A Legacy of Ripple Effects
For six decades, the Nelson Institute’s water resources management (WRM) program has empowered students to become collaborative, systems-thinking leaders — tackling complex water challenges across Wisconsin and beyond.
WRM@60 is your chance to reconnect with the program and fellow alumni, share your stories, and build the future of this one-of-a-kind program. Whether you’re one of the first graduates or a current student, we invite you to be part of the celebration.
Update your contact info, share memories or photos, volunteer to mentor current students, and more. We’re trying to reach cohort practicum members from all 55 years, plus the first five graduating classes — will you help us?
Celebrate with Us
WRM@60
Friday, September 19, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Frank Holt Center, 1650 Kronshage Drive, Madison
Join us for a day of panels, networking, site visits, and more. This event is only open to alumni of the water resources management program.
Stay in the Loop
Update your contact info, share memories or photos, volunteer to mentor current students, and more. We’re trying to reach cohort practicum members from all 55 years, plus the first five graduating classes — will you help us?
WRM Through the Years
From muddy fieldwork to memorable practicums, WRM alumni have made their mark on water and each other.
More Ways to Celebrate
Weston Roundtable
Thursday, Sept. 18, 4:15–5:15 p.m.
126 Memorial Library, 728 State Street, Madison
Kick off the WRM@60 festivities with a special Weston Roundtable Lecture, cohosted by the Nelson Institute’s environmental professional program and the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment. Speaker information coming soon.
This event is free and open to the public; no registration is required.
Rendezvous on the Terrace
Thursday, Sept. 18, 5–7:30 p.m.
Tripp Commons, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street, Madison
Join Nelson Institute alumni and friends for a reception at Memorial Union. You’ll also have the chance to meet our 2025 alumni award recipients, who will be honored at the event.
This event is free and open to all Nelson Institute alumni and friends, as well as our graduating seniors. Registration is required (coming soon).
And More!
Make it a weekend with additional fall fun on campus and around Madison. Sample local fare at the Dane County Farmers’ Market, explore the sights and sounds of the Willy Street Fair, or jump around at the Badger football game.
About the Water Resources Management Program
Since 1965, WRM has trained future water leaders through a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach. Students gain real-world experience working in teams on practicum projects that serve communities, agencies, and ecosystems.
With coursework spanning ecology, policy, hydrology, and planning, WRM prepares graduates to understand water at every depth — and to face the complexities of managing this critical natural resource.
Meet Our Students and Alumni
Shaping Waterscapes
Sophie Van Alsburg has always felt a deep connection to water in all its forms. Whether she's carving through snowy slopes in winter or diving into lakes in summer, her favorite pastimes are tied to H₂O.
Protecting Water for the Present and Future
Water rippling. Birds chirping. Wind whispering.
Farm-Bred and Future-Focused
On paper, Alayne Kulp seems to capture a typical Wisconsinite. Grew up on a dairy farm? Check. Loves a good cocktail? Check. Friendly, hardworking, and down-to-earth? Check, check, and check.
Watershed Management and Words of Motivation
If you asked Ken Genskow for advice on watershed planning and management, he would tell you to always anticipate change.
Connecting Water, Connecting People
For Heidi Putnam, water resource conservation is less about understanding the hard sciences than it is about understanding the communities relying on those water resources.
- Read all WRM stories
Planning Committee
Christina Anderson
MS’13
Karen Anderson
MS’14
Tim Asplund
MS’91
Paul Dearlove
MS’96
Ken Genskow
(program chair)
Support Water Resources Management
Gifts to the Water Resources Management Program play a crucial role in enhancing the reach and quality of our research and educational programs and support and advance WRM’s legacy of excellence in water science.