The Minnesota Ground Water Association (MGWA) is a non-profit, volunteer organization which promotes public policy and scientific education about groundwater.
Exciting Opportunity: Executive Director for MGWA!
The Minnesota Ground Water Association and Foundation are looking for a passionate leader to serve as our Part-Time Executive Director!
If you are dedicated to groundwater advocacy and education and have a talent for building relationships, driving engagement, and shaping impactful programs, we invite you to apply.
This role offers a unique opportunity to work with a dynamic network of scientists, engineers, planners, educators, and policymakers to promote groundwater sustainability.
Key Highlights of the Role:
-Lead organizational growth and engagement strategies
-Develop partnerships and sponsorship opportunities
-Expand programming to attract young professionals
-Represent MGWA at conferences and networking events
-Work remotely with flexible hours (8-10 hours per week)
This is a contract position with annual compensation of $25,000, with opportunities for growth as membership, sponsorships, and programming expand.
If you or someone you know is interested in making a lasting impact on Minnesota’s groundwater community, we’d love to hear from you! Learn more by clicking here for the job description.
MGWA Spring Conference Call for Abstracts

“Minnesota’s Hydrologic Future: Fractures, Fens, and Flow Demands”
MGWA’s spring in-person conference will be held on May 1 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The conference will focus on the current science of the intersection of surface and groundwater flow, primary and secondary flow regimes and economic demands on our groundwater systems.
The conference organizers are seeking expert speakers related to the surface and subsurface effects realized across the state resulting from our unique hydrogeologic settings.
Subjects include, but are not limited to, carbonate fens, karst or driftless water quality impacts and improvement projects, fracture predictions and modeling, economic and municipal use demands, and deep bedrock aquifer-specific quantity and quality case studies.
Due March 31st!
Interested in presenting? We’d love to hear from you. Submit your abstract here.
2025 Gil Gabanski College Scholarships Available!
The Minnesota Ground Water Association (MGWA) and the MGWA Foundation (MGWAF) are pleased to announce the continuation of the Gil Gabanski Scholarship to support and encourage undergraduate and graduate students in groundwater science-related fields.
Multiple $2,000 scholarships will be awarded this year to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at accredited colleges or universities in Minnesota or adjoining states or provinces.
The goal of this scholarship is to alleviate a portion of educational costs and provide mentorship, while also increasing student interest in groundwater-related professions. The Gabanski Student Scholarships are made in honor of Gil Gabanski, the co-founder and former president of the Minnesota Ground Water Association. Gil had a profound impact on the groundwater and geosciences communities in Minnesota. He helped build our organization to what it is today and was always passionate about helping and mentoring students.
The deadline for the 2025 scholarship was January 31. We are no longer accepting applications for the Gil Gabanski College Scholarships. Thanks to all that applied!

T minus 26 days until the 2024 Fall MGWA Conference! Have you registered yet?
And speaking of our amazing upcoming conference, sponsorship opportunities are available starting at $500. Lots of awesome benefits. Contact office@mgwa.org for more information. https://www.mgwa.org/conferences/conference-registration/

Future of Drinking Water

Provide input on Minnesota’s roadmap to ensure safe and sufficient drinking water into the future
Minnesota has an outstanding record of providing safe drinking water for customers on public water systems. Yet, there are risks and gaps to address so that everyone, everywhere in Minnesota has safe and sufficient drinking water. The DRAFT Minnesota Drinking Water Action Plan names key risks and gaps and proposes strategies to address them. Risks and gaps include limited protections for private well users, a shrinking drinking water workforce, as well as emerging risks from contaminants, pathogens and climate change. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) coordinated the development of the Plan, incorporating expertise and feedback from water professionals, state and local governments, researchers, and Minnesotans who drink water.
MDH invites you to review the Plan and provide feedback by October 17.
The Plan, information sheet, and feedback form are at Future of Drinking Water.