UW Oshkosh Winnebago Pool Lakes Harmful Algal Blooms Project
This project aims to understand how the public perceives and responds to harmful algal blooms (HABs), also called blue-green algae, that occur in Lake Winnebago and associated waterways. We hope this study can provide information and tools to improve outreach, education and policy efforts in the Lake Winnebago System. This project is being conducted by researchers affiliated with UW Oshkosh’s Sustainability Institute for Regional Transformations, in collaboration with the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance. Help us protect our lakes by participating in our study.
Please see this news story about the Winnebago algal blooms
This project needs your help! Here are some ways you can participate:
POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND TAG US
A fun community portion of this project is through photo documentation and social media. We are asking the public to keep a look out for blooms and to tell us what you think about them! When you see a bloom:
1. Take a Photo/Video (with your phone, point and shoot, digital camera, etc)
2. Upload your photo to Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok
3. Tag your location
4. Tag us @UWOSIRT
5. Comment on your thoughts
6. Include one or all of our hashtags: #UWOHABS #UWOHARMFULALGALBLOOMS #WIHABS #WIHARMFULALGALBLOOMS
TAKE A SHORT SURVEY
Here is an 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. Survey Coming Soon.
BE INTERVIEWED
We are looking for people who use, play in, enjoy, work with, etc the Lake Winnebago System and would be willing to be interviewed. These interviews will last about 60-120 minutes and will be about your experiences with the lake system and your thoughts and insights on HABs (no prior knowledge needed). The location and date will depend on what is convenient for both you and our research team. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please reach out to Heidi Nicholls, our lead social scientist, at nichollsh@uwosh.edu.
You may see also see our research team throughout the summer at boat launches, fishing locations, public beaches and more. We will be asking people a shorter series of questions on your thoughts and perceptions of these HABs and would love to hear from you! Is you see us, say hello! And tell your friends!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact sirt@uwosh.edu.
We Proudly Work With:
Sustainability Institute for Regional Transformations
UW Oshkosh
800 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI 54901
