Registration for the award-winning Michigan State University Extension Introduction to Lakes Online course is now open. This introductory six-week online class is designed for anyone interested in gaining a greater appreciation for inland lakes including concerned residents, decision makers, local leaders, and lakefront property owners. Course instructors include faculty from MSU Extension and state agency personnel.
The course covers a variety of topics including lake ecology, watershed management, shoreline protection, aquatic plants, Michigan water law, and community engagement. These topics are explored online through video lectures, interactive activities, and discussion forums. Additional resources are also provided for those looking to dive deeper. Participants communicate with each other and instructors through lively discussion forums and biweekly Ask-an-Expert webinars which include guests from organizations such as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Registration is open now through January 28, 2025. The cost of the course is $115 per person. Register by January 6 for an early bird price of $95 per person. A limited number of scholarships are available. Current individual members of the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association are eligible to receive a $95 reimbursement upon first successful completion of the course!
Participants can receive continuing education credits including 16 Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Pesticide Applicator Re-Certification credits (8 commercial core and 8 aquatic) and educational hours in the MSU Extension Master Gardener, Master Citizen Planner, and Master Naturalist programs.