Click on the Green Abstract Titles to download the presentation PDFs.

Opening Presentation

Track I:
Current Topics in Wetland Science

Track II:
Protecting Michigan’s Wetlands, Lakes and Streams

Track III:
Wetland Restoration and Stewardship

Track I:
Current Topics in Wetland Science

Track II:
Protecting Michigan’s Wetlands, Lakes and Streams

Track III:
Wetland Restoration and Stewardship

Track I:
Current Topics in Wetland Science

Track II:
Protecting Michigan’s Wetlands, Lakes and Streams

Track III:
Wetland Restoration and Stewardship

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TRACK I: Current Topics in Wetland Science

Monitoring and Assessment of Michigan’s Wetlands

Moderator – Lucas Elenitsky, Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

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Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program

Matthew Cooper, Ph.D., Grand Valley State University

The Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Consortium developed a basin-wide monitoring plan in 2008 to determine the condition of coastal wetlands. This plan was implemented in 2011-2015 with funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative via USEPA GLNPO. A second and third phase of the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program was funded for 2016-2020 and 2021-2025, respectively. In each 5-yr sampling round most of the original study sites are revisited. The program has collected data on vegetation, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, birds, and chemical and physical parameters from most of the large coastal wetlands across the basin using standardized protocols. Additional wetlands have been sampled to benefit restoration projects. We will present summarized trends and analyses from the first ten years of the program.

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Utility of National Aquatic Resources Surveys for Michigan Water Quality Assessment

Gary Kohlhepp, EGLE

In 2005 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) secured funding to initiate national water quality assessments, after which the monitoring of rivers and streams, lakes, coastal waters (including the Great Lakes), and wetlands was initiated. Each of these waterbody types are monitored on a five-year cycle. The USEPA works with States and Tribes to carry out the sampling activities. Michigan has participated in each of these initiatives over the years as a means to augment EGLE’s existing water quality monitoring activities, enhance staff training, and assist with designated use assessment.  This presentation will describe these monitoring activities and how EGLE uses the information generated from these efforts.

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Michigan’s Statewide Wetland Monitoring Program

Kathleen Fairchild, EGLE

Michigan’s Wetland Monitoring Program is a primary part of the “State of Michigan Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment Strategy”. Beginning in 2016, randomly selected wetlands are monitored each year to determine the quality of wetlands in the state. The wetlands range from undisturbed forests of the UP, to fragmented wetlands of urban and suburban areas, to wet farmlands of our rural areas of the state. The information is used to evaluate quality and quantity of wetlands and identify status and trends. This presentation will cover program background, field protocols, and early data results.

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Vernal Pool Science and Conserva1on

Moderator – Abby Pointer, Michigan Nature Association

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Advancing Vernal Pool Science and Conservation: Michigan’s Vernal Pool Partnership

Yu Man Lee, Michigan Natural Features Inventory

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Mapping Michigan’s Vernal Pools with Multi-Source Remote Sensing

Mike Battaglia, Michigan Technological University
Contributors:
Laura Bourgeau-Chavez, Michigan Tech Research Institute
Dorthea Vander Bilt, Michigan Tech Research Institute
Rod Chimner, Michigan Technological University
Samantha Kurkowski, Michigan Technological University

Vernal pools in the Great Lakes region provide critical habitat for many species of plants, herptiles, and invertebrates.  Wetland inventories often do not include vernal pools because of their small size, variable hydroperiod, and likelihood of being hidden beneath forest canopies. Here we present a method to identify vernal pools using multi-temporal, multi-source remote sensing data in several of Michigan’s National Park properties. Color-infrared aerial photography, Lidar, and synthetic aperture radar were used to identify small, isolated depressions on the landscape and assess whether those depressions exhibited a hydroregime indicative of potential vernal pools. Multiple field visits confirmed approximately 75% accuracy using this approach.

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Protecting Michigan Herpetofauna through BMPs and Habitat Assessment

David Mifsud, Herpetological Resource and Management
Contributors: Aidan Navarre, Sam Lisak, Melissa Sano

Amphibians and reptiles (collectively regionally referred to as herpetofauna) are recognized key indicators of environmental health, this makes them ideal candidates for incorporation into a wetland functional assessment tool. Incorporating a system that considers reptile and amphibian communities would provide a stronger holistic approach to quantifying wetland value and function. This presentation will focus on the development of Michigan’s Herpetofauna Habitat Assessment Tool (Herp HAT) and the applications of this novel and important assessment tool for [protecting landscapes and species. The presentation will showcase several Best Management Techniques (BMPs) for restoring and improving habitat for wildlife with emphasis on amphibians and reptiles. We will also discuss the role and important of the Michigan Herpetological Atlas and the role this program plays in conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles and its importance to Herp HAT.

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TRACK II: Protecting Michigan’s Wetlands, Lakes and Streams

What‘s New with Michigan’s Wetlands, Lakes and Streams Program Part 1

Moderator – Jerrod Sanders, EGLE

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Wetlands Program; BMPs for Stormwater Managment; Avoiding and Minimizing Impacts from Utility/Linear Projects

Kathryn Kirkpatrick, EGLE

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Reducing Impacts to Inland Lakes and Streams: Focus on Alternative Designs and Best Management Practices

Eric Calabro, EGLE and Bethany Matousek, EGLE

This presentation will focus on ways that EGLE’s Inland Lakes and Streams Program is looking to reduce impacts to lakes and streams by promoting the use of best management practices and a thorough examination of alternative project designs. Stream topics will highlight the importance of the bankfull channel and floodplain connectivity in designs for projects such as stream crossings and realignments.  Areas of interest for inland lakes include avoiding and minimizing impacts for shoreline protection, aquatic invasive species, dredging and other inland lake projects in addition to reviewing best management practices and new outreach materials for inland lake shorelines. 

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Wetland Mitigation and Stream Mitigation Update

Michael Pennington, EGLE
Contributor: Bethany Matousek, EGLE

The purpose of this presentation is to provide updates and recent advances to EGLE’s Wetland and Stream Mitigation Programs.  Wetland mitigation updates will highlight the continued increase and availability of wetland bank sites as well as other program advances such as EGLE’s Wetland Hydrology Pilot Project, applications of environmental justice in the wetland mitigation realm and continuation of “no net loss” policies when reviewing proposed mitigation plans.  Stream mitigation updates will highlight the use of Michigan’s Stream Quantification Tool and common challenges with site selection and long-term protection. The presentation will also highlight successful mitigation efforts for both wetlands and streams.  

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What‘s New with Michigan’s Wetlands, Lakes and Streams Program Part 2

Moderator – Kyle Alexander, EGLE

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Michigan’s Section 404 Program

Anne Garwood, EGLE

In 1984, Michigan received authorization from the federal government to administer Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act in most areas of the state. This presentation will begin with basic information and background on how Michigan’s program is administered.  Then, this will touch on current issues and focus areas of Michigan’s Section 404 Program.

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Program Panel and Q&A

This session will provide an opportunity for EGLE panelists to go more in-depth on program information with follow-up Q&A.

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TRACK III: Wetland Restoration and Stewardship

Collabora1ng for Stewardship of Michigan’s Natural Resources

Moderator – Martha Holzheuer, Nature Niche LLC

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The Stewardship Network’s Perspective

Lisa Brush, The Stewardship Network

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Partnering for Nature: The Nature Conservancy

Tracy Melvin, The Nature Conservancy

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Conservation through Collaboration

David Mifsud, Herpetological Resource and Management, LLC

Collaboration is fundamental part to conserving and protecting our natural resources and species. This presentation will focus on the benefits of collaboration and present a case study for the value of collaboration.

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Innovative Approaches to Voluntary Wetland Restoration

Moderator – Tyler Smith, Niswander Environmental

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Using Landscape Level Assessment in Watershed Planning and Beyond

Jeremy Jones, EGLE

Using Landscape Level Assessment in Watershed Planning and Beyond- Taking a look at how the Landscape Level Functional Assessment was created and how it can be used in Watershed Planning and other wetland related projects.

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The EGLE/DNR Voluntary Wetland Restoration (VWR) Program: Consistency and Coordination

Mike Van Loan, EGLE and Randy Knapik, DNR

The current Voluntary Wetland Restoration (VWR) Program was born when Part 303 was amended in 2018, creating a program co-lead by designated staff from EGLE Water Resources Division and DNR Wildlife Division, with a focus on streamlining and enhancing permitting consistency for VWR projects across the state. Eligible projects are those which are voluntarily undertaken by state, federal, or tribal agencies, wetland focused non-governmental organizations, or a person in partnership with the above, that results in a net increase in wetland functions and services within an altered, degraded, or previously restored wetland. The VWR program routinely communicates with conservation partners in Michigan to encourage transparency and foster trust.

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Case Studies in Wetland Restoration

Brian Majka, GEI Consultants of Michigan

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

TRACK I: Current Topics in Wetland Science

Advancing Climate Change Adap1on for Michigan’s Wetlands

Moderator – Brian Majka, GEI Consultants of Michigan

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Great Lakes Water Levels and Basin Conditions

Deanna Fielder, United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Megan Royal, USACE, and Zoe Miller, USACE.

A few years ago, in 2019 and 2020, record high water levels occurred across the Great Lakes. Heading into the Fall of 2023 water levels on the Great Lakes are above their long-term average levels, but well below record high levels. The primary driver of water level fluctuations are weather and hydrologic conditions experienced in the basin. This presentation will display the impact of hydroclimate conditions on recent changes in water levels. We will also discuss our 6-month Great Lakes Water Level Forecast and our Great Lakes Water Level Future Scenarios Product. Information on water levels and basin conditions can be accessed on our website at the following link: https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/

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Climate Change and Michigan’s Wildlife: Good News and Bad News

Chris Hoving, DNR

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Current Research on Phragmites Management

Moderator – Randall Knapik, DNR

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Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative: Managing Phragmites with science on your side 

Samantha Tank, Great Lakes Commission
Contributors:
TUCKER-SILVA, Taaja R., Great Lakes Commission
GRUNINGER, Theresa M., Great Lakes Commission
KOWALSKI, Kurt P., U.S. Geological Survey

The Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative (GLPC) formed in 2012 to facilitate communication among stakeholders across the region and serve as a resource center for information on invasive Phragmites biology, management, and research. The GLPC utilizes Collective Impact, a structured collaborative process to improve efficiency and effectiveness of inter-organizational partnerships which, leads to collective progress on challenging issues like invasive Phragmites. In 2017, the GLPC launched the Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework (PAMF), a collective learning and participatory science program designed to find best management practices for Phragmites. Through collaborative action, PAMF continues to serve and learn from Phragmites managers across the Great Lakes basin, while also working toward advancing the goals and common agenda of the GLPC.

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Implementation of biological control for introduced Phragmites in Canada

Ian Jones, University of Toronto
Contributors:
Michael McTavish – University of Toronto
Sandy Smith – University of Toronto
Rob Bourchier – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Introduced Phragmites is one of the most invasive plants in North America. Classical biological control represents an affordable, host-specific, and sustainable tool to supplement existing management options. Two European stem boring moths, Archanara neurica (Hübner) and Lenisa geminipuncta (Haworth) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), were approved for release in Canada in 2019. Since that time, an operational protocol for the rearing, release, and monitoring of these insects has been developed. To date, over 23,000 moths have been released across 30 sites in Ontario. We discuss the current status of the Phragmites biological control program in Canada, and outline plans to scale up the release program through the establishment of nurse sites across the province.

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Targeting Plant-Microbe Interactions: Continued Development and Testing of an Alternative Phragmites Management Strategy

Spencer Widin, U.S. Geological Survey
Contributor:
Kurt Kowalski, U.S. Geological Survey

Non-native Phragmites australis (common reed) plants continue to invade wetlands and other sensitive ecosystems throughout Michigan and across the nation. The USGS Great Lakes Science Center is developing innovative management approaches that include non-toxic treatments that target the symbiotic relationships between plants and microbes. Two years of field testing has revealed that the treatments can kill aboveground biomass consistently, but the optimal formulation and application strategy to maximize long-term impact of the treatment on plants is less clear. Testing continues at several field sites across Michigan and in New Jersey. This approach will complement other developing control strategies (e.g., insect biocontrol, genetic biocontrol) and offer resource managers more treatment options for Phragmites across the basin. 

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Innovations in Mapping and Technology

Moderator- Benjamin VanderWeide, Oakland Township

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What’s New with GIS at EGLE

Chad Fizzell, EGLE

There are exciting new developments in EGLE’s Wetland Protection Program in the use of GIS and Remote Sensing, advanced resource inventories focusing on Michigan’s hydrology, and the tools we use to share these advancements with our stakeholder.  This presentation will cover the ongoing National Wetland Inventory 2015 Update being produced in Michigan, and its integration and overlap with the 3D Hydrology Project (formerly the National Hydrography Dataset) working to inventory Michigan’s streams/rivers.  In addition, new tools and techniques for inventorying lake shoreline condition will be presented.  Finally, a brief demo of Wetlands Map Viewer updates and the new EGLE Open Data Portal will highlight EGLE GIS data availability and access.

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Advances in Wetland Data Collection

Jeremy Jones, EGLE

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Shoreline Decision Support Tool

Brian Majka, GEI Consultants of Michigan

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Improving the Integration of Stream and Wetland Projects

Moderator – Riley Walsh, EGLE

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Planning and Design of Stream Restoration Projects

John Saltanovitz, EGLE

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Restoring Riparian Wetlands by Improving Headwater Streams

Rob Myllyoja, Environmental Consulting and Technology

Riparian wetlands provide many unique habitats in the headwaters of our watersheds. However, the channelization of streams can result in a loss of the many beneficial services that these systems once provided. The restoration of our headwater stream valleys provides a unique opportunity to improve the physical processes and natural channel form that support their resiliency. This requires that designers study functional, natural streams as a template for design. Restoring hydrological floodplain connectivity and groundwater inter-flow is one of the most effective ways to improve the riparian wetland habitats within the headwaters.

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What Did the Floods say to the Wetlands

Patrick Ertel, DNR

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TRACK II: Protecting Michigan’s Wetlands, Lakes and Streams

Federal Program Updates

Moderator –Robyn Schmidt, EGLE

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U.S. EPA Updates, Rulemakings and Federal Oversight

Melanie Burdick, U.S. Environmental ProtecHon Agency Region V

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently undertaken multiple Clean Water Act rulemakings.  Along with summaries of three recent rulemakings and descriptions of how they fit into Michigan’s assumed Clean Water Act Section 404 program, the EPA update includes a general overview of federal oversight and examples of federal comments that often come up in response to large projects.

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program – The Complete Permit Application

Shawn Sanchez, USACE

The top ten requests for additional information will be presented to aid in making your application administratively complete for processing and review on the first submittal.

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Federal Endangered Species Updates

Carrie Tansy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

This session will feature updates on Federal Endangered Species.

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The Importance of Tribal Wetland Protection Programs

Moderator – Katie Fairchild, EGLE

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Restoring the Dowagiac River and Grand Kankakee Marsh on Tribal Properties

Dr. Jenifer Kanine, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indian

Over the past decade the Pokagon Band has endeavored to restore wetland functionality in two main locations, one within the Great Lakes Basin (Dowagiac River Watershed) and one within the Mississippi River Basin (Kankakee River Watershed). Most recently the restoration of historic meander bends to the Dowagiac River on tribal properties lengthened a dredged, straightened river and restored hydrologic functionality to adjacent wetlands. In the Kankakee River watershed, the Pokagon Band has 1,147 acres enrolled with the former Wetland Reserve Program. Wetland scrapes, habitat restoration, prescribed burning, and additional management have begun to bring back the Grand Kankakee Marsh in this small section along the Kankakee River.

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Wetlands and Wild Rice Conservation

Jennifer Bailey, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and Ayla Sisco, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe

Tawas Lake is home to the largest Wild Rice stand in the State of Michigan.  Aquatic invasive species threaten the health of Wild Rice beds and the lake’s ecosystem.  Through innovative management practices the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan is combating aquatic invasive species and working towards restoring Wild Rice in its native territories.

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Avoiding Impacts to Rare Species and Communities

Moderator- Bryana J. Guevara, Marx Wetlands LLC

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Michigan’s Special Wetland Ecological Communities

Keto Gyekis, EGLE

Considering Michigan’s Special Wetland Ecological Communities when Administering the State’s Wetland Protection Statute and Rules.

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Protecting Michigan’s Federally Endangered Bats

Jenny Wong, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Of the 10 bat species observed in Michigan to date, two of them are federally listed as endangered, one is proposed for listing as endangered, and five are state listed as threatened or endangered. Several of these species were common and/or wide-ranging in Michigan before the local emergence of white-nose syndrome but have experienced severe population declines as a result of the fungal disease. This presentation will provide information on the ecology, life history, and distribution of Michigan’s most vulnerable bats, along with Endangered Species Act updates and guidance and voluntary conservation measures.

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Protecting Michigan’s Rare Mussels

Jessica Pruden, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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Considering Environmental Justice in Decision Making

Moderator –Michael Pennington, EGLE

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Considering Environmental Justice: An EGLE perspective

Regina Strong, EGLE

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Environmental Justice and Community Engagement

Ross Harris, Back to the Land Coalition

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TRACK III: Wetland Restoration and Stewardship

Wild Rice Protection and Stewardship

Moderator – Derek Haroldson, EGLE

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The Michigan Wild Rice Initiative and Tribal- State Manoomin Stewardship Plan

Jared Ten Brink, University of Michigan

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Tribal Perspectives on Wild Rice Protec1on

Roger LaBine, Lac Vieux Desert Environmental Department

The presentation will discuss the relationship between the Three Fires Society Midewiwin and the Sacred Gift Manoomin from the Creator. Touch on the Spiritual, Traditional, and Cultural importance to the Indigenous communities. The need to secure protection to the restoration projects of the federally recognized tribes located in Michigan, and some of the actions being taken to recognize and protect it as a resource.

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Environmental Planning for Utility and Other Linear Projects

Moderator – Gretchen Railling, ITC Holdings Corp

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Wetlands Program; BMPs for Stormwater Managment; Avoiding and Minimizing Impacts from Utility/Linear Projects

Kathryn Kirkpatrick, EGLE

This presentation aims to provide consultants, agents, and Joint Permit Application (JPA) applicants with resource impact considerations for various kinds of utility projects, from new generation and transmission to existing corridors and maintenance. General Best Management Practices and items to provide in the JPA will be covered; 

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Construction and Restoration Techniques for Linear Projects in Wetlands and Streams

Sherry Slocum, Holland Engineering

The presentation will focus on construction methods and restoration techniques for linear projects (such as oil and gas pipelines, transportation, water line, and power) that traverse through wetland and streams.  The presentation will focus on what to include on site plans, detail sheets, permit submittals, and mapping that can aid the contractor in protecting natural resources through proper construction, restoration, and up to date green materials.

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Strategic Renewable Siting for Natural Resources and Permitting

Jason DeMoss, Environmental ConsulHng and Technology, Inc. and Ryan Diederichsen, Environmental ConsulHng and Technology, Inc.

As the United States moves toward reducing carbon dioxide emissions and a carbon-neutral future, private developers and utility providers are increasingly moving toward developing utility-scale wind and solar farms throughout Michigan. Before constructing these renewable energy projects, developers must consider the impact on natural resources – including wetlands, streams, floodplains, forests, grasslands, and habitats for threatened and endangered species. In addition to potential natural resource impacts, developers must consider designing the project to meet the needs of local municipality ordinances. This presentation will discuss how to assess natural resources and local ordinances to meet the needs of renewable energy developers.

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Nearshore Habitat Protection and Restoration

Moderator – Erin Emington, EGLE

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National Lake Assessment: Michigan Lake Shorelines

Gary Kohlhepp, EGLE

Starting in 2007 and every five years thereafter, the State of Michigan has partnered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to collect information on a variety of indicators from approximately 50 randomly selected inland lakes to address the following questions: 1) What are the current biological, chemical, physical, and recreational condition of lakes? 2) Is the proportion of lakes in the poor condition changing? and 3) Which environmental stressors are most strongly associated with degraded biological condition in lakes?  The data can be used to answer these questions on individual lakes as well as on state, regional, and national scales. Parameters include water chemistry measurements as well as littoral zone, shoreline, and riparian area indicators. This presentation will focus on results from 2017 (2022 data are not yet completely available) with an emphasis on shoreline and riparian zone parameters.

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Shoreline Trends and Best Management Practices: Combatting Cumulative Impacts through Homeowner-Scale Techniques

Eric Calabro, EGLE
Contributor:
Gary Kohlhepp, EGLE

Natural shorelines and littoral zones provide important functions and values to Michigan’s inland lakes. Assessments of Michigan’s inland lakes have shown that shoreline hardening and nearshore development have impacted nearshore habitat complexity around the State. Inland lake and shoreline education, technology, and infrastructure has made less impactful shoreline protection alternatives widely available and achievable. Inland lake shoreline trends, recent regulatory changes, and best management practices will be discussed.

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Michigan Case Studies in Nearshore Protection and Restoration

Erick Elgin, Michigan State University
Contributor:
Eric Calabro, EGLE

Widespread loss of wetland and nearshore habitat along inland lakes has resulted in an increase in restoration activities that rebuild shoreline function. In particular, techniques that balance riparian landowner wants in combination with ecosystem restoration techniques are of key importance to have a successful and sustainable project. In this presentation, we will explore multiple restoration and protection projects from lakes around Michigan. Projects discussed will include adding downed wood to the littoral zone, planting submersed aquatic plants, rebuilding natural shorelines on high and low energy lakes, and a quantitative approach to monitoring the submersed macrophyte community. 

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Stewardship of Rare Species

Moderator- Randall Phillips, Barr Engineering Co.

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Michigan Threatened and Endangered Species Updates

Amy Bleisch, DNR

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Michigan’s Wildlife Action Plan

Tony Henehan, DNR

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Pollinator Conservation

Meredith Holm, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

This presentation will provide an overview of the status of our native Michigan pollinators, review the importance of a diversity of pollinators to ecosystem and human health, the conservation of their habitats and current collaborative pollinator conservation efforts within the state and region.  

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

TRACK I: Current Topics in Wetland Science

Current Topics in Wetland Research

Moderator – Yu Man Lee , Michigan Natural Features Inventory

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Macroinvertebrate biodiversity patterns of interdunal wetlands

Tiffany Schriever, Ph.D, Western Michigan University

Interdunal wetlands are a globally rare habitat that hosts a wealth of aquatic diversity. The freshwater sand dune ecosystem of the Great Lakes stretches across 4 degrees of latitude and up to 5 km wide creating strong environmental and vegetation succession gradients. We focused on identifying biodiversity patterns at local and regional scales, while examining the influence of and change across environmental gradients in taxonomic, functional, and genetic diversity. Our research is the first to test metacommunity hypotheses and to systematically inventory aquatic macroinvertebrate biodiversity in Laurentian Great Lakes interdunal wetlands.  

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Do created compensatory wetlands form cookie-cutter communities?

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TRACK II: Protecting Michigan’s Wetlands, Lakes and Streams

Advancing Efforts to Avoid and Minimize Impacts

Moderator –Helena Nelson, EGLE

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Using Long-term Management Plans, Stewardship Agreements, and Endowments to Preserve Wetlands

Anne Garwood, EGLE

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BMPs for Stormwater Management

Christe Alwin, EGLE and Kathryn Kirkpatrick, EGLE

This presentation will provide an overview of stormwater programs within EGLE, as well as general Best Management Practices (BMPs) to follow and resources to use when planning and designing stormwater management on project sites.

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Hydrogeological Investigations

Lena Pappas, EGLE and Michael Pennington, EGLE

The purpose of this presentation is to provide updates and recent advances to EGLE’s Wetland and Stream Mitigation Programs.  Wetland mitigation updates will highlight the continued increase and availability of wetland bank sites as well as other program advances such as EGLE’s Wetland Hydrology Pilot Project, applications of environmental justice in the wetland mitigation realm and continuation of “no net loss” policies when reviewing proposed mitigation plans.  Stream mitigation updates will highlight the use of Michigan’s Stream Quantification Tool and common challenges with site selection and long-term protection. The presentation will also highlight successful mitigation efforts for both wetlands and streams.  

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TRACK III: Wetland Restoration and Stewardship

Invasive Species Management

Moderator – Nate Ring, Environmental ConsulHng and Technology, Inc

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Invasive Species Early Detection and Response

William Keiper, EGLE
Contributors:
Sarah LeSage, EGLE Water Resources Division
Tom Alwin, EGLE Water Resources Division

Early detection of invasive species is the critical point between introduction of a new species and establishment on the landscape. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has been actively conducting aquatic invasive species (AIS) early detection monitoring since 2014 with a focus on aquatic invasive plants. Starting in 2016, EGLE has worked to address populations of watch list aquatic invasive species. The goal of this work is to prevent the establishment and spread of aquatic invasive plants on Michigan’s watch list and pursue local eradication, when possible and practical. We will present lessons learned including information on eradication case studies and control actions used.

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U.P. Phragmites Coalition – a collaborative approach to success

Nick Cassel, U.P. Resource Conservation and Development Council

Established in 2013, the partners of the U.P. Phragmites Coalition have worked together as a cohesive unit to successfully manage invasive Phragmites across the 15 counties of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP). Join Nick Cassel, Executive Director of the U.P. Resource Conservation and Development Council, to learn about these long-term successes and lessons learned utilizing management strategies at a large geographic scale.

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Watch List for Wetlands

Sarah LeSage, EGLE

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) considers all invasive species to be concerning however those on Michigan’s watchlist are the biggest threat. Invasive species on the watchlist have been identified as posing an immediate or potential threat to Michigan’s economy, environment, or human health. These species either have never been confirmed in the wild of Michigan or have a limited known distribution. We will present an overview of Michigan’s watch list particularly those impactful to wetlands including range distribution and recent updates. 

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Collective Ripples: Project Clarity’s work to restore the Macatawa Watershed