Understand how Lake Michigan and its communities are impacted by climate change

Lake Michigan provides valuable ecosystem services to the coastal communities along its shorelines. Given the prevalence of anthropogenic stressors, such as increased nutrient loading, invasive species, and overfishing that have historically affected the lake, climate change is best viewed as a long-term stressor that has the ability to negatively affect the ecosystem services on which many people rely. In this webinar, we

• summarize projected changes in climate and aquatic habitats in the Lake Michigan
• describe key interactions between climate change and other stressors relevant to ecosystem services
• summarize how climate change can be incorporated into current lake management strategies

Presenter: Dr. Paris Collingsworth, Assistant Research Professor, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University and Great Lakes Ecosystem Specialist, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Erin Garrett at emedvecz@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs. 

Everyday Environment Series

The Everyday Environment Webinar Series focuses on a different environmental topic each month. These webinars provide new information on natural resources and help you learn how to make small changes in your lifestyle to have a positive impact on the environment. There is never a shortage of new things to learn about your everyday environment.

The schedule of webinars is below and registration is free. Please register for each individual webinar you are interested in attending at their respective registration link. Webinars are held on the second Thursday of the month at 1 PM.

Stormwater@Home and Lawn to Lake | July 14

Illinois residents are familiar with intense rainstorms that wash away soil and cause other issues. The water running off our roofs and lawns can impact downstream lakes and rivers. Are you wondering how you can make a difference in your own back (and front) yard? This webinar provides practical tips from programs in Extension and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. Topics include rain gardens, leaf management, and natural lawn care. 

Presenters: Eliana Brown, Layne Knoche, and Janice Milanovich

Cover Crops and Gardens | August 11

There is a lot of talk about the use of cover crops in agricultural settings.  What about in gardens?  Join Duane Friend as he discusses cover crop use in gardens, its benefits, and field demonstrations of its potential.  

Presenter: Duane Friend