Our work

Living waters. Shared work.

The founding proposal brings three areas together: recovering native species, answering practical research questions, and connecting people with freshwater life. These programs are proposed as the institute takes shape.

Topeka shinerNotropis topeka

Conservation

A future for native
fishes and mussels.

Build the capacity to help imperiled species persist in prairie waters.

The proposal combines applied research with conservation propagation: learning how to breed and rear native organisms in support of recovery work.

Develop propagation protocols for focal fish species.
Establish freshwater mussel culture and host-fish rearing capacity.
Connect recovery work with habitat science and regional partners.

Potential focal species

The draft names Topeka shiner, sturgeon chub, sicklefin chub, Kendall Warm Springs dace, shoal chub, flathead chub, and peppered chub; and Higgins’ eye, scaleshell, and winged mapleleaf mussels.

These are potential priorities in the founding proposal, not a list of active recovery programs.

Read the proposed outcomes

Explore the conservation proposal

Illustration of a fatmucket freshwater mussel.

Freshwater musselFatmucket · Lampsilis siliquoidea

Research

Science with a
place in the world.

Ask questions that help people care for real watersheds.

The proposed research program brings field monitoring, surveys, and data analysis together with the study of water quality, habitat, hydrology, and freshwater communities.

In the field

Fisheries surveys, species monitoring, and habitat assessments.

In the laboratory

Water chemistry, organism identification, and sample processing.

Across the watershed

Analysis and synthesis to support conservation and management decisions.

Explore the research proposal

Illustration of a northern leopard frog.

Northern leopard frogLithobates pipiens

Education & community

A freshwater ethic
for everyone.

Make room for curiosity, shared knowledge, and new generations of freshwater stewards.

Liz’s proposal imagines learning that reaches beyond the laboratory: creek explorations, field trips, public science conversations, freshwater art, and hands-on training.

Learn together. Public tours, school visits, community events, and nature-based activities.
Find a way into science. Mentorship and research experience for students and early-career professionals.
Share practical skills. Workshops in field methods, species identification, data analysis, and conservation hatchery work.

Explore the education proposal

Along the water’s edge