Introduction to Lakes Online is designed for interested individuals, decision-makers, local leaders, resource professionals, and lakefront property owners interested in gaining knowledge about inland lakes and connecting with others who have a similar interest. In this introductory online course, participants will learn about lake ecology, management, and protection through six interactive units. Participants increase their […]

Marine debris is not just a problem for the oceans. It's a problem closer to home. An estimated 22 million pounds of plastic are placed in the Great Lakes each year. The Council for the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) has led the efforts to mitigate marine debris, and primarily plastic debris in the Great Lakes […]

Michigan is the only state in the nation without uniform standards for septic systems — and it's harming our waters. Failing septic systems release billions of gallons of untreated sewage each year, contaminating the groundwater, lakes, and streams that supply drinking water across the state. On March 6, 2026, join Flow Water Advocates and a […]

In previous “HABs 101” webinars, we learned about the basics of harmful algal blooms, the value of algae in aquatic ecosystems, and heard from Michiganders who are tackling HABs in their inland lakes. In March, we will look at The Power of Plants and discuss how to use plants to reduce nutrients and help prevent algal blooms. Topics […]

Title: Exploring the role of nitrogen substrate availability in the ecology of Microcystis-dominated CyanoHABs  “Nitrogen availability” refers to the amounts of biologically usable nitrogen forms relative to demand by the biological community. In cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) dominated by the non-diazotrophic cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa, nitrogen availability is critical for the production of the nitrogen-rich […]

Leveraging Behavioral Insights to Improve Outreach and Protect Water Quality About the presentation: Achieving conservation aims in the Great Lakes region, including protecting water quality, enhancing wildlife habitat, and building community resilience, often relies on voluntary actions by farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners. Numerous agencies, organizations, and policies support farmer adoption of soil health practices, improved […]