News
Obama names overseer for Great Lakes
Chicago conservationist to lead federal restoration efforts
A prominent regional conservationist was appointed the first-ever Great Lakes czar Wednesday, making good on President Barack Obama's campaign promise to elevate the health of the Great Lakes as a national issue.
Cameron Davis, president of the Chicago-based Alliance for the Great Lakes, is the administration's pick to coordinate federal programs on the lakes, including efforts to clean up contaminated sediments, reduce existing pollution sources and stanch the onslaught of invasive species in recent decades. (6/4/09)
IAGLR'09 in the news
Toledo Blade articles: Great Lakes research, laws are shifting focus and Great Lakes scientists soliciting research topics from the public (5/24/09)
IAGLR09 Conference May 18-22 University of Toledo
Hundreds of scientists: 38 Sessions, 538 talks & posters; exhibits, events, field trips, and more... Thanks for your participation! (5/16/09)
Program Book online!
The IAGLR 2009 Program Book is now available online (PDF). (5/12/09)
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry stakeholders meeting to discuss Great Lakes policy, Monday, 18 May
ATSDR is holding a special meeting on Monday afternoon May 18, 2009 at the University of Toledo from 1 – 5 p.m., immediately preceding the IAGLR conference. The ASTDR meeting is not part of the IAGLR conference but IAGLR09 registrants are welcome to attend (5/7/09)
NOAA to host Great Lakes Public Forum, Monday, 18 May.
Join NOAA Monday afternoon May 18, 2009 3-5:30 pm for a pre-conference free public forum to discuss the issues and opportunities faced by the Great Lakes region. IAGLR09 registrants are welcome to attend (5/6/09)
Honoring Philip Keillor: Benefit Show in Madison WI
Philip Keillor was an IAGLR member for nearly 20 years. He recently passed away from a severe brain trauma. His brother, Garrison Keillor will do a benefit show on Wednesday, May 6th. (5/4/09)
IAGLR (Canada) Survey deadline May 11th.
A brief survey is available for Canadian members wishing to provide feedback on charitable tax status of IAGLR in Canada. We value your opinion on this initiative and will be following up on the results at a meeting scheduled for Canadian members at the upcoming conference in Toledo, OH. If you cannot make IAGLR09 this year, the survey is a good forum for expressing your views and questions to the Board of Directors. (5/1/09)
Abstract Book online!
The IAGLR 2009 Abstract Book is now available online (PDF). (4/22/09)
IAGLR '09 Presenters' instructions now online
Please review the instructions for information on formatting your oral and poster presentations and uploading your presentations for the conference. (4/17/09)
Google Earth - Laurentian Great Lakes Tour
Google Earth 5.0 can now be used to view the Great Lakes from beneath the water surface! Through a cooperative effort with the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) and the NOAA National Geophysical Data Center, Google Earth now incorporates detailed bathymetry for the five Great Lakes. Users will be able to explore features such as the canyons and shoals in eastern Lake Superior, the Lake Michigan mid-lake reef complex, and the old river channel, now underwater, that once connected Lakes Michigan and Huron at the Straits of Mackinac. You can learn more about the Great Lakes feature of Google Earth by taking a tour here. (4/14/09)
Sessions Online
Visit the expanded Program for Scientific Presentations to help in planning your conference visit. (4/13/09)
New Findings on Muck in Saginaw Bay
The first year of research on a five year study of muck in Saginaw Bay has found that the muck, formerly thought to be dominated by cladophora, may have shifted composition to spirogyra. Invasive species, nutrient runoff, and water levels will affect the severity of the muck problem this summer. (4/10/09)
JGLR 35(1) Online
Elsevier is now publishing the journal, starting with volume 35, Issue 1. Access is provided to all current (2009) members via ScienceDirect. Review the instructions to create your Elsevier account to view full-text articles (PDFs). Also check out the web releases for coverage of several of the articles. (4/5/09)
How the Earth Was Made: Great Lakes Video
The History Channel's "How the Earth Was Made" recently aired an episode exploring the formation of the Great Lakes. To view the episode, go to the History Channel's website, click on the "Full Episodes" tab, and select "How the Earth Was Made: The Great Lakes" from the playlist. (4/3/09)
Back-to-back snowy winters help replenish Great Lakes
Thanks to back-to-back winters with heavy snows, Great Lakes water levels are up from record lows. See the Green Bay Press-Gazette article here. (3/27/09)
IAGLR Conference Brochure Available
Feel free to download and distribute the IAGLR 09 Conference brochure (PDF). (3/19/09)
IAGLR '09 will be a GREEN Meeting
The University of Toledo and International Association for Great Lakes Research have “greened” our 2009 annual conference on Great Lakes Research by:
(3/16/09)
Great Lakes Journalism Fellowships
Fellowship applications are now being accepted for the Great Waters Institute program.
This journey through the Lake Erie Basin will explore parts of Ontario, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York from May 1 to May 9, 2009. Fourteen journalists selected to be Great Waters Fellows will examine timely issues of water, energy, food production, climate, fisheries, shipping, shoreline development and invasive-species control that apply throughout Great Lakes region. IJNR Fellowships cover all field expenses, including meals, lodging, chartered bus and excursion fees. If necessary, a modest stipend is available for help with travel expenses to and from Detroit, Michigan—the program’s hub city. The application deadline for this program is March 17. For more information, please visit www.IJNR.org. (3/2/09)
Great Lakes Scourge Infects West
Quagga mussels, an invasive species in the North American Great Lakes, were first found west of the Continental Divide on Jan. 6, 2007. Quagga mussels are now clogging Hoover Dam and colonizing western lakes and rivers. Ecological and economic effects that took decades to unfold in the Great Lakes have played out in a matter of months in Lake Mead. A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article on the westward expansion of quagga mussels can be read here. (2/26/09)
COSEE Great Lakes Shipboard and Shoreline Science Workshop Aboard the R/V Lake Guardian
The Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) Great Lakes invites 4th-10th grade teachers and non-formal educators to participate in one of two week-long Shipboard and Shoreline Science workshops aboard the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 180-foot research vessel (R/V) Lake Guardian. Educators will work beside scientists, participating in Great Lakes research and stopping in ports for additional science experiences.
The workshops will offer first-hand explorations of Lakes Superior and Huron ecology, geology, geography, weather, and biogeochemical processes, with particular emphasis on human impacts and parallels between Great Lakes and ocean systems. Participants will be involved in the collection of planktonic and benthic organisms as well as water quality data collection and analysis. This is Great Lakes learning at its best! Applications and more information can be found here. (2/26/09)
Unique environments found in Lake Huron
Researchers have discovered unique environments in Lake Huron similar to those found in deep sea hydrothermal vents and Antarctic lake beds. Groundwater seeps are breaking down minerals from the ancient seabed beneath Lake Huron to create sinkholes in the lake floor. Plumes of purple cyanobacteria have colonized these salty, anaerobic environments, which may serve as catchments for decaying plant and animal material. Researchers hope to determine when the dissolving minerals were deposited and how quickly they are entering the lake environment. (2/26/09)
New Climate Change fact sheet available
"The Great Lakes at a Crossroads: Preparing for Climate Change" is the name of IAGLR's new fact sheet, prepared by the Outreach Committee. An accompanying document lists informative websites to learn more about Great Lakes climate change science. (2/25/09)
IAGLR Scholarships DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 15th!
Students have until March 15th to submit applications to various awards and scholarships, including: IAGLR Scholarship ($2,000), Paul W. Rodgers Scholarship ($2,000) and Norman S. Baldwin Fishery Science Scholarship ($6,000). View the Scholarship and Award guidelines for further details. (2/23/09)
IAGLR Hockey 2009
If you are interested in playing in what is billed to be an exciting test of international collaboration then please participate in the upcoming 2nd ANNUAL IAGLR DEFY CUP HOCKEY CHALLENGE! All proceeds go towards the IAGLR Scholarship fund. See attached for more hockey information
Contact: mtwiss@clarkson.edu (1/29/09)
Luring love-sick lampreys
Weiming Li, Nicholas Johnson and colleagues at Michigan State University recently published a landmark paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on sea lamprey pheromones. Their research findings point to exciting opportunities to increase the effectiveness of sea lamprey control efforts, by luring lampreys into traps. (1/26/09)
CELCP Request for Proposals
The Michigan Coastal Management Program is pleased to announce the release of it's Request for Proposals under the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP). Deadline Feb 13, 2009. Please see announcement for details. (1/22/09)
Great Lakes Conference
The 19th annual Great Lakes conference co-sponsored by Michigan State University's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan Sea Grant, the Institute of Water Research, and the MDEQ Office of the Great Lakes is scheduled for Tuesday March 10, 2009 from 9am-3:30pm at the Kellogg Center on the MSU campus. "The Great Lakes: Adapting to a Wave of Change" will explore ecosystem changes that have occurred in the Great Lakes due to exotic species introduction and human impacts. It will also address the Great Lakes compact and revitalizing the economy of the Great Lakes region. For a complete list of speakers, and topics visit: www.iwr.msu.edu/events/ANRWeek. The conference is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is requested. (1/21/09)
JGLR 34 (4) Online
Abstracts and full-text articles (PDFs) are now available online for JGLR 34, Number 4. Note that PDFs are available to the public through Feb. 11, 2009; after that time, they are available by electronic subscription only. Check out the web releases for coverage of several of the articles, and view the table of contents for convenient access to the complete content. (1/13/09)
Land Preservation Grants Available
Funding of up to $3 million per project is available to Ohio communities and other public entities along the Lake Erie watershed seeking to acquire land for preservation or recreation through the Coastal and Estuarine and Conservation Program (CELCP). The application deadline is Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. More information can be found here. (1/9/09)
NOAA Student Scholarships Available
NOAA has announced scholarships available to students majoring in disciplines related to oceanic and atmospheric science, research, or technology. Undergraduate Scholarships (for students who are currently sophomores): Educational Partnership Program Undergraduate Scholarship: http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/epp_uspa/ . The deadline is February 2, 2009.
Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program: http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/Hollings_info.html .
The application will become available November 1, 2008 and will be due by January 30, 2009.
Graduate Scholarships (for seniors who are applying to graduate school and current graduate students: Graduate Sciences Program: http://epp.noaa.gov/grad_science/welcome.html . The application deadline is
January 30, 2009. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program: http://www.fosterscholars.noaa.gov/ . The application will be
available January 1, 2009 and will be due by March 31, 2009. (12/16/08)
IAGLR Announces New Address
The IAGLR Business Office has moved! Our new address: 4840 South State Road, Ann Arbor MI 48108. View the recent article on the new NOAA/GLERL building (12/16/08)
Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act Grant Program
The Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking pre-proposals for conservation projects to restore Great Lakes fish and wildlife resources and their habitats through its Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Grants
Program for Fiscal Year 2009. Pre-proposals are due on January 23, 2009. More information about the
program, the request for proposals and the pre-proposal form can be
obtained from: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Fisheries/glfwra-grants.html . (12/15/08)
Great Lakes Fishery Commission Request for Proposals
The Great Lakes Fishery Commission is now accepting Sea Lamprey and Fishery Research Program pre-proposals for research projects beginning in January 2010. The deadline for submitting pre-proposals is January 15, 2009. The Request for Proposals can be found on the GLFC website at: http://www.glfc.org/research/callprop.php (12/15/08)
Great Lakes Compact goes into Effect Today!
On Monday, December 8, the Great Lakes Compact went into effect. The compact is a multi-state treaty that limits the use of Great Lakes water. (12/8/08)
Growth of Invasive Species has Chicago Engineers Rethinking Waterways
The Great Lakes are connected to the Mississippi River via a man-made system of waterways in the Chicago area which were created in the early 1900s and famously reversed the flow of the Chicago River. Engineers consider ways to halt the movement of invasive species through these waterways. Additional information can be found in this article. (12/1/08)
MNR, Geological Survey ship count Lake Superior fish
Officials with the MNR and the U.S. Geological Survey have been trawling the North Shore of Lake Superior in the middle of the night, trying to find out just how many lake herring, or ciscoes, there are in this area.
The MNR and U.S. Geological Survey have been busy this week as they try to measure the herring stocks on this side of Lake Superior.
It's a species that is not only difficult to count, but difficult to catch as well, as they manage to avoid being caught in nets during the daytime.
U.S. geologist Dan Yule said his crew does their best work at night, using a combination of sonar equipment and trawling nets.
The ciscoes feed on plankton, and help the food chain by becoming food themselves for larger fish in Lake Superior. (11/19/08)
Great Lakes Commission urges support for Great Lakes infrastructure priorities in economic stimulus package
The Great Lakes Commission is urging Congress to include funding for critical Great Lakes infrastructure needs in the economic stimulus package currently being developed. (11/19/08)
IAGLR Announces New Logo
IAGLR is pleased to announce its new logo. Read all about the redesign and IAGLR's new partnership with Elsevier. (11/14/08)
U.S. EPA Announces Vessel of Opportunity Schedule for Lake Erie, 2009
The U.S. EPA, Great Lakes National Program Office, in support of the 2009 Lake Erie Coordinated Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) will make the Research Vessel Lake Guardian available for research and monitoring that address nutrients, invasive species, harmful algal blooms, and nearshore:offshore fluxes and interactions. Projects that coordinate small boat, nearshore investigations with offshore use of the Lake Guardian will receive highest priority. To be considered for inclusion in the surveys, complete and submit a survey plan by January 31, 2009. For further information, contact Glenn Warren warren.glenn@epa.gov. (11/3/08)
Michigan Technological University Great Lakes Research Center
Last week the Lode announced a $25 million State of Michigan bill for a three-story Great Lakes Research Center on the Portage Canal including classrooms, coastal hydrology, mass spectrometry and fisheries restoration and laboratories and a boathouse. You can read more about the Michigan Tech research center here. (10/17/08)
L'Oreal Women in Science Fellowship Program - Applications due October 31
L'Oreal USA Announces Call for Applications for Women in Science Fellowship Program. Applications are due October 31, 2008. This national award program, now in its sixth year, aims to recognize, reward, and support five women postdoctoral researchers. The awardees will be U.S.-based researchers beginning careers in the life and physical/material sciences, mathematics, engineering, and computer science. The program is open to women postdoctoral researchers only. Candidates interested in applying should visit the program's website for complete program guidelines. (10/17/08)
Urmia Lake Crisis
Urmia Lake, an internationally important wetland, home of a unique brine shrimp (Artemia) species and seasonal settlement for thousands of migrating birds is in great danger. (10/5/08)
States sue EPA over water releases from ships
Nine states sued the Bush administration Thursday over federal rules on water dumped from ships, claiming there is an illegal loophole that could hurt fisheries and contaminate drinking water. (10/5/08)
President Bush Signs Great Lakes Compact
The future of the Great Lakes is secure, with foresighted plans now locked in place to safeguard their waters and health for generations to come. (10/5/08)
Call for Nominations for IAGLR Board
IAGLR seeks candidates for positions on its Board of Directors. We welcome your involvement, and encourage you to stand for election! Currently, there are openings for three Canadian members and one Canadian Student Board member. Please review the Call for Nominations. Deadline is December 15. (10/3/08)
Large Microcystis Bloom Found in Lake Erie
A large Microcystis bloom has recently been detected in the western basin of Lake Erie. Scientists at Michigan State University, the University of Toledo, and the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory are investigating the bloom. (9/23/08)
Congress Approves Great Lakes Compact
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives led by Congressmen John Conyers, Jr. (D-Michigan), James L. Oberstar (D-Minnesota), Vernon J. Ehlers (R-Michigan) and Steven C. LaTourette (R-Ohio) passed a joint resolution providing consent to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. More information can be found on the Council of Great Lakes Governors website (http://www.cglg.org/). The press release can be found here. (9/23/08)
JGLR 34 (3) Online
Abstracts and full-text articles (PDFs) are now available online for JGLR 34, Number 3. Note that PDFs are available to the public through October 15, 2008; after that time, they are available by electronic subscription only. Check out the web releases for coverage of several of the articles, and view the table of contents for convenient access to the complete content. (9/15/08)
Michigan DEQ Seeks Watershed Management Plan Proposals
Approximately $3.2 million is anticipated to be available to develop watershed management plans meeting the DEQ and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency criteria, or to implement elements of previously approved watershed management plans. Proposals must include a minimum of 10 percent local match for planning or 25 percent local match for implementation.
Watershed management plans must be approved by the DEQ on or before October 22, 2008, to be eligible for implementation funds. Notices of Intent are due September 17, 2008. Full applications from invited entities are due October 29, 2008.
Full information about this opportunity can be found here. (9/9/08)
Great Lakes Video - Modelling Pollution in the Great Lakes Part I
Modelling pollution in the Great Lakes Part I is the first video of a two part series addressing how modeling is used to understand pollution in the Great Lakes. The video is from the free online course "Modelling Pollution in the Great Lakes". For more information, visit The Open University's OpenLearn website: http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2549 (9/3/08)
Great Lakes Video - Modelling Pollution in the Great Lakes Part II
Modelling pollution in the Great Lakes Part II is the second video of a two part series addressing how modeling is used to understand pollution in the Great Lakes. The video is from the free online course "Modelling Pollution in the Great Lakes". For more information, visit The Open University's OpenLearn website: http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2549 (9/3/08)
Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference - Student Award Announcement
Student applications are currently being accepted for the 2008 Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Award. Up to 25 outstanding students majoring in fisheries or wildlife management will be selected, formally recognized for their achievements, and invited to attend an exclusive breakfast held during the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in Columbus, Ohio on December 15, 2008. The application deadline is October 30. This award is made possible through collaborative efforts of the North Central Division and Ohio and Michigan chapters of the American Fisheries Society; the Ohio and Michigan chapters of The Wildlife Society; and the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference Steering Committee. For more information, please see this webpage. (9/3/08)
Deadline Extended for 2008 Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference
The deadline for submitting abstracts for papers and posters to the 2008 Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference has been extended until September 18, 2008. Abstracts can be submitted online. This year’s conference will be held during December 14-17 in Columbus, Ohio. (9/2/08)
Great Lakes Video - Inland Seas:Understanding and Protecting the Great Lakes
Inland Seas: Understanding and Protecting the Waters of the Great Lakes, produced by Matthew Radcliff and Rebecca Klaper, features interviews with Great Lakes scientists, water managers, and policy experts. Inland Seas explains the basics of our water resources—from aquifers to watersheds—and how they fit into the water policy picture. You can watch the video here. (8/29/08)
Great Lakes Video – Congressman Ehlers on Aquatic Invasive Species
Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers speaks on the U.S. House floor about a measure in the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2830) which will help curb the influx of aquatic invasive species in the United States. You can watch the video here. (8/29/08)
New book: Flood Recovery, Innovation and Response
This book contains papers originally presented at the First International Conference on Flood Recovery Innovation and Response (FRIAR), held in London, UK, which brought together academics, practitioners, and government officials to share information on the state of the art in this field.
The conference papers address one of six main themes: Risk management in relation to flood events and climate change; Pre-event planning (both short- and long-term) and business continuity; Management of major events so that coherent and seamless frameworks of support are created; Post damage restoration and recovery; Victims of flooding - including physiological and psychological public health risks; and International & national government policy.
The book will be of interest to practitioners, researchers, planners, and all others interested in the topic of flooding. (7/23/08)
2008 Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference - Abstract Submission Open
Abstracts are now being accepted for the 2008 Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference to be held in Columbus, Ohio during December 14-17. Please see the conference website at www.2008mwfwc.com for further details and to submit an abstract online. (7/22/08)
IAGLR Executive Director Resigns
With the assistance of a grant from the Acheson Ventures Fund in Port Huron, IAGLR selected Dr. Robert A. Sweeney as it Executive Director last June. Bob established the Association’s office in Port Huron last September, and he has been actively promoting IAGLR’s business and image over the last year. He has brought IAGLR to the attention of members of the U.S. Congress and several Great Lakes legislators and their staffs as well as the media. He also has played important roles in helping the Outreach Committee develop its Fact Sheet on the effects of climate change on the Great Lakes and in helping the Conference Committee “green” our annual conference. I am sorry to say that Bob has resigned effective 31 August 2008. Please join me in wishing Bob and his wife, Phyllis, who has been working with Bob, the best. -- Ron Hites, IAGLR President (HitesR@Indiana.edu) (7/18/08)
IAGLR President's Message: Elsevier to Publish the Journal of Great Lakes Research
After a series of discussions with various publishers to determine how we could better publish and distribute our Journal, I am pleased to tell you that we selected Elsevier as our new publisher. Under the agreement I just signed, Elsevier will assume full publication of our Journal starting in January of 2009. This partnership between IAGLR and Elsevier will improve the development and influence of our Journal, expand its global reach, and increase its visibility through the availability of all current and past Journal papers in Elsevier’s ScienceDirect. The transition to Elsevier should be seamless. Authors will see a change in the fall as we streamline the submission process, making the process easier for authors and reviewers alike. Readers will see small changes in the Journal’s format and style starting with the first issue of 2009. The Board and Editor are pleased with this opportunity to expand the worldwide reach of our Journal and of your papers. --
Ron Hites, IAGLR President Full Presidential statement here (7/16/08)
New book: Water Pollution IX
Featuring papers presented at the Ninth International Conference on
Modelling, Monitoring and Management of Water Pollution, this new book from WIT Press includes the following topics: Coastal areas, lakes and rivers; Groundwater and aquifer issues; Environmental monitoring and sensing; Remediation; Experimental and laboratory work; Mathematical modelling; Oil spills; Wastewater treatment; Low cost technologies; Agricultural contamination; and Pollution prevention. (7/13/08)
IAGLR Announces 2010 and 2011 Conference Sites
The IAGLR Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Toronto, Ontario as the site for the 53rd Conference on Great Lakes Research in 2010. Dr. Miriam Diamond from the University of Toronto will serve as Conference Chair. Additionally, Duluth, Minnesota was chosen to host the 54th IAGLR Conference. Dr. Randall Hicks from the University of Minnesota-Duluth will serve as Chair of the 2011 conference. (7/13/08)
Great Lakes Fishery Commission Supports Ontario Lake Sturgeon Initiative
New restrictions on recreational harvest of native lake sturgeon in Ontario as well as efforts to deter illegal trade of "sturgeon and sturgeon products" are being lauded by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Ontario's efforts demonstrate the provincial commitment to the restoration of this majestic native fish. (7/13/08)
JGLR 34 (2) Online
Abstracts and full-text articles (PDFs) are now available online for JGLR 34, Number 2. Note that PDFs are available to the public through July 22, 2008; after that time, they are available by electronic subscription only. Check out the web releases for coverage of several of the articles, and view the table of contents for convenient access to the complete content. (6/23/08)
IAGLR Recognizes Members for Service
IAGLR annually awards Certificates of Appreciation to members for outstanding service to the Association. At the recent 51st Conference on Great Lakes Research, IAGLR recognized Leslie Collins, Chris D. Metcalfe, Patricia Chow-Fraser, Stephen R. Hensler, Christopher H. Marvin, and Matt F. Simcik for their contributions. (6/21/08)
Journal of Great Lakes Research Editors Recognized
IAGLR recognizes outstanding support of the review process for the Journal of Great Lakes Research by presenting select Associate Editors with the IAGLR Editor's Award. For their exceptional editorial work during 2007, Joseph C. Makarewicz and Martin A. Stapanian received the Editor's Award at the recent 51st Conference on Great Lakes Research. (6/21/08)
IAGLR Announces the Jack R. Vallentyne Award
Created in 2008, the Jack R. Vallentyne Award recognizes important and sustained efforts to inform and educate the public and policymakers on Great Lakes issues, thereby raising awareness and support for Great Lakes protection and restoration. The first award was posthumously presented to its namesake, long-time IAGLR member and environmental scientist and educator, John R. "Jack" Vallentyne (a.k.a. "Johnny Biosphere"). (6/21/08)
NCEAS Call for Proposals - Due July 14, 2008
The National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis was initiated in 1995 to promote synthesis, analysis, and multidisciplinary collaboration directed toward addressing important questions in ecology and allied disciplines. The Center seeks projects that address the development and testing of important ecological ideas and theories using existing data, cutting-edge analysis of ecological information, research on data access and use, use of sound science in policy and management decisions, and investigating sociological issues that pertain to the science of ecology. (6/19/08)
IAGLR Announces Best Student Paper and Poster from 2007 Conference
IAGLR congratulates Claudia Bustos (University of Windsor) and Elizabeth Craig (Columbia University) for winning the IAGLR-HYDROLAB Best Student Poster and Paper Awards from the 50th Conference on Great Lakes Research, respectively. (6/15/08)
2008 IAGLR Scholarship Winners Announced
IAGLR recognized several students for their outstanding research promise at the recent 51st Conference on Great Lakes Research. IAGLR Scholarship winners were Amanda Haponski (University of Toledo) and James Roberts (University of Michigan). The Paul W. Rodgers Scholarship was awarded to Jonathan Deroba (Michigan State University), and Meghan Proctor (University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point) received the Norman S. Baldwin Fisheries Science Scholarship. Congratulations to all scholarship winners! (6/15/08)
Notable Articles from the Journal of Great Lakes Research Recognized
The Chandler-Misener Award is presented annually to the author(s) of the peer-reviewed paper judged to be "most notable" based on originality, contribution, and presentation. The 2007 Chandler-Misener recipients were Robert Shuchmann, Anton Korosov, Charles Hatt, Dmitry Pozdnyakov, Jay Means, and Guy Meadows for their paper "Verification and application of a bio-optical algorithm for Lake Michigan using SeaWiFS: a 7-year inter-annual analysis" (JGLR 32:258-279). The 2008 winners were Dimitry Beletsky, Doran Mason, David Schwab, Edward Rutherford, John Janssen, David Clapp, and John Dettmers for their paper "Biophysical model of larval yellow perch advection and settlement in Lake Michigan" (JGLR 33:842-866). (6/15/08)
Dr. Joseph Leach Receives 2008 IAGLR Lifetime Achievement Award
The IAGLR Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes important and continued contributions to the field of Great Lakes research over a period of 20 years or more. At the recent 51st Conference on Great Lakes Research, Dr. Joseph Leach (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources) received the 2008 award, recognizing his career of sustained excellence conducting large lakes research. (6/15/08)
Dr. Gerald Matisoff Recognized for Contributions to IAGLR
IAGLR is pleased to announce that Dr. Gerald Matisoff (Case Western Reserve University) is the 2008 recipient of the Anderson-Everett Award for his continued contributions to the Association over a number of years. (6/15/08)
Great Lakes Restoration and the Threat of Global Warming - Report
A new report by the Great Lakes Coalition examines the impacts global warming will likely have on the Great Lakes. The report can be found at: http://www.healthylakes.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/
how-global-warming-report-08.pdf (6/10/08)
IAGLR Welcomes Three New Board Members
Three new IAGLR Board of Directors members have begun terms of service as of May 21, 2008. Kristen DeVanna now serves as the new U. S. Student Board member, and Robert Heath and Joseph Makarewicz serve as regular Board members. (6/10/08)
Scuttlebutt to the Skinny on the IAGLR Shinny
THE SHINNY: Team IAGLR USA played host Team IAGLR Canada at the Evinrude Centre, Peterborough Ontario to compete in an ice hockey match for the Defy Cup at the closing of the 51st Annual Conference of the International Association for Great Lakes Research.
THE SKINNY: Two real referees kept this match fair: Jeff Hanna (Environment Canada) and Chris Williams (Trent University). Rules included a center line offside. Periods were 20 minutes long with the final 5 minutes played with stop-time. Team IAGLR USA roster: Hunter Carrick (PSU), Matt Cooper (GVSU), Brendan Hickie (Trent), Nicholas Mandrak (DFO), Mike McKay (BGSU), Gordon Paterson (Trent), Tim Pascoe (Env Can), Eric Sager (Trent), Alfred Sandstrom (Fiskeriverket, Sweden), Matthew Simcik (Univ. Minn), Donald Uzarski (CMU), and Coach George Bullerjahn (BGSU). Team IAGLR Canada roster: Jon Arnott (Trent), David Depew (Trent), Paul Helm (OME), Adam Houben (Waterloo), Victoria Jackson (Waterloo), Shannon LeBlond (Queens), David Moore (Env. Can.), Meghan Puchniak (Waterloo), John Struger (Env. Can.), Michael White (Trent), Henry Wilson (Trent), and Coach Michael Twiss (Clarkson). Some players from one nation played for another, in recognition of the facts that the waters of th
e Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River system are equally unbound. National anthems were sung by Chris Metcalfe and special guest Betsy McGregor. Ms. McGregor dropped the puck at the ceremonial faceoff. Catherine Masson collected contributions to decide MVP (whichever team collected the most funds for the IAGLR Scholarship Fund had the duly purchased privilege to select the game Most Valuable Player).
The game was watched by near three score fans. The first 3.5 minute of play was non-stop with several shots on net at each end of the rink. Team IAGLR CANADA went up 3-0 in the first period. Team IAGLR USA scored to make it 3-1 early in the second frame. McKay scored a natural hat trick (sans chapeaux) to tie the game at 4 early in the third period. With 1.5 minutes left to play and Team IAGLR USA trailing 6-4, Coach Bullerjahn made a brilliant move to pull the Team IAGLR USA goalie in favor of an extra skater. Nick Mandrak brought the game to 6-5 with 30 seconds left to play. The final seconds were marked by frantic play in Team IAGLR Canada’s end until the puck was finally sent to the boards to end this closely contested inaugural match in favour of the host nation.
The Defy Cup, donated by Clarkson University President Anthony Collins, was presented to Team IAGLR Canada and accepted by MVP Paul Helm. A contribution of $344.63 was made on behalf of IAGLR Hockey fans, supporters, players, and coaches to the IAGR Scholarship Fund.
THE SCUTTLEBUTT: Ice time on a Tuesday evening at IAGLR 2009 in Toledo, Ohio is in the works to get even more fans and skaters involved. Make plans to be there - and consider donating to the IAGLR Scholarship Fund! (6/2/08)
Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region: Key messages for decision makers from Michigan State University conference
Michigan State University has held two recent conferences on “Climate Change in the Great Lakes: Decision Making Under Uncertainty,” with diverse attendees including researchers, decision makers, educators, activists, businesspeople, and citizens. During the conferences, participants identified key messages for decision makers: areas where there is consensus or at least very broad agreement. These key messages relate to (a) effects of climate change in the region, (b) ways of making climate-related decisions given uncertainty, (c) research needs, and (d) prescriptions for action.
The report summarizing them is available at: http://www.environment.msu.edu/climatechange/2008/CC-key_messages.pdf. More information -- including conference presentations – is available at www.environment.msu.edu/climatechange (6/2/08)
Call for Papers - Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference
The 69th Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference will be held December 14-17, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio. Beginning in early July, abstracts for contributed papers and posters may be submitted online at www.2008mwfwc.com. (6/1/08)
IAGLR Hockey 2008 UPDATE
At this year’s IAGLR Conference in Peterborough, Ontario, a hockey challenge took place: Canada versus United States. Ice time was reserved at the Evinrude Centre from 3-5 pm, Friday May 23. A nominal fee was collected from each player and coaching staff to go towards a donation to the IAGLR Scholarship fund. A special thank you is extended to Michael Twiss for organizing this successful event! (5/27/08)
Sam Speck Appointment Gives IJC Full Complement of Commissioners
Sam Speck has been appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as one of the three U.S. members of the International Joint Commission (IJC). Under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty, the IJC prevents and resolves disputes between the United States and Canada over the waters they share and pursues the common good of both countries as an independent and objective advisor to the two governments. Among other matters, the IJC is currently studying whether and how water levels on the Great Lakes might be more effectively managed. With the appointment of Pierre Trépanier to the Canadian Section in April, the IJC now has a full compliment of six Commissioners in place. More information about the IJC is available at www.ijc.org. (5/18/08)
Last Call for Abstracts: IV International Symposium on Transboundary Waters Management
On 15-18 October 2008, in Thessaloniki, Greece, the IV International Symposium on Transboundary Waters Management will be held. The conference organizers, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, UNESCO Chair INWEB, UNESCO-IHP, SAHRA and IGRAC, would like to announce the last call for abstracts to be submitted for the symposium. (5/18/08)
Second Preparatory Meeting on the Third World Water Development Report
From April 19th until the 25th, the second preparatory meeting, or “Integration Meeting,” for the Third World Water Development Report (WWDR-3) took place at the Villa La Colombella in Perugia, Italy, the new headquarters of the WWAP Secretariat. During the meeting, contributors, writers, members of the Technical Advisory Committee, co-chairs of Expert Groups, members of UN-Water and other participants involved in the development of the report discussed draft chapters and their integration. Conclusions and recommendations of the WWDR-3 were also addressed. Please see WWAP’s website for more information on the outcomes of the meeting. (5/18/08)
NY Times Highlights Long-term Monitoring on Lake Baikal
In a recent New York Times article, monitoring efforts by Russian scientists for over 60 years were highlighted, particularly stressing the importance of such data for research efforts. Check out the full article on the largest lake in the world. (5/18/08)
Call for Abstracts for Submerged Lands Management Conference
You're invited to submit an abstract for presentation at the 27th Annual International Submerged Lands Management Conference. The Great Lakes Commission will host the event, to be held October 26-28, 2008, in Traverse City, Michigan. Abstract deadline is July 1, 2008. (4/28/08)
Ballast Legislation Passes House as Part of Coast Guard Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives made a huge step in protecting our waters from aquatic invaders today by passing legislation that ensures no living species will be discharged from ballast water tanks of ocean-going vessels. The legislation is Title V of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008 (H.R. 2830) and requires installation of technology meeting current International Maritime Organization ballast discharge standards by as early as next year. Ships would then be required to begin installing treatment equipment in 2012 to meet a more rigorous standard that is one hundred times more stringent than the international standard. (4/24/08)
JGLR 33, Special Issue 3 Online
Abstracts and full-text articles (PDFs) are now available online for JGLR 33, Special Issue 3. Note that PDFs are available to the public through 4/30/08; after that time, they are available by electronic subscription only. Check out the web releases for coverage of several of the articles, and view the table of contents for convenient access to the complete content. (4/8/08)
The Economics of Banning Ocean Freighters in the Great Lakes
A Muskegon Chronicle article considers a study indicating that the banning of ocean freighters (a.k.a. "salties") from the Great Lakes could create jobs while slowing the introduction of new exotic species. (3/26/08)
20 Years After Zebra Mussel Invasion
Great Lakes United takes a look at twenty years of living with zebra mussels. Additional information on zebra mussels can be found at: http://www.glu.org/english/invasive_species/zebramussel/index.htm (3/20/08)
Multi-State Research Grant Will Focus on Deadly Fish Virus
The Great Lakes Fishery Trust announced a $750,000 grant to address viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), a deadly viral disease in fish. Researchers from multiple universities and government agencies hope to provide resource managers in the Great Lakes region with new tools and information to better understand, predict, and manage the threat posed by this fatal disease. (2/14/08)
President's Proposed Fiscal 2009 Spending Plan Released
The President's proposed fiscal 2009 spending plan released this week could shortchange efforts to clean up the Great Lakes. Federal spending for Great Lakes water quality programs and budgets for agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers, the Great Lakes Commission, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory could face substantial reductions. (2/12/08)
Aquatic Invasive Species Stakeholder Meeting
The Office of the Great Lakes (OGL) is hosting a stakeholder meeting, Michigan's Call to Action on Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing, Michigan to discuss the economic and environmental challenges facing the state of Michigan in regards to AIS. This meeting is intended to bring together stakeholders with a vested interest and/or concern for AIS prevention and control in the Great Lakes and Michigan
waters including environmental organizations, affected industry, riparians, anglers, boaters, resource managers, researchers, and other interested individuals to discuss emerging threats, ongoing challenges, economic and ecological impacts, current efforts, management gaps, and needed actions. Advance registration is required. To register visit www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops, then select *Upcoming Workshops.* For more information, contact Emily Finnell of the Office of Great Lakes at finnelle@michigan.gov. (2/5/08)
Student Applications Being Accepted for the IAGLR-OMNR Student Travel Award
Applications are now being accepted for IAGLR-OMNR Student Travel Awards to attend IAGLR's 51st Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research during May 19-23, 2008, at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. Students may be reimursed up to $150 U.S. for conference travel costs. Applications are being accepted until April 1, 2008. See the regulations and application procedures for further information. (1/30/08)
Great Lakes' Lower Water Levels Propel a Cascade of Hardships
The Washington Post examines the hardships brought to Great Lakes states due to decreased Great Lakes water levels. (1/28/08)
Availability of On-line ANS database (GLANSIS)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announces the activation of the Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System (GLANSIS), a “one-stop” information source for established nonindigenous aquatic species in the Great Lakes. GLANSIS is operated by NOAA as a Great Lakes node of the USGS national NAS database – allowing access to enhanced features and search capacity for Great Lakes-specific invasive species information while seamlessly linking to the national database. GLANSIS currently contains full profiles and distribution maps for more than 70% of the 185 nonindigenous aquatic species in the database (most exceptions being vascular wetland plants). (1/22/08)
ESF Introduces Grad Programs in Environmental Studies
SYRACUSE - The SUNY College of Environmental Science and
Forestry (ESF) has established two new graduate programs (MS and MPS) in
environmental studies. These programs focus on the social and policy
dimensions of environmental issues, and take an interdisciplinary
approach to solving environmental problems. Both graduate programs offer unique blends of social
science, humanities and physical science, and allow students to take a
hands-on approach to developing their own personal curriculum. For further information about the environmental studies
graduate programs, visit http://www.esf.edu/es/graduate.htm. (1/22/08)
Prey Fish Dwindling in Lake Michigan
The federal government's annual lakewide prey fish survey shows the volume of prey fish in Lake Michigan has dropped by half while the volume of invasive mussels has ballooned. (1/14/08)
Lake Levels May Fall to Uncharted Territory
Scientists were recently quoted in an article published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel regarding the low water levels in the Great Lakes. (1/7/08)
Algae Toxins Can Spread Through Air
The Muskegon Chronicle reports that recent research by the U. S. Centers for Disease Control suggests boat traffic can release toxins in algae into the air. (1/7/08)
 | For more Great Lakes regional announcements, see the GLIN-Announce archive. |
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