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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251204T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251204T140000
DTSTAMP:20260421T005020
CREATED:20251105T175929Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251105T175929Z
UID:10000614-1764853200-1764856800@miwaterstewardship.org
SUMMARY:Water Wishes for the Holidays
DESCRIPTION:Looking for meaningful holiday gifts for the young readers in your life? Join us for a special holiday edition of Practical Water Wisdom\, where we’ll explore water-themed children’s books that are perfect for sparking curiosity and conversation. Minnesota Sea Grant’s John Downing and Hilarie Sorensen will review a selection of fiction and non-fiction titles that connect us to water and nature geared for kids and teens. Holly Ristau\, a former educator and storyteller with the Mahnomen School District will offer guidance on how to share these books meaningfully with children. Drawing from her background in teaching storytelling\, Holly will share tips for reading effectively to kids\, highlighting the importance of telling stories in a way that helps children visualize and connect. She’ll also provide guidance on how families can share their own water stories. We’ll also be joined by Sawyer Lorentz\, author of a creative\, water-themed coloring book that blends science and art. Whether you’re a parent\, grandparent\, educator\, or water enthusiast\, this webinar will help you connect the children in your life with water through the power of storytelling. \nRegister HERE. \n  \nPresenters: \nDr. John Downing\, Director of the Sea Grant College Program\, a research scientist at the Large Lakes Observatory on Lake Superior\, and a professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Minnesota\, Duluth. \nHilarie Sorensen is the Water Resources Extension Educator with Minnesota Sea Grant. Her work focuses on helping Minnesotans address complex water quality issues in Lake Superior and inland lakes and streams by delivering accessible\, credible science\, resources\, and programs to meet their needs. Hilarie’s background includes research on species range shifts due to changing environmental conditions\, marine trophic ecology\, partnership development\, the incorporation of interdisciplinary and ecosystem-based approaches to watershed management\, conducting water quality monitoring\, and finding research-driven solutions to address complex water resource challenges. Hilarie holds a Master’s of Marine Biology from the University of Oregon and a Master’s of Environmental Studies from Lakehead University in Ontario\, Canada. \nSawyer Lorentz received her B.S. in Biology from Thomas More University\, a small liberal arts school in Northern Kentucky that provided an interdisciplinary education with a lot of hands-on experiences to kick start her career in aquatic sciences. She then attended the University of Minnesota for her M.S. in conservation science where she focused on using participatory science to model zebra mussel occupancy\, suitability\, and dispersal dynamics within and across Minnesota lakes. Her interests include freshwater ecology\, invasive species\, and conservation. She now works as an environmental scientist at an engineering firm in central Ohio where she helps run a native mussel survey program. \nHolly Ristau is our story teller. She is a retired librarian and storyteller who spent the majority of her professional years teaching on the White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota.  She was the library director for the three libraries in the Mahnomen Public School District and the White Earth Tribal and Community College.  She used storytelling as a teaching tool at all levels and favored folk tales\, Native Legends and “Why” stories.
URL:https://miwaterstewardship.org/event/water-wishes-for-the-holidays/
LOCATION:Online Webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://miwaterstewardship.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Itasca-Waters-Webinar-Series.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Itasca Waters":MAILTO:info@itascawaters.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251106T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251106T140000
DTSTAMP:20260421T005020
CREATED:20251105T142052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251105T142052Z
UID:10000608-1762434000-1762437600@miwaterstewardship.org
SUMMARY:Mystery Snail Impacts on Lake Ecosystems
DESCRIPTION:Non-indigenous freshwater species can negatively impact invaded ecosystems ecologically\, socially\, and economically; and sometimes the smallest of organisms can have surprising impacts. This presentation will focus on invasive mystery snail impacts to continental North America and will include information on three invasive mystery snails: Chinese mystery snails\, Japanese mystery snails\, and banded mystery snails. We will also explore potential mechanisms for continued mystery snail dispersal and what can be done to stop the spread. \nPresented By: Sarah Kingsbury\, is the senior aquatic invasive species biologist for Fisheries and Oceans Canada working in Nova Scotia\, Canada. She specializes in freshwater non-indigenous species but has multiple projects in marine ecosystems too. She likes working with data and is familiar with ecosystem-based and species habitat suitability modeling. Sarah also works with eDNA and genomics\, screening-level risk assessments\, climate matching\, and framework development. Mainly\, she likes to work on projects that contribute to aquatic invasive species management. She completed her MSc thesis at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax\, NS\, studying the Chinese mystery snail ( Cipangopaludina chinensis ). \nRegister HERE.
URL:https://miwaterstewardship.org/event/mystery-snail-impacts-on-lake-ecosystems/
LOCATION:Online Webinar
CATEGORIES:Invasive Species,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://miwaterstewardship.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Itasca-Waters-Webinar-Series.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Itasca Waters":MAILTO:info@itascawaters.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251002T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251002T140000
DTSTAMP:20260421T005020
CREATED:20250925T154501Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T154501Z
UID:10000605-1759410000-1759413600@miwaterstewardship.org
SUMMARY:When the Forest Burns\, What's in the Water?
DESCRIPTION:Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe worldwide\, leading to significant physical and chemical changes in aquatic ecosystems within affected watersheds. These changes can impact both public water supplies and ecosystem health. In the U.S.\, research has mainly focused on the wildfire-prone West\, where surface waters are a major source of drinking water. Despite growing knowledge\, key gaps remain in understanding what drives water quality changes after wildfires. This presentation reviews the current science on post-wildfire water quality and offers recommendations for addressing these knowledge gaps. \nRegister HERE. \nPresented By: Sarah Elliott is a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Water Science Center that leads and supports research on various topics. A majority of Sarah’s research the last decade has focused on topics related to the presence of contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic environments and ecological implications. Other areas of research include urban stormwater runoff and treatment\, implications of geologically derived contaminants in groundwater\, and effects of wildfire on water quality\, including a focus on critical drivers of post-wildfire water quality.
URL:https://miwaterstewardship.org/event/when-the-forest-burns-whats-in-the-water/
LOCATION:Online Webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://miwaterstewardship.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Itasca-Waters-Webinar-Series.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Itasca Waters":MAILTO:info@itascawaters.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250904T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250904T140000
DTSTAMP:20260421T005020
CREATED:20250814T141224Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250814T141224Z
UID:10000593-1756990800-1756994400@miwaterstewardship.org
SUMMARY:Managing Stormwater Runoff on Your Shoreland Property
DESCRIPTION:Topic Summary: Stormwater runoff refers to rainwater or melting snow that flows over land surfaces without infiltrating the ground. In natural landscapes\, much of this water is absorbed by soil and vegetation. However\, on shoreland properties with impervious surfaces like rooftops\, driveways\, landscaped areas and compacted soils\, the water cannot penetrate the ground\, leading to increased runoff. Unchecked stormwater runoff from shoreland properties can contribute to water pollution\, erosion and flooding. \nOur presenters will discuss what individual shoreland property owners can do to prevent\, minimize\, and mitigate stormwater runoff from their property and discuss research into future trends. \nRegister HERE. \nPresenters: \nJohn “JB” Bilotta is the Senior Research and Extension Coordinator with the University of Minnesota’s Water Resources Center where he leads the Minnesota Stormwater Research and Technology Transfer Program including serving as the administrator for the Minnesota Stormwater Research Council. His efforts focus on directing and coordinating a comprehensive research portfolio of projects that seek answers to questions around urban stormwater management practices\, approaches\, and policies. \nMaggie Karschnia\, University of Minnesota Sea Grant program and Water Resources Center. Maggie works on community programs and services about complex water-management and water-quality issues\, specifically related to urban stormwater\, community resiliency\, and watershed education.
URL:https://miwaterstewardship.org/event/managing-stormwater-runoff-on-your-shoreland-property/
LOCATION:Online Webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://miwaterstewardship.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Itasca-Waters-Webinar-Series.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Itasca Waters":MAILTO:info@itascawaters.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250807T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250807T140000
DTSTAMP:20260421T005020
CREATED:20250505T182515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250505T182515Z
UID:10000537-1754571600-1754575200@miwaterstewardship.org
SUMMARY:Harmful Algae Blooms and Climate Change
DESCRIPTION:Join Itasca Waters and Minnesota Sea Grant in learning about how climate change plays a role in harmful algae blooms (HABs) as part of the Itasca Water Wisdom online webinar series\, co-sponsored by MNSG. \nCyanobacteria\, also known as blue-green algae\, present a complex management challenge in lakes because they can rapidly form dense surface scums\, or blooms\, that are difficult to predict. Under the right conditions and with the right types of cyanobacteria\, cyanobacteria blooms can become harmful when certain cyanobacteria strains produce potent toxins that make people sick and can kill pets and wildlife. Worldwide\, cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cHABs) are anticipated to become more prevalent\, more frequent\, and more severe under future climate and land use scenarios. While cHABs have long been known to occur in warm water\, nutrient-rich lakes\, such as those in southern Minnesota\, their expansion into colder\, low-nutrient lakes of northern Minnesota\, including recent occurrences of cyanobacteria blooms in nearshore Lake Superior\, signifies that cyanobacteria are already responding to global change. \nIn this talk\, Christopher Filstrup\, Ph.D.\, will discuss how cyanobacteria are well adapted to future climate conditions\, what factors may be contributing to their expansion into lakes where they were previously rare\, and what potential strategies we can use to mitigate severe cHABs. \nThis webinar is free and open to the public\, but advance registration is required. \nSpeaker \n\nChristopher Filstrup\, Ph.D.\, University of Minnesota Duluth Natural Resources Research Institute\, Applied Limnologist & Director of Central Analytical Lab
URL:https://miwaterstewardship.org/event/harmful-algae-blooms-and-climate-change/
LOCATION:Online Webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://miwaterstewardship.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Itasca-Waters-Webinar-Series.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Itasca Waters":MAILTO:info@itascawaters.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250710T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250710T140000
DTSTAMP:20260421T005020
CREATED:20250505T174939Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250505T175330Z
UID:10000536-1752152400-1752156000@miwaterstewardship.org
SUMMARY:Biology and Management of Starry Stonewort
DESCRIPTION:Join Itasca Waters and Minnesota Sea Grant in learning about starry stonewort\, an aquatic invasive species\, as part of the Itasca Water Wisdom online webinar series\, co-sponsored by MNSG. \nDaniel Larkin\, Ph.D\, will talk about the history of starry stonewort in North America and Minnesota\, what is known about factors that influence its spread\, its impacts to native aquatic plant communities\, and control methods and outcomes. \nThis webinar is free and open to the public\, but advance registration is required. \n\n\n\n\nSpeaker\n\n\n\n\nDaniel Larkin\, Ph.D.\, University of Minnesota Department of Fisheries\, Wildlife\, and Conservation Biology Professor & Extension Specialist
URL:https://miwaterstewardship.org/event/biology-and-management-of-starry-stonewort/
LOCATION:Online Webinar
CATEGORIES:Invasive Species,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://miwaterstewardship.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Itasca-Waters-Webinar-Series.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Itasca Waters":MAILTO:info@itascawaters.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250605T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250605T140000
DTSTAMP:20260421T005020
CREATED:20250430T175720Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250430T175720Z
UID:10000523-1749128400-1749132000@miwaterstewardship.org
SUMMARY:Septic Health Check
DESCRIPTION:Septic Health Check: A Deep Dive into Inspections & Maintenance\nTopic Summary: Northwoods will be conducting an inspection of a septic system in Itasca County\, highlighting the key aspects we assess as septic inspectors. Individual septic systems often provide superior waste treatment compared to municipal treatment plants\, thereby ensuring that the water returned to the environment is safe for both humans and wildlife. Proper installation and maintenance are crucial for ensuring the longevity of a septic system. \nPresented by: Northwoods Excavating\, a small\, family-owned and operated (wife\, husband\, daughter and more) excavating business based in Balsam\, MN. They have been installing\, designing\, and inspecting septic systems in the Itasca County area since 1998. \nRegister HERE.
URL:https://miwaterstewardship.org/event/septic-health-check/
LOCATION:Online Webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://miwaterstewardship.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Itasca-Waters-Webinar-Series.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Itasca Waters":MAILTO:info@itascawaters.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250501T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250501T140000
DTSTAMP:20260421T005020
CREATED:20250410T140341Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T140341Z
UID:10000501-1746104400-1746108000@miwaterstewardship.org
SUMMARY:Climate Change Effects on Fisheries
DESCRIPTION:Practical Water Wisdom 2025 Series: Climar Change Effects on Fisheries \nThis presentation will highlight some of the recent research projects being done by the MNDNR Fisheries Research Unit\, specifically related to potential effects of climate change on the state’s fisheries. \nDr. Hadley Boehm is a fisheries research supervisor at MNDNR stationed out of Duluth where she works with an amazing team of fisheries research scientists addressing fisheries and aquatic resource questions in Minnesota. Dr. Boehm has background as a fishery manager at MNDNR and WIDNR\, holds a PhD from the University of Missouri – Columbia\, a MS from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point\, and is interested in applied research that informs fishery management decisions. \nRegister for this free webinar HERE.
URL:https://miwaterstewardship.org/event/climate-change-effects-on-fisheries/
LOCATION:Online Webinar
CATEGORIES:Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://miwaterstewardship.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Itasca-Waters-Webinar-Series.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Itasca Waters":MAILTO:info@itascawaters.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250403T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250403T140000
DTSTAMP:20260421T005020
CREATED:20250314T141207Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250314T141207Z
UID:10000481-1743685200-1743688800@miwaterstewardship.org
SUMMARY:Practical Water Wisdom: Beaver Dams\, Ponds and Effects
DESCRIPTION:Join Itasca Waters and Minnesota Sea Grant in learning about the effects of beaver ponds and dams as part of the Itasca Water Wisdom online webinar series\, co-sponsored by MNSG. \nBeavers are powerful ecosystem engineers capable of radically transforming the landscapes they inhabit. From lakes\, to rivers\, to streams – beaver dam building\, tree cutting\, and canal digging influence a multitude of biological and physical processes. This\, in turn\, can improve things like water quality\, fish and waterbird habitat\, and even the ecosystem’s resilience to drought\, flood\, and fire. It can also be a headache when it results in things like flooded roads or loss of ornamental trees. \nThis talk will cover what the beavers here in the Great Lakes region do and do not do\, how we currently manage them\, and strategies for more sustainable management in the future. \n\n\n\nThis webinar is free and open to the public\, but advance registration is required. \n\n\n\n\nSpeaker \n\nEmily Fairfax\, Ph.D.\, University of Minnesota Department of Geography\, Environment and Society & Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory Assistant Professor
URL:https://miwaterstewardship.org/event/practical-water-wisdom-beaver-dams-ponds-and-effects/
LOCATION:Online Webinar
CATEGORIES:Michigan Wildlife,Webinars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://miwaterstewardship.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Beaver-Dam-Webinar.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Itasca Waters":MAILTO:info@itascawaters.org
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