Summer Sherman, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is on call for foam. With the help of concerned community members, Sherman is collecting foam from freshwater in Dane County to study PFAS, the persistent and omnipresent compounds that can harm the health of the environment and humans. Read more about the research here: https://news.wisc.edu/understanding-freshwater-foam-may-help-in-fight-against-pfas-forever-chemicals/

Below the water’s surface, Jose Luis “Joselo” Ballesteros finds tranquility and purpose. As a SCUBA dive instructor on San Cristóbal in the Galápagos Islands, he’s fostering a community of ocean stewards by providing opportunities to locals.

As urban regions in the Southeast continue to grow and develop, harmful pollutants enter nearby waterways more frequently. UNC researchers think one of the best solutions to prevent this may be investments in the habitats of the furry neighbors already in our backyards: beavers. For UNC Research, Endeavors

Community identity is often informed by the landscapes that make up a region, and it’s no different for the people of Ashe County. As one of the oldest rivers in the world, the New River built Ashe County. Whether bringing families together through recreation or providing opportunities for economic development through outdoor and adventure companies, the river’s presence is constant. But how do you ensure this community cornerstone endures for generations to come? Short doc made for UNC Chapel Hill’s Carolina Photojournalism Workshop 2021