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
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