NotMISpecies Webinar Series
Invasive species pose a threat to Michigan’s environment, economy, and sometimes even human health. What is at stake? What is being done? This webinar series explores how agencies, universities, and locally led organizations are working together to protect Michigan’s natural resources through the Michigan Invasive Species Program. If you are concerned about the impacts of invasive species or interested in the techniques used to control them, join us as we examine species-specific actions, innovations in research and technology, and programs designed to help communities prevent and manage harmful invasive species. A question-and-answer period will follow each presentation. Recorded versions of all previous NotMISpecies webinars are available at Michigan.gov/NotMiSpecies.
Upcoming webinars in the series
Invasive mussels not only foul docks and props and cut your feet, they also attach to native mussels, preventing movement, feeding and reproduction. In essence, zebra and quagga mussels are smothering Michigan’s native mussels. Michael Hillary, fisheries biologist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, with support from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, is seeking ways to protect the small, fragile populations of our native filter feeders. Join him to discover what he’s learned working with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory to sift through decades of data, locate healthy native mussel populations and field test management strategies to protect them.
In 2024, Michigan’s Invasive Species Program began assembling a team to focus on emerging populations of new invasive species and tree diseases on state lands. Today, four foresters and two wildlife biologists are hard at work detecting and managing watch list and high priority invasive species on 4.6 million acres of state forests, parks, recreation areas and game and wildlife areas. Join Michigan’s Invasive Species Response Team forester Gwen Grochowski and wildlife biologist Natalie Bekins to find out how their team’s efforts to detect and manage invasives are protecting critical habitats in your favorite outdoor places.
Not too long ago, collecting field data involved marking paper maps and jotting notes on a clipboard, but technology has rapidly transformed the collection, visualization and analysis of invasive species data. Mike Hindy, Greg Norwood and Emily Leslie of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will share how the Parks and Recreation Division is translating legacy point data collections to uncover trends in invasive species management across Michigan’s state parks. Are the infestations increasing, decreasing or remaining unchanged? Find out when you join them to learn about the challenges, considerations and future directions of Geographic Information Systems – GIS – in invasive species management.
REGISTRATION QUESTIONS:
Joel Roseberry: [email protected]
Alana Berthold: [email protected]
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