You’re invited to the presentation “The New Burke Center and Our Work to Keep Lake Superior Great” by Burke Center for Ecosystem Research Associate Director Matt Hudson on October 1, 2025.
In-person attendees are invited to the Large Lakes Observatory room 200 for networking, sandwiches, and plenty of fresh water at 11:30 a.m. The online and in-person presentation will begin at noon. Sadly, the Zoom option is sandwich-free.
This event is free and open to the public.
Location
Large Lakes Observatory (Research Laboratory Building), Room 200
2205 E. 5th St.
Duluth, MN 55812
Parking
Attendees can park in the Research Laboratory Building parking lot for free during the event. Alternatively, if the lot is full, they can park along E. 5th St. and walk up to the south/main entrance through Old Main Park.
Registration
Event schedule
- 11:30 a.m. Lunch and networking (in-person only)
- 12:00 p.m. Attendee announcements
- 12:05 p.m. Seminar
- 12:45 p.m. Moderated question and answer session
- Adjourning by 1 p.m. at the latest.
Speaker Bio
Matt Hudson is the associate director of the Burke Center for Ecosystem Research in Ashland, Wisconsin. His work focuses on understanding physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of streams and lakes in the Chequamegon Bay region of Lake Superior, using that work to help facilitate restoration solutions, and involving undergraduate students and young professionals in hands-on research and restoration experiences.
Hudson spent nearly 13 years at Northland College helping to build and grow the Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation. Following the closure of Northland College at the end of May 2025, he has worked with colleagues to transition the work of the Burke Center to the nonprofit Burke Center for Ecosystem Research.
Prior to Northland College, he spent three years doing community watershed planning work with the Bad River Watershed Association in Ashland, Wisconsin, and over five years doing environmental science work with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission in Odanah, Wisconsin. He has a bachelor’s degree in water chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a master’s degree in water resources science from the University of Minnesota.
Presentation Abstract
Since 2015, the Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation has been a pillar of applied science, research and communications on freshwater issues in the Lake Superior region of Wisconsin. Following the closure of Northland College in May 2025, the Burke Center for Ecosystem Research emerged as a nonprofit research institution to continue the work of the Northland Burke Center.
Modeled after the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in upstate New York, the new Burke Center continues its focus on freshwater science and communications, while broadening its scope to other ecosystems to foster new collaborative opportunities. Matt Hudson will share the story of the new Burke Center, its work and its goals and aspirations as it re-imagines interdisciplinary research focusing on the Lake Superior watershed, the inland lake country of northwest Wisconsin, and beyond.
About TPFF
Twin Ports Freshwater Folk (TPFF) is an informal gathering of individuals from the Twin Ports who are involved in freshwater research, policy, or regulatory issues. Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month and include networking, informal discussion, and a seminar.
Event Sponsors
- Minnesota Sea Grant
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Large Lakes Observatory at the University of Minnesota Duluth
- Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Minnesota Duluth
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Contact
Alex Frie, research and fellowship coordinator, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Duluth. [email protected].
Image credit: Matt Hudson.