Welcome to the Freshwater Society

The Freshwater Society is dedicated to promotion the conservation and enhancement of all freshwater resources. For over forty years, the Freshwater Society has been a leading public nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving, restoring and protecting freshwater resources and their surrounding watersheds. Through its program initiatives in freshwater resource management, groundwater and surface water stewardship activities, public education, conferences and publications, the Freshwater Society has been a catalyst for understanding one of our most important natural resources.

New Freshwater Guardianship New Leadership Initiative

The Freshwater Society (FWS) is embarking on a new initiative that will, we trust, have a profound impact on freshwater resources for years to come. When the Freshwater Society began its journey over 40 years ago, lake and rivers were deteriorating, FWS made a decision to sponsor numerous doctoral scientists to examine the root causes and consequences and determine what remedial and preventive strategies would be necessary to reverse the deterioration. Today, we generally know what to do in order to conserve, enhance and strengthen our freshwater resources. What we need now is an engaged and knowledgeable citizenry that sees water as the finite resource it is and embraces strategies to conserve and protect it in order to ensure sustainability. In essence, we need a cultural shift in how we use and impact water resources.

Check back frequently for web site updates – coming shortly!

New Leadership

Gene Merriam, President of FWS

Most recently, Merriam served as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources from 2003 to 2007. Prior to that, he had served 22 years in the Minnesota Senate, representing the Coon Rapids/Anoka area, where he authored many environmental protection and conservation laws. He was chair of the successful coalition that helped dedicate state lottery funds to the Environmental Trust Fund. Merriam also served as chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Finance Committee

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Joan Nephew, Executive Director

Prior to joining the Society, Nephew was President of the Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA), executive director of the Environmental Resource Council, and executive vice president of the Minnesota Institute of Public Health. In these roles, Nephew managed Environmental Health Programs, worked with industry and government, and oversaw environmental health and safety policy for schools and other institutions.

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FRESHWATER GUARDIANSHIP COUNCIL

As concerns mount about Minnesota’s freshwater resources, the Freshwater Society has convened a Guardianship Council of natural resources and community leaders to study issues related to freshwater sustainability.

GUARDIANSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS

Front Row (L to R): Lonni McCauley, Luella Goldberg, Paige Winebarger Back Row (L to R): Gene Merriam, Michael Osterholm, Ron Nargang, Jack Pichotta, Michael Kilgore, Robert Elde

Robert Elde, PhD, has served as the dean of the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota since 1995. During his tenure, Elde led efforts on many fronts, including creating the University’s Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment, currently serving as chair of the executive committee.

Luella Gross Goldberg has a history of board leadership in both corporate and nonprofit sectors. Currently, she serves on the board of directors of ING Group, TCF Financial Corporation and Communication Systems, Inc. Current Trustee and past board chair of the University of Minnesota Foundation; current member of the Board of Overseers, University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, and Trustee and Chair Emerita, at Wellesley College.

Mike Kilgore, PhD, is an associate professor of natural resource economics and policy at the University of Minnesota. He also is the director of the University’s Center for Environmental and Natural Resources Policy; former Executive Director of the Minnesota Forest Resources Council and chair of the Governor’s Conservation Legacy Council.

Lonni McCauley served as the mayor of Coon Rapids, Minnesota. During her tenure she led many development and redesign efforts. She is the former owner of Events of Distinction and current executive director of the League of Women Voters Minneapolis.

Ronald Nargang previously served as the director of the Minnesota chapter of The Nature Conservancy, where he lead conservation and fundraising efforts including the management of 68 nature preserves. Prior to working for The Nature Conservancy, he served as deputy commissioner and Director of the Water Division for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Ron also served as Minnesota’s first Director of the Board of Water and Soil Resources.

Mike Osterholm, PhD is internationally recognized as a expert in Infectious Diseases and BioTerrorism. Dr. Osterholm is a former state Epidemiologist; currently the director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy and a member of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Science Advisory Board on Biosecurity.

Jack Pichotta has been on the forefront of environmental education in Minnesota. He is the founder of Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minnesota and is a member of its board of trustees.

Paige Winebarger is a board member of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and has served in numerous leadership roles in environmental conservation organizations, including as a founding board member of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota and currently serves as its board chair. She is currently President of the Minnesota Lands and has served on the board of the Minnesota Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Prior to her retirement, Paige had served in the law and banking industry for the Federal Reserve System and Marquette Bancshares, Inc. where she was senior vice president and general counsel.