HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM VI. Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Winnebago PresentationHarmful Algal Blooms in Lake Winnebago
UWO Harmful Algal
Blooms Project
July 7th, 2025
Presentation Goals:
Today’s agenda
2.
What are HABs?
1.
Who are We?
3.
What are we
working on?
4.
How can we
collaborate
with you?
July 7th, 2025UWO HABs Project
The Winnebago Lakes: A Beautiful Place
July 7th, 2025UWO HABs Project
July 7th, 2025What are HABs?UWO HABs Project
●Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) caused by:
○Excess nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen)
○Warmer temperatures
○Runoff from point and nonpoint sources
●Toxic to people, pets, wildlife, and disrupts
ecosystems
○Toxicity varies over time and place
●Not a new problem:HABs have been an issue in
the Winnebago system since the 1940's, at least
July 7th, 2025Why Does Our Project Matter?
UWO HABs Project
●HABs affects recreation, tourism, and
public perception
○Cultural and ecological importance
of lakes-impact on well-being
○Lack of education leads to
insufficient action
●HABs are a public health threat
○No consistent public monitoring or
warning system for HABs
●Economic burden: Billions in economic
losses from blooms (Gatz 2020)
Our Project: An Interdisciplinary Approach
HABs are not just a biological problem, but a human problem: regulatory, historical, economic, social-cultural
Four-year project (2022-2027), funded by NSF
10 researchers, >40 students, community partner
July 7th, 2025UWO HABs
Overall Project Goals
1: Study
July 7th, 2025UWO HABs Project
Can we develop a holistic
understanding of what
causes HABs in the
Winnebago Lakes?
●Policy
●Socio-Cultural
●Biophysical
●Historical
story
2: Dialogue
How can we bring together
researchers and the public
in new ways?
How can we shift how we
think about sustainability in
this system?
●Workshops
●Writing exercises
3: Inform
How can we effectively
communicate what we’re
learning to the public?
●Events
●Lesson plans
●Storymaps
●Website/Dashboard
●Publications
●Traveling Exhibit
4: Engage
How can we engage the
public, policymakers, and
other stakeholders in
developing solutions?
●Citizen Science App
to report HABs
●Partnerships with
County Public
Health, DNR, cities
●Conferences
Project Teams July 7th, 2025UWO HABs Project
●Biophysical Team:To describe the amount and types of cyanobacteria in Lake Winnebago, and the
toxins they produce, through space and time.
●Geospatial Team: Supports spatial data collection apps, GIS and remote sensing analysis, and the
visualization and sharing of geospatial data through maps, web maps, StoryMaps, and dashboards
●Policy Team: Assess landscape of HABs regulations and policies and their effectiveness
●History Team:Determine how scientific understand of HABs and the policy response to them have
changed over time
●Ethnographic Team: To learn, collect, and paraphrase peoples’ insights, understandings, and
experiences centered on water quality and HABs
●Community Outreach Team:Educate the community, create long-term connections, and provide
lesson plans to organizations about HABs
●Interdisciplinary Sustainability Team: Support integration of data and perspectives across team and
Ethnographic Team
●Semi-Structured Interviews
●Focus Groups
●Deep Coding
Current Projects
●350+ Short Interviews
●Emerging Themes
●Surveys
●People WANT to Do Something
●Off-Shoot Research
●Etc
Accomplishments
To learn, collect, and paraphrase
peoples’ insights, understandings, and
experiences centered on water quality
and HABs
Goals
July 7th, 2025UWO HABs Project
●Drafting White Papers
●Getting Information Out
●Publications
●Learning More About What
Would be Helpful
●habinterviews@uwosh.edu
Community Outreach Team
●Radio PSA
●Creating more lesson plans and
educational activities
●25+ Educational events scheduled
●Continued outreach for partnerships
Current Projects
●Numerous outreach events, educating
thousands of people
●Lesson plans and educational activities
created for community usage long-term
●Relationships with educational
organizations
Accomplishments
●Educate community
●Spread awareness and inspire action
●Develop educational materials
●Create long-lasting relationships
●Establish a citizen science application for
reporting future blooms
Goals
July 7th, 2025UWO HABs Project
How can our team work with you?
➢Partnership
➢Educational Campaign
➢Community Outreach
➢Educational Materials
➢Local Signage
Thanks for your time!
Let’s Discuss-
Any additional comments or
questions please reach out: spehars@uwosh.edu
Is there any particular
information you want us to
cover?
How do you feel about our
goals, app, and traveling
exhibit?
Is there anyone you think
we should collaborate
with?
What do you wish to
see from our
project?
How can we collaborate
with you?
What can we do together to
create positive change in
our community?
How can we help you
achieve your goals?
What are your takeaways?
Anything you want more
information on?
What can we do better?
Any additional ideas for us?
Q&A and Feedback
UWO HABs Project July 7th, 2025