The Water Resources Initiative (WRI) at Skidmore College is administered by our interdepartmental Environmental Studies (ES) Program. WRI integrates coursework, team-based research, and engagement with local and international concerns for water resources. Interdisciplinary, community-based research is a major emphasis of the initiative, and the research focus is currently our local Saratoga Lake watershed.

The Saratoga Lake watershed is large and encompasses many land use patterns and ecologies, and Saratoga Lake is a controversial, potential new drinking water source for our growing community. WRI research brings together our diverse students, faculty and community partners to explore the natural, social and cultural influences that shape our interactions with local water resources. Field trips to water-stressed regions of the world help students place our local water issues in a more global context.