No environmental feature captures the essence of Madison better than its lakes. From both literal and figurative perspectives, the lakes and lands between them define the character of this iconic city. The University of Wisconsin-Madison and Lake Mendota were the birthplace of the science of limnology, and continue to be at the forefront of freshwater ecology. Lake Mendota is often called “the most studied lake in the world.” Despite their cherished status, the Madison lakes are now imperiled by a complex web of human-related factors, including pollution, urbanization, invasive species, and climate change.

Through an interactive lecture and short walking tour, Dr. Lindroth will explore the freshwater challenges we face at home, alongside possible solutions grounded in sound science, ecological practices, and time-tested theological convictions.

Rick Lindroth is a Vilas Distinguished Achievement  & Sorenson Professor and recent Associate Dean for Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received his Ph.D. in ecology at the University of Illinois-Urbana, and has spent his entire academic career at UW-Madison.

Rick’s research focuses on evolutionary ecology and global change ecology. He has been a Fulbright Fellow and is a Fellow of the Ecological Society of America, the Entomological Society of America, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Rick has served on the editorial boards for multiple scientific journals and on grants panels for NSF and USDA. He is a member of the BioLogos Voices speakers bureau.

Rick and his wife Nancy are parents to two extraordinary daughters and grandparents to two grandsons and a granddaughter. They have served in numerous ministry roles at Blackhawk Church in Madison. Rick enjoys outdoor hobbies aided and abetted by carbon fiber technology: cycling, fly fishing, and paddling.