UMN Water Resources Science

Very exciting to see WRS alumna Della Schall Young, a two-time alumna of CFANS and founder of Young Environmental Consulting Group, address graduates this Friday.

With nearly three decades of experience, Della has partnered with public agencies, municipalities, watershed districts, tribal governments, and regional planning organizations to translate complex science and policy into practical, community-centered solutions. She is deeply committed to mentorship and developing the next generation of environmental professionals — a legacy she brings full circle as this year's undergraduate keynote speaker.

Announcing CFANS Commencement 2026 keynote and student speakers | College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Left to right: Della Nyondi Schall Young, Emma Johnson, Lee Ann Jackson and Susie Strom CFANS Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony Friday, May 8, 2026 at 2 p.m. | 3M Arena at Mariucci Keynote Address: Della Nyondi Schall Young, PMP, CPESC, CTF is the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Hydrologist....

Aquatic invasive species prevention: leveraging big data to inform infestation risk | Water Resources Center March 12, 2026 by Jeremiah Shrovnal, Doctoral student, Water Resources Science Whether it’s Lake Superior, the mighty Mississippi River, or any of Minnesota’s 10,000 plus lakes, Minnesotans are fortunate to enjoy access to a wide variety of aquatic resources. However, it’s likely that at some ...

WRS faculty member Chan Lan Chun, WRS alumna, and former WRC Fellowship recipient researched sustainable de-icing and anti-icing solutions that protect our lakes.

Learn more about de-icing and anti-icing practices: https://give.umn.edu/stories/rethinking-road-salt

UMD Swenson College of Science & Engineering
Natural Resources Research Institute
University of Minnesota Water Resources Center

Water Resources Science graduate, Zihang Ding, earned his masters this last semester and wrote a USGS-funded article that was featured in the Water Resources Center quarterly newsletter, Minnegram.

Read more: https://wrc.umn.edu/news/sensor-locations-urban-storm-sewers

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Water Resources Science student, Anu Li collaborated with fellow scientists to determine how far and how quickly infectious prions travel through rivers, streams, and watersheds in Minnesota.

Read more: https://wrc.umn.edu/news/hydrological-spread-prion-diseases

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
CFANS

Characterizing the hydrological spread of prion diseases through interdisciplinary science | Water Resources Center September 11, 2025 Anu Li, Water Resources Science graduate student and WINS recipient  Characterizing the hydrological spread of prion diseases through interdisciplinary science  Photo by Thomas and Tonya Seiler Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a 100% fatal disease found in cervids, which include...

Water Resources Science graduate, Molly Tilsen, earned her masters this last semester and wrote a USGS-funded article featured in the Water Resources Center quarterly newsletter, Minnegram.

Read more: https://wrc.umn.edu/news/aquatic-invasive-species-across-minnesota

Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Water Resources Science alum, Bailey Tangen, loves soil and is passionate about advocating for continuous living cover systems, such as cover crops, extended crop rotations, and reducing soil disturbance.

Read more:

Digging deep into Extension Educator Bailey Tangen's passion for soil | Water Resources Center December 11, 2025 Anya Normandeau, Water Resources Center Soil Extension Educator, Bailey Tangen, loves soil and is passionate about advocating for continuous living cover systems, such as cover crops, extended crop rotations, and reducing soil disturbance.Tangen received her Bachelor of Science deg...

Water Resources Science faculty Melissa Mauer-Jones is quoted in this article from MPR News:
“Fresh water systems are not as well studied as some of the marine systems, and we’re only catching up now,” Maurer-Jones said. “The more we know about what’s happening and what influences the number of particles that we’re finding in these systems will help us be more strategic in trying to eliminate, reduce, or remediate some of this waste.”

Microplastics found throughout Minnesota lakes, new report finds The Environment Minnesota Research & Policy Center survey examined 40 waterways throughout Minnesota and found microplastics in every lake sampled.