Past Presentations

2018 Annual Meeting Presentation:

Effects of Climate Change on the Great Lakes Region

Attendees of the TRC 10th Annual Meeting (2018) tonight and were treated to a highly informative and persuasive presentation by Dr. David Karowe of WMU. He explained the scientific evidence which absolutely establishes the dominant role humans are playing in the warming of the planet. He went on to explain what life will be like in the Great Lakes by the end of this century under two scenarios: business as usual (do nothing) or return to the Paris Climate Agreement. There will be rising summer and winter temps, earlier and more severe spring floods, more frequent and more intense rain events, and more severe late summer droughts. We could lose iconic tree species like White Pine and Sugar Maple. Bottom line is that if we do nothing different, by the end of the century we will not recognize the place we call Michigan. But, if we act quickly, we can still choose the type of planet we leave to future generations. 

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2014 Annual Meeting Presentation:

Water

Peter Bane is a native Illinoisan who grew up in the university city of Champaign-Urbana. A frequent speaker and conference presenter, he is the author of The Permaculture Handbook: Garden Farming for Town and Country, and has published Permaculture Activist magazine since 1990. Familiar with tropical and temperate systems in North America, Hawaii, and the Caribbean, Peter has taught more than 1500 students in 80+ courses spread widely across the US, Canada, and as far afield as Chile, Argentina and Trinidad-Tobago, for more than 20 years. He holds the Diploma of Permaculture Design for teaching, media, and community service from both the Permaculture Institute - USA (2014) and the British Academy Worknet (2005).

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2013 Annual Meeting Presentation:

Climate Change in Michigan: How Do We Respond: Peter Sinclair

September Meeting- Geology of the Black and Paw Paw Rivers, Dr. Tara Kneeshaw

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2012 Annual Meeting Presentation:

A Wetland For Every Occasion: (Click to see presentation slides)

Matt Meersman, Watershed Coordinator for the Van Buren Conservation District, will highlight a project identifying high priority wetlands based on a variety of water quality and habitat related functions.

Matt has been working to protect rivers, lakes and streams in southwest Michigan for over 12 years.  His passion for protecting water comes from a love of being on and in it.  You can find him paddling canoes and kayaks on area lakes and rivers several days a week.  He currently serves as the President of the Friends of the St. Joe River Association.

Low Impact Development Workshop - SWMPC, March 2012

See presentation material here

Landscaping and Gardening Workshop - SWMPC, March 2012

See presentation material here

Invasive Plant Species Presentation - Shaun Howard, The Nature Concervancy, March 2012

See presentation slides here

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2011 Annual Meeting Presentations:

TOST - Protecting public health and water quality (Click to see presentation slides)

An evaluation of the successful Barry-Eaton District Health Department's Time Of Sale or Transfer (TOST) well and septic system inspection program which ensures safe drinking water and adequate disposal of sewage for premises served by on-site water supply and/or sewage systems.

Eric Pessell, Director Barry-Eaton Health Department

Mr. Pessell has 18 years of public health experience including 12 years in administration. He is two-time past president of the Michigan Association of Local Health Administrators, technical chair of the National Environmental Health Association and current and past member of several boards and task forces.

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2010 Annual Meeting:

Lake Eutrophication and the Influence of Road Salt

Dr. Carla Koretsky, Associate Professor, Western Michigan University - Aqueous Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry

Ph.D., M.Sc., Earth & Planetary Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University

B.A., cum laude in Earth & Planetary Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis

Dr. Koretsky's research interests include Biogeochemistry of Aquatic Environments, Mineral Surface Geochemistry, and Thermodynamic Properties of Aqueous Metal-Organic Complexes.

Controlling Run-off and Pollutants

Stu Kogge, VP Technical Services, JFNew

M.Sc., Fisheries/Limnology/Aquatic Biology, Michigan State University

B.S., Fisheries and Wildlife Management, Michigan State University

Mr. Kogge provides technical oversight and expertise to JFNew's wetland and regulatory services projects where he assists in wetland assessments, delineations, mitigation designs, ecological restorations, endangered species surveys, and fisheries and aquatic assessments.