U of M Water Resources Center:Research, education and outreach

Faye Sleeper, Co-Director Water Resources Center

Briefly…

• Who we are• Current Partners • Collaboration• Challenges

Who We Are…• Education

– Water Resources Science Graduate Program– Citizens

• Research– Water quality – urban and agriculture– Social components

• Outreach/public engagement– Extension – on the ground– Policy– Training programs

• Staffing

A bit of background• Three Centers– 1994 study of all water initiatives– Three combined - 1996• Water Resources Research Institute• Center for Agricultural Impacts on Water• Minnesota Extension Water Quality Initiative

Our Approach• Bring people together –

facilitate work• Some direct outreach

and research• Respond to requests to

collaborate• Seek out collaborators

when we identify issues Photo by Dave Hansen

Some current partners• State agencies• Other land grant

universities• Federal agencies• Other University

departments, centers• Local governments

Photo by Dave Hansen

Current CollaborationA Sampling

• Water Resources Science Graduate Program

• Small research grants for faculty

• Onsite Sewage Treatment Program

• Wetland Delineation Program

• Web-based watershed training

Photo by Dave Hansen

Current CollaborationA sampling

• Human Dimensions of water management

• Economics of Manure Management

• MN Water Sustainability Framework

• Water Resources • Conference

“SUSTAINABLE WATER USE

DOES NOT HARM

ECOSYSTEMS, DEGRADE

WATER QUALITY, OR

COMPROMISE THE ABILITY

OF FUTURE GENERATIONS

TO MEET THEIR OWN

NEEDS.”

• —

Minnesota Laws 2009, Chapter 172

Challenges

• Staff with various viewpoints and approaches

• University wide vs. college• Small staff, many issues• Funding• Water is finally a huge issue,

thus controversial

Photo by Dave Hansen

Thank you

Faye Sleeper612-624-3738

fsleeper@umn.eduhttp://wrc.umn.edu