A Farewell to Summer

        This summer, my research team explored the potential for biochar to combat nutrient pollution in aquatic environments. Arthur, Madeline and I went through the process of biochar creation in a laboratory, and employed various chemical treatments in order to study which method most effectively extracted phosphorus from lake water samples. Biochar is a stable solid that is formed through pyrolysis, the burning of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. This results in a charcoal compound that can be treated with metallic compounds in order to extract aquatic pollutants such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). The extraction process occurs through chemical binding, in which positively charged metals used to treat the biochar attract the negatively charged phosphorus and nitrogen ions suspended in the lake water. Biochar has additional uses besides nutrient extraction. It can function as a carbon sink, plays a role in pollution remediation, and can be used a soil amendment to facilitate the growth of terrestrial plants.

            

        Through the following chemical treatments, my research team and I were able to determine which methods showed the most potential for nutrient pollution reduction. Method 1 consisted of magnetite (Fe₃O₄), Method 2 consisted of iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO₄⋅7H₂O), Method 3 consisted of commercial biochar (treated with magnesium and aluminum), and then we had a series of untreated biochar, and untreated biochar with a water rinse. We pyrolyzed two types of organic matter—buckthorn and reed canary grass. Both of these species are invasive in the Wisconsin area, indicating that biochar can be used to combat invasive species and prevent further ecosystem disruption. Our results showed that Method 2 for buckthorn was the most effective at removing phosphorus. We found that buckthorn Method 1 also showed a decrease in phosphorus, thought it was only a slight reduction and was not as consistently effective as buckthorn Method 2. Finally, we found that in the case of reed canary grass, all of the chemical treatment methods ended up adding phosphorus to the system. Though these findings were relatively unfortunate in terms of reed canary grass’s potential to be used in biochar, they did suggest that this species could be used for soil amendment, as terrestrial plants could rely heavily on the high amounts of phosphorus for growth. My team and I also performed calculations to determine the sheer amount of biochar that would be needed to fully combat the daily inflow of phosphorus. We calculated that approximately 40,000 pounds, or about 20 tons, of biochar would be needed to reduce the phosphorus pollution that is deposited on a daily basis. Overall, our experimental results indicate that the phosphorus extraction ability of biochar largely depends on the source material used and the chemical treatment method employed.

            

        Reflecting back on this summer, I have come to truly appreciate how much I have learned and the different ways in which I have grown. Primarily, I was able to develop the scope of my scientific knowledge. I have familiarized myself with a variety of new laboratory techniques, such as SRP and TP analysis, centrifuge and UV spectrometer operation, chemical agent preparation, and biochar treatment with metallic compounds. I was also able to hone skills found outside a laboratory environment, including interviewing and public speaking, connecting with members of the Menomonie community, and branching outside of my comfort zone with activities such as tractor driving, canoeing, and some intense biking.

I have also noticed the ways in which I have changed as a person. First, I have become more confident in myself, both as a student and as a friend. I fostered good connections with my fellow researchers and mentors, and was able to better understand the qualities that I look for in others. Additionally, I was able to dive into things that make me content, such as spending time in nature, biking, and being with people who share similar passions to me. Finally, I am grateful that I was lucky enough to befriend nine incredibly smart, fun, and thoughtful women. I made some excellent friendships and experienced different schools of thought from students that were from all over the United States. I was glad to be the only one from my state that participated in this program, because I feel like this position helped me to focus on environmental issues that are not exclusive to my hometown.

This program has also enabled me to further myself career-wise. I have experienced two months of focused research, and produced a graduate-school level scientific poster. Researching critical environmental problems that have a significant effect on the Menomonie community has made me more aware of the scale of anthropogenic climate issues. I have also refined my scientific interests in terms of wanting to go into a research field, and have become more confident about going to graduate school. I would still like to learn more about the various fields I could go into, but I have heard positive things about obtaining a master’s degree. Overall, I had a fantastic summer and I am thrilled that I was chosen for this experience.

Stewards of the Land

There’s a recurring misconception that Lake Menomin has always been green, yet this is not the case. In fact the lake hasn’t always been a lake! The Red Cedar Watershed has a long history tied to various communities with different values. Dissecting the past offers us invaluable insight into the different ways that we have shaped the land and in turn, how the land has shaped us. By cultivating a general understanding of the implications of our past relationships to the Red Cedar Watershed, we become more informed and engaged with our current social and ecological communities that make our home, home. 

This summer my partner Esther and I dedicated our summer to understanding these changes by asking: (1) How have interactions with the land evolved over time and what can we infer about our current and future land use patterns? And (2) How have our relationships to water changed and what forces acted to maintain or impede these changes?

Clare Salerno

I'm currently living in Washington DC and working as a research assistant at a think tank/research organization called the Urban Institute in the Metropolitan Housing and Communities policy center. It's pretty cool that I get to work on a lot of research similar to the LAKES project--mixed methods and community-based--but with more of a housing focus. About half of my projects are evaluations of federal housing programs, and my office is right next to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is pretty neat (and provides ample opportunities for becoming acquainted with government bureaucracy at its finest). I'm definitely grateful for my experience in Menomonie for preparing me to do this kind of research.

Other than that, I still run a lot (and still miss running in Menomonie), bike everywhere, sometimes hang with Erin who also lives in the city, and would still lose to Alexis in an arm wrestling match.

Throwback Arm-Wrestling video

Nicki Loeven

A picture of the Northern Presidential Mountains and the Cog Railway from the summit of Mt. Washington.

Hi LAKES crew! I hope everyone is enjoying summer in Menomonie. Since my summer doing LAKES in 2015, I graduated from Wells College with my B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and started graduate school. I am starting the 4^th year of my Ph.D. at Dartmouth in their Molecular and Cellular Biology Program in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. My thesis project in Jim Bliska’s laboratory is studying Burkholderia cenocepacia lung infections in Cystic Fibrosis. This may seem very distant from the environmental biology work I did during my summer at UW-Stout, but my LAKES project piqued my interest in microbes and I’m always grateful I took this opportunity.

Life in New Hampshire is great. In the last year I’ve done a ton of hiking and this winter I learned to ski! To the LAKES students this year, I wish you all the luck in your projects. You truly make a difference with the work you are doing. Work hard have and have a blast!

This is my PI, Jim Bliska, and I on the summit of Mt. Washington. How’s that for lab bonding?!

Lucia Possehl

Greetings from Burlington, Vermont! Since participating in the LAKES REU program last summer, I have explored new parts of the country and am heading into my senior year of college at the University of Vermont where I study geography and minor in history and environmental studies.

I spent the spring 2019 semester backpacking through the Colorado Plateau (the Four Corners region) with the Wild Rockies Field Institute learning about land use practices, water rights, ecology, and culture of the American Southwest. The course consisted of two months backpacking through desert canyons, canoeing down winding rivers, and several homestays in the Navajo and Hopi Nations. The alternative semester course considered many themes that we researched during my summer in Menomonie including rural culture, conservation perceptions, Indigenous land rights, and place-based identity.

Austin Gentel

This past year has been a very eventful one that just keeps on giving. Last Spring, I had a couple major life changing events. The first one was completing my Master of Arts Degree in Public Policy. The second and more impactful one is that I joined the US Army to become a CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) Specialist. It was a long summer of intense training both physically and mentally but it paid off in the end. 

I lucked out with my first duty station being in Germany!! It has been a blast out here, especially being able to take part in the German Christmas Markets and the craziness of New Years in Germany (which is where I’m at in the picture). I've also been taking full advantage of my time out here and making the most of my travels. If anyone wants to make their way out here and enjoy Europe, I would love to have a travel buddy!! I know some great places and have big plans ahead!! Although, it will all have to wait until my current deployment in Turkey is over. 

It also may be awhile until I make it back to the United States, but until then I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying life to the fullest!! I do miss everyone that I worked with and had the privilege to meet during my brief stay in Menomonie. Oh, and I definitely miss the local beer and cheese curds!! Glad to hear the program is going strong and I can't wait for the time when I can return to Menomonie to catch up and make new memories!! 

I wish you all the best from this part of the World!! 

Your Friend, 

Austin Gentel 

Eniola Afolayan

Hello Lakes REU friends,

It's been a while! Last time I wrote for the alumni posts, I was getting ready to start my first year of grad school at UVA and now I'm getting ready for my second year. It's been a wonderful and challenging first year and there's nothing else I would rather being doing.

Lanna Anderson

I hope all is well and that everyone is having a great summer. I just recently graduated with my Masters of Biology degree from North Carolina A&T State University. It was an amazing two years conducting research on hypertension in African American athletes. One of the research papers that I helped wrote just recently got accepted into the American Journal of Hypertension Research. 

The Paper Title: Endothelial Dysfunction and Hypertension in African Americans: Overview of the Role of the Gut Microbiome. Please feel free to look it up and read about this critical issue. I miss everyone dearly and thank you for reaching out to see what we’ve all been up too. Enjoy the summer and I hope to hear from you all next year. 

- Lanna Anderson

Andrew Hutchens

After an action-packed graduate school application season and a superb final year as an undergraduate, I am relieved and glad to begin pursuing an economics PhD at North Carolina State University this fall. LAKES provided me with excellent (and fun) exposure to economic research and academia/research as a whole, and summer 2017 was an invaluable launch pad for gearing up to apply to and be successful in graduate school. Unlike that summer of 2017, however, I have spent the majority of this summer taking a small step back from being a student. After a month at home in North Miami Beach, I spent a few weeks in Lima, Peru visiting family. I also embarked on a harrowing 24-hour bus trip to my family's home village in (very) rural southern Peru, a trip which, besides allowing me to observe the beauty of the Peruvian countryside, firmly confirmed that I am very much a city boy. I haven't completely retreated from academic work though, as I have been working as a research assistant for Dr. Eric Edwards at NCSU since late May, with every new task fueling my excitement for graduate school even more. It'll soon be time to head up to Raleigh, but until then I'll be enjoying the comforts of home for a little while longer. Wishing everyone all the best!

Best regards,

Andrew Hutchens

Kirsten Ondris

Hello again everyone! I am an alumni of the LAKES 2018 group. While I miss the canoe trips, bikes rides, and fish fries of Menomonie from last summer, I have had the opportunity to travel to different parts of the country and world since then. After graduating with my civil engineering degree from the Cooper Union this past May, I spent a week hiking Acadia National Park in Maine, traveled through different cities in Europe, and met relatives and connected with my heritage in Slovakia with my family. Over the course of my travels throughout May and June, I was able to grasp history and landscapes that stretched far beyond my time and I look forward to new places to see and knowledge to gain in the future.

Jennifer Pantelios

This past May, I graduated from Beloit College (woohoo!!) which is located in Beloit, Wisconsin and earned my Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geology and with minors in Political Science & Biology. As of now I am living in Chicago and five days a week I commute north to the Lake Forest Open Lands Association. 

The Open Lands Association is a really awesome independent organization that has restored several plots of land to be native prairie, wetland, savanna, and woodland ecosystems. My job consists of removing aggressive, invasive plants that obstruct the diversity of flora within an ecosystem, several of which are garden escapes including Valerian and Buck-thorn. The organization does its best to use little herbicide and to remove plants through techniques of hand weeding, mowing, and dead heading. Additionally, I'm working on an educational pamphlet to educate the public on Bur Oak Blight, which is a fungus attacking Bur Oak trees due to increased rates of precipitation (which is caused by anthropogenically induced climate change). I am having a blast working outdoors amidst the plants and am learning a lot! 

In the photo, you can see I made friends with a snail who's sitting on my thumb. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at JenniferPantelios@gmail.com! 

Cheers!

Lisette Solis

I am realizing as I write this that it’s been four years since I was an economics student participating in the LAKES program with Chris. The summer I spent in Menomonie was one of the best I had during my undergraduate experience. I learned so much about research and collecting data, and it was the first time I had the opportunity to live somewhere far from home.

I caught the travel bug after my summer in Menomonie. I spent the past few years living between New Zealand, California (where I’m from), and Central America. This gave me the opportunity to try different types of work and meet a lot of wonderful people.

At the start of this year, I came full circle and moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area. I recently started a job in the data department of a nonprofit called Fair Trade USA. We work certifying goods, primarily coffee and produce, from around the world as meeting labor standards. I manage the data from our yearly audits and get to learn about all the different farms. On the weekends, I am enjoying life in vibrant Oakland.

I miss all of you in Menomonie, and hope all the LAKES students this year are learning and enjoying as much as I did. 

An Interdisciplinary Approach

Interdisciplinary research is complex, but integrating multiple subjects together is an important method in identifying solutions to complex problems. This summer, I have learned how to look at issues from numerous angles and have also obtained critical thinking skills through my involvement in interdisciplinary research. While the focus of my project is economic-based, I have had the opportunity to help with the other research projects and have gained a greater understanding of the local water quality issues.

10 Heads Are Better Than One

        When I first received acceptance into the LAKES program, one of the components that most appealed to me was the foundation for interdisciplinary research. The idea that large-scale issues cannot be solved via one approach is incredibly important, as the collaboration of many minds is needed to solve problems effectively. I have found that understanding the problem of pollution in Lake Menomin is based on so much more than just scientific roots. There are other inputs to consider, in a myriad of forms. One form of input that I found especially interesting in relation to my and Madeline’s research is that of the geography team. In regard to our proposal for a floating wetland, I think their work with archives and their intent to understand Menomonie’s historical elements definitely comes into play. Delving into how people have connected with the lake in the past, both recreationally and emotionally, is critical when considering an installation of an interactive wetland. Additionally, I think Ivy and Esther’s work with GIS relates to our biochar research. With biochar, I think GIS could be helpful in terms of long-term projections. With placement of the product over a large scale, similar to the one of Lake Menomin, I believe mapping out these areas would help to increase the effectiveness of nutrient uptake by the biochar. Categorizing things like habitat types and nutrient flow via GIS mapping would allow a tool like biochar to reach its full potential. Even if these projections are hypothetical, I think it would be worthwhile to understand what results biochar could produce if it were actually placed in a larger body of water. Overall, in terms of skills gained, I think I have gained more confidence in myself, both from working in a team and also from conducting parts of research independently. I have also become more familiar with chemical laboratory techniques, SRP and TP concentration analysis, and have expanded my public speaking skills through interviews. As poster development and research conclusions draw nearer, I am growing more excited to present our findings to the public.

Enjoying Lake Menomin

Biochar Treatment

Sunset at Wakanda

How I learned GIS does not equal GPS. Sorry Esther.

 Interdisciplinary research has always been one of those things where I think, “ah yes, so important, must prioritize” without ever really knowing what it actually means. This summer has been my first real experience working across disciplines. With Ivy and Esther on geography, Madeline and Marcella on biology, Nell and Liv on political science, and the rest of us on economics, it’s a pretty diverse group. That’s made our research that much more interesting. I’m not just learning about economics, I’m learning about all these other subjects too, and I’m learning far more about them than I ever assumed I would.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

When I think about my favorite things to do, I think of two very broad categories: land and water. Since arriving in Menomonie, I’ve experienced amazing connections with both. I’ve hiked with my fellow researchers, smelled the fresh soil on a farm, and taken bike rides around town. I’ve also swam in Lake Menomin (twice!), which many people have called me crazy for. I love the experiences I can have on both land and water, but I’ve been thinking a lot about the way water shapes my life as of late.

Alexa, play Can You Canoe by the Okee Dokee Brothers

I've always felt a natural pull towards rivers.  One of my first childhood memories is of my mom teaching me how to skip stones over the Maple River which wound it's way through cornfields just outside of my home town. After learning to ride a bike and getting over my fear of riding on the highway, I would make trips down to the river on my own just to watch the water flow by. As I grew older and moved away from Good Thunder, I found myself sitting on the banks of the Minnesota, Cannon and Mississippi Rivers.  This past year has brought me many opportunities to sink into my river rat identity. I've had the opportunity to go on my first canoe trip and have recently begun my career as a canoe guide.

The Art of Economics

I love playing my clarinet. The combination of a dark and earthy tone, the feeling of vibrating wood on my fingers, and the sight of notes on a page gives me a sense of familiarity that is relaxing and centers my focus. When playing solo or in an ensemble, I am applying the many hours of practicing and learning to continuously analyze my sound and create a musical experience for myself and any listeners.

Why I Love Water

A few years ago, I picked up the sport of rowing, and that really kick-started my passion for lakes, rivers, streams, oceans… really any body of water. They’re so tranquil, beautiful, and serene, and I always feel better when I’m near water.  I now row for Indiana University, and throughout our season I see lakes in all sorts of conditions. I’ve rowed on Wisconsin’s own Devil’s Lake, which is so uncontaminated that there are special rules about cleaning all the boats before they can touch the water. On the other hand, I’ve also rowed in the river running through Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a place also known as the “Secret City.” If you haven’t heard of it before, Oak Ridge was one of the main sites of the Manhattan Project. Unfortunately, Oak Ridge put their nuclear power plant right on the banks of the river now used as a race course, and, as you can imagine, the water is polluted beyond belief. There’s very little life in the river, and my teammates and I all get a weird rash whenever we go there. This year while we were in Oak Ridge, a doctor actually pulled me from racing because I had too many cuts on my hand, and “if that disgusting water gets in the cuts you’ll get a terrible infection that would probably need surgery.”

Exploration, in all of its many forms!

As spring turns to summer and fall already looms on the horizon, a multitude of things come to mind when thinking about the ways in which I often fill my time. Compiling a list of my favorite things to do is a bit difficult because I feel like my interests fall over a wide spectrum, however here’s an attempt at capturing a handful of ways I like to spend my time...

As my partner (both in LAKES and in crime),
Esther and I understand it's imperative to build a fort before map making.

Research With A Touch Of Inspiration

        I would like to begin this blog by bestowing gratitude upon my furry friend, Alise, who assisted in the composition of this post at Tabby’s Catfé by sitting on my laptop keyboard. Writing in a room full of cats makes for a pleasing work environment, and allowed me to adequately reflect on what it means to incorporate research into a well-rounded summer experience. I have thus far stumbled upon many favorite things to do, including spending time with friends, visiting new places around town, and working in a variety of scientific work spaces. One of the days I felt most engaged with my research this past week was in the greenhouse, preparing plant samples of duckweed, cedar, and rushes. I felt that working in an interactive space facilitated constructive communication within my research team. Combining lab work with field work has really allowed me to embrace numerous scientific disciplines. I was also able to realize that science should be approached with an open mindset, and that complex issues are difficult to solve if you do not consider input from everyone. 

        Spending time in Menomonie has inspired me to care more about my research and its consequent impact, as the people that live here are directly affected by the aquatic health of both Lake Menomin and Lake Tainter. Additionally, visiting both dairy farms and listening to farmers’ perspectives was enlightening, as I became more informed on methods of sustainable agriculture, conservation, and providing healthy habitats for animals. I believe this directly relates to my research as it is critical to consider how nutrient pollution can be influenced by local operations, and how ecological health can be improved as a result of direct action. Finally, spending time with the girls helps me to understand how much we as individuals can contribute to large-scale problems. We all bring something different to the table, and we can bounce ideas around while still having fun. Now that research is in full swing, I can’t wait to see what the remainder of the summer brings.

Greenhouse Sample Preparation

Boat Adventures

Baby calves at Alfalawn Dairy Farm

What do economists even do? Week 2

            This summer I am learning how to interpret data potpourri and the associated mathematics of being an economist. Even more important, I am learning how to apply these skills to deliver helpful information to farmers and rural communities. To me this requires listening to the residents in the Red Cedar Watershed and learning the business of farming from the experts, a process we began last week with a visit to Dunn county Conservationist Dan Prestebak’s farm. However, I can’t visit every residence within the watershed, so many of us spent the majority of our week refining a survey. Our goal is to gain an understanding of local residents’ perceptions of farmers, geographical nuance, local spending, and opinions on solar panels.

Better Late than Never - my week one introduction

My name is Lily Strehlow, and I didn’t grow up in a rural region, which might have something to do with my love of cows, undiminished through the many farms I have never labored on and the many cattle I have never cleaned up after. The hard work behind any farming operation is something I revere, and for all my pre-research studying I expectantly found I had a lot to learn from Dan Prestebak, whose small cattle operation we visited during our first week in Menominee. With John Sipple and Bob Kaner alongside him, the three farmers and government conservationists introduced us to the basics of quality soil; the hidden foundation of the local economy and one of the key factors in the Red Cedar River watershed pollution.

Adventures of Learning

Who knew you could learn in the summer? So far I have learned how to canoe (properly), make bread, and that burger king has $1 frappes! I have also learned that the women’s world cup is hard to find on the tv, which is OUTRAGEOUS.

While I was learning these life skills, I have also been learning a lot about my research. Over the past two weeks, I learned how to write survey and interview questions as well as how to collaborate with other teams that are working on different projects but have similar interests. I am also learning how to do GIS modeling and the best way to use archives for research.

Life Lessons from Canoe Jenga

The view from the top of Tainter Lake on our canoeing trip.

A few days ago, I stared at a truck, two large canoes, and a few bits and pieces of rope in the buggy Wisconsin sunshine with five other incredibly smart people from LAKES, trying to figure out how in the world we were going to get everything (and more importantly, everyone) safely to the top of Tainter Lake. We were headed up there to check out the muddy, life-filled delta and to get inspiration for our research projects. Of course, we also couldn’t pass up an excuse to escape for a Banh mi picnic in the fresh air. After a little trial and error, we had both boats carefully balanced on top of the truck and our turtle-like procession was trundling down the highway. Thinking back on this adventure, I’m reminded of a couple big lessons I’m learning—and continuing to learn—this summer: how to be creative with existing resources, and how to be okay with (and even embrace) ambiguity and be more flexible.

Playing canoe jenga! What could go wrong??

I’ve never thought of scientific research as particularly creative, but that’s something that has stood out to me over and over again these past few weeks. When the world around you is changing all the time, it helps to be able to think outside the box and use what you have for the most good. For example, a week ago we started an experiment growing several different plants on rafts floating on the lake, and used invasive reed canary grass to make mats that will hold the plants in place (don’t worry, we removed the seeds). It might be nearly impossible to eradicate this aggressive grass, but at least we can use some of it to try to improve other environmental problems.

Creativity also means that you have to be okay with plans not working out and being open to changing directions. Experimentation necessitates flexibility, and I think as the summer progresses I’ll learn more about what it means to navigate unexpected change with grace. Sometimes it seems like it’s impossible to make any headway or that your research will have any real impact, but what I’m beginning to see is that no one person is going to discover the “fix” for Lake Menomin’s nutrient pollution problem—or any of the world’s biggest problems. It’s more about chipping away at the issue with what you have and making way for others to build on what you find.

I know that there are probably a bunch of other really deep life lessons that I’ll learn this summer—but also plenty more crazy adventures, good food, and (slightly less philosophical) discoveries (shout out to Esther for her idea to wear life jackets as pants! Pure genius).

Picnic out on Tainter Lake! From right, Arthur (my mentor), Jacey, Marcella, and Esther.

It's Going to be a Wild Ride

In most parts of life, I try not to set my expectations too high. In fact, I generally try not to set too many expectations at all in favor of being pleasantly surprised. 

When I arrived in Menomonie, I was happy to have a job for the summer, a place to live, and an exciting research project to work on (which I didn’t know much about).  In the two weeks since I’ve been here, I’ve realized that this summer is going to consist of so much more. I’ve learned about the best events around town on every night of the week (shout out to pie in the park on Tuesdays). I’ve picked up quite a few sayings from my fellow researchers that are now staples in my vocabulary. I’ve also dived head first into a research project that I can’t wait to carry out over the coming weeks.

Madeline holding up our magnificent heart waffle creations from Saturday morning family breakfast.

Hi, I'm 21 years old and I still throw fits.

Two weeks doesn't seem like a significant amount of time in the grand scheme of things.  But, two weeks is already a full fourth of the time I'll spend here in Menomonie, and so much has happened.  The LAKERs all went to the farmers market on the first day of research.  We loaded up our backpacks with asparagus, bread and leafy greens to make into lunch.  When it came time to eat, I threw a fit and insisted we all sit around the table, "as a family."  Now, we're sharing so much more than meals, (although we're still coming together around various foods and beverages).

Thoughts From Your Local Burger King

With two weeks under my belt, I feel like I have truly begun to connect with the people that I have had the pleasure of working with, and that I have successfully stepped outside of my comfort zone. I have learned many things over the past fourteen days, both about myself and from others as well. One of the highlights of this past week was learning to canoe. Engaging with the wildlife of Lake Tainter and observing the components of the ecosystem allowed me to reconnect with nature. It also enabled me to reflect on the sheer scale of the disturbance human activity has created. In addition to this, I had an opportunity to sit down with two notable people (a UW-Stout mechanical engineering student and a wildlife biologist). Having these discussions helped me to gain confidence and practice being inquisitive. Earlier in the week, I learned how to construct canary reed grass rafts for our team’s investigation of plant root growth. Through this, I learned how to function as part of a team and collaborate with all the girls in the program. I also learned a bit more about how to identify some common plant species that grow in this area.  

        Something else I thought would be important to touch on was the bike ride in Lake Menomin Park that I embarked on with Arthur and Madeline. As a relatively inexperienced biker, the trails were difficult for me, but I feel like fully embraced my sense of adventure and kept a positive attitude throughout the trip. Though I have made some great personal and academic connections thus far, I want to continue learning about the people, the city, and how I can make an informed contribution to the summer research projects. I plan to do this by fostering deeper relationships with the people I work with, understanding as much of the scientific background as I can, and approaching the research with an open mind and positive energy. Finally, I learned that Burger King is an excellent spot to ruminate and compose a thoughtful blog.

Yearnin' for learnin'

In the few weeks I’ve been in Menomonie this summer, I’ve already learned so much about it's defining biological systems and the social structures that are embedded in local interactions with the watershed. For the first time in my life I set foot into a canoe, grabbed a paddle, and explored Tainter Lake with my Geography partner and the Bio team. It was breathtakingly gorgeous and I would absolutely love to get more fieldwork in and learn firsthand the inner workings of the wetland ecosystems in Wisconsin. Learning how to canoe was super fun and stepping barefoot into the muck of the lake to find clams, cattails, and curly-leaf pondweed was wonderful.

Canoeing on Tainter Lake, Arthur and Jacey paddling along in the distance

While learning about the current ecosystem of these local eutrophic lakes was quite fascinating, Esther and I were also able to investigate the historical ecology of Wisconsin. We visited the Dunn County Historical Society and cracked open their archive collection. Before I knew it, hours had flown by and I remained just as immersed in the texts before us. Books, interviews, and editorials each offered unique glimpses into the environmental history of the region and documented the prolific lumber, mining, and dairy industries of the state. We're scheduled to visit Barron County's historical archives as well and we hope to learn more about pre-settlement relationships with the landscape. Understanding the complexities of the ecological systems that existed prior to the onslaught of intensive industry will hopefully offer us alternative representations of how relationships with the land directly shape the hydrology and biological diversity of the region.

Formed by post-glacial flooding, the Devils Punchbowl left us in awe

Going into our third week, I especially hope to discover more about the chemical and nutrient systems as they relate to land practices and perceptions of the water bodies in the community. On Wednesday we’re set to tour a nearby CAFO and the day after we plan to get our hands dirty in the local rain garden. Hopefully our team will be able to visit Rice Lake and if we’re really lucky, we’ll be able to hear some oral histories that can further enrich our understanding of the social and environmental intricacies that have molded the Red Cedar Watershed. I have no doubt that there's plenty of learning in store for us in the coming weeks and can't wait to learn alongside this incredible team!

Summer learnin'

Just exploring Menomonie on a beautiful night

In elementary school, I was the kid who refused to do the summer learning workbook because “I don’t learn in the summer.” Little did that kid know that 15 years later, I’d be learning in the summer and loving it. So far, with our two weeks in Menomonie, we’ve already started learning a lot, both in work and in play. I’ve learned that if you start a puzzle on the floor of a frequently-used lounge, people WILL accidentally step on it and you’ll have to repair the damage daily. Throughout the last couple of weeks, I’ve also discovered that if you spend 24/7 with the same group of awesome people, you’ll pick up their habits and idiosyncrasies without even realizing it (that’s what I’m screamin’). On the work end, I’ve also learned just how much thought goes into creating a survey. Turns out it involves a lot more than my freshman year writing class survey did.

Data, STATA, and Metacognition

It has been exciting to see all of our research projects develop over the past week as everyone is defining their interests and goals for the summer. We have been here for just two weeks, but it already feels like home. I am looking forward to what the rest of the summer has to offer!

Gaining (and losing) some wisdom

My first week in Menomonie was one of the most eventful weeks I've had since my Freshman year orientation. I arrived at the dorms on campus full of excitement, anxiety, and a really terrible toothache. Being from the East coast, I was unsure of what to expect from a small town in the midwest; but I have yet to be disappointed. Almost immediately after arriving, I could feel a sense of community within the city and between our LAKES group.

The first few days were filled with group adventures and getting a sense of what our projects would be in the weeks to come. Unfortunately for me, my toothache was getting increasingly worse, and I was met with the reality that I needed to get my wisdom teeth removed as soon as possible to avoid an infection. Although I spent my first weekend in Menomonie with a pufferfish-like face and the inability to chew, I would still consider it a success.

I am beyond grateful to have the opportunity to work with nine incredible women to make a difference in this community. In the following weeks to come, my research partner Jacey and I will be analyzing the effect of Section 319 of the Clean Water Act and the Conservation Reserve Program on surface water quality in Wisconsin. Overall,  I am so excited to see where this summer will take us, and I'm eager to see the results of our research.

Settling In

Despite having my initial flight delayed and the lengthy layover in Denver that followed, I finally made it into Menonomenie’s desolate, dimly lit streets just a few hours before sunrise. Getting settled into my room (or more appropriately, any room) wasn’t exactly a smooth process either but in truth, running around the campus at 2am trying to figure out my rooming situation allowed for some justified late-night adventuring that felt like an intimate introduction to this quaint town that so quickly felt like home.

Coming from the West Coast I wasn’t entirely sure of what to expect of the Upper Midwest. Subtle differences in the environmental, infrastructural, and cultural landscape captivated my interest at every turn. Everything from the type of plastic bags offered in grocery stores to the horizontal street lights and silent, buttonless crosswalks piqued my curiosity and the geographer in me fluttered with a desire to delve deeper into the stories latent in the landscape of Menomonie. And delve we did.

Our mentors gave us a tour of the town as we rode our bikes around the streets and later toured a local farm. The historical and ecological complexity of Menomonie emerged before us and our team didn’t hesitate to share our ambitions and commitment to social and environmental justice. Realizing just how much our disciplines and summer research seemed to overlap was promising and my mind has since been flooding with various ideas for our research. The most challenging part of being here by far is narrowing down what exactly I want to study this summer and how to go about the research. With my first week coming to an end, I’m a bit overwhelmed with my research options but also anxious to get started collecting data and working alongside this summer’s incredible LAKES team!

Home Again

Menomonie is a beautiful small town not unlike the one I’m from.  Just across the border and 75 odd miles west, Northfield, Minnesota, the town I’m from, bears many similarities to Menomonie.  Northfield is a sweet little college town with a population of 20,007.  There is a charming downtown where locally owned business fill the storefronts.  At first, I felt as though I was in a slightly smaller Northfield. Sitting in the park on Tuesday night, eating pie and listening to band music, I realized Menomonie is a special city.  I’ve never lived in a place where a whole community regularly gathers for any reason, let alone to listen to a medley of songs from The Music Man. 

Made it!

Menomonie is quite a bit different than where I grew up in Chicago and where I go to school in the Twin Cities. The smaller town feel of Menomonie is something new to me, and I have really appreciated it. I love that there always seems to be some event going on in town, whether it is the farmers market, co-op dinner, or the pie and music in the park. Menomonie is very welcoming and is really beautiful. I was expecting Wisconsin to look similar to Illinois which has a flat and pretty uninteresting landscape but Wisconsin has beautiful rolling hills and lakes that I love to walk by everyday. I am really looking forward to exploring more of Wisconsin in the coming weeks.

The work environment with LAKES REU has also been something I have never really experienced before. The atmosphere has been very interdisciplinary and welcoming to all ideas. I feel like I have learned so much from the other students and mentors already. I especially enjoyed going to the farm the other day and learning all about a job and way of life that I had never really seen up close. I learned a lot about the science and complexity of farming. I also got to drive a tractor and hangout with some cows, which was a lot of fun! I am looking forward to working with this group of students and mentor on our exciting research. I know it is going to be a fun and rewarding experience.

Take The Long Way Home

One of my favorite parts of getting to know my fellow Lakers since arriving in Menomonie has been sharing our tastes in music. I’ve shared a lot of Supertramp, one of my personal favorites. In the days since arriving in Menomonie, I’ve been thinking about one Supertramp song in particular: “Take the Long Way Home.” 

In order to arrive at Stout, I traveled northbound from my home in Southeast Michigan, through Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula, southbound for a quick stop in the Twin Cities, and eventually eastward to Menomonie. Had I taken the most direct route, the journey would have been completed in a mere nine hours. Instead, I turned it into a five day road trip and tacked on a few extra hundred miles.

Upon arriving on campus, however, I found a home of sorts. Since the very first night when we had dinner at the Waterfront, my research partner Nell has insisted on referring to our cohort as a family. And it turns out, seven days in, she’s not wrong. Some of this family-building has been forced (in a good way). We’ve been forced to all live in the same dorm, to work on the same research projects, and to attend the same events. But a lot of this family-building has been very organic; which, as environmentalists, we all tend to prefer. We’ve exchanged playlists and book recommendations and shared most all of our meals. We’ve explored the city and danced and played competitive games of billiards. Already, we’re a family.

The coming weeks are bound to fly by, and I’m trying my best to be intentional about soaking it all in. I am surrounded by nine ambitious, intelligent, and eager women who all have so much to offer to this research experience. With the help of our outstanding mentors and each other, I can’t wait to see what this family can do.

First Impressions

One of my first views of Lake Menomin at one of the overlooks.

When I arrived in Menomonie a week ago, I wasn’t sure what to expect. First of all, I’d never been to the Midwest before. Most of what I knew came from A Prairie Home Companion and reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder book Little House in the Big Woods (which it to say, not much). I didn’t know how to begin pronouncing Menomonie and had never had fried cheese curds or rhubarb pie—would a small town girl from North Carolina fit in? I was also a little unsure of how qualified I was to work on a biology research project. My academic path has been anything but traditional, and for most of my college career I hadn’t felt totally at home in any one major. Instead, I’d dabbled a little in horticulture, art, urban planning, and geography. I was a little worried that I wouldn’t be experienced enough in any one area to make a useful contribution to any research project. On top of that, I was a bit nervous about meeting so many new people from all over the country.

Listening to the town band during our first Tuesday night concert (aka Pie Night!).

A New Adventure Begins

Traveling to a new place is always exciting because I have the opportunity to expand my perspective, make friendships, and explore new things. Already within the first week of the LAKES REU program, I have gone on many adventures including visiting the local farmer’s market, eating homemade pie while listening to live music, and driving a tractor from the 1950’s. This town is full of life with community events held throughout the week, fun coffee shops to try, and numerous parks to explore. I am excited to discover more unique aspects of the town throughout the summer with the LAKES students. One aspect of Menomonie that surprised me was the culture of community. It can be seen from walking down the streets and interacting with the locals that they value relationships. I hope that I can continue to make connections with the locals as well as the fellow student researchers during the two months I am here.

LAKES First Impressions

             To officially kick off this summer’s collection of blog posts, I thought that I would say that the slight apprehension I felt due to my late arrival could not have been more unnecessary. It has been my absolute pleasure to experience both the undeniable warmth and unique personalities of the program’s students, supervisors, and the locals of Menomonie. Prior to coming here, I did not know a week could be so jam-packed with new experiences. Each day has a solid combination of hard work, good times, and the beginnings of my own personal growth as I go further beyond my comfort zone. Since I consider myself to be a naturally introverted person, it has been quite the change to constantly surround myself with people who come from different backgrounds but share the same passions. To realize there are others who are firmly committed to promoting conservation, taking environmental action, and supporting the diversity and inclusion of others has been one of the most positive aspects of the internship so far.

            I also believe that splitting research time between separate teams and group discussion is an effective method for promoting a more integrative approach to the sciences. I have found that receiving feedback from students and mentors who are not members of the biology research team has been helpful, as it has allowed me to consider a myriad of perspectives. Within my own research team, I have found the collaborative efforts of mentor and students to be exciting, with greater development of our focus as we dive into the scientific literature. Finally, within Menomonie, I have found that the spirit of the town is unlike that of Cincinnati, and I am eager to spend more time here. I look forward to the remainder of the program, and hope to foster a greater number of both professional and personal connections.