Remote Great Lakes Islands Surveys: Notable Discoveries and Prioritization Framework for Biodiversity Stewardship
2023-03-14 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit) | Michigan
Conservation Conversations
Josh Cohen, Senior Conservation Scientist – Lead Ecologist, Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) Presented by the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program (CSP)

University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens Auditorium, 1800 N Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48105

5:30 p.m.: check-in, refreshments, and educational table displays
6 – 7:15 p.m.: presentation
7:15 p.m.: Q/A & discussion with Josh Cohen; educational table displays; refreshmentsRegistration fee: $10/person ($15/person at the door)
Refunds will be given if requested on or before March 12, 2023. No refunds will be given on or after March 13, 2023.
To cancel your registration and/or to request a refund by the deadline, please send an email to bhaktabi@msu.edu.

Join the MSU Extension Conservation Stewards Program on March 14th for the “Conservation Conversations” in-person talk series. Featured topics focus on current research and management approaches, unique natural communities, and the diverse conservation partnerships involved in supporting Michigan ecosystems.
During this event, there will be time for light refreshments as well as Q and A and discussion with Josh Cohen. Participants will also have an opportunity to visit with invited local conservation organizations to find out about the work they are doing including upcoming events, and how they can get involved in local conservation efforts. MSU Extension staff will also have information about the 2023 Michigan Conservation Stewards Program as well as a variety of other natural resource-oriented programs and upcoming events.
March 14th Talk & Description:
Surveying Michigan’s Great Lakes Islands to Prioritize Biodiversity Stewardship Survey – Josh Cohen, Senior Conservation Scientist – Lead Ecologist, Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI)
Great Lakes islands provide critical habitat for native biodiversity and support rare and endemic natural communities. Many of these islands are remote, difficult to access, and challenging to survey. Despite limited access, these islands face a variety of threats to native biodiversity and rare taxa including establishment and spread of invasive species and the impacts of climate change. Unfortunately, within these unique geographies biodiversity data is limited or outdated, which hinders effective management and decision-making. Over the past several years, Michigan Natural Features Inventory has collaborated with the United State Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and tribal natural resource departments to collect baseline information on the current status of ecosystems on these islands to help guide biodiversity stewardship and conservation planning efforts. In this presentation, we will present highlights from this ongoing research and provide a framework for prioritizing biodiversity stewardship.
BIO: Joshua Cohen has worked for the past 23 years as an ecologist with Michigan Natural Features Inventory. His primary duties involve refining and revising the natural community classification through ecological inventory and sampling, literature research, and data analysis. He is responsible for classifying conservation targets and prioritizing areas for conservation and restoration; creating and delivering biodiversity and ecosystem management trainings; and designing and conducting vegetative sampling, ecological mapping and modeling, monitoring, and surveys for natural communities and rare species. Cohen is the lead author of A Field Guide to the Natural Communities of Michigan and a recent article in Diversity entitled “Assessing the Ecological Need for Prescribed Fire in Michigan Using GIS-Based Multicriteria Decision Analysis: Igniting Fire Gaps”. His presentation focuses on Great Lakes islands surveys, which have been some of the most amazing and challenging of his career.
Who should attend this “Conservation Conversation” event?

Anyone interested in nature who want to learn more about natural communities and conservation efforts in Michigan
Individuals who have previously completed the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program interested in continuing their learning and networking/connecting with other alumni.
Registration for Conservation Stewards participants is free.
Natural resource professionals who want to build their knowledge on ecosystem-based management principles
Individuals who want to learn more about the Michigan Conservation Steward Program as well as other MSU/MSU Extension programs and events being offered in 2023
Those who want to learn about area conservation organizations and their local conservation efforts, including upcoming programs and events

To see the complete 2023 schedule for the other 2023 “Conservation Conversations” in-person talks, https://www.canr.msu.edu/conservation_stewards_program/
To learn more about the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program, visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/conservation_stewards_program/
If you would like to receive information about future CSP offerings, sign up here.

Download event flyer

Participant Registration
Registration for Conservation Conversations is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on March 13, 2023.
Participant Registration

Michigan Conservation Stewards
Registration for Conservation Conversations is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on March 13, 2023.
Michigan Conservation Stewards Register Here

Educational Table Display Exhibitors

This registration is only available to organizations that have been invited to bring an educational display to this event. If you are interested in exhibiting at this event, and to find out if space might be available, please contact Bindu Bhakta (bhaktabi@msu.edu or 248-396-9777) PRIOR to registering.

Registration for Conservation Conversations is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on March 13, 2023.
There are 9 openings available.
Educational Table Display Exhibitors Register here

Michigan Birding 101 - Spring 2023
2023-03-14 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-03-21 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-03-28 19:00 - 20:00 | Michigan
March 7 – March 28, 2023
Tuesdays, 7–8:15 p.m. ET, FREE
Location: Zoom Webinar (link sent after completion of registration)
Explore the wonderful hobby of birding in four fun online classes! Topics include everything a new birdwatcher should know.
Schedule:

March 7 – Birding 101: Equipment and how to ID Birds
March 14 – Backyard Birding: Backyard feeding and backyard bird ID
March 21 – Conserve the Birds: Birding ethics and backyard habitats/native planting
March 28 – Birding in Michigan: Where to go and what to see

This a great opportunity for those new to the hobby or looking to get started!

Registration

Telling Your Story: Communicating to Inspire Conservation Action
2023-03-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Michigan
Conservation Conversation

Dr. Jo Latimore
Presented by the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program (CSP)
Boardman River Nature Center Community Room, Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City, MI 49685

5:30 p.m.: check-in, refreshments, and educational table displays
6 – 7:15 p.m.: presentation
7:15 p.m.: Q/A & discussion with Dr. Jo Latimore; educational table displays; refreshments
Registration fee: $10/person ($15/person at the door)
Refunds will be given if requested on or before March 17, 2023. No refunds will be given on or after March 18, 2023.
To cancel your registration and/or to request a refund by the deadline, please send an email to bhaktabi@msu.edu.
Who should attend this “Conservation Conversation” event?

Anyone interested in nature who want to learn more about natural communities and conservation efforts in Michigan
Individuals who have previously completed the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program interested in continuing their learning and networking/connecting with other alumni.
Registration for Conservation Stewards participants is free.
Natural resource professionals who want to build their knowledge on ecosystem-based management principles
Individuals who want to learn more about the Michigan Conservation Steward Program as well as other MSU/MSU Extension programs and events being offered in 2023
Those who want to learn about area conservation organizations and their local conservation efforts, including upcoming programs and events

To see the complete 2023 schedule for the other 2023 “Conservation Conversations” in-person talks, https://www.canr.msu.edu/conservation_stewards_program/
To learn more about the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program, visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/conservation_stewards_program/
If you would like to receive information about future CSP offerings, sign up here.

Download event flyer

Participant Registration
Registration for Conservation Conversations is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on March 20, 2023.
Participant Registration

Michigan Conservation Stewards
Registration for Conservation Conversations is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on March 20, 2023.
Michigan Conservation Stewards Register Here

Educational Table Display Exhibitors
Registration for Conservation Conversations is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on March 20, 2023.
Educational Table Display Exhibitors Register here

Accommodations
Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.

Contact Information
For questions about this event, contact Bindu Bhakta at bhaktabi@msu.edu.
For questions about registering for this event, contact Cathy Morris at morri735@msu.edu.

Native and Invasive Mussels in the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers
2023-04-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Michigan
April 6th Talk & Description: Native mussels, or unionids, were thought to be extirpated from the Detroit and St. Clair rivers following the invasion of Zebra and Quagga mussels (dreissenids). However, these rivers were recently surveyed for unionid and dreissenid mussels and live unionids were found, though they were sparsely distributed. Data collected from both rivers and MaxEnt, an ecological modeling program, were then used to create distribution models for the mussels which will hopefully contribute towards unionid conservation and management in the future.

Speaker Biography:
Shay S. Keretz is an Arizona native working towards a degree in aquatic ecology in the Earth and Ecosystem Sciences PhD program at Central Michigan University. Her dissertation project focuses on creating species distribution models for both native and invasive mussels. Over the years, her academic journey has taken her across the United States, from an undergraduate degree at Northern Arizona University to her master’s degree at Mississippi State University. She moved to Ohio in 2018 and started her degree at Central Michigan University 2019. Some of her research interests include spatial distribution modeling, aquatic species and habitat conservation, invasive species, pathology, physiology, and environmental policy. Her favorite fish is the Brook Trout and my favorite mussel is the Mapleleaf.

Full details and registration

Lake Huron: Open Water Fisheries Workshop
2023-04-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Michigan
Lake Huron: Open Water
April 11, 2023
Details and Registration
Spring fishery workshops offer current research and information related to the status of the Great Lakes fishery.
Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, USGS Great Lakes Science Center, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and local fishery organizations annually offer evening regional workshops to provide valuable information for anglers, charter captains, resource professionals, and interested community members.
Workshops include information and status updates on topics such as fish populations and angler catch data, forage or prey fish surveys, offshore fisheries and open water fisheries, as well as updates on fisheries management activities, citizen science opportunities for anglers, and a variety of other topics of interest based on specific regions.

Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie Fisheries Workshop
2023-04-12 18:00 - 20:00 | 21885 Dunham Road Verkuilen Building #12 Clinton Township, MI 48036
Spring fishery workshops offer current research and information related to the status of the Great Lakes fishery.
Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, USGS Great Lakes Science Center, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and local fishery organizations annually offer evening regional workshops to provide valuable information for anglers, charter captains, resource professionals, and interested community members.
Workshops include information and status updates on topics such as fish populations and angler catch data, forage or prey fish surveys, offshore fisheries and open water fisheries, as well as updates on fisheries management activities, citizen science opportunities for anglers, and a variety of other topics of interest based on specific regions.

Details and Registration

Lake Huron: Saginaw Bay Fisheries Workshop
2023-04-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Michigan
Lake Huron: Saginaw Bay
April 13, 2023
Details and Registration
Spring fishery workshops offer current research and information related to the status of the Great Lakes fishery.
Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, USGS Great Lakes Science Center, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and local fishery organizations annually offer evening regional workshops to provide valuable information for anglers, charter captains, resource professionals, and interested community members.
Workshops include information and status updates on topics such as fish populations and angler catch data, forage or prey fish surveys, offshore fisheries and open water fisheries, as well as updates on fisheries management activities, citizen science opportunities for anglers, and a variety of other topics of interest based on specific regions.

Southern Lake Michigan Fisheries Workshop
2023-04-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Michigan
Southern Lake Michigan
April 20, 2023
Details and Registration
Spring fishery workshops offer current research and information related to the status of the Great Lakes fishery.
Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, USGS Great Lakes Science Center, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and local fishery organizations annually offer evening regional workshops to provide valuable information for anglers, charter captains, resource professionals, and interested community members.
Workshops include information and status updates on topics such as fish populations and angler catch data, forage or prey fish surveys, offshore fisheries and open water fisheries, as well as updates on fisheries management activities, citizen science opportunities for anglers, and a variety of other topics of interest based on specific regions.

Lake Huron: Les Cheneaux and St Marys River
2023-05-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Michigan
Lake Huron: Les Cheneaux and St Marys River
May 4, 2023
Details and Registration
Spring fishery workshops offer current research and information related to the status of the Great Lakes fishery.
Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, USGS Great Lakes Science Center, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and local fishery organizations annually offer evening regional workshops to provide valuable information for anglers, charter captains, resource professionals, and interested community members.
Workshops include information and status updates on topics such as fish populations and angler catch data, forage or prey fish surveys, offshore fisheries and open water fisheries, as well as updates on fisheries management activities, citizen science opportunities for anglers, and a variety of other topics of interest based on specific regions.

Communicating About Climate Change in Our Classrooms and Communities
2023-05-09 16:00 - 18:00 | Michigan
This four-part virtual series, designed and hosted by the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative Network, will help teachers—and their students—communicate effectively about the climate crisis. It features specific strategies and tools to help people navigate climate conversations in classrooms and communities. It also provides support for the planning and fielding of climate actions at a scale that feels right for each attendee. The first session kicks off on October 11 from 4:00-6:00 P.M. For more information and to register open the attached flyer or visit greatlakesstewardship.org/climate22.

WHEN
Tuesday – May 9, 2023: 4:00 to 6:00 PM EDT

WHERE
Zoom: Links will be shared upon completion of registration and/or receipt of payment.

CONTACT
Jan Sneddon, Event Organizer
317-616-8721
conference@greatlakesstewardship.org

Flyer (PDF)

Mi Fresh Fish Expo
2023-06-13 10:00 - 15:00 | Michigan State Capitol Building, 100 N Capitol Ave, Lansing, 48933, United States
All are invited to the Mi Fresh Fish Expo, taking place at 10am – 3pm on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, on the Michigan State Capitol lawn in Lansing (100 N Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI 48933). The event will celebrate Michigan’s commercial fishers and aquaculture farmers and the local fish they harvest and raise.
Event attendees can meet commercial fishermen and aquaculture farmers to discover where Michigan fish come from, how they are cared for and harvested, and why they’re an important part of the local economy.
Come learn how aquaculture farmers raise fish for food, bait, stocking, recreation, and education. Explore the tools and techniques they use to keep their waters pristine and fish healthy. Watch commercial net-mending demonstrations and learn about the ins and outs of life on the water.
Mi Fresh Fish Expo visitors can sample tasty fresh fish dishes prepared by the Michigan Fish Producers Association and Michigan Aquaculture Association. Come swap recipes, get easy cooking tips, and find out why Michigan fish can be a healthy addition to the dinner table.
The Mi Fresh Fish Expo is part of a marketing campaign to highlight the small and mighty industries bringing fish to the people of Michigan. The campaign is focused on consumer education surrounding the benefits of eating Michigan fish, the importance of buying local products to support local economies, and the qualities of Michigan fish farmers and commercial fishermen. To learn more about the campaign, visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what-is-mi-fresh-fish-msg23-jescovitch23.

Saginaw Bay 4-H Fish Camp: Bay City
2023-06-14 09:00 - 2023-06-15 15:00 | Michigan
Bay City State Park, Bay City, MI
This two-day camp will teach youth to fish and protect our Great Lakes. All campers will receive a fishing rod with reel, tackle box, t-shirt and snacks! Open statewide to Michigan 4-H members ages 8-12. Registration is $25, and scholarships are available. Please note refunds will not be given after registration. Registration for these camps will open on May 15, 2023.
Questions? Contact Holly Mueller, julianho@msu.edu or 989-895-4026, ext. 6

Registration

Saginaw Bay 4-H Fish Camp: Au Gres
2023-06-26 09:00 - 2023-06-27 15:00 | Michigan
River Side Park, Au Gres, MI

This two-day camp will teach youth to fish and protect our Great Lakes. All campers will receive a fishing rod with reel, tackle box, t-shirt and snacks! Open statewide to Michigan 4-H members ages 8-12. Registration is $25, and scholarships are available. Please note refunds will not be given after registration. Registration for these camps will open on May 15, 2023.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Colvin (colvinj5@msu.edu or 989-984-1057)

Registration

Ecorse Creek Cleanup Event
2023-07-08 09:00 - 12:00 | Michigan
Invasive species identification and mapping education will take place at the August and September events.
Join the Ecorse Creek Committee at Pepper Park (Ecorse), Council Point Park (Lincoln Park) or Beaver Park (Wyandotte) . Cleanups will take place on the creek in July 8, August 12 & September 9, from 9 am–noon. Supplies will be provided. A celebratory lunch will take place in September to wrap up the season!

Registration form, https://forms.gle/kR3rLAqAJmiHC2SV9

Saginaw Bay 4-H Fish Camp: Saginaw
2023-07-19 09:00 - 2023-07-20 15:00 | Michigan
Haithco Park, Saginaw, MI

This two-day camp will teach youth to fish and protect our Great Lakes. All campers will receive a fishing rod with reel, tackle box, t-shirt and snacks! Open statewide to Michigan 4-H members ages 8-12. Registration is $25, and scholarships are available. Please note refunds will not be given after registration. Registration for these camps will open on May 15, 2023.
Questions? Contact Stacie Gath, gathstac@msu.edu or 989-907-6500

Registration

4-H Great Lakes Natural Resources Camp
2023-07-23 10:00 - 2023-07-29 13:00 | Michigan
Registration will open in March!
The 2023 camper fee is $500.00. The fee includes 6 nights in a cabin setting, all meals and snacks and a full day of experiential learning with Michigan State University Extension staff. Water activities, camp crafts, night hikes and charter fishing are included, plus a t-shirt!
Check out the camp brochure here!
About 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resource Camp
Young teens have fun and amazing outdoor hands-on learning experiences as they go charter fishing, snorkeling, sailing, hike through forests, wade through wetlands, explore dunes and more! This really fun MSU pre-college program could be the highlight of your summer – it could even change your life!
Learning sessions and recreation are designed to:

Increase teens’ appreciation and enjoyment of the outdoors, natural resources, and science.
Increase teens’ knowledge about the Great Lakes, natural resources ecology and management issues.
Develop strong attitudinal attachment to Michigan’s unique natural resources and bioregional features.
Foster scientifically rooted environmental stewardship.
Develop and expand career and personal interests.
Develop leadership skills and self-confidence.
Increase social and academic skills needed for a successful transition to college and life as an adult.

Learn more by reviewing the one-page 2018 impact summary.
Who should attend?
The camp is for teens aged 13 to 15, or going into 8th-10th grades in the fall. You do not need to be a member of 4-H in order to attend the event, but all participants will be asked to enroll in 4-H Online upon completing their event registration.
So each camper can have the best experience possible, each camper must be able to fully participate in grade-level appropriate small group science learning sessions as well as very active large group recreation. It’s an action-packed week of fun and learning! (Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested.)
Maximum camper capacity is 70 campers, so apply early to increase your chances of getting a spot.
Camp Chickagami
The camp is held at Camp Chickagami in Presque Isle, near the shores of Lake Huron between Alpena and Rogers City. The state-licensed camp has dormitory-style cabins, a dining hall and toilet and shower facilities. Meals are all prepared by a qualified cook and served right in the dining hall.

Counselors needed!
4-H Camp is always looking for counselors! If you are between the ages of 16 and 21, and love leadership, making new friends, and being outdoors, this may be a great opportunity for you. Contact Laura at potterla@msu.edu for an application.

Related Programs

4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp is just one of many 4-H environmental and outdoor education program offerings. For more information, please visit the Environmental and Outdoor Education section of this site.

For information about the pre-college programs offered at MSU, please visit Spartan Youth Programs at http://www.spartanyouth.msu.edu. You’ll find a multitude of programs that can help you develop valuable skills, make new friends and taste college life.
Contact
Laura Potter-Niesen, Educational Programs Event Coordinator
Email: potterla@msu.edu

Summer Discovery Cruises
2023-08-04 - 2023-08-09 | Michigan
Michigan Sea Grant is excited to announce that Summer Discovery Cruises will be returning this summer, August 4-9, 2023!
Summer Discovery Cruises are an educational on-boat experience that connects participants to the Great Lakes and professionals that work to conserve them. This program previously ran for more than 25 years before coming to a halt in 2020 due to the pandemic. Michigan Sea Grant and partners are now excited to bring the program back for a limited 18-cruise season this August.
For 2023, this program will run out of Lake St. Clair Metropark in partnership with Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority, Michigan State University Extension, and Michigan Sea Grant.
During each two-hour boat experience, participants will have the opportunity to meet Great Lakes professionals and learn about their work, all while cruising along beautiful Lake St. Clair. Cruises will feature many engaging topics, including:

Great Lakes Science
Great Lakes Author Cruise with Dr. John Hartig
Past, Present, and Future of the Lighthouses of Lake St. Clair with Save Our South Channel Lights
Birds of the Great Lakes with Detroit Audubon
Fisheries of Lake St. Clair

Cruises will leave and return from Lake St. Clair Metropark on August 4-9, with cruises departing daily at 10 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm. Register by 4 pm on the day before your desired program. Buy tickets here — we look forward to cruising with you this summer!

Ecorse Creek community clean-up
2023-08-12 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-09-09 09:00 - 12:00 | Michigan
Spend a morning tidying up Ecorse Creek in Southeast Michigan. Join on at 9-noon on Saturday, August 12, or Saturday, September 9 (or both!) to help from shore or on the water.
The event will take place from 9am-noon at three different sites:
Ecorse (Pepper Park)
Lincoln Park (Council Point Park)
Wyandotte (Beaver Park)
All three sites have creek access and will need help in the water, along the shoreline, and at the registration tables.
Register here

Mi Fresh Fish Celebration Webinar
2023-08-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Michigan
Mark your calendars for the Mi Fresh Fish Celebration Webinar on Monday, August 28 at 12pm ET. Join us as we celebrate Michigan aquaculture and commercial fishing, and discuss takeaways from our year-long consumer education campaign!
Registration is free, but required to receive meeting information.
Want to learn more about the campaign before the webinar? Feel free to catch up here:
What is Mi Fresh Fish?
First-ever Mi Fresh Fish Expo makes a splash on Michigan’s Capitol lawn

Michigan Birding 101: Fall Refresher
2023-08-30 19:00 - 20:15, 2023-09-06 19:00 - 20:15 | Michigan
Michigan Sea Grant’s popular “Michigan Birding 101” program is returning on Wednesdays, August 30 and September 6, 2023, at 7:00-8:15 p.m. The two free online sessions will provide a fall birding refresher and tips for making autumn backyards into bird-friendly habitats. Find registration details.
With multiple passionate birders on staff, Michigan Sea Grant provides high-quality educational programs for new and experienced birders. The beloved Michigan Birding 101 online series covers foundational topics like choosing and using binoculars and guidebooks, best locations for spotting seasonal migrations, adding bird-friendly plants and yard features, and more. Watch session recordings from 2021.
Whether you’re new to birding, want to refresh your knowledge, or hope to lure friends into joining your next early-morning bird hike, be sure to join the Michigan Birding 101 fall refresher course:

August 30, 7:00-8:15 p.m.: Fall Refresher. Join us as we talk about fall bird ID basics, an overview of fall migration, and places to go see fall migration spectacles in Michigan.
September 6, 7:00-8:15 p.m.: Backyard Fall Bird ID and Habitat. Join us as we review backyard bird ID, how to handle confusing fall plumage changes, and how to create a happy and healthy backyard habitat for your autumn bird visitors.

Register online to get the Zoom link and to receive recordings of completed sessions.

Lake sturgeon release events
2023-09-23 11:00 - 15:00 | Michigan
Local, state, and federal partners invite the public to a second lake sturgeon release celebration on September 23, 2023, in the Saginaw Bay river system. Releases will reintroduce more than 100 hatchery-raised sturgeon into each tributary of the Saginaw Bay river system (Cass, Flint, Shiawassee, and Tittabawassee rivers). Short presentations may be made at three of the events by local partners.
This year’s release events will mark an important milestone: 5,000 lake sturgeon released into the Saginaw Bay river system to help rebuild populations of this iconic native fish species.

Public release events on Sept. 23 include:

11 a.m., Tittabawassee River. It will be held at the Bob G. Caldwell Municipal Boat in Midland, MI. For more information, contact Jennifer Kirts at jkirts@chippewanaturecenter.org.
12 p.m., Shiawassee River. The release will take place at Cole Park in Chesaning, MI, and will be hosted by the Friends of the Shiawassee River. For more information, contact Sarah Baker at sbaker@shiawasseeriver.org.
1:30 p.m., Flint River. It will be held at the Paddlers’ Landings (Mott Park Recreation Area) in Flint, MI, and will be hosted by the Flint River Watershed Coalition. For more information, contact Jennifer Raymond at director@flintriver.org.
2 p.m., Cass River. The release is at the parking lot at the Gunzenhausen Walkway in Frankenmuth, MI, and will be hosted by the City of Frankenmuth. For more information, contact Dan Hopp at dhopp@frankenmuthcity.com.

Click here to download a sharable flyer as a PDF
Lake sturgeon are a unique Great Lakes species. They can grow up to 7 feet long and can weigh up to 300 pounds. The slow-maturing fish do not begin reproducing until they are 15-20 years old. Once abundant in many Michigan lakes and rivers, lake sturgeon were nearly eradicated due to overfishing and habitat loss, particularly the destruction of rocky reefs in rivers that sturgeon and other native fish species use for spawning. In recent years, many partnerships and projects are working to restore sturgeon to a self-sustaining level in Michigan. This work includes restoring sturgeon habitat, reintroducing sturgeon into their native ranges, and raising awareness and appreciation for this unique species.
The August 2023 sturgeon release events are supported by a variety of partners including City of Frankenmuth, Chippewa Nature Center, Flint River Watershed Coalition, Friends of the Shiawassee River, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Sea Grant, Michigan State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, MSU Extension, Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network, Sturgeon for Tomorrow – Black Lake Chapter, The Conservation Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and more.
Learn more about the lake sturgeon restoration efforts on the Saginaw Bay Sturgeon website (www.saginawbaysturgeon.org).
GENERAL RELEASE EVENT QUESTIONS, CONTACT
Meaghan Gass, Michigan Sea Grant Extension Educator, gassmeag@msu.edu, (989) 895-4026 ext. 5
Mike Kelly, The Conservation Fund, Great Lakes Office, Director, kellym@conservationfund.org, (989) 892-9172

2023 Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Conference
2023-09-29 - 2023-10-01 | Alpena, MI, Alpena, MI
September 29 – October 1, 2023
Learn more and register
From isolated Beaver Island in Lake Michigan in 2022, the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Conference Team is taking you to the Sunrise side of our great state in 2023.
Lake Huron will be our Great Lake and Alpena our host city. The Northeast side of the lower peninsula is called Michigan’s undiscovered sanctuary for a good reason. You will be pleasantly surprised by the amazing natural resources and unique field trips this conference and locale will offer.
This conference will be back to the standard schedule of pre-conference field trips on Thursday and sessions starting Friday morning running through Sunday noon format.
Learn more and register

Unpacking Coastal Resilience for Effective Cross Sector Collaboration
2023-10-24 15:30 - 17:00 | Michigan
Water@Michigan Collaborative, hosts in-person networking workshops with community partners.
Quarterly Workshops are an opportunity for university faculty to meet and listen to community partners. The goal of these workshops is to foster mutually beneficial relationships between community partners and interested university researchers by:

Gathering knowledgeable people with common priorities;
Curating connections to university resources;
Offering connections to other community organizations with similar interests;
Sharing information and expertise about priority water topics; and
Facilitating partnerships that can address projects about specific water topics.

We work with community partners to discern focal topics and co-create effective formats that limit redundancy and burdens on our partners.
Unpacking Coastal Resilience for Effective Cross Sector Collaboration
This panel discussion will be moderated by Jen Read, University of Michigan Water Center Director

Mike Shriberg, Director of Engagement, Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research & Michigan Sea Grant

Jenna Jorns, Managing Director, Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessment

Silvia Newell, Director, Michigan Sea Grant & Professor School for Environment and Sustainability

Location: Rackham Building, Assembly Hall

For more information, including format options, contact Jen Read | graham.umich.edu/wateratmichigan/annual

2023 Place-Based Education Conference
2023-11-09 - 2023-11-11 | Grand Rapids, MI, Grand Rapids, MI
November 9-11, 2023
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Learn more and register
The Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative invites you to join us for the 8th Place-Based Education Conference. Come experience a three-day conference designed to inspire and support a community of educators around the power of place-based learning.
Place-based education transforms how teachers teach and how students learn by expanding classrooms to include a community’s organizations, history, and natural features. Investing in place helps youth engage in meaningful learning and civic life, provides vital support for teachers, and strengthens communities.
Who should attend?
This national conference is for K-12 educators and students, university faculty and students, non-formal educators, natural resource professionals, staff of community organizations, business leaders, policy makers, and funders.
Learn more and register

Seafood HACCP training workshop
2023-12-05 - 2023-12-07 | Michigan
Commercial fishing operators and fish processors must follow strict guidelines to meet tribal, state, and federal requirements for health and food safety. The Seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification course is a federal regulation for ensuring that businesses handling seafood products stay up-to-date on requirements and best practices. This allows commercial fishers and processors to meet licensing requirements and provide a safe and healthy product for consumers.
Michigan Sea Grant will host a Seafood HACCP training course on December 5-7, 2023 at the Ojibwa Casino Hotel in Baraga, Michigan (16449 Michigan Avenue, Baraga, Michigan 49908).
Find the agenda and register here: https://qrs.ly/zsfa94p

Rare birds in Michigan: Online coffee chat with Elliot Nelson
2023-12-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Michigan
Michigan received some unusal avian visitors in 2023! Join Elliot Nelson and hosts from Kellogg Biological Station and Kellogg Bird Sanctuary for a virtual talk at 10-11am on December 13 about rare birds spotted around the state this year. The event is free, and registration is required.
