NTL-LTER

North Temperate Lakes Long-Term Ecological Research
pontoon boat in Lake Mendota moored to pier

New NTL paper ⭐

Two decades of bacterial ecology and evolution in a freshwater lake.

The North Temperate Lakes Long-Term Ecological Research (NTL-LTER) program conducts and facilitates long term ecological research on Wisconsin lakes. Housed on both the UW-Madison campus and at Trout Lake Station, NTL is part of the larger LTER network funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation since 1981. NTL is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and supportive community where everyone is valued, treated with respect, and has the opportunity to contribute and thrive in all aspects of our research and activities. We invite you to explore our datasets and collaborate with us.

In the News

  • Emily Stanley is standing by the CFL dock, looking up at a bottle of Lake Mendota water she's holding in a jar, Lake Mendota is behind her.

    In Their Element

    Water. Fire. Air. When it comes to today’s biggest environmental challenges, these are the elements at the heart of the issues. Meet three L&S experts who are at the top of their field in finding sustainable solutions.

    June 21, 2025
  • Hasler Laboratory of Limnology is shown with Lake Mendota in the background and the words Federal Funding Cuts Could Threaten Lake Research, News 3 Now shown at the bottom of the photo.

    UW-Madison lake researchers face uncertainty over potential cuts to the National Science Foundation

    UW-Madison researchers, who study Wisconsin's lakes, are grappling with uncertainty as cuts to the National Science Foundation (NSF) could threaten decades of freshwater research.

    June 11, 2025
  • Trina is standing in a calm lake, wearing camouflaged waders and holding onto a stump protruding from the lake surface.

    Freshwater Colloquium: Ecogenomics of freshwater lake bacteria

    Katherine (Trina) McMahon will present “Ecogenomics of freshwater lake bacteria“ as part of the School of Freshwater Sciences Fall colloquium. March 10 @ 3pm

    February 27, 2025
  • Stock photo image of lake rocks in foreground and blurred background with UN-SALTED Great Lakes written across the photo

    Unsalted Great Lakes Podcast

    Love the Great Lakes? Join Allison Devereaux as she explores the largest freshwater system on earth. Unsalted: a podcast for people who live, work and play on the Great Lakes.

    November 21, 2024
  • Hilary Dugan stands behind podium at ASLO conference smiling and welcoming people to the conference in Madison. SHe is wearing a sleeveless dress and is smiling at the crowd.

    2024 Yentsch Schindler Award to Hilary Dugan

    The 2024 Yentsch-Schindler Early Career Award was presented to Dr. Hilary Dugan for her exceptional, balanced contributions to our understanding of salinization of freshwater ecosystems and winter limnology, and for her commitment to scientific mentorship and impact-creation via proactive, open-science translation to resource managers and the public. The award was presented to Dr. Dugan at the 2024 ASLO Summer Meeting in Madison, WI, USA.

    November 20, 2024
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