World Water Day & NEW Watershed Champion 2025

2025 NEW Watershed Champion Award

In honor of World Water Day, we are proud to announce the recipient of the 2025 NEW Watershed Champion Award is Linda Gustke, Director of Education at Green Bay Botanical Garden.

World Water Day, established by the United Nations in 1993, serves as an important reminder to raise awareness about global water issues and to encourage action to address them. Naming a NEW Watershed Champion comes as part of NEW Water’s commemoration of World Water Day, through a celebration of individuals or organizations that have demonstrated exceptional efforts to improve water quality in our region.

This year, we are thrilled to recognize Linda for her dedication to incorporating water education into her work. Through her role with Green Bay Botanical Garden, Linda has continuously found innovative ways to engage the community and her team in understanding the connection between land and water. With her initiatives such as bringing the Washed Ashore Exhibit to Wisconsin to educate the public about plastic pollution in waterways, Youth Field Trips and Outreach Programs, and the Brown County Seed Library, Linda has successfully raised awareness about the crucial connection between land, water, and our daily lives.

“Engaging area youth in water education connects them with water through hands-on experiences, helping them gain a deeper understanding of its importance and empowering them to protect this precious resource,” said Jeff Smudde, Director of Environmental Programs.

Additionally, Linda’s partnership with the Greater Green Bay STEM Network has expanded the reach of these educational efforts, providing students and community members with hands-on experiences that foster a deeper understanding of local water resources and ecosystems.

Past NEW Watershed Champion Award recipients include the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for leading PCB remediation efforts of the Fox River, Brickstead Dairy for conservation efforts on their family farm, and Charlie Frisk, science educator and President of the Baird Creek Foundation. See the full list of recipients here >> 

About the Green Bay Botanical Garden

Green Bay Botanical Garden spans 47 acres of beautiful natural Wisconsin landscapes, featuring over 120,000 breathtaking plants and flowers. The Garden connects people with plants by providing year-round educational and recreational experiences for all. It aims to be the leading educational, recreational, social, and horticultural destination, enriching the quality of life in the upper Midwest. Learn more at www.gbbg.org

About NEW Water

NEW Water, the brand of the Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District, is a wholesale provider of wastewater treatment and conveyance services to 15 municipal customers, serving approximately 239,000 residents throughout a 285-square-mile area. NEW Water collects and treats an average of 41 million gallons a day from two facilities. NEW Water staff work around the clock so people can do laundry, flush the toilet, and run their businesses whenever they want. Learn more at www.newwater.us