Strategic Plan (2024-2028)

Our work

“Clean and abundant water for all”

The vision of the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center (WRC) is ambitious. Many may say that it is too ambitious. However, when we talk with our partners, audiences, and those who work at the Center, it becomes clear that this vision is a single statement that inspires all of our efforts. 

“Clean and abundant water” also has different meanings for different audiences. For those living in rural communities, it may mean the ability to drink from their kitchen sink, irrigate their corn, and treat their wastewater through small-scale systems. For those in urban landscapes, it may mean responsive stormwater management systems that protect our buildings, incorporate natural solutions, and reduce pollutants in runoff. 

Across Minnesota, it may mean the ability to fish and swim in our 10,000 lakes and 92,000 miles of rivers and streams.

Underlying all of those meanings is the WRC’s mission, “To address current and emerging water challenges through collaborative research, education, and engagement in Minnesota and beyond.” We mirror the University of Minnesota’s land grant mission and the goals of our counterpart centers across the country. 

We communicate with and convene partners and others who work to achieve our collective goals, whether in academia or the private, non-profit, and public sectors. In turn, those partners take the knowledge and networks that we create to their own audiences and, ultimately, to all Minnesotans and beyond. 

Focus areas

The work of the Water Resources Center falls into five focus areas, each of which works at the intersection of land, water and people. In the following section, we describe the focus areas, highlight current activities, and identify emerging issues to which we will respond. These lists are not comprehensive, but rather meant to be a sampling of the kinds of work that we do in each of the focus areas. In addition, many of the projects and programs listed below span multiple focus areas and exemplify the cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral collaborations facilitated by the Water Resources Center.

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Water and agricultural landscapes

Thousands of farmers and conservation professionals across Minnesota's rural landscapes are the most direct managers of our water health. The Water Resources Center supports them through research and engagement to improve soil health, mitigate nutrient loss, and help communities coordinate their watershed efforts.

Current and anticipated projects and programs include:

Urban stormwater

More than 75 percent of Minnesotans live in cities with populations greater than 2,500 people. Lakes, rivers, and streams are vital attractions for those areas and are also impacted by stormwater runoff from lawns, streets, parking lots, and other surfaces. The Water Resources Center helps these communities mitigate the impacts of urban runoff through a range of research, engagement, and education programs for stormwater professionals.

Current and anticipated projects and programs include:

Decentralized wastewater

Around one-third of Minnesotans rely on septic systems to treat their wastewater, and proper design, installation, and maintenance of these systems are key for protecting our public health and the environment. The Water Resource Center’s Onsite Sewage Treatment Program is critical to this work through its workshops, research, and engagement with homeowners, small communities, professionals, and policymakers. 

Current and anticipated projects and programs include:

Drinking water

All people need safe, affordable, and available drinking water. The Water Resources Center engages with policymakers, water professionals, and the public to provide research-based guidance and information on how to protect and preserve our vital drinking water sources. 

Current and anticipated projects and programs include:

Lakes and aquatic ecosystems

Minnesota is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” However, our waters also include almost 90,000 miles of rivers and streams, and together, these water bodies create more than 180,000 miles of shoreline across the state. This water is vital to livelihoods, recreation, wellness, and the economy. We inform the preservation, conservation, and restoration of our lakes, rivers, and streams through a range of research and engagement activities across the state.  

Current and anticipated projects and programs include:

Cross-cutting expertise

In addition to the focus areas described above, a key part of the WRC’s work is expertise that cuts across specific topics. As with our focus areas, in some instances we have existing individuals and teams already with this expertise, while for others we are using this plan to identify areas in which we will grow.

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Social science, economics, and policy

The WRC recognizes the crucial intersection of social science, economics, and policy within the realm of water resource management. Understanding the complex dynamics of water systems requires more than just analyses of hydrology, soil science, or engineering; it necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the human dimension. Social science research provides insights into how communities interact with water resources, shaping attitudes, behaviors, and priorities crucial for effective management strategies. Additionally, economics plays a pivotal role in assessing the value of water resources, guiding resource allocation decisions, and incentivizing sustainable practices. Policy frameworks provide the necessary structure for governance, regulation, and implementation of water management initiatives. By integrating social science, economics, and policy, the Center develops holistic approaches that address the multifaceted challenges of water resource sustainability, resilience, and equitable access, ensuring informed decision-making and fostering collaborative solutions for current and future generations.

Current and anticipated projects and programs include:

  • Minnesota Soil Health Action Framework
  • Minnesota Drinking Water Governance Assessment Framework
  • Statewide baseline farmer survey on soil management practices
  • How socially and culturally diverse Minnesotans value water

Watershed science and planning

The WRC focuses on watershed science and planning due to their critical role in holistic water resource management. Water does not follow political boundaries. Rather, it flows across them, making and understanding of watersheds fundamental to understanding the interconnectedness of hydrological processes, land use, and human activities. Through watershed science, the Center can explore the intricate dynamics of water quantity and quality, studying factors such as precipitation patterns, soil composition, and ecosystem interactions to inform sustainable management practices. Furthermore, watershed planning provides a framework for collaborative decision-making, engaging stakeholders to develop strategies that balance competing interests and mitigate risks such as flooding, pollution, and habitat degradation. By prioritizing watershed science and planning, the WRC contributes to the development of resilient water systems that support ecological integrity, community well-being, and long-term sustainability in Minnesota and beyond.

Current and anticipated projects and programs include:

  • The Watershed Game
  • Watershed Specialist Training
  • Watershed Innovations (WINS) grants

Team science

Team science is integral to the WRC, as it fosters interdisciplinary collaboration essential for addressing the multifaceted challenges of water resource management. Water systems are inherently complex, spanning across natural, social, and economic domains, requiring expertise from diverse fields such as hydrology, ecology, engineering, sociology, economics, and policy. By embracing team science, the Center can harness the collective knowledge and skills of researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and community members to develop innovative solutions that integrate different perspectives and approaches. Collaborative efforts enable comprehensive problem-solving, facilitating the translation of research findings into actionable policies and practices that promote water sustainability, resilience, and equity. In many ways, the WRC has been doing team science for much of its history, but may not have named it as such. Embracing the discipline and science of team science can help the WRC achieve its mission and long-term goals. 

The WRC does not yet have any projects or programs in this area, but it hopes to grow this expertise over the next five years.

Water informatics

Water informatics and big data play a pivotal role at the WRC by revolutionizing the way we collect, analyze, and utilize data to better understand and manage water resources. With the increasing availability of sensor technologies, remote sensing platforms, and computational tools, vast amounts of data are generated daily, providing valuable insights into hydrological processes, water quality trends, and ecosystem dynamics. Through the application of advanced data analytics techniques, such as machine learning and data mining, the Center and its partners can extract meaningful patterns, correlations, and predictive models from these datasets, facilitating evidence-based decision-making and proactive management strategies. Furthermore, water informatics enable real-time monitoring, early warning systems, and adaptive management approaches, enhancing our ability to respond to emerging water challenges, including droughts, floods, and pollution events. By embracing water informatics and big data, the Center can lead the way in leveraging cutting-edge technologies to address complex water issues, promote sustainable resource management practices, and safeguard water security for current and future generations.

As with team science, this is a growing area of expertise at the WRC, but there are a few current and anticipated projects and programs:

  • Midwest Big Data Hub
  • Minnesota LakeBrowser
  • Remote sensing of water resources

Goals

To make progress toward the WRC’s vision of “clean and plentiful water for all” we established the following goals for this strategic plan: 

  • Build a WRC identity for ourselves and our unique collaborations.
  • Create an environment that helps WRC employees achieve their goals.
  • Establish a culture where we celebrate success and learn from experience.
  • Increase capacity for the WRC’s cross-cutting expertise, including social science, watershed science, team science, and water informatics.
  • Center diversity, equity, and inclusion in the WRC and its work.


To achieve these goals, we developed the following strategies that are each supported by specific actions. 

Prioritizing actions and measuring progress

Prioritizing actions and measuring progress are essential components for achieving the goals of this strategic plan. By prioritizing our actions, the WRC can focus its efforts and resources on initiatives that advance its mission and vision. In addition, we will also set an example and precedent for each other by acknowledging that we cannot do all things for all people; instead, we must make decisions about how to spend our time, funding, and expertise. Setting measurable objectives also allows the WRC to track progress, identify areas of success, and pinpoint areas that require adjustment or improvement. Furthermore, prioritizing actions and measuring progress fosters a culture of transparency, collaboration, and learning within the WRC, promoting engagement and ownership among employees. Ultimately, by integrating these practices into its strategic planning process, the WRC can drive meaningful progress towards building its identity, supporting employee growth, fostering a culture of celebration and learning, and centering diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work. Each year, the WRC leadership team will consult with Center staff and partners to create a set of priority actions for that year. In this way, the WRC and its leadership will create its own “plan of work” for the year to advance the goals of this plan. 

In addition to setting priorities, the WRC will also create accountability by measuring progress toward achieving the goals established in this plan. By design, the plan does not include a comprehensive list of specific measures and new processes to collect them. Rather, we will leverage existing metrics and processes, including those listed below.

Metrics to measure

  • Amount and diversity of WRC funding
  • Employee engagement metrics
  • Number and diversity of WRC events and attendees
  • Number and diversity of WRC partners
  • Number of affiliated research faculty and scientists
  • Grants, publications, and research outcomes
  • Number of students with WRC support for research or fellowships

Processes to collect metrics

  • WRC Annual Report
  • University of Minnesota Employee Engagement Survey
  • Evaluation processes for individual projects and programs

 

Strategic planning process

The development of this plan began with a comprehensive review of our previous strategy to identify what priorities and actions were still applicable, what should be removed, and what we wanted to add. The WRC staff provided feedback over a six month period, including a brainstorming session in October 2023, several follow up discussions, and input through surveys. Using this input, the WRC Director and Associate Director revised the WRC focus areas, added cross-cutting areas of expertise, and created draft goals, strategies, and actions. The plan was reviewed a final time by the WRC staff and leadership in CFANS and Extension. 

While any document is by necessity a final product, we view the strategy as a living signpost and will update key aspects throughout its lifespan.

Acknowledgements

This plan would not have been possible without the thoughtful and thorough input from the WRC staff. We would not be able to describe our goals without you, let alone achieve them. 

We are also grateful for the early guidance from the University of Minnesota’s Leadership and Talent Development office, and specifically Nathan Price. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the support from the College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences and University of Minnesota Extension. Each of these pieces are vital for the WRC to be a statewide and national leader in addressing our most pressing water challenges.