GLIN==> Michigan Clean Water Corps Conference - Oct. 2-3 at the Ralp MacMullan Center on Higgins Lake

October 2-3, 2006

Higgins Lake, Michigan

Registration Deadline: Monday, September 25, 2006.

Registration materials and conference program are available online at: http://www.micorps.net/conference2006.

Conference Overview

The second annual Michigan Clean Water Corps -- MiCorps -- conference is an excellent opportunity for volunteer monitoring program leaders, citizen volunteers, and water resource professionals to gather together and share ideas about volunteer monitoring. The two-day conference will feature presentations from regional experts and provide training for both beginning and advanced monitoring programs. The conference will cover such topics as getting started in volunteer monitoring, recruiting and retaining volunteers, managing and using your data, fundraising, and designing a monitoring strategy. In addition, representatives from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will review trends in water quality in Michigan’s lakes and rivers and discuss the role that volunteer monitoring data plays in supporting water quality protection efforts. Dr. Mike Wiley, Professor of Natural Resources at the University of Michigan, will provide the keynote address.

Who Should Attend

The conference is intended for volunteer monitoring program leaders, citizen volunteers, water resource professionals, and others interested in the health and protection of Michigan’s rivers, lakes and streams.

Call for Posters and Displays

A special poster session will be held Monday evening during the conference reception to showcase the efforts of Michigan’s volunteer monitoring programs. All volunteer monitoring programs are invited to participate. If you are interested in presenting a poster or display, contact Matt Doss, MiCorps staff, Great Lakes Commission, 734-971-9135, mdoss@glc.org.

Special Training: Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Identification

On day one of the MiCorps Conference, Jo Latimore with the Huron River Watershed Council will offer training on stream macroinvertebrate ecology and identification. The training session will be held at the MacMullan Conference center. The training is free of charge, but participation is limited to 20 people on a first come, first serve basis. Registration is required.

Special Workshop: Getting Started in Volunteer Monitoring

This workshop will be of particular interest to those who want to start a volunteer monitoring program or who have recently organized a volunteer group and need help strengthening their program. A panel of volunteer monitoring coordinators will also be present to share their experiences and lessons learned. All are invited to come and share their knowledge and expertise.

Registration and Lodging

The conference registration fee is $25 and includes lunch on Tuesday, breaks and all conference materials. Dormitory-style lodging is available at the MacMullan Center at a rate of $50 for a double room and $72 for a single room (both include breakfast on Tuesday). Monday night dinner is also available at the MacMullan Center for an additional cost of $10. Please visit the conference webpage for registration materials.

Contact Us

For more information, please contact Matt Doss, MiCorps staff, Great Lakes Commission, 734-971-9135, mdoss@glc.org, or visit the conference webpage at: http://www.micorps.net/conference2006.