Debra H. Anderson

Debra H. Anderson is a Visiting Professor of Natural Resources and Biology at Northland College (closed in 2025). She specializes in limnology, fisheries science, and water resource management, emphasizing ecological and cultural connections to water. Her work integrates field-based teaching with community engagement, particularly through collaborations with tribal colleges like Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Community College (LCOOCC).

Education:

• PhD in Water Resources Science
• MS Biology (Environmental Emphasis) with Education Minor
• BA in Biology

Research & Teaching: Focuses on lake ecology, Indigenous stewardship of water, and training tribal environmental staff. Courses emphasize fieldwork exploring local water resources. She advocates for sustainability through initiatives like the Hulings Rice Food Center and Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation.

Key Contributions:

• Organized events such as the Women and Water Symposium (2024) and Wisconsin Water Week sessions (2021)
• Developed curriculum for tribal colleges and trained educators via Earth Partnership Indigenous Arts and Sciences Summer Institutes (2017–2022)

Awards:

• Recipient of prestigious grants and faculty recognition for her work in tribal education and environmental science

Additional Work: Maintains a 108-acre family farm producing 60% of household food, aligning with sustainability values. Has 34.5 years of experience teaching at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University.