Wisdom of Water – EarthFest 2026

As part of EarthFest 2026, The Wisdom of Water: From the Andes to the Great Lakes is presented in collaboration with the Center for Culture, History, and the Environment (CHE) at the Nelson Institute, University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Mundo Esperanza.

Across the Americas, cultures developed deep knowledge of water because survival depended on it. From the mountain canals of the Andes to the lakes of Wisconsin, water has shaped where people live, their relationship with the land, and how communities work together.

Today, as climate change and water challenges intensify, this knowledge offers important guidance for the future.

This symposium brings together scholars, Indigenous leaders, and practitioners to explore how water connects cultures across the Americas. Through shared perspectives, participants will engage with both ancient wisdom and modern approaches to water stewardship and sustainability.

Wisdom of Water is more than a conversation—it is a space for connection, dialogue, and reflection.

Lunch will be provided by Mishqui Peruvian Bistro, offering a chance to continue the conversation in a communal setting.

Whether you come from engineering, environmental studies, community leadership, or simply an interest in water, this event invites you to be part of a growing movement—one that recognizes water as a force connecting people, cultures, and generations.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Symbology Media Productions