Conferences & Events
Itasca Waters 2025 “Practical Water Wisdom” – Lakeshore Development and Natural Shoreline Protection to Preserve Biotic Health
Itasca Waters puts on a virtual learning series (think one-hour webinar) every first Thursday of the month at noon CT. Mark your calendars now and register for these sessions. Registration is required for each session. Check out the Practical Water Wisdom page for more details and registration links. Here are the next three upcoming topics: March... Read more »
MN COLA March Membership Meeting
The March quarterly Membership meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 18th at 9-11 AM CT. This will be a really interesting meeting covering the new boat operator's license, the (now) very busy legislative session in St. Paul, things you may not understand about beavers, and a few other topics along the way. The 2025... Read more »
Integrating genetic and herbicide studies to improve watermilfoil management outcomes
Managers increasingly recognize that Eurasian watermilfoil (including hybrids with native northern watermilfoil) is genetically diverse, and that strains can differ in their growth, spread, impacts, and herbicide response. A practical challenge for Eurasian watermilfoil management is developing methods that predict how a specific watermilfoil population will respond to a proposed control tactic. Our overall goal... Read more »
Itasca Waters 2025 “Practical Water Wisdom” – Beaver Dams, Ponds, and Effects
Itasca Waters puts on a virtual learning series (think one-hour webinar) every first Thursday of the month at noon CT. Mark your calendars now and register for these sessions. Registration is required for each session. Check out the Practical Water Wisdom page for more details and registration links. Here are the next two upcoming topics: April... Read more »
Special seminar – Using the DNR petition process to regulate wake surfing on your lake
Surf boats are here and more are coming. Wondering what you can do about enhanced wake activities damaging your lake? Join our special 1-hour Zoom seminar on April 16 at 9 am CT to understand how to create an approved ordinance regulating enhanced wake activities using the MN DNR's petition process. Register here today!... Read more »
Itasca Waters 2025 “Practical Water Wisdom” – Climate Change Effects on Fisheries
Itasca Waters puts on a virtual learning series (think one-hour webinar) every first Thursday of the month at noon CT. Mark your calendars now and register for these sessions. Registration is required for each session. Check out the Practical Water Wisdom page for more details and registration links. This series is presented by Itasca Waters with... Read more »
Protect wild rice by removing rusty crayfish – May 1
On May 1 at noon CT, you will find a webinar put on by the MAISRC AIS Detectors program. Brennan Pederson and Valerie Brady will be presenting. Register now! Here is their overview of the session: Wild rice is an icon of Minnesota and Indigenous history. Besides its cultural significance, wild rice provides many boons... Read more »
What Lies Beneath: Detecting Invasive Plants in Michigan Lakes (May 28 – virtual)
Often, invasive aquatic plants exist unseen, lurking and spreading below the waterline until they’ve grown into a major problem. Fortunately, a trained eye can find these invaders before they wreak havoc. Join Erick Elgin and Jo Latimore from Michigan State University Extension as they reveal the training and tools available to help volunteers detect and... Read more »
AIS Detectors training (May and June)
The AIS Detectors Core Course is an introduction to aquatic invasive species (AIS) science, identification, and surveillance. You will learn how to identify and report invasive species, best practices for preventing the spread of AIS, relevant rules and regulations, and how to search for AIS on your own. There... Read more »
Lake Stewardship Symposium (May 31 – Ottertail)
The symposium targets issues that are top of mind for lake property owners, including: AIS prevention 2025 Minnesota Legislative session Vacation lake home rentals (VRBOs) Shoreline restoration opportunities Updates from Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) Updates from various lake organizations and regional coalitions of lake associations. The Otter Tail County Aquatic Invasive Species... Read more »
Midwest Beaver Summit 2025 (June 5 – virtual & Skokie, IL)
If you are gnawing for more insights into beavers after the fascinating presentation at the March MN COLA meeting, check out the Midwest Beaver Summit 2025. This hybrid session can be attended on person and virtually. There are lots of presentations along with break-out sessions and local walks with experts. And our own Minnesota researcher... Read more »
Septic Health Check: A Deep Dive into Inspections & Maintenance (June 5 – Virtual)
Northwoods Excavating, a family-owned and operated business from Balsam, MN will be conducting an inspection of a septic system in Itasca County, highlighting the key aspects they 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... Read more »