Anyone for tea?
UWM researchers assisted in a global carbon sequestration study by burying tea bags in Estabrook Pond. UWM biological sciences professors John Berges and Erica Young participated in a global research effort to measure carbon sequestration in wetland environments. Their measurement tool of choice? Lipton tea bags.
Berges, Young, and their students buried tea bags in the sediment at the bottom of Estabrook Pond. The more tea that degraded, the more carbon was released. The research took place in 2017, but the results were published in November 2024. The scientists found that the biggest factor in how quickly carbon was recycled was warmer temperatures. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, so research shows how wetlands may have a role in climate change.
https://uwm.edu/letters-science/in-focus/research-news/research-is-brewing-uwm-biologists-study-carbon-sequestration-using-tea-bags/
Notable Leader
Dr. Jennifer Gutzman was named one of our Notable Leaders in STEM! You may view/share the link to the digital edition of the June 23rd issue:
https://biztimes.com/category/notable-series/notable-leaders-in-stem/
Frogs, forests, and field work
Conservation student travels to Grenada on a fully funded research trip by a grant from the National Science Foundation, led by Dr. Emily Latch. Jaeden Carrasquillo’s introduction to field research, is one of three UWM students chosen to participate in SURF-TURF Grenada, a program that allows students to conduct research in the Caribbean Island nation. Other UWM students are studying the habitat and diet of the Grenada frog, a critically endangered species found only on the island.
https://uwm.edu/letters-science/in-focus/alumni-student-news/ces-students-research-trip-of-a-lifetime/
Spiders!!!
In the October 15, 2025, episode of the Larry Meiller Show on Wisconsin Public Radio, Larry and Rafa Rodríguez discussed living with (some) creepy crawlies in the home, the delicate business of spider courtship and mating, and answered questions from listeners about other Fall-appropriate critter topics.
https://www.wpr.org/shows/larry-meiller-show/insect-update-creepy-crawlies-in-the-home-fall-is-time-for-spiders-to-shine
