IISG in the News: Invasive creatures spread to Fox River, Chain O’ Lakes

Posted June 10th, 2009 in Aquatic Invasive Species, News

From the Northwest Herald:

Local waters might seem clearer to the naked eye, but the reason behind it could disrupt the food chain and eventually the fish supply.

Zebra mussels, which are spreading throughout the Chain O’ Lakes and the Fox River, filter through a liter of plankton-filled water a day each as they go, said Pat Charlebois, aquatic invasive specialist with the Illinois Natural History Survey and the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant program.

But those plankton, which fog the water, are needed to serve as the base of the food chain.

“[Zebra mussels] are bad,” Charlebois said. “Because they’re removing particles from the water, some people think the water becomes clearer. Lake Michigan is clearer now, but that is because there’s no food.” Read more.

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There’s still time to register! Educators are invited to join the Great Lakes Region Place-Based Education Institute starting this February and dive into hands-on strategies that connect students with their communities and local environments. Don’t miss this powerful professional learning opportunity!

Learn more & register at the link in bio.

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 18063625076281979
There’s still time to register! Educators are invited to join the Great Lakes Region Place-Based Education Institute starting this February and dive into hands-on strategies that connect students with their communities and local environments. Don’t miss this powerful professional learning opportunity!Learn more & register at the link in bio.

🎉 Congratulations to our IISG Knauss Fellowship finalists!
We’re proud to announce Anupama Chandroth (@iubloomington) and Laura Gray (@illinois1867) as Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s finalists for the 2026 Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship.

They’ll join a national cohort of 48 finalists placed in executive and legislative branch offices in Washington, D.C., contributing scientific expertise to federal decision-making on marine, coastal, and Great Lakes issues.

Full story at the link in bio.

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17925527007208099
🎉 Congratulations to our IISG Knauss Fellowship finalists! We’re proud to announce Anupama Chandroth (@iubloomington) and Laura Gray (@illinois1867) as Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s finalists for the 2026 Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship.They’ll join a national cohort of 48 finalists placed in executive and legislative branch offices in Washington, D.C., contributing scientific expertise to federal decision-making on marine, coastal, and Great Lakes issues.Full story at the link in bio.

Ripple Effects is a collection of 8 activities for grades 6–12 that introduces students to aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes.

Through research, reporting, and role-playing games, students will:

✅ Explore how non-native species arrived
✅ Understand why they threaten native ecosystems
✅ Investigate their impact on the Great Lakes

Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Great Lakes Literacy Principles, this curriculum is perfect for engaging students in real-world science and stewardship.

🔗 visit the link in bio to learn more

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 17951809740076508
Ripple Effects is a collection of 8 activities for grades 6–12 that introduces students to aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes.Through research, reporting, and role-playing games, students will:✅ Explore how non-native species arrived✅ Understand why they threaten native ecosystems✅ Investigate their impact on the Great LakesAligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Great Lakes Literacy Principles, this curriculum is perfect for engaging students in real-world science and stewardship.🔗 visit the link in bio to learn more