the Great Lakes WATER Institute stocking 64,000 larvae in 2003 have been pivotal. In addition, Riveredge Nature Center has released 21,000+ juvenile sturgeon since 2006. Read more:

Smith: Sturgeon poised for next phase of rehabilitation in Milwaukee River thanks to DNR-led efforts The Wisconsin DNR is working to rehabilitate the lake sturgeon population into a self-sustaining future in the Milwaukee River.

Giving Days are almost here! We’re celebrating Milwaukee—and the fresh ideas that flow here.

Here’s how you can help us make waves:
🌊 If we reach 40 donors, UWM alumna Beth Partleton '79 has committed to donating $15,000 to support student scholarships and field experiences at the School of Freshwater Sciences.

Every gift counts. Every wave starts small.
Help us launch the next generation of water scientists! 💧
🎯 bit.ly/414forUWMshiptimefund

at the Great Lakes Research Facility 🏢🌊
From lakefront laboratories in the 1970s to a modern hub of freshwater science today, the GLRF has always been home to big questions, bold ideas, and a whole lot of water.

Swipe to see how far we’ve come—from s**g carpet to sonar arrays, from chalkboards to climate modeling labs. Same mission, new tools. 💧

Here’s to decades of discovery on Milwaukee’s Fresh Coast—and the students, staff, and researchers who’ve made waves every step of the way.

🚨 BREAKING: Researchers at UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences have made a shocking discovery—a massive creature spotted in the Milwaukee harbor. 👀

Some say it’s the long-lost cousin of the Loch Ness Monster. Others claim it’s just a really big sturgeon. 🐟 What do you think? 🤔

UW-Milwaukee Center for Water Policy and Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin are hosting a webinar on Earth Day with Water Policy Scholar James Wasley. Register now to secure your spot!

Join us on Earth Day for a webinar featuring 2024-25 Water Policy Scholar James Wasley! Prof. Wasley will discuss his work exploring possible future uses of the Port of Milwaukee's Confined Disposal Facility, including its potential for ecological restoration and public use. Co-hosted by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin.

Register for the event here!
https://wisconsin-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LkOmJj8DRVC0dzAMjggPFw