Explore the latest research on starry stonewort, zebra mussels' impact on fish mercury levels, eDNA for volunteer AIS surveillance, and machine learning-driven boater movement modeling. Plus, discover new strategies for restoring native plant communities after invasive species removal, paving the way for more resilient lakes. The Whitefish Area Property Owners Association (WAPOA) is again hosting... Read more »

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 »

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 »

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 »

MN COLA’s Annual meeting is coming up soon, and besides electing Board Members, we will have 2 key topics: Strategies for continuing to provide AIS prevention with potential funding cuts. No matter what happens in the 2025 Legislative session and/or any special sessions to achieve a budget, we need to consider how to protect the... Read more »

Hydrilla is known as one of the most difficult aquatic invasive plants to control. When it was found for the first time in Michigan in September 2023, the Michigan Invasive Species Program chose to take decisive action to eradicate it. Project lead Billy Keiper of EGLE’s Water Resources Division will walk through the response effort... Read more »

Dr. Dan Larkin, from the University of Minnesota will talk about the history of starry stonewort in North America and Minnesota, what we know about factors that influence its spread, its impacts to native aquatic plant communities, and control methods and outcomes. Dr. Larkin is a Professor & Extension Specialist in the Department of Fisheries,... Read more »

The USGS and MAISRC have been researching alternative strategies for invasive mussel population control using copper concentrations around 10% of the labelled maximum dose. The research has included two bay-wide treatments in Lake Minnetonka with the goal to reduce settlement of larval mussels thereby reducing recruitment and total population. Research included multi-year monitoring of the... Read more »

It's all about wakes at our MN COLA September membership meeting. That said, this meeting will be a bit different. It will still be on September 16th on Zoom, but because of a special program at Minnesota Public Radio, our meeting will only be 1 hour long, from 10 to 11 am CT. At 9... Read more »

Photo: MN Sea Grant Webinar attendees will learn the status and trends of toxic chemicals in Lake Superior and how Canada and the U.S. use key indicators to help assess the lake’s health. The webinar will also explore how PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” are transported through the atmosphere and deposited into the water. Also, learn... Read more »

Harmful algal blooms are becoming more common across northeastern Minnesota, showing up in waters from remote inland lakes to the vast expanse of Lake Superior. Some produce toxins that can be dangerous to people, pets, and wildlife. Researchers across the region are working to understand better where and why HABs occur and what that might... Read more »