Minnesota Coalition of Lake Associations

Digging in: Michigan’s Unconventional Response to Hydrilla (June 25 - virtual)
2025-06-25 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Chicago)
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.

Biology and Management of Starry Stonewort (July 10 – virtual)
2025-07-10 12:00 - 13:00
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, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a Fellow with the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC). He and his research team work on applied challenges in invasive species management and ecological restoration in lakes, wetlands, and terrestrial habitats. Through his extension program, he trains volunteers and professionals to support invasive species response and ecological restoration efforts.
The one-hour session starts at noon CT, and registration is required. Here is the registration link.
This free, virtual session is part of the Itasca County Practical Water Wisdom series. Check out their previous sessions.

How Low Can We Go? Zebra Mussel Control with Low-Dose Copper Treatments (July 17 - virtual)
2025-07-17 13:00 - 14:00
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 zebra mussel population and non-target communities. They also looked at seasonal trends of copper sensitivity in zebra mussels to identify ideal treatment periods. These projects also included public engagement and involvement in part to better gauge stakeholder interests regarding invasive mussel control objectives. The findings highlight potential methods for invasive mussel control alternative to the popular “eradication or bust” strategies.
The session starts at 1 pm CT. It is free, but registration is required. Use this registration link.

MN COLA Quarterly Membership Meeting - 10-11am cdt
2025-09-16 09:00 - 11:00
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 am CT, we will ask that you all tune into your local MPR station or stream it at mpr.org to hear a special session hosted by Kirsti Marohn with Jeff Marr and Andy Riesgraf from the University of Minnesota’s St Anthony Falls Laboratory to talk about the recently released Phase 2 report. Click here to find your local MPR radio station.
Then at 10 am CT, jump onto our Zoom link for the MN COLA meeting. Our meeting will continue the dialog about wakes starting with some context setting from Chuck Becker and following up with Scott Rolfs from Wisconsin’s Lakes at Stake organization talking about their efforts to build a broad-based coalition across various lake users. Multiple organizations from across the state, singing with one voice, will be more powerful than we are today and we hope to learn a lot from Scott.
Register today for this important, informative, and interesting session.
Everyone is welcome to attend, so feel free to forward this meeting information

Chemical Contaminants in Lake Superior - October 7
2025-10-07 13:00 - 14:00
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 how herring gull eggs have contributed to the understanding of chemical pollutants in the Lake Superior ecosystem.
This webinar is part of the Let’s Talk Lake Superior! webinar series hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Canada Water Agency.
This webinar is on October 7, 2025, at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CT. It is available at no cost and is recommended for anyone passionate about the Great Lakes. Registration is required.
Click here for more information

2025 AIS Research and Management Showcase - October 9
2025-10-09 07:45 - 17:00
The University of Minnesota AIS Research and Management Showcase is an annual event that highlights the latest MAISRC research, innovations, and strategies for managing aquatic invasive species in Minnesota. This one-day showcase on October 9th provides a platform for scientists, natural resource managers, and the public to learn about cutting-edge research, engage in discussions, and collaborate on efforts to prevent and control AIS. Attendees can participate in presentations, demonstrations, and tour MAISRC’s containment lab to see some research projects up close.
Click here for more information including the agenda and presentations.
Registration is required. There is a $50 fee for the Showcase, but discount codes are available on the registration page. The event is 7:45am – 5:00pm CT.

Harmful Algal Bloom Research in Northeast Minnesota - October 14
2025-10-14 12:00 - 13:00
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 mean for Minnesota waters and communities. Topics include: HABs in northern lakes, HABs in Lake Superior, and Community science for clean water.
This webinar is part of the Twin Ports Climate Conversation series hosted by Minnesota Sea Grant.
This webinar is on October 14, 2025, at 12:00 – 1:00 pm CT. It is available at no cost. Registration is required.
Click here for more information

Smart maps, stronger conservation: Targeting land protection with GIS - October 25
2025-10-21 13:00 - 14:00
The Northern Waters Land Trust will be presenting on their project, which developed an interactive GIS mapping tool to identify and prioritize land protection projects within the watersheds of Lakes of Outstanding Biological Significance (LOBS). Each parcel within these sensitive watersheds was systematically scored to determine conservation priority.
This webinar is part of the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership Lake Conservation webinar series. Paul Radomski, Mitch Brinks, Annie Knight and Ally Mazurek will be presenting.
This webinar is on October 21, 2025, at 1 pm CT. It is available at no cost. Registration is required.

Mystery Snail Impacts on Lake Ecosystems - November 6
2025-11-06 12:00 - 13:00
Sometimes the smallest organisms can have surprising impacts. This presentation will focus on invasive mystery snail impacts to continental North America and will include information on three invasive mystery snails: Chinese mystery snails, Japanese mystery snails, and banded mystery snails. This event will also explore potential mechanisms for continued mystery snail dispersal and what can be done to stop the spread.
This webinar is part of the Itasca Water Wisdom online webinar series, co-sponsored by Minnesota Sea Grant.
This webinar is on November 6, 2025, at 12 – 1 pm CT. It is available at no cost. Registration is required.
Click here for more information

MN COLA December Membership Meeting - December 9
2025-12-09 09:00 - 11:00
The December quarterly Membership meeting will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, December 9th at 9-11 AM CT. We have three important items for discussion:

Jeff Forester, MN Lakes and Rivers Advocates, will provide a preview of the 2026 Legislative session including an overview of their strategy to help retain the annual distribution of the $10 million in AIS Prevention Aid.
Finally! The MN boat wrap recycling program has begun. Sarah Bonvallet is heading the recycling program and will present early steps that are underway.
One lake association is using software designed for homeowner’s associations to streamline much of the work related to member dues, communications, accounting, document storage, and more. Margrette Newhouse is the Treasurer of the Christmas Lake Homeowner’s Association. She will discuss the software package and how the Association is benefitting.

Register here for the meeting.

Introduction to Lakes Online course - begins January 20, 2026
2026-01-26 08:00 - 2026-03-27 17:00
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.
