Great Lakes Calendar

The Great Lakes Calendar features events from around the region that may be of interest to Great Lakes stakeholders, with a focus on professional conferences and events relevant to research, science, policy, and education. If you have an event you would like to publicize, please submit it below!

2018 Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Convention and Water Action Volunteers Symposium

Stevens Point, WI

When folks gather at the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Convention, they are paying attention to the many factors that affect our precious waters. In this setting, professionals and citizens have the time and space to discuss successes, as well as learn from each other. There is new research to consider during the poster session as well as over 50 concurrent sessions and hands-on workshops that will encourage you to heed the call.

Webinar: Understanding the Climate’s Impact on Soil

Webinar

Join the North Central Climate Collaborative (NC3)'s upcoming webinar featuring South Dakota State University Extension Soil Field Specialist Anthony Bly. Bly will discuss the climate's impact on soil properties and what this means for producers, educators, and advisors.

Great Lakes Economic Forum

Montreal, QC

The Council of the Great Lakes Region's fourth Great Lakes Economic Forum brings together hundreds of leading industry executives, senior government officials and policy experts, academics, and change agents from the nonprofit sector who have a stake in growing the economy of the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence region, safely and sustainably, and improving the well-being of the region’s citizens.

Spring Treasure Hunt at Ross Coastal Plain Marsh Preserve

Coloma, MI

Take a tour of the Ross Coastal Plain Marsh Preserve with The Nature Conservancy! The Nature Conservancy will share the unique history of the preserve, the habitats and species that live here and how they’re working to restore and protect Michigan’s forests and dunes. The tour also includes an introduction to geocaching! This event is free and family friendly. Spots are limited. RSVP required by May 1.

Great Lakes Fishery Commission Annual Meeting

Toronto, ON

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission Annual Meeting provides an opportunity for the public to learn about and discuss developments in the Great Lakes fishery. Commissioners and the U.S. and Canadian Committees of Advisors will also hold meetings at this event.

Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame

Grand Rapids, MI

The Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame awards are sponsored by the Muskegon Environmental Research & Education Society. The award ceremony takes place May 9, 2018. Nominations may be submitted by the public.

Conservation Cafe: Science is Beautiful

Grand Rapids, MI

Take a virtual tour of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park with Chris May, Restoration Ecologist, as he tells the story of some of our most special places and the techniques used to restore and protect them.

5th National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium

Grand Rapids, MI

From public fishing docks to bustling industrial piers, waterfront infrastructure sustains economic and recreational activity in waterfront communities around the country. The 2018 National Working Waterfronts and Waterways Symposium will bring together representatives from businesses, non-profits, universities, all levels of government, and more to share resources and best practices to help waterfront communities thrive.

2018 Great Lakes Areas of Concern Conference

Sheboygan, WI

The 2018 Great Lakes Areas of Concern Conference is convened by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The conference provides an opportunity for attendees to discuss the program's work and accomplishments, to connect with a wide variety of partners, and to continue making progress.

Conservation Cafe: Science is Beautiful

Bloomfield Hills, MI

Take a virtual tour with The Nature Conservancy in Michigan and Chris May, Restoration Ecologist, as he tells the story of some of our most special places and the techniques used to restore and protect them.

Great Lakes Dredging Team Annual Meeting

Toledo, OH

Please join us for the 2018 Great Lakes Dredging Team Annual Meeting! This event is the perfect occasion for regional stakeholders to discuss important issues related to dredging and dredged material management. Participants will also have the chance to go on a field trip to sites of interest.

Michigan Water School: Essential Resources for Local Officials

Michigan Water School helps elected and appointed officials increase their knowledge about water management and gain access to tools and resources to help impact their local economy. Water School features both in-class presentations and interactive learning demonstrations along with a field-tour. The program includes sessions on water quantity, quality, economics, finance, and planning, and water policy issues.

Great Lakes Hydrilla Collaborative Technical Webinar – Monoecious Hydrilla Biology and Implications for Management

Webinar

The Great Lakes Hydrilla Collaborative Technical Webinar Series continues as Dr. Rob Richardson of North Carolina State University presents on Monoecious Hydrilla Biology and Implications for Management. Dr. Richardson will provide specific examples as to how the biology of monoecious hydrilla shapes management programs. We will have an approximately 40-minute presentation followed by a 20-minute question and answer session.

2018 Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Annual Meeting and Conference

Ajax, Ontario

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative's Annual Meeting and Conference brings together stakeholders (municipal, federal, state, provincial, tribal/First Nations/Metis, NGOs, private, academic) from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region to share best practices, discuss shared issues and move forward the protection and restoration of the resource.

Soil Health Parameters and Water Quality Webinar

Webinar

As measuring soil health becomes more of a common practice, there are a variety of factors to consider based on location, soil type, and cropping system. So, which tests makes sense for you? Tune in to this month’s webinar and learn about the variety of soil health parameters, which factors to consider for each indicator, and which soil health tests are connected to water quality.

IAGLR’s 61st Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research

Toronto, ON

Fellow researchers from around the world will gather in Scarborough, on the green edge of Toronto, for IAGLR's 61st annual Conference on Great Lakes Research. A great program is in store with four days of scientific sessions and speakers focusing on our theme Great Science for Tomorrow's Solutions.

2018 International Charr Symposium

Duluth, MN

This 9th International Charr Symposium will gather scientists with an interest in charr biology from the whole distribution of the genus, and will disseminate the latest research findings within a broad range of topics. The symposium will also provide a unique forum for networking and developing research collaborations.

Webinar: Understanding the influence of climate information on farm decision-making

Webinar

NC3 is hosting bimonthly webinars on climate, water, and agriculture throughout 2018. The next webinar is Monday, June 25th and will feature Tonya Haigh of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Haigh will present the results from a recent survey administered to farmers and farm advisors across the US Corn Belt exploring climate services and the public and private pathways to farm decision-making.

One Water Summit 2018

Minneapolis, MN

Join hundreds of top water leaders in the Twin Cities for One Water Summit 2018. It is the premier national conference focused on sustainable, integrated, and inclusive approaches to managing water, our most precious natural resource. From inspiring plenary sessions, skills building institutes, interactive workshops, mobile tours, and unparalleled networking opportunities, One Water Summit 2018 is not to be missed. Now is the time to define our nation’s water future by setting a bold One Water agenda, charting a path together with the right cross section of leaders, and rapidly scaling what works.

The Current Webinar: Successful Efforts in Stopping Aquatic Invasive Species from the Pet and Pond Trades

Webinar

Invasive aquatic plants and animals introduced through trade channels pose a significant threat to natural ecosystems. Invasive organisms can be released into waterways or escape from private ponds and water gardens. Invasive aquatic species can also be included in shipments to vendors and consumers via “hitchhiking” organisms or mislabeling. Join us for this month’s The Current to hear from Extension professionals around the region on their successful efforts – and lessons learned – in blocking invasive aquatic species from these trades.