On September 9-10, more than two hundred scientists, natural resource managers, and beach health experts will be headed to Saginaw Valley State University to discuss how science should impact policy pertaining to the Great Lakes.
Officials said the 2019 “State of Lake Huron Conference” will allow researchers to talk about the issues affecting Lake Huron including climate change, invasive species and harmful algae blooms. The goal of this summit is to help connect science to policy and improve the health of Lake Huron.
International Association for Great Lakes Research Vice President, Ed Verhamme, said as an international lake, Huron falls under many different jurisdictions that need to coordinate policy.
“Having a summit like this where scientists are telling policy folks what is happening with the lake, it helps keep all of these agencies coordinating and really working together.”
Verhamme said the summit is a unique opportunity for scientists and policy makers across the basin.
“This is the first opportunity for scientists to really report out about the state of Lake Huron, about the health of it and the agencies are going to take this knowledge and come up with those priorities.”
The summit includes two keynote speakers which can be viewed through a livestream.
Michael Kelly, Director of the Conservation Fund Great Lakes Office will be presenting “Saginaw Bay WIN: Building Support for Restoration in Michigan’s Largest Watershed” on Wednesday at noon.
Mark Fisher, CEO of the Council of the Great Lakes Region will be presenting “A Science Policy Conversation” with another organization.
The public is also invited to attend a free open, event to talk about the state of Lake Huron, agency actions and ways to protect the lake on Wednesday from 7-8:30PM at the Rhea Miller Recital Hall at SVSU.