Peter Annin

Peter Annin is the Director of the Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation at Northland College, focusing on freshwater policy and environmental journalism. He holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MIA from Columbia University, and an honorary doctorate from Northland College. His work bridges environmental science and public policy, particularly regarding Great Lakes water diversion and climate impacts.

Before joining Northland in 2015, Annin worked as a reporter at Newsweek, managed the University of Notre Dame’s Environmental Change Initiative, and served as associate director of the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources. He volunteers as executive director of Gull Rock Lightkeepers, restoring a historic Lake Superior lighthouse.

• Education:
  • BA Journalism, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • MIA, Columbia University
  • Doctorate of Humane Letters (Honorary), Northland College

His research emphasizes freshwater conservation and extreme weather preparedness. Key publications include The Great Lakes Water Wars (2nd ed., 2018) and opinion pieces on Southwest water crises and Great Lakes water level surges. He was honored with the 2020 Great Lakes Leadership Award for Communication.

Annin’s courses include Great Lakes Water Wars and News Writing and Reporting. His writing often appears in NPR and Wiki segments, addressing pressing water resource challenges.

Future efforts focus on preparing communities for climate-driven water extremes and sustaining the Colorado River Basin.