Retired professor Bud Harris devoted his career to improving water quality.
Once upon a time, not so long ago, the Fox River had so much bacteria in the sediment that anaerobic activity produced hydrogen gas. Large bubbles rose to the surface as a reminder that something was really wrong.
“The conditions of the river were actually frightening,” said Bud Harris, retired professor. “At one point, the Fox and East Rivers were just plain open sewers. People demanded change as far back as the 1930s and 40s. But only after the Clean Water Act were serious efforts at cleanup made.”
Bud’s first connection with water quality came because of his passion for teaching. He came to UW-Green Bay as a professor when the school was informally known as Eco-U.
“We all had the same ideas about nature, and ecology, and sustainability,” Bud remembered. “That was the theme at that time. There was a mission to focus on the environment,” even across disciplines.
So it wasn’t much of a leap when several researchers from UW Green Bay and commissioners from the Green Bay Sewer District started working together to improve the water in the bay of Green Bay. The water was visibly polluted, and this team was concerned that people were thinking too small as they planned interventions. They wanted to ensure that the time and money invested would have a significant impact.
That’s how Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance was born. From the beginning, folks like Bud and other early supporters established two priorities for Fox-Wolf. First, focus on the entire watershed, and the way that all our waters and communities are connected. “It is more effective to manage problems at the source than to make changes further downstream,” Bud explained.
And second, prioritize working with all stakeholders, including farmers, businesses and manufacturers, municipalities, and concerned residents. After all, as Bud said, “What’s the common goal? Sustainability. The advantage of working together is we don’t all have the same ideas, so you have this mixture of potential solutions!”
Bud’s contributions to our water went beyond his work with Fox-Wolf, including direct connection to the massive project of removing PCBs from the Fox River. Bud provided testimony that helped hold insurance companies accountable for paying out for the environmental damage.
People often questioned his tactics to partner with sectors that were not conservation focused, but it was important for Bud to work even with the paper mills that people pointed to for causing the pollution.
“No one is cast as a villain,” he said. “The paper companies had a role to play,” Bud explained. “And they proved themselves to be responsible. We needed a common goal of cleaning up the past.”
Reflecting on all his life experiences – farming, military service, teaching – he sees a common thread of collaboration. “Life’s tough,” Bud said, “but if you work together, you get the work done.”
Looking to the future, Bud feels guardedly positive. “Leaders like [Fox-Wolf Executive Director] Jessica are changing things. I’m glad to see the return of team efforts and involving the community.”
All of us who live in northeast Wisconsin have cleaner water than what Bud saw at the beginning of his career. And though he didn’t do it alone, we can all be grateful for Bud and the work he has accomplished on our behalf. His extraordinary impact on making our waters safer and cleaner is why he was honored with the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance Lifetime Achievement award.
Watershed Moments is a publication of Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, sharing the stories of how your donations have impacted lives in our community. Read our latest project updates, make a secure online donation, or become a member at www.fwwa.org
