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.

16th annual freshwater summit

Friday, October 27, 2023 │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: Walking the Line: Managing Alewife Mortality in Lake Michigan
Dave Clapp, Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station Manager, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division

9:40-10:10am: Protecting the Great Lakes from Invasive Carp: The Three Pillars
Tammy Newcomb, Assistant Director, Michigan Department of Natural Resources

10:10-10:30am: BREAK

10:30-11am: Lake Charlevoix Septic Case Study
Marcella Domka, Water Resources Manager, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

11:00-11:30am: Non-Chemical Control of Eurasian Water Milfoil on Lake Leelanau: A Progress Report
Ron Reimink, Biologist, Lake Leelanau Lake Association
Annalise Povolo, Director of Administration & Programs & Dive Team Leader, Lake Leelanau Lake Association

11:30-11:45am: Autonomous Technology
Underwater video and autonomous technology displays

11:45am-12:45pm: LUNCH

12:45-1:15pm: Salty Water? Not in MY State! How Regulations, Standards, and Monitoring Keep the Fresh Coast FRESH
Kevin Goodwin, Aquatic Biology Specialist, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy
Caroline Keson, Nonpoint Source Monitoring Coordinator, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy

1:15-1:45pm: FishPass: A Vision for Selective Fish Passage and Invasive Species Management in the Great Lakes
Dr. Dan Zielinski, FishPass Principal Engineer and Scientist, Great Lakes Fishery Commission

1:45-2:00pm: BREAK

2:00-3:00pm: LIGHTNING TALKS
Forest to MiFaucet
DJ Shook, Biologist/Senior Project Manager, Conservation Resource Alliance
Forest to MiFaucet Intro | Forest to MiFaucent Handout

Volunteer Road Salt Monitoring in the Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed
Heather Smith, Grand Traverse Bay WATERKEEPER®, The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Michigan Waters: Forever Chemicals or Whack-A-Mole?
Doug Endicott, Environmental Engineer, Great Lakes Environmental Center

Protecting National Park Sites, Our Landscapes, Waters, and Communities
Kira Davis, Great Lakes Senior Program Manager, National Parks Conservation Association

3:00pm: Evaluation & Adjourn

The 16th Annual Freshwater Summit is generously sponsored by:
The Freshwater Summit is a product of the Freshwater Roundtable organized by The Watershed Center, Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, Michigan Sea Grant Extension, Great Lakes Environmental Center, Inland Seas Education Association, NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, and Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council.

We connect people to
what makes our region
special - clean water.

Photo credit: Tom Haxby