On Monday, the Great Lakes HABs (Harmful Algal Blooms) Collaboratory held its second in-person meeting at the NOAA-Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Nearly thirty members of the HABs Collaboratory received updates from topical subgroups, assessed the first year of the Collaboratory, and discussed future priorities.

Collaborative members formed subgroups around key topics including Toxicity of HABs, Sources of Nutrients, Role of Nitrogen, and Cures to HABs, with a goal of improving understanding of the science behind these issues and supporting management solutions. The subgroups will also draft fact sheets, expected to be completed and published later this summer in advance of the second annual Understanding Algal Blooms: State of the HABs Science Conference, to be held in Toledo, Ohio, on September 14.

While reviewing the Collaboratory’s activities over the past year, the group agreed that the HABs Collaboratory was successful in linking scientists through multiple webinars on a range of research and management issues. In the upcoming year, the HABs Collaboratory will continue to support efforts to disseminate the latest HABs science to the public, managers, and policymakers. Enhanced outreach through video, social media, and interactive websites is likely.

Up next: today (Wednesday, May 17) members of the HABs Collaboratory will deliver sixteen presentations as part of a day-long session at IAGLR 2017 entitled: “HABs from watershed influence to ecosystem effects” at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.  Capping off this full day, the HABs Collaboratory will also host a “HABBY” social hour from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Grand Trunk (612 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Michigan).  Come join the happy hour or contact Ken Gibbons to learn more about the HABs Collaboratory: kgibbons@glc.org.

The Great Lakes Commission, led by chairman Jon Allan, director of the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes, 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.