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Amy Rosemond and Catherine Pringle were inducted into the Fellows of the Society for Freshwater Science at a recent meeting in Puerto Rico. Several members of the Pringle Lab also held a two-part panel discussion—“Hydrologic connectivity and watershed conservation: a session in honor of Dr. Cathy Pringle”— to highlight the knowledge amassed
Valeria Aspinall was at the Tapir Valley Nature Preserve in northern Costa Rica the day an expert herpetologist declared that the tree frog living there is a distinct species, something that had not been recognized by science. Aspinall is now at the Odum School of Ecology working on a master’s degree with
Athens, Ga. – “Purified water,” “reused water,” “recycled water”—these terms mean exactly the same thing. Even though all three refer to water that’s been treated to the highest drinking water standards, research has shown that people much prefer the idea of consuming purified water to reused or recycled water. A recent study
The Land Conservation Clinic and the River Basin Center have released the updated Local Wetlands Protection Primer, a guide to help protect wetlands that provide flood prevention, water quality improvements, protection from erosion, support for fisheries and biodiversity, and opportunities for recreation activities.
ATHENS, GA – Interdisciplinary knowledge is a critical aspect of solving big environmental problems. That’s why, for the 2025 Georgia Water Resources Conference, we brought everyone together. We do mean everyone: ecologists, hydrologists, engineers, geoscientists, lawyers, anthropologists, consultants and certified fish enthusiasts.

Affiliates Rosemond, Pringle named SFS fellows

Amy Rosemond and Catherine Pringle were inducted into the Fellows of the Society for Freshwater Science at a recent meeting in Puerto Rico. Several members of the Pringle Lab also held a two-part panel discussion—“Hydrologic connectivity and watershed conservation: a session in honor of Dr. Cathy Pringle”— to highlight the knowledge amassed during 30 years of working with Pringle, who supervised 24 doctoral and 22 master’s students over her career.

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Student researcher uses frog’s call to preserve rare amphibian

Valeria Aspinall was at the Tapir Valley Nature Preserve in northern Costa Rica the day an expert herpetologist declared that the tree frog living there is a distinct species, something that had not been recognized by science. Aspinall is now at the Odum School of Ecology working on a master’s degree with a Spencer Fellowship and conducting research that she hopes will protect the very rare, critically endangered frog, which has only been found in a 20-acre wetland within the larger nature reserve adjoining Tenorio Volcano National Park.

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Photo: Contributed

What’s in a name: Consumers prefer purified water to recycled or reused water (even though they’re the same thing)

Athens, Ga. – “Purified water,” “reused water,” “recycled water”—these terms mean exactly the same thing. Even though all three refer to water that’s been treated to the highest drinking water standards, research has shown that people much prefer the idea of consuming purified water to reused or recycled water. A recent study from a team of University of Georgia River Basin Center affiliates has for the first time put a dollar value on that preference.

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People participate in a workshop on wetland protection.

Wetland protection primer supports local efforts

The Land Conservation Clinic and the River Basin Center have released the updated Local Wetlands Protection Primer, a guide to help protect wetlands that provide flood prevention, water quality improvements, protection from erosion, support for fisheries and biodiversity, and opportunities for recreation activities. 

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Water Resilience Shines at Biennial Georgia Water Resources Conference

ATHENS, GA – Interdisciplinary knowledge is a critical aspect of solving big environmental problems. That’s why, for the 2025 Georgia Water Resources Conference, we brought everyone together. We do mean everyone: ecologists, hydrologists, engineers, geoscientists, lawyers, anthropologists, consultants and certified fish enthusiasts.

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Five photos in a grid showing headshots of the winners of the 2025 John Spencer research grants. Top row: Emily Chalfin, Kuhelika Ghosh, Monika Giri. Second row: Mackenzi Hallmark, Alyssa Quan.

2025 Spencer Research Grants Awarded to Six

Athens, Ga. – Six graduate student affiliates of the River Basin Center have been named recipients of John Spencer research grants for 2025. This year’s awards will provide a total of $10,000 to support a range of projects that contribute to water sustainability and resilience across the southeastern United States and beyond.

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Cupped hands held above a rushing stream.

World Water Day 2025: Delivering safe water resources to all

Few resources are as vital as water. But as human activity continues to shape urban rivers, that refreshing dip in the stream, summer kayaking trip, or glass of ice water can be harder to achieve. This is why every year, on March 22, we observe World Water Day: a tradition started by the United Nations in 1993 to highlight the importance of clean, accessible water. Sustainable water management is important not just for the environment, but for the 8.2 billion people that rely on water.

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UGA graduate student connects conservation and agriculture

Something “clicked” for Mackenzi Hallmark while doing fieldwork in northwest Georgia.

The current Odum School of Ecology graduate student and 2024 James E. Butler Fellow was measuring water quality in the Etowah and Conasauga rivers, part of her role as a research technician for the school’s River Basin Center (RBC). She became enamored with the biodiversity she encountered, from freshwater mussels to fish species like the amber darter.

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