Itasca Water Wisdom Webinar

December 4, 2025 – Water Wishes for the Holidays

https://itascawaters.org/water-wisdom-2025

Presenters: Dr. John Downing, Director of the Sea Grant College Program, a research scientist at the Large Lakes Observatory on Lake Superior, and a professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Hilarie Sorensen is the Water Resources Extension Educator with Minnesota Sea Grant. Her work focuses on helping Minnesotans address complex water quality issues in Lake Superior and inland lakes and streams by delivering accessible, credible science, resources, and programs to meet their needs. Hilarie’s background includes research on species range shifts due to changing environmental conditions, marine trophic ecology, partnership development, the incorporation of interdisciplinary and ecosystem-based approaches to watershed management, conducting water quality monitoring, and finding research-driven solutions to address complex water resource challenges. Hilarie holds a Master’s of Marine Biology from the University of Oregon and a Master’s of Environmental Studies from Lakehead University in Ontario, Canada.

Sawyer Lorentz received her B.S. in Biology from Thomas More University, a small liberal arts school in Northern Kentucky that provided an interdisciplinary education with a lot of hands-on experiences to kick start her career in aquatic sciences. She then attended the University of Minnesota for her M.S. in conservation science where she focused on using participatory science to model zebra mussel occupancy, suitability, and dispersal dynamics within and across Minnesota lakes. Her interests include freshwater ecology, invasive species, and conservation. She now works as an environmental scientist at an engineering firm in central Ohio where she helps run a native mussel survey program.

Holly Ristau is our story teller. She is a retired librarian and storyteller who spent the majority of her professional years teaching on the White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota.  She was the library director for the three libraries in the Mahnomen Public School District and the White Earth Tribal and Community College.  She used storytelling as a teaching tool at all levels and favored folk tales, Native Legends and “Why” stories

Topic Summary: Looking for meaningful holiday gifts for the young readers in your life? Join us for a special holiday edition of Practical Water Wisdom, where we’ll explore water-themed children’s books that are perfect for sparking curiosity and conversation. Minnesota Sea Grant’s John Downing and Hilarie Sorensen will review a selection of fiction and non-fiction titles that connect us to water and nature geared for kids and teens. Holly Ristau, a former educator and storyteller with the Mahnomen School District will offer guidance on how to share these books meaningfully with children. Drawing from her background in teaching storytelling, Holly will share tips for reading effectively to kids, highlighting the importance of telling stories in a way that helps children visualize and connect. She’ll also provide guidance on how families can share their own water stories. We’ll also be joined by Sawyer Lorentz, author of a creative, water-themed coloring book that blends science and art. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, educator, or water enthusiast, this webinar will help you connect the children in your life with water through the power of storytelling