An online course offered by the Michigan State University Extension
Michigan is blessed with more than 11,000 inland lakes, each providing unique recreational, scenic and environmental benefits. These inland lakes are complex ecosystems, and are often negatively impacted by both the people that live near them as well as the water that drains into them. Frequently, local communities struggle to protect and manage inland lakes in a way that incorporates the best available knowledge and resources. Concerned citizens, decision makers, local leaders, resource professionals and lakefront property owners can learn about inland lake management and protection by enrolling in the Introduction to Lakes online course.
Introduction to Lakes is a six-week online course specially designed for citizens and professionals alike that are interested in learning about inland lakes. From the comfort of home or office, participants have 24/7 access to six online units complete with closed captioned video lectures, interactive activities, additional resources, discussion forums, quizzes, and live chat sessions with classmates and Michigan State University Extension experts. Through this convenient format, participants increase their knowledge and understanding of the following topics:
- Lake ecology
- Lakes and their watersheds
- Shorelines
- Michigan water law
- Aquatic plant management
- Citizen involvement in lake stewardship.
The course is taught on a week-by-week basis, allowing for online communication between classmates and instructors through topical discussion forums. The course also includes three pre-scheduled live chat sessions with instructors and outside experts.
This course has been approved by MDARD (Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) for 14 Pesticide Applicator Recertification seminar credits (Commercial Core or Category 5 [Aquatics]), MDE (Michigan Department of Education) for 14 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECH), and the MSUE Master Citizen Planner credits. Please email morrisc@oakgov.com for more information about obtaining these credits.
Course instructors include Bindu Bhakta, Terry Gibb, Jane Herbert, Dr. Jo Latimore, Dr. Lois Wolfson, Beth Clawson, Brad Neumann, and a variety of water resource experts.
2016 Course Enrollment
The 2016 course begins on October 4th and runs through November 23rd. Live Chat sessions are scheduled on October 19, November 2, and November 16.
Course Fee is $80 if you register by August 31, 2016.
Course Fee is $95 if you register September 1-23, 2016.
Enrollment ends September 23, 2016.
To learn more about the course, review this MSU Extension news article about the inaugural Introduction to Lakes Online course held during Fall 2015.
