Conference focuses on Michigan's natural shorelines
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EmailSecond Annual Shoreline and Shallows Conference, held during MSU’s ANR Week, to provide Michigan residents with access to Midwest experts.
Natural shorelines are an important topic across the Midwest glacial lake states. Loss of native shoreline vegetation to intense development continues to threaten lake ecosystems, water quality and tourism. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Lake Assessment identified poor lakeshore habitat as one of the two top stressors to inland lakes nationwide. The NLA found that poor biological health is three times more likely in lakes with poor lakeshore habitat relative to lakes with good habitat.
In its ongoing effort to increase knowledge and understanding of natural shoreline issues on inland lakes, the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership is pleased to announce the second annual Shoreline and Shallows Conference: Climate and Change and Lakeshore Landscaping. The conference will be held March 7 at Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at the main campus of Michigan State University in conjunction with MSU Agriculture and Natural Resource Week. Registration is $35 per person and includes lunch. Click here for more information and a link to online registration. Deadline for registration is March 2.
The one-day conference will host Midwest experts on climate change as it relates to fluctuating water levels and shoreline plant communities. Presentations also include low-impact techniques for dealing with storm water runoff and erosion control, native plant selection for shoreline projects, an inventory of Michigan’s lake-friendly local ordinances and natural shoreline case studies. Speakers include Mary Blickenderfer of the University of Minnesota, Donald Carpenter of Lawrence Technological University and Heather Stirratt, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, among others.
