From Freshwater Shores to Shining Saltwater Seas: An investigation of environmental crises along the Mississippi River and beyond

This class will take place January 31, February 7, 14 and 21, 3:30-5:30p.m., at Hurley High School, with Tom Fitz, Peter Levi and Titus Seilheimer.

The cumulative impacts of fossil fuel use and large-scale agricultural production have led to a breaking point in environmental crises. The excessive heat, destructive floods, ocean dead zones and red tides have demonstrated that environmental crises are being felt locally and globally – but how will climate change and water pollution affect the South Shore region?

Using the Mississippi River as a case study, we will explore the interconnectedness of ecology, geology, and human activities from the Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico. Then we will pull together the lessons learned and consider the coming decades along the shores of Lake Superior. Our objective is to describe the changes to our lands, waters, and communities from climate change and the science-based opportunities that can help us manage for a more resilient future.  

Class 1 (Levi): Human stressors to the structure and function of freshwater ecosystems in the Midwest 

Class 2 (Fitz): Geo-engineers: How humans have tried, and failed, to tame the mighty Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico

Class 3 (Seilheimer): From floods to droughts and ever-changing water levels: Plotting the course of management actions in the face of uncertainty

Class 4 (Fitz, Levi, and Seilheimer): The future of water and climate in the South Shore region of northern Wisconsin and Michigan

Requirements: Strongly recommended reading: Breakpoint: Reckoning with America’s Environmental Crises by Jeremy B.C. Jackson and Steve Chapple

Instructors: Tom Fitz, Peter Levi, and Titus Seilheimer

Offline Registration: Download PDF Registration Form, complete and mail in with payment.

Registration Questions? Contact us or call (715) 892-3982 or (715) 476-2881.

Registration Issues/Troubleshooting: If you are registering with one email address for two or more people, please register each person individually (i.e. do not register all at once, but add students one at a time to checkout). If you continue to have difficulty or have another question, please contact us.

Cancellation Notice: Students are encouraged to sign up at least two weeks before the beginning of any Fe University class. Classes with less than 4 students 2 weeks before the start date may be cancelled at instructor/FeU discretion. If you’re interested in a class, please sign up early! Thank you.