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Plants and Animals

Michigan's lakes and streams are home to a wide variety of fish, plants, aquatic insects, zooplankton and more. Learn about them from the MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams.

Introduction to Lakes Online

Introduction to Lakes Online is a six-week online course specially designed for lake users, lakefront property owners and lake managers interested in learning about inland lakes. From the comfort of home or office, participants have 24/7 access to six online units complete with closed-captioned video lectures, interactive activities, additional resources, discussion forums, quizzes and live chat sessions with classmates and MSU Extension experts. The course is offered once a year in January.
Apr 11

Springtime Frog Walk at the MSU Corey Marsh Ecological Research Center

April 11, 2025 8:00PM – 9:30PM 9422 E. Herbison Road in Laingsburg, MI 48848

Want to learn more about the frogs that call Michigan home? Join us for an evening filled with croaks, trills, and splashes from some of our favorite frog friends during the MSU Science Festival.
May 16

Conservation Connections

May 16, 2025 9:00AM – 4:00PM Ziibiwing Center, 6650 E Broadway Rd. Mt Pleasant, MI 48858

Learn the heritage and history of the Anishinaabek people of the Great Lakes and how perspectives of our tribal communities are critical in informing conservation in Michigan.
Apr 24

Springtime Frog Walk at the Bengel Wildlife Center

April 24, 2025 8:00PM – 9:30PM 6380 Drumheller Rd, Bath Twp, MI 48808

Want to learn more about the frogs that call Michigan home? Join us for an evening filled with croaks, trills, and splashes from some of our favorite frog friends during the MSU Science Festival.
Mar 19

Michigan Certified Natural Shoreline Professional Training and Certification Program

March 19, 2025 – March 20, 2025 Lake St. Clair Metropark Thomas Welsh Activity Center, 31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township, MI 48045

The 2025 Michigan Certified Natural Shoreline Professional Training is for professional landscape, natural resource, and marine contractors who want to design, implement and maintain natural shoreline landscaping on inland lakes.
Apr 12

Springtime Frog Walk

April 12, 2024 7:00PM – 8:30PM Bengel Wildlife Center 6380 Drumheller Rd., Bath, MI 48808

Calling all frog lovers! Join us for an evening filled with croaks, trills, and splashes from some of our favorite frog friends and the Bengel Wildlife Center in Bath, MI.
Oct 17

2025 Shoreline and Shallows Conference

October 17, 2025 8:30AM – 4:00PM MSU Kellogg Center, 219 S Harrison Rd, East Lansing

The Shoreline and Shallows Conference is a biennial event that brings together professionals, researchers, agency staff, and others interested in protecting lake shorelines. This year's theme is "Restoring Resiliency to Shorelines."
Apr 1

Let’s Get Down to Quizness: Aquatic Invasive Species Trivia Night

April 1, 2025 6:00PM – 8:00PM Ellison Brewery and Spirits 4903 Dawn Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823

Aquatic invasive species threaten the most valuable asset of our Great Lakes state: our water. Join us for a fin-tastic bar trivia night hosted by MSU fisheries experts to explore the world of aquatic invasive species!
Jan 20

Introduction to Lakes Online Course

January 20, 2026 – April 3, 2026 Online

Introduction to Lakes Online is a six-week online course specially designed for lake users, lakefront property owners and lake managers interested in learning about inland lakes.
Sep 21

Conservation Pool Party

September 21, 2025 1:00PM – 3:00PM 2020 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing, MI 48910

Interested in connecting with others in the world of community science and conservation? Join the Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership and Michigan State University Extension at the Conservation Pool Party this fall.
Great Lakes Almanac to Invasive Crayfish

Published on July 1, 2024
This pamphlet provides detailed descriptions and illustrations of four invasive crayfish species: rusty crayfish, marbled crayfish, Australian crayfish, and red swamp crayfish).
Aquatic Invasive Plants: A Field Guide for Michigan Lakes, Streams, and Ponds

Published on April 17, 2025
This guide is designed to help you identify aquatic invasive plants that you might encounter in or near Michigan’s lakes, streams, and ponds. Each entry includes an illustration or photograph highlighting key characteristics to aid in identification.
Enrollment now open: Popular MSU Extension course Introduction to Lakes Online offered January 2026

Published on September 3, 2025
Register today for this unique opportunity to learn about inland lakes.
What’s the ‘sitch’ on swimmer’s itch?

Published on August 1, 2022
Swimmer’s itch is an allergic reaction to a parasitic infection – while it sounds frightening, it’s not nearly as serious as it sounds.
Granting change: Small grants empowering Michigan communities

Published on June 6, 2025
The Clean Boats, Clean Waters program awards $35,000 to twelve conservation groups to educate and empower their local communities in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, while actively engaging with boaters and anglers.
Lakes in the offseason: A look under the ice

Published on January 2, 2020
Learn about lakes this winter with Introduction to Lakes Online.
Ringing in spring with a peep! Getting to know the spring peeper

Published on April 23, 2025
Don’t be fooled by its small stature—Michigan’s smallest frog also happens to be the loudest.
Top 10 native plants for shorelines that are easy to find

Published on August 14, 2023
These native plants are not hard to locate and can improve your shoreline with their beauty and support of pollinators.
Meet Michigan's shy and only venomous snake: The eastern massasauga rattlesnake

Published on May 8, 2025
Michigan’s snakes are friends, not foes!
Mudpuppies! No, we are not talking about dogs

Published on November 16, 2022
While not as cuddly or playful as a fuzzy puppy, mudpuppies play an important role in our ecosystem and should be handled with care.