Minnesota has abundant clean water resources that enhance recreation, support regional economic development, and promote cultural values and sense of place. At the same time, society continues to undervalue clean water: We overuse and pollute water resources leading others to "pay" for degraded water quality. How can we better account for the true value of clean water? And how can this information be used to inform policy and behavior? Drawing on recent advances in ecology and economics, Dr. Bonnie Keeler will describe evidence for how clean water affects households and communities in Minnesota and what may be at stake if we fail to internalize the true cost of water in decisions. Keeler is a program director and lead scientist at the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment where she oversees the Natural Capital Project, a partnership between universities and conservation organizations that aims to mainstream the value of nature in decisions.