Waterborne’s field and data services teams have long supported nutrient loss reduction strategies within the Midwest, and over the last several years, we have worked closely with clients and partners to assist in meeting individual state goals outlined by the Hypoxia Task Force. While there is still much work to be done to meet the overarching 2035 goals outlined by the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan, Waterborne is proud to be part of this historic initiative and to contribute our innovative approaches to identification, instrumentation & monitoring, and data analysis to support the reduction of nutrients in watersheds. The 2025 data summarized by the USGS reflect the states’ efforts to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus in Gulf waters and ultimately reduce the hypoxic zone area. The collective efforts put forward by so many entities – small to large, and individuals to institutions - are finally being reflected in the broader environmental concentration datasets. This positive shift in environmental health is one reason why Waterborne is so passionate about the work we do.

To further connect to Waterborne’s work in nutrient reduction and best management strategies, in our May newsletter, we showcased the start of season 2 at the innovatively designed floating wetlands research site at Illinois Central College. After having spring rains, the floating wetlands are thriving and Pete Fandel, Professor in the Department of Agriculture at ICC, who is working closely with Waterborne’s Shawn Meyer, Lead Scientist & Manager, on this project explain the functionality of these intricately designed wetlands to support local reductions in nutrient concentrations found in surface water that ultimately contribute to Midwest initiatives and further positively affect the larger hypoxia issues in the gulf.