What is the Winnebago Lakes HABs project?
The HABs Project, formally known as EMBAST (Emplacing Algal Blooms to Advance Sustainability Theory and Praxis), is a four-year, National Science Foundation-funded project (Award #2206519) that employs interdisciplinary inquiry and dialogue to study and address harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Winnebago Lakes in Northeast Wisconsin. HABs are a significant problem in freshwater systems worldwide, threatening human health and ecosystem stability. They are also causing billions of dollars of damage and lost revenue. Addressing this complex sustainability problem requires careful attention to its historical, social, ecological, regulatory, and economic dimensions and the interdependencies of these components. To this end, EMBAST relies on the concept of place and interdisciplinary research, dialogue, and reflection to move towards transdisciplinary understanding and action.
The project team consists of researchers and students in the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences from UW Oshkosh and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and a community partner, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance. This team has been working together for over three years to collect, analyze, and integrate ecological, social science, historical, policy, and spatial data and methods. Our group engages in regular workshops and meetings to develop interdisciplinary understanding and approaches. The outcomes of this project is being used to engage in dialogue with public stakeholders and policymakers via workshops and conferences, and will support the development of a HABs citizen science monitoring program and robust public engagement and education resources including story maps, K-12 materials and programming, and an interactive pop-up exhibit. Student education is also central to the project, which employs ~15 undergraduate students/year to learn and practice interdisciplinary research methods.
- What are HABs?
- Why are HABs a problem?
- Why should I care about HABs?
- More info about HABs and what to do
– Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), also known as blue-green algae or cyanobacteria, are caused by a bacteria that releases toxins which can cause harm to humans and animals.
– HABs grow in lakes, ponds, and stagnant streams when the water is warm and high levels of nutrients like phosphorus or nitrogen are present.
– These algal blooms can sometimes look like spilled green paint, or large mats of green material in the water.
– HABs produce dangerous toxins that can be harmful to vegetation, animals, and humans who spend time in and around the water.
– By consuming oxygen and blocking sunlight from competing vegetation, large Harmful Algal Blooms create dead zones where other vegetation cannot receive the nutrients they need to survive.
– HABs can cause humans and animals alike to become sick.
– HABs affect marine ecosystems, local and regional ecosystems, and even human health.
– They can also impact recreational purposes on the water, local economies, and businesses near the water during seasonal months.
For more information on Harmful Algal Blooms and what to do about them, please visit the sites linked below!
Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance
Wisconsin DNR HAB Resources
Wisconsin Department of Health Services HAB Resources
Senior Research Staff
Dr. Stephanie Spehar SIRT Director, Professor of Anthropology, Principal Investigator
Dr. Elizabeth Barron Professor of Geography, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Co-Principal Investigator
Dr. Heidi Nicholls Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Lead Social Scientist
Dr. Bob Stelzer Professor of Biology, Lead Biophysical Scientist
Dr. Jim Feldman Professor of Environmental Studies and History, Director of Environmental Studies Program, History Lead
Dr. Shannon Davis-Foust Lecturer in Biology and Environmental Studies, Community Engagement Lead
Dr. Martina Calovi, Associate Professor of Geography, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Spatial Analysis Specialist
Dr. Mamadou Coulibaly Professor of Geography, GIS specialist
Dr. Kevin Crawford Professor of Chemistry, Personnel, Biophysical Team
Dr. Marcel Dijkstra Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering Technology, Personnel, Biophysical Team
SIRT email: sustainuwo@uwosh.edu or sirt@uwosh.edu.
Student Researchers are Key Members of Our Team!
From 2022-2025, over 40 UWO students have worked on our project, collecting biophysical data, conducting interviews with people interacting with the Lake Winnebago system, creating story maps, and much more! If you are a student interested in working with us, please contact Stephanie Spehar.
Special Thanks to Our Community Partners!
We proudly work with the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, the National Science Foundation, and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
YOU CAN HELP TOO!
TAKE A SHORT SURVEY
Scan the QR code pictured right –>
Or go to this URL: UWO HABs Survey Link
This is an open opportunity to answer a few questions about your thoughts on HABs in the Lake Winnebago System. The survey is confidential and should only take 5-10 minutes.
Have more to share about HABs? Come talk with our
Ethnography Team!
Do you use, play in, enjoy, or work with the Lake Winnebago System and would be willing to be interviewed?
These interviews, which are about 30-60 minutes long, are an opportunity to share your experiences with the lake system and your thoughts and insights on HABs.
The interviews can be held online via Microsoft Teams, in-person on the UWO campus, or in-person at a location that is more convenient for you! If you would like to participate, please scan the QR code or click the link to fill out our interview interest form.
If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please reach out to our lead social scientist, Heidi Nicholls at nichollsh@uwosh.edu, or contact the HABs ethnography team at habinterviews@uwosh.edu.
Sustainability Institute for Regional Transformations
UW Oshkosh
800 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Contact Info:
Dr. Kevin Crawford, Interim Director
Email: crawfork@uwosh.edu
SIRT Office: 4483 Sage Hall