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from the issue of February 19, 2004
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Initiative could expand UNL’s role in research
BY STEVE RESS
A Water Resources Research Initiative could strengthen UNL’s efforts to be a world leader in the field of water research by combining diverse areas of water resources expertise.
“This is just what we have been needing to reenergize faculty members and research efforts in a variety of water-related fields,” said Kyle Hoagland, interim director of UNL’s School of Natural Resource Sciences and director of the UNL Water Center.
The WRRI will promote greater collaboration among research faculty in UNL water science disciplines of great strength such as groundwater hydrology, water quality, climate change, irrigation, remote sensing and geographical information systems. It will include outside organizations such as the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, the state’s network of Natural Resources Districts and irrigation districts.
“The initiative promotes greater collaboration among researchers and disciplinary areas and coalesces their efforts around key water issues facing the state and will create the synergy needed to support large-scale externally funded research,” Hoagland said.
UNL Vice Chancellor for Research Prem Paul, who helped craft the proposal, said it makes sense for UNL to play a leading role in water research because of the state’s abundance and variety of water resources.
Nebraska groundwater makes up 65 percent of the water in the Ogallala Aquifer, which is the largest groundwater aquifer in the United States. Nebraska also ranks 10th nationally in stream miles and 16th in wetland acres. Nebraska’s groundwater reservoirs contain about 2 billion acre-feet of water, which represents about 25 years of the state’s annual precipitation, Paul said.
“The goal is for UNL to become a national and international resource for water research,” he said.
Funds will also allow for the hiring of staff assistants specializing in grant writing and other areas key to helping find and get state, federal and corporate research grant funds.
“There are a number of areas we could be especially competitive in seeking research grant funding,” Hoagland said.
Hoagland and Sherilyn Fritz of UNL’s Department of Geosciences, lead the WRRI with help from Paul.
GO TO: ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 19
NEWS HEADLINES FOR FEBRUARY 19
Waller urges students: Listen for opportunities
Second round of Gallup surveys coming up
UNL to host first water law conference
Big Red Road Show is Feb. 29
Education Expert Eisner to Lecture Feb. 26
Initiative could expand UNL’s role in research
Week calls attention to eating disorders
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