Guest Blog by: Dr. Jo Latimore, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, and Alicia Symanski, Northwestern Michigan College
Register today for the 2018 Joint MiCorps Conference/Michigan Inland Lakes Convention
This year, MiCorps is joining together with the Michigan Inland Lakes Partnership to offer a conference event that combines the best of each program! What better way to celebrate Michigan’s waters than by diving into the latest science, newest management tools, and most exciting stewardship opportunities? The Convention will take place October 4-5, 2018, in Grand Rapids. Register for the Convention by September 14 and take advantage of Early Bird rates.
The Convention will kick off with a welcome reception on Wednesday evening, October 3. Thursday morning, two outstanding keynote speakers – Bill Creal, former Water Resources Division Chief for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and Lisa Borre of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies – will set the tone for the Convention along the theme of “Working Together for Healthy Lakes” – on local, state, and global scales. Breakout thematic sessions will follow on Thursday afternoon. The day concludes with an evening reception highlighting posters and educational displays. Friday morning, the thematic breakout sessions will continue, and Friday afternoon will offer a variety of workshops, field trips, and breakout sessions.
Throughout the event, sessions of particular interest to MiCorps volunteers and program coordinators will be highlighted. Engaging presentations and poster sessions, stimulating discussions, and exciting workshops and field trips will explore themes including: Invasive Species, Lake and Watershed Management, Lake Monitoring, Water Law, Lake Levels, Fisheries and Natural Resource Management, Public Health/Septic Systems, Lake Stewardship, Aquatic Plants, Natural Shorelines, Volunteer Monitoring/Citizen Science, Water Conservation, and Contaminants.
The Convention results from the collaborative efforts of many organizations, truly embodying the theme of “Working Together for Healthy Lakes”: Michigan State University Extension, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Michigan Aquatic Managers Association, Northwestern Michigan College, the Michigan Chapter of the North American Lake Management Society, the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership, and the MSU Institute of Water Research. Major funding support has been provided by Michigan State University Extension; Michigan Lake Stewardship Associations; the Michigan Department of Natural Resources; CD3, General Benefit Corporation; the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and Founders Brewing Company. The Convention is an opportunity to learn from prominent leaders in science and lake management. Perhaps most importantly, it is an opportunity to unite to learn and share best protection, prevention, and preservation practices for the waters of Michigan!
For question or additional information, please visit the Convention website or contact Dr. Jo Latimore at latimor1@msu.edu or 517-432-1491.
