Ann Arbor, Mich.  – The Great Lakes HABs Collaboratory released a video today that highlights the work being done around the Great Lakes to address harmful algal blooms (HABs) and underlying causes of the problem. The video features interviews with researchers, engineers, and advocates who participate in the Collaboratory.

The group, established in 2015 by the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), is helping to establish a common knowledge base of where science currently is on HABs, what future science needs may be, and how the region can work together to better prevent and manage HABs.

Mary Anne Evans, research ecologist with the USGS, spoke to the advantages of bringing together researchers and stakeholders from around the region.

“Learning from other areas allows the scientific community to better understand what causes HABs and how we can maximize the effectiveness of management efforts,” said Evans.

Victoria Pebbles, program director at the GLC, noted the importance of engaging the public on this issue.

“It’s important for people to understand what’s at stake,” she said. “HABs pose serious risks to drinking water in communities around the Great Lakes and the world.”

The video is the newest addition in a series of three outreach products produced by the HABs Collaboratory and can be found here, along with the two other products. For more information, contact Victoria Pebbles at vpebbles@glc.org or visit https://www.glc.org/work/habs-collaboratory.

The Great Lakes Commission, led by chairman John Linc Stine, commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, is an interstate compact agency established under state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of governors’ appointees, state legislators, and agency officials from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a “Declaration of Partnership.” The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Learn more at www.glc.org.