The Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps), a program led by HRWC and numerous partners from across the state, is again hosting an annual conference dedicated to Michigan volunteer water monitoring.
This year we will celebrate the amazing work that is being done by the MiCorps volunteers and take a closer look at some of the targeted uses of monitoring efforts around the state to protect Michigan’s lakes and streams. In addition, the conference will include presentations and training from regional experts, MiCorps staff and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Optional training for volunteers will take place on Monday, October 18th (see below), which is free of charge. The full conference program will take place on Tuesday, October 19th. It is held at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center on North Higgins Lake, near Roscommon.
Our keynote speaker this year is Dr. Alan D. Steinman, Director of the Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) at Grand Valley State University. Dr. Steinman will be talking about phosphorus in Michigan waters, including its monitoring, impacts and control.
Who Should Attend
The conference is intended for volunteer monitoring program leaders, citizen volunteers, water resource professionals, and others interested in the health and protection of Michigan’s rivers, lakes and streams.
Special Aquatic Insect ID Training for Volunteer Monitors
On Monday, October 18th, from 1:00 – 5:00 PM, MiCorps will offer a special training workshop for volunteer monitors on insect identification. Both beginners and advanced volunteers are welcome to attend this combined session. Participants will meet at the conference center for a brief introductory session with tips for identifying mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies. Beginners (or advanced volunteers interested in a refresher) will then caravan to a local stream site for field ID training, while the advanced volunteers stay behind to practice ID skills with microscopes and preserved specimens.
Registration
Online registration is now open. The registration deadline is Friday, October 8, 2010.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact Laura Kaminski, MiCorps support staff, Great Lakes Commission, 734-971-9135.