Science, Policy & Water
UW Union South 1308 W. Dayton St., Madison, Wisconsin 53706
press release: Water defines life in Wisconsin, supporting our economy and enriching our quality of life. But how do we best protect the health of Wisconsin’s waters and people? How are we crafting policy to address today’s water challenges? In particular, what roles do scientific research and knowledge play in informing these policies?
With its strong conservation heritage and Wisconsin Idea tradition, Wisconsin is in a unique position to address these questions. Today’s complex challenges to water quality, water supply, and sustaining healthy freshwater habitat include the influences of a changing climate, rapid expansion of large-scale agricultural operations and related impacts on local groundwater for irrigation, and local water quality from manure and other animal waste. We also face long-standing issues from nutrient pollution throughout the state, “legacy pollutants” at the bottoms of rivers and harbors, and ongoing pressures to develop wetlands and shorelines. These diverse, and often overlapping threats make insights from science more important than ever. But in spite of these challenges, Wisconsin’s water management framework has changed dramatically in recent years – especially in regard to the role of science in informing policy. This conference aims to explore the unique relationship between science and policy in the context of safeguarding our waters in Wisconsin.
To this end, the goals of the conference are:
To be a “de-polarizing” conference that models civil discourse on the interconnections between water, science, economics, health, climate, agriculture, and, ultimately, how science can better inform policy.
To identify challenges and needs, especially as related to science and water-related concerns in Wisconsin.
To bring scientists and policymakers together to explore ways to work more effectively together, and to openly discuss trends and findings that require public response.
Registration
Registration will open on February 22 (wisconsinacademy.org/scipol2016). Until then, please direct all questions on the Summit to Meredith Keller at or at (608) 263-1692 ex. 20.