The Institute for Watershed Studies (IWS) supports a wide variety of interdisciplinary projects that provide exciting opportunities for students to engage in relevant watershed research and make important contributions to the community. One example of this is the Northwest Lakes Monitoring Project, a community service project that provides water quality data and other information for over 60 lakes in our region. This project was instrumental in Western Washington University being awarded the National President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction Award in 2013 and 2015. Your donation to the Institute for Watershed Studies will help ensure the continued success of this and other student projects that benefit our local community.
The Institute for Watershed Studies supports student research by providing hands-on learning opportunities, as well as exposure to cutting-edge scientific techniques and analytical equipment. Many graduates from our institute have gone on to use these skills in professional careers and graduate school.
MEET THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WHO BENEFIT FROM YOUR GENEROSITY
Ian Schaefer Lorenz (he/they) is an undergraduate in their senior year studying Environmental Science with an Environmental Toxicology emphasis. A long time resident of Washington, Ian came to Bellingham and Western Washington University to complete his education with the hopes of starting a career in water quality monitoring or water treatment. They joined the Institute for Watershed Studies in the summer of their junior year and had the pleasure of engaging in field work at over 60+ lakes across Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. Observing diverse lakes across our region and seeing the impacts of land use on dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, and chlorophyll levels convinced him of the importance of ongoing water quality monitoring of our precious northwest freshwater lakes.
Working on the Northwest Lakes Project gave Ian his first experience as a paid research assistant and field technician allowing him to build invaluable skills both in the lab and in the field. The experience greatly expanded his understanding of how environmental monitoring is undertaken and affirmed his career plan. Because of the support he has received from the Institute for Watershed Studies, Ian knows they will have a strong foundation of critical skills to launch their career in the environmental sciences following their graduation in the spring of 2024.
Lillie Tomlinson (she/her) is an undergraduate in her junior year studying Environmental Science with a marine emphasis. Originally from Oregon, Lillie moved to Washington to attend WWU, where she planned to study marine biology. However, she quickly fell in love with freshwater when she became involved with the Institute for Watershed Studies during the summer after her sophomore year. During that summer, Lillie and a fellow student traveled around Northwest Washington to over 60 diverse lakes, taking samples of algae and water to test for dissolved oxygen levels, pH, alkalinity, chlorophyll, and more.
Lillie says that this experience was truly unlike any other because it allowed her to gain valuable skills in both lab and field work, as well as independence and confidence. Because of the support she has received from the Institute for Watershed Studies, Lillie feels well equipped to pursue graduate school and future opportunities in scientific research.
