IISG to host free H.O.M.E.S. at Home webinars

Posted April 30th, 2020 in Education, Featured, Fisheries, News, Recreation & Tourism, Stormwater & Green Infrastructure, Sustainable Community Planning
photo of couch with smartphone and a cup of coffee, with the HOMES at Home logo overlaid
(Image courtesy of Michigan Sea Grant)

Interested in exploring the Great Lakes even though you’re stuck at home? With the global pandemic causing lockdowns and travel restrictions in many states, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) specialists are moving their usual in-person outreach events to the virtual world. Through live video streaming, IISG scientists will share their expertise on a multitude of topics. As a partner in Michigan Sea Grant’s H.O.M.E.S. at Home series (named after the five Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior), our webinars will be focused on learning more about Great Lakes topics, but many will be general enough that learners across the nation can discover fun facts about their natural environments.

If you miss the livestream lessons, no need to worry. Our H.O.M.E.S. at Home educational content will be archived on the IISG YouTube channel. For more educational resources, visit our Learning at Home page. Below are our upcoming, free webinars.

Rainscaping and Rain Gardens

Friday, May 1 – 9:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. CT

community members working together to plant flowers and shrubs in a rain garden

The webinar will introduce participants to rainscaping and will specifically focus on an overview of rain garden benefits, siting, sizing, design, installation and maintenance considerations. This program is a very short introduction to the information shared during the 2 day, 15 hour Rainscaping Education Program workshops.

Presenters:  Kara Salazar and John Orick

Join Webinar Watch on Facebook Live

Community Planning with Tipping Point Planner

Tuesday, May 5 – 10:30 a.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. CT

satellite image of Great Lakes region, with Tipping Point Planner logo, Supporting Sustainable Communities in Great Lakes StatesThe webinar will introduce participants to the free, online decision support tool features available in Tipping Point Planner for all Great Lakes states. The tools are resources for regional, county and municipal land use planning that focus on identifying natural resource issues and prioritizing critical areas. Tool topics address nutrient loading from agricultural and urban landscapes, land use changes and stream health.

Presenters:  Kara Salazar, Dan Walker, and Lydia Utley

Join Webinar Watch on Facebook Live

Hot and Cold: How do warm summers and icy winters affect fish?

Thursday, May 7 – 10:30 a.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. CT

yellow perch caught nearshore on Lake MichiganDo you live in a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters? Have you noticed how lakes and ponds freeze over in the winter but get as warm as bath water in the summer? In this webinar, you’ll learn about the unique annual physical changes that happen to water in your local lakes and ponds. The physical properties of water allow aquatic organisms to survive long, cold winters under thick ice as well as hot summers with warm water temperatures. Temperature can create barriers within ponds and lakes that can be tough for its inhabitants to cross. These annual changes can influence the location of oxygen and food for fish and other aquatic organisms as well as impact our experiences when we swim at the beach.

Presenter: Jay Beugly

Join Webinar Watch on Facebook Live

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is a part of University of Illinois Extension and Purdue Extension.

 

Writer: Hope Charters, 765.494.1614, hope@purdue.edu

IISG Instagram

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17970474224778067
🌊 Making Waves in Education Calling all K–12 educators — formal and non-formal! Stay connected to the Great Lakes and inspired in your teaching with our educator-focused newsletter.📬 Why Subscribe?✅ Discover teaching resources and professional development opportunities ✅ Connect with Sea Grant partners and community efforts✅ Bring Great Lakes science and stewardship into your classroom or program🗓️ Published quarterly — with occasional bonus issues when exciting events or new content arise!💡 Whether you’re in a classroom, nature center, or museum, this newsletter helps you make waves in education.👉 Sign up now: https://iiseagrant.org/education/subscribe-to-education-newsletter/ #TeachingTuesday#GreatLakesEducation

When participating in a crayfish participatory science activity, be sure to snap plenty of photos of any crayfish you catch or observe. Not only is it a great way to capture the fun and excitement of the day, but it also helps document the species present. To ensure accurate identification by scientists, it’s important to provide clear photos from multiple angles. Dorsal (top), lateral (side), and ventral (underside) views of the crayfish should always be photographed.

To learn more about the specific features to highlight in your photos visit the link in bio or
InvasiveCrayfish.org/Management/#Community

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 18519504694041949
When participating in a crayfish participatory science activity, be sure to snap plenty of photos of any crayfish you catch or observe. Not only is it a great way to capture the fun and excitement of the day, but it also helps document the species present. To ensure accurate identification by scientists, it’s important to provide clear photos from multiple angles. Dorsal (top), lateral (side), and ventral (underside) views of the crayfish should always be photographed.To learn more about the specific features to highlight in your photos visit the link in bio or InvasiveCrayfish.org/Management/#Community

Who says “Back to School” means back indoors? While the weather is still warm, take your students on an outdoor science adventure by exploring crayfish in your local waterways.

The Invasive Crayfish Collaborative invites grades 2-12 educators to take part in a hands-on participatory science activity. By catching, identifying, and reporting crayfish species in your area, students contribute valuable data that helps scientists better understand where native and invasive crayfish live.

Check out what other educators have found and get involved: inaturalist.org/projects/great-lakes-crayfish

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17949007619874652
Who says “Back to School” means back indoors? While the weather is still warm, take your students on an outdoor science adventure by exploring crayfish in your local waterways.The Invasive Crayfish Collaborative invites grades 2-12 educators to take part in a hands-on participatory science activity. By catching, identifying, and reporting crayfish species in your area, students contribute valuable data that helps scientists better understand where native and invasive crayfish live.Check out what other educators have found and get involved: inaturalist.org/projects/great-lakes-crayfish
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