Changing Water Quality in Itasca County Lakes - September 5
2024-09-05 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
The September session of Itasca Waters’ Water Wisdom focuses on “Changing water quality in Itasca County lakes.” The webinar is from noon – 1 CT on September 5.
The northeast region of Minnesota, and Minnesota overall, are well-known for iconic, high-quality waters. Some people have reported seeing decreases in water quality and unwelcome changes in algae and plants in lakes.
This presentation explores these concerns and the data that help understand how lakes might be changing. An exploration of the factors that might lead to changes in our lakes is also discussed.
The webinar is free, but registration is required. Click here to register.

MN COLA Membership Meeting - September 17th
2024-09-17 09:00 - 11:00
We have three important topics on the docket:

Concerns from the rise of vacation home rentals in lake country
Septic systems and their impact to water quality
The upcoming statewide elections and how that may influence the 2025 Legislative session in St. Paul.

Register anytime before the meeting. The Zoom link for the meeting itself will be provided following registration. You will also receive an email from Zoom with the meeting link and more details.
Our meeting will start with Chris LeClair, the Director of Otter Tail County’s Land and Resource department. Otter Tail County is a leader in establishing an ordinance regarding vacation home rentals. The county’s ordinance went into effect on July 1 of this year.

Vacation home rentals can impact public health, safety, quality of life, as well as water and environmental quality. Many of your lakes, towns and counties are wrestling with vacation home rentals and their impacts, so looking into Otter Tail County’s new ordinance will make us all smarter.

Our meeting is being held during the EPA’s SepticSmart Week 2024 (purely coincidence), and since many our lake and river properties use septic systems or holding tanks, we thought that would be a great tie in to our collective interest in water quality. And it also ties into our meeting’s first speaker, as septic system are one of the vacation home rental concerns.
We are very fortunate to have Sara Heger, from the U of MN’s Onsite Sewage Treatment Program setting the stage at our MN COLA meeting to talk about the connection of septic system and water quality. Sara is also leading the webinar on “Being Septic Smart” at 7 pm CT on the same day as our meeting. She is the go-to person for all things septic! You’ll hear Sara at our meeting and you’ll probably want to register for that webinar

Last, but certainly not least, Jeff Forester of MN Lakes and Rivers Advocates will brief us on November’s statewide elections, where you may want to get involved, what the elections that might mean for the 2025 Legislative session, and what MLR is thinking about their Legislative priorities for 2025.

Register anytime before the meeting.

Being Septic Smart – September 17
2024-09-17 19:00 - 21:00
Septic systems are a key element to keeping our lakes and rivers healthy. Waterfront property owners need to be aware of maintenance needs of septic systems and the University of Minnesota’s Onsite Sewage Treatment Program has your back.
As part of the EPA’s SepticSmart Week (September 16-20) the Onsite Sewage Treatment Program is offering a free online training opportunity on ‘Being Septic Smart’ on Tuesday, September 17, from 7 to 9 p.m.
The ‘Being Septic Smart’ webinar teaches property owners the basics about how their septic systems work, including how to care for and maintain a septic system so it can function during or beyond its design lifetime. The webinar is free, but you need to register. Click here for more information and registration.

MAISRC 2024 Showcase – in person! - September 25
2024-09-25 08:30 - 17:30
Photo, University of Minnesota, MAISRC
This event is in-person and gives you a great opportunity to see what’s happening at MAISRC, meet the researchers, and connect with other water stewards in Minnesota. This is in our backyard and we are privileged to have these kinds of opportunities. The event is from 8:30 to 5:30 at the St. Paul Student Center.
Click here for more information and registration.

PFAS in Water: How did they get there and why are they so challenging to address? – October 3
2024-10-03 12:00 - 13:00
The October session of Itasca Waters’ Water Wisdom focuses on “PFAS in Water: How did they get there and why are they so challenging to address?” The webinar is from noon – 1 CT on October 3.
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are unlike any other harmful environmental contaminants that we have faced before. Once they enter the environment they don’t fully degrade, and they spread quickly through water and air. This has allowed them to contaminate pristine waters in remote regions, including the middle of Lake Superior. And to add to the challenge, PFAS are more than just PFOS and PFOA – there are thousands of PFAS, including “precursors” that can transform into PFOS or PFOA once they enter the environment.
This presentation will highlight recent work evaluating PFAS in Lake Superior, challenges and emerging solutions for PFAS monitoring and treatment, and a perspective on what people and agencies can do to help address the problem.
The webinar is free, but registration is required. Click here for further information and registration.

Learning from the past to manage inland lake fisheries for the future – October 8
2024-10-08 13:00 - 14:00
This free webinar is on October 8 at 1pm CT. It is put on by the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership (MGLP). Registration is required.
The seminar will highlight research that has used data from a collaborative project digitizing over a century of historical lake survey records from the Michigan DNR Institute for Fisheries Research. We are using these records to examine changes in fish growth and abundance, and the timing of mass mortality events. The presenter will show examples that empirically test several predicted impacts of climate change across Michigan lakes.
The list of upcoming lake conservation webinars and all previous MGLP webinar recordings are available online.

Inland lake shoreline assessment and best management practices in Michigan – October 15
2024-10-15 13:00 - 14:00
This free webinar is on October 15 at 1pm CT. It is put on by the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership (MGLP). Registration is required.
This presentation will review the Inland Lake Shoreline Energy Assessment Tool. The goal of this new tool is to educate the user on important inland lake shoreline characteristics and to provide a standardized approach for Michigan users to evaluate the erosive potential of an inland lake shoreline. Assessing an inland lake shoreline is important for selecting an appropriate shoreline protection design that minimizes impacts to inland lake resources. Some example best practices for shoreline protection will be highlighted. Although the webinar is focused on Michigan, it is just as applicable in Minnesota.
The list of upcoming lake conservation webinars and all previous MGLP webinar recordings are available online.

Basics of Shoreline Erosion Control - New Documents to help in design and management - October 29
2024-10-29 13:00 - 14:00
This free webinar is on October 29 at 1pm CT. It is put on by the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership (MGLP). Registration is required.
Bioengineering can offer a nature-based solution on lake shorelines for controlling erosion, adding beauty, and providing habitat for fishes, birds, and other fauna. However, reference materials for professionals conducting lakeshore bioengineering projects and for homeowners seeking to have them installed are lacking. This presentation will introduce two new MGLP-produced reference documents for professionals and homeowners that help build the foundation for understanding what is happening at the shoreline and provide some basic design tips for dealing with erosion across a range of environmental conditions.
The list of upcoming lake conservation webinars and all previous MGLP webinar recordings are available online.

Low and No-Salt Water Softening and Conditioning - November 7
2024-11-07 12:00 - 13:00
The November session of Itasca Waters’ Water Wisdom focuses on “Low and No-Salt Water Softening and Conditioning.” The webinar is from noon – 1 CT on November 7.
Salt pollution is an increasing concern in Minnesota, as salt use for water softening, deicing roads, and other applications can lead to increasing chloride levels in our lakes, streams, and rivers. Elevated chloride levels can be harmful to aquatic ecosystems and species like dragonflies and freshwater mussels. Research in Minnesota has identified water softening as a major source of chloride, as much of the state has very hard water and home water softening is common. There is high interest in low- and no-salt treatment alternatives to reduce chloride pollution, but there is limited research and guidance for consumers.
This presentation will give an overview of alternatives to home water softening as well as some of the costs and benefits of these technologies.
The webinar is free, but registration is required. Click here to register.

2024 Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference - November 12-14
2024-11-12 08:00 - 2024-11-14 17:00
The 2024 Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference (UMISC) addresses both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species. This will be a hybrid conference with both in-person and online attendance options. The conference will be held in Duluth. Early Bird rates apply through September 27, 2024.
The goal of conference is to strengthen management of invasive species, especially prevention, control, and containment. There have been great strides in invasive species research, prevention, and management, but much work still must be done. The conference provides numerous opportunities to network with professionals, land managers, researchers, nonprofits, and others.
Many of us have attended in the past, especially since it is in our backyard. It’s a great vehicle for getting smarter and connecting with everybody who’s anybody in AIS in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Here’s the link to the conference website and here’s a link to the plenary and topical sessions.

MN COLA Membership Meeting - December 10th
2024-12-10 09:00 - 11:00
This will be a great meeting!
In the first part of our meeting we will talk about kids and why we should be focusing on them. We often direct our efforts toward adults as we work to improve some lake problem, but we know that engaging kids in issues that impact the environment is a winning ticket. Once kids learn about something they push their parents and grandparents to change their behaviors.
We will kick off this discussion with DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, who also has been focusing on kids with the “No Child Left Inside” program.

And we will highlight programs for kids that are being run across Minnesota on AIS, safe boating practices, and more. You will have the opportunity to hear what’s being done in Hubbard County, Stearns County, and Itasca County. These are programs that you can bring to your COLA/LARA or your local lake/river association. Now is the time to start planning programs for the 2025 boating season!

To round out this portion of the meeting, we will hear from Ezri Farnum, the President of the Koronis Lake Association. Ezri is likely the youngest lake association President in Minnesota. You can hear her story and then imagine how much energy and enthusiasm could be brought to your lake/river association by getting a younger generation involved. They have passion for protecting the water and they see opportunities with younger eyes.
We are very excited to bring this “focus on kids” to you!
And since we just had our Statewide elections, it is definitely the time to talking about what this means for our collective efforts to protect the public waters of Minnesota. Jeff Forester from Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates will be on the agenda to talk about how the 2024 election changed the landscape in the Minnesota Legislature and how that may shape our efforts to protect the water. This is an important conversation!
As usual, the meeting will be held via Zoom and registration is required.
Register anytime before the meeting. The Zoom link for the meeting itself will be provided following registration. You will also receive an email from Zoom with the meeting link and more details.
As always, everyone welcome to attend, so feel free to forward this meeting information.

MSU offers Introduction to Lakes Online - starts January 21
2025-01-21 08:00 - 2025-03-25 17:00
Registration for the award-winning Michigan State University Extension Introduction to Lakes Online course is now open! Our own Jim Kutzner took this on-line course 3 years ago and thought it was highly valuable and completely relevant to Minnesota Lakes.
This introductory six-week online course kicks off January 21 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 28, 2025, at 5 pm ET. The cost of the course is $115 per person.

Sea Grant of Michigan launches ﻿MI Paddle Stewards to detect and report AIS
2025-02-04 08:00 - 2025-06-15 17:00
The MI Paddle Stewards program consists of a three-hour, self-paced online training. The program teaches paddlers to identify, report, and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Participants get tips for properly cleaning their boats and paddling equipment to avoid transferring aquatic invasive species and diseases between water bodies.
This program is just as applicable in Minnesota as in Michigan!

MN Lake Management Society Symposium – February 4
2025-02-04 08:30 - 15:45
The recently formed Minnesota Lake Management Society symposium is on February 4, 2025, from 8:30 am – 3:45 pm at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, MN.
The 2025 symposium will focus on “Getting to the Bottom of Internal Phosphorus Loading”. It will be a day of expert presentations on internal phosphorus loading diagnosis, evaluating management options, predicting and assessing outcomes, and an overview of regulatory and funding considerations.
The day will include case studies, panel discussions, and plenty of time for networking. Here is a link to the program agenda.
The cost is $70 for adults and $35 for students. Registration is required.

Itasca Waters 2025 “Practical Water Wisdom” - Invasive Freshwater Jellyfish
2025-02-06 12:00 - 13:00
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 four upcoming topics:

February 6 – Invasive Freshwater Jellyfish – Why Are They Increasing So Fast and What Do They Do in Lakes?
March 6, – Lakeshore Development and Natural Shoreline Protection to Preserve Biotic Health
April 3 – Beaver Dams, Ponds, and Effects
May 1 – Climate Change Effects on Fisheries

This series is presented by Itasca Waters with the support from Minnesota Sea Grant, Itasca Soil and Water Conservation District, Itasca Coalition of Lake Associations, KAXE/KBXE, Rapids Radio and Grand Rapids Herald Review.

Itasca Waters 2025 “Practical Water Wisdom” - Lakeshore Development and Natural Shoreline Protection to Preserve Biotic Health
2025-03-06 12:00 - 13:00
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 6, – Lakeshore Development and Natural Shoreline Protection to Preserve Biotic Health
April 3 – Beaver Dams, Ponds, and Effects
May 1 – Climate Change Effects on Fisheries

This series is presented by Itasca Waters with the support from Minnesota Sea Grant, Itasca Soil and Water Conservation District, Itasca Coalition of Lake Associations, KAXE/KBXE, Rapids Radio and Grand Rapids Herald Review.

MN COLA March Membership Meeting
2025-03-18 09:00 - 11:00
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 boating season brings a few new rules and new requirements for boaters. We are pleased to have Lieutenant Eric Sullivan, the DNR’s Marine Unit Supervisor, as our first speaker. He will outline the new mandatory education and boat operator’s license, and provide the latest information on who is impacted and what they will need to do.
MN COLA is pleased to have played a role in getting this legislation passed to increase safety on the water and to help more boaters understand how to manage conflicts over the use of the water resources.

Beavers! You might be thinking about them as a nuisance species because of the property damage they can cause, but these aquatic animals can be a very positive force for the environment as “nature’s engineers”. An expert on beavers is right here in Minnesota working at the U of M.
Emily Fairfax is an Assistant Professor of Geography in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Society at the University of Minnesota, and is also affiliated with the Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory. Beavers are gaining popularity around the world as a partner in climate change adaptation and mitigation work. But how do we balance human, ecological, hydrological, and economic considerations when we work with beavers?

Jeff Forester of MN Lakes and Rivers Advocates will be on hand to provide us with an update on the 2025 Legislative session. You can be assured Jeff will have fascinating insights on the Governor’s proposed 50% cut to the AIS Prevention Aid and other topics affecting our public waters.

And there will be more topics to hear about at the meeting!
As usual, the meeting will be held via Zoom and registration is required. Register anytime before the meeting. The Zoom link for the meeting itself will be provided following registration. You will also receive an email from Zoom with the meeting link and more details.
As always, everyone welcome to attend, so feel free to forward this meeting information.

Integrating genetic and herbicide studies to improve watermilfoil management outcomes
2025-03-26 13:00 - 14:00
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 is to develop genetic tests that can assist managers in decision making.
In this presentation, we will illustrate how we are combining genetic survey and monitoring of invasive watermilfoil populations with field and laboratory studies of herbicide response to inform management. In the short term, we have developed an online interface for managers to find information on the geographic distribution and herbicide response of watermilfoil strains (MilfoilMapper). A longer-term goal of this research is to identify the specific genes involved in traits (e.g., herbicide response) to develop rapid genetic assays to inform management decisions. We will illustrate our approach to identifying genes involved in herbicide response, and present results for fluridone resistance in two strains.
Register here for the event.

Itasca Waters 2025 “Practical Water Wisdom” - Beaver Dams, Ponds, and Effects
2025-04-03 12:00 - 13:00
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 3 – Beaver Dams, Ponds, and Effects
May 1 – Climate Change Effects on Fisheries

This series is presented by Itasca Waters with the support from Minnesota Sea Grant, Itasca Soil and Water Conservation District, Itasca Coalition of Lake Associations, KAXE/KBXE, Rapids Radio and Grand Rapids Herald Review.

Special seminar – Using the DNR petition process to regulate wake surfing on your lake
2025-04-16 09:00 - 10:00
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!

MN COLA and SafeWakes for Minnesota Lakes have joined together to provide you with an option that may be possible for your lake.
Chuck Becker and Steve Frawley from SafeWakes have done the research and want to share it with you.
During the Q&A session, Chuck and Steve will be joined by the Caribou Lake Association president who successfully navigated the DNR petition process resulting in an approved ordinance regulating wake surfing activity.

Itasca Waters 2025 “Practical Water Wisdom" - Climate Change Effects on Fisheries
2025-05-01 12:00 - 13:00
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 the support from Minnesota Sea Grant, Itasca Soil and Water Conservation District, Itasca Coalition of Lake Associations, KAXE/KBXE, Rapids Radio and Grand Rapids Herald Review.

Protect wild rice by removing rusty crayfish – May 1
2025-05-01 12:00 - 13:00
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 to the surrounding ecosystem. Rusty crayfish have sneakily contributed to the decline of Minnesota’s wild rice since their establishment in the 1990’s. The best way to curb the rusty crayfish’s razing of rice is to trap them near wild rice beds (or near beds of any aquatic vegetation in need of protection). We tested different trap types and baits to find the best way to remove rusty crayfish near wild rice in several lakes in northern Minnesota. We were careful to use methods any Minnesota resident can use to reduce rusty crayfish impact. Our goal is to inspire a wide range of participants to help remove rusty crayfish from their favorite lakes to protect the vegetation and environment they value.
Register here.

What Lies Beneath: Detecting Invasive Plants in Michigan Lakes (May 28 - virtual)
2025-05-06 08:00 - 17:00
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 track these underwater invaders. Hear firsthand from dedicated volunteers who have made surprising discoveries in the lakes they cherish. Whether you’re a seasoned lake steward or just getting started, this webinar will inspire you to take a closer look beneath the surface!
Note: This program is equally applicable for Minnesota’s lakes.
The one-hour virtual session starts at 8 am CT. Registration is required. Use this registration link.
This free, webinar is part of Michigan NotMISpecies series. Check out their previous sessions.

AIS Detectors training (May and June)
2025-05-16 08:00 - 2025-06-13 17:00
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 are several sessions available including:
May 16 – Brainerd
June 3 and 4 – virtual session
June 13 – Meeker County
Registration is required. This registration link includes more details about the sessions.
Please note that the Brainerd and virtual sessions have fees between $150 and $220. The Meeker County session is underwritten by the Meeker County AIS Program.

WAPOA's 9th Annual AIS Roundtable
2025-05-31 08:30 - 12:00
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 its annual AIS Roundtable on Saturday, May 31st at 8:30 am to 12:00 pm.
It’s free, but you must register. The event will be held at:
Crosslake Lutheran Church
35960 Co Rd 66
Crosslake, MN 56442
Speakers include:
Dr. Nick Phelps/ MAISRC
Dr. Nick Phelps studies emerging threats to aquatic systems at both the macro and microbial
scales in the fields of fish health and aquatic invasive species, which lie at the intersection of
animals, humans and the environment. His goal is to identify threats, understand risks, and
ultimately develop long-term evidence-based management solutions to balance the needs of
all relevant stakeholders.
Denver Link/U of MN,
Denver Link is a research scientist at the University of Minnesota working with Dr. Gretchen
Hansen. His past research has focused on how invasive species, particularly zebra mussels, alter
aquatic food webs and fish mercury concentrations. He has a broader interest in understanding
how freshwater systems respond to environmental changes. He earned his M.S. in the Hansen
Lab and enjoys applying both field and quantitative approaches to address threats to aquatic
systems.
Abha Panda/U of MN
Abha Panda is a Ph.D. candidate working in Dr. Dan Larkin’s lab in the Conservation Sciences
program. She received her B.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Michigan and
has previously held research and communications roles related to water resources and
environmental justice. Abha’s current research focuses on actively restoring native plant
communities following invasive plant management in lakes as a means to build more invader resistant
plant communities. Outside of work she enjoys reading, biking, and spending time
exploring Minnesota’s natural wonders!
Molly Tilsen/ U of MN
Molly I. Tilsen is a University of Minnesota Water Resources Science master’s student. Her
research focuses on AIS spread and prevention, leveraging her background in aquatic ecology,
statistical modeling, data management, and human dimensions. By combining machine
learning with insights from infectious disease research, she is developing modeled networks of
boater movements to enhance decision support for AIS management in Minnesota.

Lake Stewardship Symposium (May 31 - Ottertail)
2025-05-31 09:00 - 15:00
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 Task Force and the Otter Tail County Coalition of Lake Associations (OTC COLA) are sponsoring the Lake Stewardship Symposium.
This free symposium on May 31st runs from 9 to 3 and will be held at Thumper Pond Resort. Lunch is included.
Registration is required. Use this registration link.

Midwest Beaver Summit 2025 (June 5 – virtual & Skokie, IL)
2025-06-05 10:00 - 16:00
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 Dr. Emily Fairfax is one of the presenters.
The costs depend on the options you choose when registering. Read more and register using this link to the Midwest Beaver Summit 2025.

Septic Health Check: A Deep Dive into Inspections & Maintenance (June 5 – Virtual)
2025-06-05 13:00 - 14:00
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 for both humans and wildlife. Proper installation and maintenance are crucial for ensuring the longevity of a septic system.
This one-hour session starts at noon CT. Registration is required. Use this registration link.
This free, virtual session is part of the Itasca County Practical Water Wisdom series. Check out their previous sessions.

MN COLA Annual Membership Meeting
2025-06-17 09:00 - 11:00
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 lakes and rivers when funding is at risk. Some strategies will take time to put in place and there is no better time to start preparing than now.

An update on state of the market approaches for AIS control and keeping the water healthy.

As science provides more options to control AIS infestations and water quality problems, we thought it was appropriate to highlight the best approaches that are being used today.
Register today and join us for this informative and interesting session. Here is the registration link.
Be sure to look for an email from Zoom after you register that includes the meeting link… and save it!

Digging in: Michigan’s Unconventional Response to Hydrilla (June 25 - virtual)
2025-06-25 08:00 - 09:00
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 from detection to the recent excavation of two private ponds. Learn why and how this extraordinary effort was undertaken and the deliberation, planning and cooperation that made it possible.
The one-hour virtual session starts at 8 am CT. Registration is required. Use this registration link.
This free, webinar is part of Michigan NotMISpecies series. Check out their previous sessions.
