Great Lakes Commission

Gales of August: The Sinking of Western Reserve
2025-04-25 | Alpena, MI
Attention shipwreck enthusiasts! Join Bruce Lynn, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and Historical Society, as he tells the story of the museum’s latest shipwreck discovery, WESTERN RESERVE.
After 132 years, the final resting place of this 300-foot steel steamer has been discovered roughly 60 miles northwest of Whitefish Point in Lake Superior. As one of the first all-steel vessels on the Great Lakes, this recently found shipwreck has a fascinating story behind it.
Join us for the next event in our Lecture Series to learn about the ship’s construction, career on the lakes, and tragic sinking. Bruce will combine historical information and records about the ship with the account of the sole survivor to tell this harrowing story.
The lecture begins at 6pm at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in downtown Alpena. Doors will open at 5:30pm. This is a free event and subject to change.
Event website: https://thunderbayfriends.org/index.php/event/gales-of-august-the-sinking-of-western-reserve/
Contact: Sarah Morrison Media Outreach Specialist Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Email: sarah.morrison@noaa.gov
Phone: (989) 884-6200

Great Lakes Seminar: Corey Krabbenhoft
2025-05-08 | Online
Title: Spawning and sustenance: exploring two key aspects of Great Lakes fish ecology
About the speaker: Corey Krabbenhoft is an Assistant Professor at the University at Buffalo in western New York. She received her BS and MS from the University of New Mexico and her PhD From Wayne State University. Her primary research interests center around the response of freshwater communities to environmental stressors including invasive species, climate change, water quality, and water availability. She has worked in the North American Great Lakes for 10 years and has active research on lake trout recruitment, round goby invasion, and native mussel conservation.
Event website: https://ciglr.seas.umich.edu/event/050825-corey-krabbenhoft/
Contact: Margaret Throckmorton
Email: throckmj@umich.edu

Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative 2025 Annual Conference
2025-05-14 - 2025-05-16 | Milwaukee, WI
Join us in Milwaukee, WI, from May 14-16, 2025, for The Future of Fresh Water: Leading the Way in an Era of Scarcity. Clean water access is among the most urgent global challenges as rising demand, limited budgets, and threats like pollution and flooding jeopardize water supply, quality, and communities.
With 20% of the world’s surface fresh water, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region communities are at the forefront. Cities are innovating and investing to protect this vital resource while addressing affordability crises. When water is at risk, so are our economy, health, and future.
Hosted by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, this conference will highlight the critical role of local governments, industries, and innovators in addressing water challenges. Don’t miss this chance to collaborate, innovate, and lead. Together, we can secure a sustainable future for our communities and beyond.
Event website: https://glslcities.org/events/annual-meeting/annual-meeting-milwaukee-wi-2025/
Contact: Jacqueline Edwards, Marketing/Communications and Development Manager, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative
Email: jedwards@glslcities.org
Phone: (777) 389-3088

International Joint Commission's Great Lakes Science Advisory Board: Strengthening Great Lakes Winter Science
2025-05-15 | Online
Despite rapidly changing conditions, the effects of winter on the Great Lakes remains understudied. The result is a significant gap in our understanding of the ecosystem. Join the IJC Great Lakes Science Advisory Board for a discussion of their recent Great Lakes Winter Science report, which identifies the current challenges that limit cold-weather monitoring and opportunities to strengthen winter science efforts.
Event website: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mlkyw1adQJGCihIF7qYqOQ#/registration
Contact: Rachel Wyatt
Email: rachel.wyatt@ijc.org

Great Lakes Fishery Commission Annual Meeting 2025
2025-05-28 - 2025-05-29 | Traverse City, MI
The GLFC Annual Meeting will be held in Traverse City in May 2025. At this meeting, the public can learn about and discuss developments in the Great Lakes fishery. Commissioners and U.S. and Canadian Committees of Advisors will also hold meetings during this time.
Event website: http://www.glfc.org/future-meetings.php
Contact: Jill Wingfield, Director, Communications, Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Email: jwingfield@glfc.org
Phone: (734) 669-3005

IAGLR’s 68th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research
2025-06-02 - 2025-06-06 | Milwaukee, WI
IAGLR’s 68th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 2-6, 2025.
Event website: https://iaglr.org/
Contact: office@iaglr.org

Sandy Shorelines & Seiches Information Workshop
2025-06-13 | Irving, NY
New York Sea Grant, the Sunset Bay Association, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), present the Sandy Shorelines & Seiches Information Workshop: 1-4 p.m., for waterfront property owners, municipal leaders, natural resource managers along NY’s Lake Erie shoreline. Climate patterns suggest that the risk of seiche impact along Lake Erie may intensify, particularly in years when the lake does not ice over.
Presentations weather patterns that cause seiches (National Weather Service personnel retired), management of sandy shorelines: NY Sea Grant, Coastal Erosion Hazard Areas in New York and permitting requirements: DEC. “Seiche Events on Lake Erie” factsheet by NYSG Coastal Processes and Hazards Specialist Roy Widrig available to attendees.
Sunset Bay Volunteer Fire Station 1 at 12798 Allegany Road, Irving, NY. Free; register at www.nyseagrant.org/glcoastal, 315-312-3042. Funding: New York State Environmental Protection Fund, under authority of the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act, in cooperation with NYSDEC’s Great Lakes Program.
Event website: https://www.nyseagrant.org/articles/t/great-lakes-coastal-processes-and-erosion
Contact: Roy Widrig, NY Sea Grant Coastal Processes and Hazards Specialist, New York Sea Grant
Email: rlw294@cornell.edu
Phone: (315) 312-3042

ISEA Vision Unveiling
2025-06-25 | Suttons Bay, MI
Join us on June 25 at 3:30 p.m. for a special event at the Inland Seas Education Association campus (100 Dame St, Suttons Bay, MI). We’re excited to unveil our bold new vision for the future of Great Lakes education on our expanded waterfront campus. Come hear about our exciting plans and the significant progress we’ve already made. Don’t miss this opportunity to see what’s next for Great Lakes education! The event runs until 5:00 p.m.
Event website: https://schoolship.org/news-events/the-unveiling/
Contact: Skyler Singleton, Communications Coordinator, Inland Seas Education Association
Email: isea@schoolship.org
Phone: (231) 271-3077

Invasive Species Program Blitz - Carleton Place, ON
2025-06-30 | Carleton Place, ON
The Mississippi Lakes Association is bringing the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Landing Blitz outreach event to the Lake Avenue boat launch in Carleton Place, Ontario, to educate recreational boaters and anglers about invasive species. The Blitz event will take place June 30 through July 13, 2025.
Event website: https://www.mlakes.org/landing-blitz-2025
Contact: Lise Boulay, Environment Director, Mississippi Lake Association
Email: lboulay60@gmail.com
Phone: (613) 296-0819

SCUBAnauts International – Teens Scientific Diving from Reefs to Shipwrecks
2025-07-02 | Alpena, MI
The mission of SCUBAnauts International is to educate teens in the marine sciences, enabling them to make a positive impact on the environment and empowering them to become tomorrow’s leaders. Florida and Georgia teens work hard all year to train as Scientific Divers and contribute to impactful marine research. Past projects range from coral restoration to seagrass monitoring to dive physiology studies. This week, five Nauts are visiting Thunder Bay to document shipwrecks, participate in marine debris surveys and collection, and analyze water quality as part of the Sanctuary’s broader freshwater acidification study. Come hear what they have accomplished so far and what they hope to accomplish this week!
Doors open at 5:30pm and the lecture begins at 6pm. This is a free event, open to all, that takes place in the theater of the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.
Event website: https://thunderbayfriends.org/index.php/event/lecture-series-teenagers-scientific-diving-from-reefs-to-shipwrecks/
Contact: Sarah Morrison
Media Coordinator
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
sarah.morrison@noaa.gov

Enbridge Line 5 webinar: What every Michigander needs to know
2025-07-22 | Online
On July 22, join Flow Water Advocates and Oil & Water Don’t Mix for a special live webinar, as our panel of experts and advocates discuss recent developments in the Line 5 litigation, why the tunnel isn’t good for Michigan, and how you can get involved.
Event website: https://flowwateradvocates.org/line-5-webinar-2025/
Contact: Marshall Protetch
Public Engagement Manager
Flow Water Advocates
marshall@flowforwater.org

Great Lakes Watershed Field Course for Teachers
2025-08-05 - 2025-08-08 | Suttons Bay, MI
The GLWFC is a 4-day professional development experience for teachers from August 5-8, 2025 in Suttons Bay, MI. Training in the course includes watershed and environmental concepts, place based education and environmental education pedagogy, and time for curriculum development. Educators will learn how to engage students in local environmental issues, investigate solutions, devise a plan, and take action during this course. Inland Seas supports teachers throughout the school year with additional training, online forums, and other forms of assistance to help teachers implement their watershed-based stewardship action projects.
There is no cost for this experience, but space is limited to 30 participants. Deadline for applications is April 20, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. EST.
Event website: https://schoolship.org/great-lakes-watershed-field-course/
Contact: Julie Johnson, School Partnerships Coordinator, Inland Seas Education Association
Email: jjohnson@schoolship.org
Phone: (231) 271-3077

2025 American Great Lakes Ports Association Annual Conference
2025-08-14 - 2025-08-15 | Chicago, IL
On August 14th and 15th, the American Great Lakes Ports Association will host its 2025 Annual Conference in downtown Chicago where experts from government and industry share insights on the most critical issues shaping the future of Great Lakes ports. Registrants often include seaport managers, terminal operators, shipping company executives, maritime trade associations, educators, state and federal government officials and the many service providers who help ensure the industry’s success.
Event website: https://www.greatlakesports.org/annual-conference/
Contact: Leslie Zager
Email: leslie@greatlakesports.org

Warfighter Scuba: Decompress the Stress
2025-08-20 | Alpena, MI
This month a group of Purple Heart recipients are coming to Alpena to work with the non-profit. Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS) offers an extraordinary opportunity to explore maritime history while engaging in meaningful, hands-on conservation work.
During the lecture, Warfighter Scuba board member and technical diver Kevin Sheard will share how scuba diving not only supports physical and mental rehabilitation for veterans, but also empowers them to become citizen scientists — helping TBNMS with documenting historic shipwrecks, monitoring aquatic life, and collecting data.
Expect a fascinating blend of personal stories, underwater exploration, and cutting-edge therapy that’s changing lives. Learn how the serenity of diving and the strength of community are helping veterans rediscover purpose and connection — all while contributing to the preservation of sanctuary resources.
Event website: https://thunderbayfriends.org/index.php/event/lecture-series-with-warfighter-scuba-decompress-the-stress/
Contact: Sarah Morrison, Media & Outreach Specialist, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Email: sarah.morrison@noaa.gov
Phone: (989) 884-6200
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Understanding Algal Blooms: State of the Science Conference
2025-09-11 | Toledo, OH
The 2025 Understanding Algal Blooms: State of the Science Conference highlights current scientific knowledge related to algal blooms.
Expected audiences include academic researchers, municipal, state, and federal agencies and the agricultural community interested in the latest algal bloom science and technology. Members of the aforementioned communities are especially encouraged to attend, but all are welcomed.
Research and outreach leaders will present findings from recent studies and identify important areas of uncertainty.
Event website: http://go.osu.edu/event_sos
Contact: Lillyann Nahar
Email: nahar.16@osu.edu

GLLC Annual Meeting
2025-09-15 - 2025-09-16 | Online
The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus Annual Meetings brings state and provincial legislators from across the region together to discuss and learn about pressing Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River basin issues.
Event website: https://gllc.csgmidwest.org/gllc-annual-meetings/
Contact: Jess Lienhardt, Director, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus
Email: jlienhardt@csg.org
Phone: (630) 282-3077

Let’s Talk Lake Ontario! Coastal Wetland Restoration
2025-09-17 | Online
Join us as we explore the wonders of Lake Ontario’s wetlands and learn how we are working to protect these delicate ecosystems. Register for our upcoming one-hour public webinar, Coastal Wetland Restoration in Lake Ontario, on September 17, 2025 at 1 pm ET as part of our Let’s Talk Lake Ontario! webinar series.
Event website: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ej5qyLmdTbW2noG-PZZUVA#/registration
Contact: Carol Kim, greatlakes-grandlacs@cwa-aec.gc.ca

Let’s Talk Lake Erie! Understanding Nuisance Algae in Lake Erie’s Eastern Basin
2025-09-23 | Online
You may have heard about the algae growth in Lake Erie, but did you know different parts of the lake are affected in different ways? Join us on September 23, 2025 at 11 am CT (12 pm ET), to learn what’s happening in the eastern basin during a one-hour public webinar, Understanding Nuisance Algae in Lake Erie’s Eastern Basin, hosted by the Lake Erie Partnership as part of our Let’s Talk Lake Erie! webinar series.
Event website: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AW2_TPGJRI2-5t5yS5drUA#/registration
Contact: Carol Kim, greatlakes-grandlacs@cwa-aec.gc.ca

Great Lakes Climate Adaptation Resource Guide: International Joint Commission Great Lakes Water Quality Board Webinar
2025-09-23 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Detroit) | Online
Join the International Joint Commission’s (IJC) Great Lakes Water Quality Board (WQB) for a webinar to learn more about the Great Lakes Climate Adaptation Resource Guide (accessible at: https://ijc.org/en/wqb/gl-climate-adaption-guide).
Presenters will overview the board’s Resource Guide, designed to help small- and medium-sized Great Lakes communities integrate Great Lakes water topics into their climate adaptation and resilience strategies.
This webinar may be of particular interest to local, state and provincial government department staff, elected officials, and regional organizations supporting planning, climate and water resources and land development for small (fewer than 10,000 population) and medium (fewer than 500,000 population) communities.
Panelists will answer audience questions following the presentation.
Event website: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7STHYuBERU2WQA5Yxhh8NQ#/registration
Contact: Allison Voglesong Zejnati, Public Affairs Specialist
International Joint Commission Great Lakes Regional Office
allison.voglesong-zejnati@ijc.org

Oceans Conference & Exposition 2025 Great Lakes
2025-09-29 - 2025-10-02 | Chicago, IL
The OCEANS 2025 Great Lakes conference is for global maritime professionals to learn, innovate and lead in the protection and utilization of the world’s largest natural resource – our OCEANS. Join us in Chicago, IL from September 29 – October 2, 2025.
Event website: https://greatlakes25.oceansconference.org/
Contact: Katie Rousseau, Strategic Initiatives Manager, Great Lakes Observing System
Email: katie@glos.org
Phone: (419) 215-7748

Sustainable Future Forum
2025-09-29 | Ann Arbor, MI
Dive into the future of sustainability with experts leading the charge in climate tech, green infrastructure, and circular economies. In partnership with the City of Ann Arbor, we’ll also honor Green Business Challenge participants who are walking the walk when it comes to eco-conscious operations. If you care about business and the environment, this is your space.
Event website: https://a2tech360.com/events/sustainable-future-forum-2025/
Contact: Lydia Mitchell, a2tech360@annarborusa.org, (734) 761-9137

Let’s Talk Lake Superior! Chemical Contaminants in Lake Superior
2025-10-07 | Online
Join us as we learn about chemical contaminants in Lake Superior. Mark your calendars for October 7, 2025 at 1 pm CT (2 pm ET) for a one-hour public webinar, Chemical Contaminants in Lake Superior, as part of our Let’s Talk Lake Superior! webinar series.
Event website: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LlrgTBFMRjCfNWnncl1mJw#/registration
Contact: Carol Kim, greatlakes-grandlacs@cwa-aec.gc.ca

Midwest Climate Resilience Conference
2025-10-20 - 2025-10-22 | Milwaukee, WI
The Great Lakes Commission’s Standing Committee on Climate Resilience is thrilled to partner with the Midwest Climate Resilience Conference (MCRC) to offer a Great Lakes theme for this 3-day convening, scheduled for October 20-22 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The GLC is coordinating a Great Lakes conference sub-track that will highlight basin-wide resilience efforts for all conference attendees, and will host a working session for Great Lakes resilience practitioners.
The 3-hour, interactive working session – What’s next for Great Lakes basin resilience implementation? Making recommendations to chart a common path forward – will explore work occurring throughout the region. Participants will use the framework of the Action Plan for a Resilient Great Lakes Basin to explore and identify future activities to be considered by the GLC for implementation in 2026.
Please note special registration is required for the Great Lakes working session: 1) email Samantha Miller smiller@glc.org AND 2) register through the MCRC link.
Event website: https://mcrc.umn.edu/home
Contact: Samantha Miller
Email: smiller@glc.org

Let’s Talk Lake Huron! Invasive Species Prevention in Lake Huron
2025-10-21 | Online
Are you ready to learn about the threats invasive species pose to Lake Huron and what is being done to protect the lake? Join us on October 21, 2025 at 11 am CT (12 pm ET) for a one-hour public webinar, Invasive Species Prevention in Lake Huron, as part of our Let’s Talk Lake Huron! webinar series.
Event website: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/kfy7YJ_LRGKCZVTTL8M6Yg#/registration
Contact: Carol Kim, greatlakes-grandlacs@cwa-aec.gc.ca

2025 Great Lakes Commission Annual Meeting
2025-10-28 - 2025-10-30 | Duluth, MN
Please plan to join us for the 2025 Great Lakes Commission Annual Meeting, to be held in Duluth, Minnesota, October 28-30, 2025! For registration, details, and the most up-to-date information, please visit the meeting web page.
Meeting web page: https://www.glc.org/meetings/annual

The 25th Annual Great Lakes Water Conference: Water Security and the Great Lakes Region
2025-10-31 | Online
Water Security can be described as the availability of water of a quality and quantity sufficient to sustain human health and well-being, livelihoods, ecosystems, and economic production. Water Security, therefore, includes a population’s ability to protect it from both man-made and natural threats. Panelists will explore questions of water security, including water treatment cybersecurity, aging water infrastructure, and climate-related natural disasters.
Event website: https://www.utoledo.edu/law/academics/ligl/conferences/
Contact: Lauryn Henderson, Promotions Specialist. The University of Toledo College of Law
Email: lauryn.henderson@utoledo.edu
Phone: (419) 530-2783

2025 Ontario Water Leaders Summit
2025-11-13 | Oakville, ON
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is hosting its Ontario Water Leaders Summit in Halton Region. This unique event will bring together more than 100 municipal, Indigenous, corporate, and environmental leaders from across the province to explore community-based solutions for strengthening our economy, climate resilience, and freshwater stewardship.
Event website: https://glslcities.org/ontario-water-leaders-summit/

Great Lakes Seminar Series: Matthew Hoffman
2025-12-04 | Online
Seminar title: Modeling the Fate and Transport of Plastic Pollution Using Great Lakes Hydrodynamic Models and Exploring the Potential Impact of Data Assimilation
Understanding the transport and fate of plastic pollution is crucial for modeling the exposure risk for different ecosystems and organisms. Matthew Hoffman will discuss efforts to model the transport of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes using NOAA’s operational hydrodynamics models and custom built transport code to simulate changing particle properties.
Event website: https://ciglr.seas.umich.edu/event/12042025-matthew-hoffman/
Contact: Margaret Throckmorton, throckmj@umich.edu

2025 U.S. Water Leaders Summit
2025-12-05
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is hosting its U.S. Water Leaders Summit in Macomb County, Michigan—just 30 minutes north of Detroit. Proudly supported by Title Sponsor U.S. Pipe, this unique regional meeting will convene more than 100 municipal, Indigenous, corporate, and environmental leaders from across the region. Together, they will explore community-driven solutions to strengthen the economy, enhance climate resilience, and advance freshwater stewardship.
Event website: https://glslcities.org/2025-u-s-water-leaders-summit/

Great Lakes Association of Science Ships - Science Vessel Coordination Workshop
2026-01-08 | Traverse City, MI
Since 1997, annual Great Lakes science vessel coordination workshops have been held to facilitate the exchange of ideas and improve the coordination of science vessel operations. This event — both in-person and virtual — is free to attend and open to anyone interested. Great Lakes science vessels are an important part of U.S. and Canadian research and monitoring efforts designed to protect the quality of the Great Lakes ecosystem. They support a wide range of research and monitoring activities related to the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the largest freshwater system in the world.
Event website: https://sciencevessel2026.eventbrite.com
Contact: Mary Sabuda, Maritime Transportation Policy Advisor, Great Lakes Commission
Email: msabuda@glc.org
