Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
University of Wisconsin–Madison

WRM@60 Event Schedule

Friday, September 19
8 a.m.–4:45 p.m., plus reception 4:45–6 p.m.
Frank Holt Center, 1650 Kronshage Drive, Madison

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7:45 a.m.

Doors open, Frank Holt Center

Pre-purchased parking passes will be mailed in advance or available from staff at parking lot entrance.

8–8:45 a.m.

Networking and breakfast

8:45–9:30 a.m.

Welcome and programming

  • Paul Robbins, dean and director, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
  • Ken Genskow, professor and program chair, WRM
  • Karen Anderson (WRM ’14), director of development, Nelson Institute, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association

9:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Field trips (one choice per person)

Lake Mendota pontoon boat tour: Navigate Lake Mendota with archaeologists from the State Archaeology and Maritime Preservation Program, and staff from the Department of Natural Resources. The Lake has been the focus of several projects including stormwater runoff management (2003), and salt sustainability on campus (2019).

UW Arboretum walking tour: Explore the UW Arboretum with WRM alumni to observe water management practices and impacts. Recent WRM projects have focused on the Arboretum’s eastern wetlands (2007) and Wingra Watershed (2021).

Waubesa Wetlands exploration: Experience Waubesa Wetlands with emeritus professor Cal DeWitt who has studied and lived in the area for decades. This state natural area was the focus of the 2018 WRM practicum and others.

Remain on site: Explore the gallery of projects, maps, photos and materials representing sixty years of the Nelson Institute’s water resources management program. Reminisce with your classmates and foster new connections among program alumni.

12:15–1:15 p.m.

Lunch

1:15–1:30 p.m.

Reconvene for afternoon sessions

Ken Genskow: Welcome back and overview of afternoon session

1:30–3 p.m.

Session 1: Learning Through Practicum Workshops

Driving questions: how has the practicum model served our students and what insights for improvement?

Part A, 1:30-2:20 p.m.: A Look Back — Reflections and Ripple Effects
Moderated by Christina Anderson (WRM ’13)

  • Lake Belle View (1995), Patricia Cicero (WRM ’96)
  • Coastal Wetlands of Manitowoc County (1998), Chad Cook (WRM ‘98) and Angela James (WRM ‘00)
  • Door Creek Watershed Assessment (2009), Kyle Magyera (WRM ‘10), Kim Meyer (WRM ‘10), Kyle Minks (WRM ‘10)

Part B, 2:20-3:30 p.m.: Current Practices and Future Success
Moderated by Tim Asplund (WRM ‘91)

Reflections and Insights from an Engaged WRM Alumnus
Bridging from Past to Present: WRM Projects 2019-2023

  • 2024 Practicum: Fancy Creek restoration
  • 2025 Practicum: Beaver Dam Lake management opportunities

Audience engagement:

  • What resonates from your WRM experience?
  • What advice for sustaining or improving this model?
  • What advice for identifying/vetting potential projects?

10-15 minutes of table discussion, followed by 10 minutes of large group sharing

3–3:30 p.m.

Break with refreshments

3:30–4:30 p.m.

Session 2: Nurturing Capacity for Innovation and Change

Moderated by Ken Genskow, WRM program chair

Driving question: How do we prepare students and strengthen the WRM network for the challenges of tomorrow?

Part A: Ongoing Water Management Challenges
(10 minutes each)

  • Phosphorus in Context, Kyle Minks (WRM ’10), watershed manager, watersheds and ecosystem services division, Dane County Land & Water Resources Department
  • Groundwater Regimes in Flux, Dr. Steve Loheide, professor, civil and environmental engineering, 2025 Darcy Lecturer for the National Ground Water Association, WRM program committee, UW-Madison
  • Navigating Disruptive Change, Dr. Mallika Nocco (E&R PhD ’17), assistant professor and extension specialist, biological systems engineering, UW-Madison

Part B: Your Ideas!

What opportunities do you see to support WRM students and alumni and enhance the overall WRM experience?

10-15 minutes of table discussion, followed by 10 minutes of large group sharing

5 minutes closing comments

4:30–4:45 p.m.

Group photo

4:45–6 p.m.

Happy hour

All views expressed by the speakers are their own and are not necessarily representative of the views and opinions of the Nelson Institute or UW–Madison.