TRAVERSE CITY — Community members, environmental professionals, and researchers will gather later this month for the 18th Annual Freshwater Summit, an event focused on the latest research and regional efforts to protect the Great Lakes.
Per an Oct. 16 news release, the Summit will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Hagerty Center at Northwestern Michigan College. Registration is available here. The cost is $40 per person or $20 for students, and lunch is included.
“We are thrilled to host this event that provides our community with the latest research and information regarding the health of our Great Lakes,” said Christine Crissman, executive director of The Watershed Center. “We have another great lineup of professional speakers and look forward to discussing current challenges and opportunities facing local and regional freshwater efforts.”
Keynote speaker and author Stephanie Mills will open the event with a talk on bioregionalism and how to “start and stay with the nature of place.” Additional presentations will cover topics including sea lamprey control, the Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative, plankton and whitefish relationships, and projects led by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
The Summit will also feature lightning talks on local initiatives such as using eDNA to track invasive species, removing the Boyne Falls Dam, updating lake levels, developing a scorecard to measure the health of the Boardman-Ottaway River, and updates on FishPass and Michigan’s Blue Tech Innovation Hub.
The event is sponsored by the Great Lakes Environmental Center, Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council, and FishPass.
“The Freshwater Summit is a highly valued venue that brings environmental professionals, citizens, and businesses up to date on matters that mean the most for the understanding and protection of the Grand Traverse Bay watershed,” said Dennis McCauley, president of the Great Lakes Environmental Center.
Leah Bagdon McCallum, community engagement officer with FishPass, said the event highlights collaboration within the region.
“The Freshwater Summit showcases the meaningful collaboration in the region, and we look forward to sharing and learning with our fellow attendees.”
Rachel Ratliff, board secretary for the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council, said the gathering helps strengthen local environmental stewardship.
“This event is a fantastic opportunity for community members, businesses, and researchers to tune in with one another as stewards of the Great Lakes.”
The Freshwater Summit is a product of the Freshwater Roundtable and organized by The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, Michigan Sea Grant Extension, Great Lakes Environmental Center, Inland Seas Education Association, and Conservation Resource Alliance.