freshwater summit
The Freshwater Summit is an annual conference aimed at discussing the latest research, projects, and initiatives that impact the Great Lakes and Grand Traverse Bay regions. The Summit engages environmental professionals, citizens, and businesses in topics of interest that help further understanding of and appreciation for our invaluable freshwater resources.
19th annual freshwater summit
Thursday, October 21, 2026 │9am-3pm
Hagerty Center │ 715 E. Front St, Traverse City
8:30-9:00am: Registration
9:00-9:10am: Welcome & opening remarks
9:10-9:40am: Good Harbor Bay research
Ben Turschak, Fisheries Research Biologist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
9:40-10:10am: Boardman-Ottaway River microplastics study
Nick Roster, Biology instructor, Northwestern Michigan College
Finn Sutherland, student, Northwestern Michigan College
10:10-10:30am: BREAK
10:30-11:00am: Grand Traverse Band projects
Madeline
11:00am-12:00pm: LIGHTNING TALKS
White sucker tracking
Finn Sutherland, student, Northwestern Michigan College
Grand Traverse Bay shoreline survey
Sarah U’Ren, Program Director, The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay
FishPass + Michigan’s Blue Tech Innovation Hub
Leah McCallum, FishPass Community Engagement Officer, Great Lakes Fishery Commission
12:00-1:00pm: LUNCH
1:00-2:15pm: COASTAL RESILIENCY PANEL
Coastal resiliency
Ronda Wuycheck, Coastal Management Program Office, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy
Planning and zoning
Nature-based stormwater solutions
2:15-3:00pm: Vernal pools
Abby Pointer, Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership
Inland Seas Education Association
3:00pm: Evaluation & adjourn
The 19th Annual Freshwater Summit is generously sponsored by:
