Aquatic Plant Identification Workshop Announced

From Janet Marr, Botanist…

 Are you a fisheries biologist, botanist, environmental consultant, biological technician, aquatic biologist, extension agent, college student, etc. who would like to improve your knowledge of aquatic plant identification?

If so, be sure to sign up for the Gratiot Lake Conservancy-sponsored AQUATIC PLANT WORKSHOP in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula this summer! This class will also be useful to volunteer monitors or lake association members interested in learning how to identify aquatic plants and invasive species in order to protect healthy ecosystems in inland lakes.

PDF version of this notice  Enrollment form

WHERE: near Eagle Harbor (Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula)

WHEN: August 24 (Sat.) and August 25 (Sun.) 2013

9:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day

INSTRUCTOR: botanist Janet Marr

SPONSOR: Gratiot Lake Conservancy (GLC) http://www.gratiotlakeconservancy.org

Program Director, Bonnie Hay belh@verizon.net

FEE: Space is limited and advance enrollment is required. The fee for this 2-day workshop is $80 ($60 for Gratiot Lake Conservancy members). Fee includes a field notebook. Enrollment form can be downloaded from the Aquatic Plant Workshop page at http://gratiotlakeconservancy.org/AquaticPlantWrkshp2013.htm

SCHOLARSHIP: There will be a Janet Avery Scholarship available. Interested applicants should email Bonnie Hay at belh@verizon.net

Please indicate your affiliation, why you would like to attend the workshop, and how you intend to use what you learn in your work, studies, or teaching. Put “Aquatic Plant Workshop Scholarship” in the subject line.

WORKSHOP ACTIVITIES: Workshop activities will take place both inside the classroom and in the field at several Keweenaw lakes and channels/coves connected to Lake Superior. Submersed and floating-leaved aquatic plants will be identified with a focus on identification of pondweeds (Potamogeton and Stuckenia species) and rosette-formers including the Michigan endangered awlwort (Subularia aquatica). Techniques for collecting and herbarium specimen/label preparation will be demonstrated. Differences between aquatic invasive species such as Eurasian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) and their native relatives will be discussed.

Visit the GLC website to view photos of past Aquatic Plant Workshops. A list of aquatic plant species, many of which will be seen in the workshop, is being revised and will soon be available on the GLC website.

GUIDE TO AQUATIC PLANTS: An aquatic plant handbook Guide to Aquatic Plants of Gratiot Lake and other Keweenaw County Lakes and accompanying CD will be given to each participant free of charge and will be used during the workshop.

MICHIGAN K-12 TEACHERS will earn 12 SCECHS (State Continuing Education Clock Hours) by participating in this workshop.

TWO OTHER GRATIOT LAKE-SPONSORED 2013 WORKSHOPS. For further information please visit the GLC website or email Bonnie Hay at belh@verizon.net :

Beginners Workshop on Dragonflies and Damselflies, August 17 (raindate August 18), 10am – 4pm

http://www.gratiotlakeconservancy.org/DragonflyWrkshp2013.htm

Shoreline Restoration Workshop. August 26.

 If you know of anyone who may be interested in any of these workshops, please pass this message on to them. Thanks!

Janet Marr, Botanist
23180 Highway Rd.
Calumet, MI 49913
phone: 906-337-5529
email: jkmarr@mtu.edu and jkmarr2@hotmail.com