Registration for the award-winning Michigan State University Extension Introduction to Lakes Online course is now open! MN COLA’s Jim Kutzner took this on-line course 4 years ago and thought it was highly valuable and completely relevant to Minnesota Lakes.

This six-week online course kicks off January 20th and is designed for anyone interested in inland lakes including concerned residents, decision makers, local leaders, and lakefront property owners. Course instructors include faculty from MSU Extension and state agency personnel.

Course topics include lake ecology, watershed management, shoreline protection, aquatic plants, Michigan water law, and community engagement. These six topics are explored online through video lectures, interactive activities, and discussion forums. Additional resources are also provided for those looking to dive deeper into a topic. Participants communicate with each other and instructors through lively discussion forums and biweekly Ask-an-Expert webinars which include guests from organizations such as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Registration is open now through January 27, 2026, at 5 pm ET. The cost of the course is $115 per person. An early-bird rate of $95 is available if you register by January 5, 2026.

Click here for more information.