Partnering with Northwestern Michigan College Great Lakes Campus, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy will host a Plankton-Algae Course designed to provide water plant operators and environmental managers with the basic tools to identify the major groups of algae and cyanobacteria that are found in freshwater systems, an understanding of ecological factors that lead to bloom formation, information on monitoring technologies, and strategies to mitigate the impact of these organisms on the water treatment process.
Registration Fee: $275.00, includes course materials, lab fees, and breakfast and lunch each day
Registration/Cancellation Deadline: August 8, 2025
Continuing Education: 1.9 Technical for drinking water, course code 3095
Location: Northwestern Michigan College Main Campus HS 117, 1570 College Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686
Registration Questions:
Joel Roseberry (RoseberryJ@Michigan.gov)
Alana Berthold (BertholdA@Michigan.gov)
SCHEDULE
- Day 1 - August 19
Will focus on the identification of the algae and cyanobacteria and include lecture and course materials on major taxonomic groups and laboratory time where students will use microscopes and taxonomic keys to identify specimens collected from area fresh water lakes.
- Day 2 - August 20
Will include lectures on monitoring methods and going out into the field to collect samples from Traverse City regoin. Students will have the opportunity to identify the major taxonomic groups found in Lake Michigan and from a local inland lake , Lake Muskegon, in which to compare the difference between oligotrophic and eutrophic systems. Hand-on experiments and lectures will focus on the use of chlorophyll and phycocyanin technologies.
- Day 3 - August 21
Will focus on prevention and control strategies for the impact of cyanobacteria and algae blooms on the water treatment process. Techniques, online monitoring and optimization tools will be presented. A workshop format will be used to present technical information and discuss case studies of treatment problems and solutions. The course will end with a panel discussion on treatment and assessment methods and provide opportunities exchanging information and answering questions.
Lodging: A limited number of lodging rooms are availalbe at the Park Place Hotel, 300 E. State St., Traverse City, MI, 49684. Please provide the following information and email it to the hotel. The room rate is $179.00 plus applicable taxes. Lodging nights available are August 18-21, 2025. Lodging room block expiration is July 3, 2025, or if the rooms sell out prior to the expiration date.
- Group Block Code/Group Name: EGLE25
- Reservation Name
- Check-in Date
- Check-out Date
- Phone Number
- Specific requests/reqruirements (e.g., two beds, adjoining room, accessible room). Please keep in mind these are request the hotel strives to honor each one based on availability.
Please send your hotel request informaiton to resv-grp@park-place-hotel.com. A hotel team member will follow up as soon as possible. If you need immediate assistance, you can contact the hotel directly at 231-946-5000.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations made on or before August 8, 2025, will receive a full refund of the registration fee. Those who cancel after August 8 and no-shows, will be responsible for the full registration fee. Substitutions are welcome any time.
For more drinking water training opportunities, visit Michigan.gov/EGLEevents
Individuals needing language assistance or accommodations for effective participation at this event should contact Joel Roseberry at 517-599-9494 by August 5, 2025 to request language, mobility, visual, hearing, translation, and/or other assistance.
EGLE does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, marital status, disability, political beliefs, height, weight, genetic information, or sexual orientation in the administration of any of its programs or activities, and prohibits intimidation and retaliation, as required by applicable laws and regulations.